Tag: collingwood things to do

Art Events in Collingwood

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Events

Collingwood is a town not only known for its fantastic skiing and recreation, but also a thriving art scene. During the month of November, there are a number of art events to keep anyone even vaguely interested in the arts busy while you wait for the snow to fall.

Music for a Sunday

This event has been happening since September, but if you haven’t heard of it yet, you’ll definitely want to check it out in November. It is a series of 10 concerts over five Sundays and four of them are happening this month. ZimZum, CCI Jazz Band, the Venuti String Quartet and Rowyn Campbell are all playing at the Simcoe Street Theatre this month. Ticket prices vary, but you can get through Blue Mountain Music or at the Simcoe Street Theatre box office.

Points of View: John David Anderson and Mark Hope

Head to The Blue Mountains Public Library to witness the points of view of John David Anderson and Mark Hope, as expressed through a painting exhibition. Their work will be displayed from November 3rd until the 30th.

Annual Square Foot Show

At the Loft Gallery in Thornbury, this show happens on November 4th from 4pm. You’ll start at the Corner Café, across the street, where you’ll be getting a numbered ticked for the show. All paintings sold will be 12×12 in size and sell for $144 plus tax. All work is original and gorgeous!

Candle Making Workshop

You don’t have to just view art, you can make it. Head to Serendipity Candles at 20 Balsam Street, Unit 14, for a 60-minute candle making workshop, where you’ll learn to make four candles. You’ll select your scent and jar and do all of the fun stuff yourself!

Creative Collingwood Symposium

An initiative for arts and positive change in communities, the 4th annual Creative Collingwood Symposium happens on November 8th at the Simcoe Street Theatre. This incredible event brings together what they call “creatives” from across the South Georgian Bay area for learning and networking. There will be keynote speakers, breakout sessions, plus networking with refreshments. The event is completely free and you just need to register to reserve a spot. Anyone who is a creative professional or even who has an aspiring talent is welcome to join.

Sweetwater Film Festival

Film buffs will love the lineup of 11 short films focusing on the outdoors and outdoor recreation. Happening at the Gayety Theatre, this event donates 100% of the proceeds to outdoor programs for local youth. It happens on November 11th at 7pm and tickets are $25.

Do you know of any other great arts events happening in our region? Let us know!

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The New Woodview Mountaintop Skating Trail

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood things to do

Get ready to go skating on top of the mountain this winter! The Woodview Mountaintop Skating path will be a 1.1 km path located at the top of the ski hill in Blue Mountain. A very unique twist on traditional recreational skating, the path will meander through a tree-covered trail with gorgeous scenic views.

Construction has already begun on the skating trail, which will be located at the top of the Orchard Express and Southern Comfort chairlifts. The trail will open in January 2018, not long after all of the ski hills and chairlifts open for skiing and snowboarding at Blue Mountain.

Using the snowmaking equipment that Blue depends on during those winters when it just doesn’t snow enough to make skiing enjoyable, the skating trail will be flooded and then smoothed with a Zamboni machine.

There will also be a skating hut located at the top of the mountain, where visitors can purchase tickets, rent skates and lockers. It will also be a spot to warm up with a hot chocolate or a coffee while taking a break for skating.

After its grand opening, the skating trails will be open weekdays from 12pm until 5pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am until 8pm and Sunday from 10am until 5pm. On Friday and Saturday, the skating trail will be closed from 4 until 6pm for maintenance. After that, at 6pm, they will have tiki torch illuminated skating.

Two hours of skating will cost you $16 for adults and $13 for youth (kids 12 and under). Tack on skate rentals to that and adults will cost $22 and youth will cost $19. Helmets are required on the skating trail.

If skating at the top of the mountain doesn’t interest you, or you are wondering what other activities there are to do in Collingwood at Blue Mountain, there is so much to do this winter.

As always, there is also skating on Mill Pond in the village. Hike and Tube lets you sit and slide down the mountain. Snowshoeing is a great way to see the scenic Niagara Escarpment and there are guided tours if you need them. Bring your own equipment or rent snowshoes at the base of the mountain. Winter caving is also seriously cool and something that will make your holidays extraordinary. Discover all of the wildlife who live on the mountain this winter.

