One of the many great things to do in Collingwood is the Collingwood Museum. Residents and visitors alike visit this completely free museum (by donation!) regularly. With special events, educational programs, archives, research facilities and a gift shop, the Collingwood Museum has it all! Volunteer-run, this museum gives a great opportunity for those in Collingwood to give back to their community.

This museum showcases Collingwood’s marine heritage for the last 150 years. The exhibits change throughout the year and there is a ship sidelaunch every 15 minutes. There are also some great activities for children. Take, for example, the kids programs this summer. All programs are only $12 and only $10 for museum members. The three-hour programs require registration and feature so much fun. Some of the best programs this July at the Collingwood Museum include:

• Sensational Sister Cities – features Collingwood’s sister cities, along with crafts and other fun activities related to those cities
• Kickstart my Art – everything from clay to fashion to birdhouses
• Blast from the Past – celebrating Collingwood’s amazing heritage with lessons on blacksmithing, ship crafts and railway history
• Water Week – learn about canoeing, fishing, sailing, rowing and swimming during this themed week that celebrates Collingwood’s nautical past and present

Becoming a member of the museum definitely has its advantages, like 20% off in the gift shop, 20% off photographic services, free access to the archives and research facilities, invitations to special events and special rates on museum trips.

Rated as the #2 thing to do in Collingwood on TripAdvisor after the Georgian Trail, it is definitely somewhere that young and old like to visit. The majority of the reviews give it an excellent or very good rating. Reviewers say it is a “small but interesting” museum with friendly staff. Visitors learn quite a bit about Collingwood and its history, as well as the history of the surrounding areas.

Open daily from 9am to 5pm, this might be a fun thing to do when the rain starts this fall!