While we are having a beautiful and warm fall so far, the forecast is calling for a ton of snow this winter, which to some is a great thing. Winter will be here before you know it!

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Canada Day in Collingwood

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Events

As you will definitely know, Canada is celebrating its 150th birthday this year. Celebrations are going on all over the country, but there is no better spot to celebrate this historic birthday than in Collingwood. There are so many events going on that you truly don’t want to miss.

Collingwood Festival for Canada

Happening all weekend from June 30th until July 2nd, this family festival is exciting and one-of-a-kind. Start on Friday by heading downtown and celebrate not just Canada, but also Collingwood’s 40th anniversary. From 4pm until 10pm in the parking lot at Pine and Second streets, there will be entertainment from the 70s, food, dancing, trivia and a cash bar. If that doesn’t appeal to you, the Centennial Aquatic Centre is hosting a free family swim from 7 until 8pm. If you want to get out on the water, there are a number of harbour cruises available.

On Canada’s birthday, the list is endless for things to do. Start with a pancake breakfast at the town hall, prepared by celebrity chefs. After that, head to the kid’s fishing derby in the Collingwood Harbour. Get a prize for the biggest, the smallest and the ugliest fish. The bike parade starts at 10am and the anniversary BBQ and free family swim is from 10am until 3pm.

You’ll enjoy a lumberjack show, fashion show, a presentation by Princess Emilie, a rubber duck race, face painting, balloon creations, plus art exhibits and a Canada150 reaffirmation ceremony. Don’t forget your free piece of birthday cake! Kids will enjoy the kid’s activity centre and the healthy kids community challenge.

There will be many musical entertainers at Millennium Park including:

  • Brianna McGowan
  • Sharing Dance
  • Songbird Music Studio
  • Mila Filatova and Friends
  • Ninety-One 1
  • Harmony North Chorus
  • Coming of Age
  • Austin McCarthy
  • Mike McCarthy Band

Watch the sunset over the water, while you have a family picnic with a free meal compliments of Loblaws at Millennium Park starting at 7pm. Enjoy the evening together while waiting for the fireworks, which start at 10pm. Millennium Park is the best place to watch from, but anywhere along the waterfront will work! If you’d prefer to watch from the water, consider a harbour cruise.

The celebrations aren’t over yet! On Sunday, there’s still lots more to do. The Georgian Bay Cup Race happens at 7am, and is followed by another lumberjack show, children’s activity centre and more. The evening starts with a farm to table street feast. Simcoe Street will transform into a pedestrian-only outdoor celebration of local food, with a menu prepared in collaboration with local chefs. There will be one long community dinner table of 150 people with two seatings. The Simcoe Street Theatre will play short films between seatings.

Cap off your night with the Mudmen in concert at the Shipyards Amphitheatre.

Happy birthday Canada!

 

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Treat Dad in Collingwood this Father’s Day

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Events / Collingwood things to do

He helped you with your homework, threw the baseball until you finally hit it and wiped your tears away when you felt you had no friends. He’s your dad and he deserves to be celebrated this weekend! What better place than Collingwood to celebrate Dad and all he stands for. Here are some great ideas for celebrating this weekend.

Fossils on Father’s Day

Head to Delphi Point Park and have a tour of the fossil beds. Any Dad will enjoy the fun day out that is also a great educational opportunity for the kids. Families pay $5, but Dad is free!

Go caving

Visit Scenic Caves this weekend and Dad gets free admission with a paid child admission (that’s a switch we like to see!). A great bonding experience for Dad and the kids, this deal is on both Saturday and Sunday. There is a printed coupon that you must take as mobile reproductions aren’t accepted.

Let him have time to himself

All Dads need time to themselves to recoup and be the best Dad they can. How do they do that? At Scandinave Spa of course. Let Dad enjoy soaking in the hot pools and cooling down in the cold pools. Buy him a book, a robe and a reusable water bottle and his day is set!

Take him golfing

I don’t know one Dad who wouldn’t appreciate a day on the links (with or without the kids) and Collingwood is amazing spot to hit them. Visit the Blue Mountain Golf Course, Cranberry Golf Resort or check out Monterra Golf. Tee times are probably filling up so call and see if they can squeeze in a time for you! If the day is full on the courses, you might want to try out the mini golf course at the mountain instead – it will still be tons of fun!

wasaga beach

Head to the Beach or go Boating

Living on beautiful Georgian Bay is a pure treasure and any resident or visitor of Collingwood should take advantage of this amazing body of water. Wasaga Beach, which is a very short drive east of Collingwood is very popular and is the world’s longest freshwater beach. Sunset Point Park is a rock beach, but also a great place to spend the day with a Frisbee and a picnic basket.

Take him out for a beer

Dads love beer more than they love golf, so any Dad will appreciate the great number of brew options in the Collingwood area. From the Collingwood Brewery, which is a definite local wonder where you can kick back and watch the beer being made or the Northwinds Brewery, which has an amazing atmosphere and tasty offerings.

Head to the mountain

This one is so obvious that we almost don’t need to mention it, but a day spent at Blue Mountain’s Village is better than any day spent anywhere else. Walk around, enjoy the scenery and then people watch from Rusty’s patio. Dad will love it.

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10 Best Patios in Collingwood

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood things to do

Patio season has officially begun and what better way to enjoy a day on the weekend than sitting on a patio with friends in Collingwood, enjoying the food, the drink and of course the gorgeous scenery. Here’s a list of the best patios in the town!

1.       Duncan’s Cafe

A great spot for people watching, this local favourite located right on Hurontario has comfortable seating, fresh squeezed orange juice and is the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

2.       Tremont Cafe

Another spot for lunch, brunch and dinner, this charming patio located outside of a heritage building – the Tremont House – is a not-to-miss this season. The food is outstanding and so is the service.

3.       Trattoria Azzurra

For a romantic night with an al fresco meal, take your date to the Tratoria Azzurra and visit their lovely patio. On the other hand, bring the entire gang for family-style Italian dining in the great outdoors. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.

4.       Bent Taco

Known by visitors as the best patio in town, people rave about sitting outdoors enjoying a meal at Bent Taco. Not only is the food amazing, the service is top-notch and if you get chilly, you might even get blankets to keep you warm! If blankets aren’t your style, drink a few tequila shots or Bent margaritas instead.

5.       Lakeside Seafood and Grill

With amazing waterfront views, this restaurant opens right up to its patio, so you’ll enjoy the beautiful weather inside and out. Their homemade soups are definitely a must-try, even during the warm weather.

6.       Santtini’s Restaurant

With a small sidewalk patio, you can people watch while enjoying your glass of wine and frito misto. You’ll feel like you’re right in Italy.

7.       Sol Kitchen

If you are looking for something fresh and delicious on a sunny day, look no further than Sol Kitchen. With a small sidewalk patio, you can enjoy healthy fare and soak up that vitamin D.

8.       Rusty’s

Rusty’s patio is great any time of the year. Right at the base of the mountain, this is the spot to go for a party atmosphere and great drinks. The food isn’t bad either.

9.       The Dam Gastropub

Actually in Thornbury, it is definitely worth making the drive. The food is delicious and local and the drinks are worth raving about. The patio may just be the best in the area.

10.   Firehall Pizza Co.

And last, but not least, this spot is centred around all of the action at the mountain and is a great family-friendly spot for hanging on the patio while munching on some tasty pizza.

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Biking in Collingwood

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood things to do

With the beautiful weather “starting” to peek through the clouds, we here in Collingwood know that summer is almost here. And what better season to get on your bike than in summer? South Georgian Bay is one of the most fantastic spots to ride a bike, whether you are an avid bicyclist or a novice. People of all ages enjoying biking through and around Collingwood, both on city streets and on trails. Here are some of the best spots for biking in our area!

The Heather Pathway

Starting at Sunset Point Park, you can bike 17kms on easy terrain around this loop. You’ll venture through Millennium Park and the Hen and Chickens boardwalk, while enjoying the very scenic views of Georgian Bay. If you want to stop for a breather, you can learn more about Collingwood’s history, reading the many interpretative signs along the trail. When you get back from your ride, there is food and washrooms at Sunset Point Park for you to use before you head to your next destination.

The Georgian Trail

Starting at 3 Birch Street, you’ll bike all the way to Meaford on this 68km round trip ride. Again, you’ll have beautiful scenic views of the water, as it makes it way along the waterfront on the south shore of Georgian Bay. You can stop along many of the beaches and rest points along the way and this trail is definitely family friendly. Don’t forget your sunscreen!

Clearview-Collingwood Trail

Start at Station Museum and take this 28km round trip to Clearview and back. A crushed gravel trail, you can connect further on to the Collingwood Train Trail, an abandoned rail line that connected Collingwood to Toronto.

Creemore Loop

If you are looking for a longer ride, consider the Creemore loop, a 60km trek starting at Fisher Fields Park. This trail is definitely on the more challenging side with gentle, rolling terrain. The way back has a difficult climb called the Fairgrounds Road climb, so be prepared to work! With views of the Mad River, this is another very scenic trail to take your bike along and will be well-worth the challenge. Stop in Creemore for their fabulous restaurants or shopping and reward yourself for taking the trip.

Badjeros Loop

Starting at Fisher Fields Park, this ride is not for the uninitiated. With 85kms of steep climbs and some of the riding done on high-speed roads, the Badjeros Loops is definitely for the experienced biker. You’ll get views of Georgian Bay from the top of the hills you climb on and then you’ll drop steeply into Creemore. Your ride will be quiet at some points, as you hit Mennonite country, where you can stop and enjoy the pretty views.

Lake Eugenia Loop

Another ride for the advanced rider, start at Fisher Fields Park and proceed to the challenging route, full of climbs and descents. The Kimberley General Store is a well-known spot for bikers to stop and grab a butter tart and some fuel for your tank.

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May Long Weekend Fun in Collingwood!

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Events

It’s finally here! This weekend we celebrate summer’s first long weekend (unofficially). The weather is supposed to be great, so visitors and residents to Collingwood will be partying and having a fabulous long weekend as there are a number of fun events planned!

Fun at the Blue Mountain Village

You’ll definitely want to head to Blue Mountain Village, where the party won’t stop all weekend long. There are a number of special events planned for the entire family, including a very special performance by Lighthouse, one of Canada’s very own success stories.

Starting on Saturday, there will be music all day at the Coca-Cola Stage in the Village Plaza. DJs will spin the latest tunes from 2pm until 7pm and then live performers will take the stage until 9pm. From 9pm until 10pm, there will be groove dancing and then a fabulous fireworks display over the mountain at 10:15pm.

On Sunday, the music continues with Fresh FM live on location and then Lighthouse’s set at 8pm. Don’t miss out on Rusty’s Rib Eating Contest at 11:30am at Rusty’s at Blue.

ribs in collingwood

On Monday, there will be even more live music under 3:30pm, plus a really cool hula hooping demonstration at 11:30am.

Be Local at the Collingwood Downtown Farmer’s Market

The May long weekend is also when the Collingwood Downtown Farmer’s Market begins, and you don’t want to miss that. In its 13th year, local vendors offer everything fresh, local and organic, as well as some great handcrafted items. The Collingwood farmer’s market adheres to the 100 mile market credo, with produce only sold that was grown with 100 miles of the market location. Head to the Pine Street parking lot at 8am until 1pm to partake in the fun.

Celebrate Art on the Street

You also won’t want to miss the 7th year of Collingwood Art on the Street, with the streets of Collingwood turning into an outdoor art gallery. This year’s theme is Collingwood celebrates Canada, a very fitting theme with Canada turning 150 years old this year.

Head to a Brew Party

Head to the Collingwood Brewery for their 3rd anniversary party, happening this Saturday from 4pm until 7pm. There will be activities for all ages, plus the live music of Neil Crowe. Adults can try out this year’s 1854 Anniversary Ale, plus the other great brews served. What’s awesome is that they’ve got a Beer Bus, which will shuttle people from Eddie Bush Memorial Arena to and from the brewery for the event.

With so many fun events and activities this May long weekend, you are sure to have too much fun in Collingwood.

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Get Set for Golf in Collingwood

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood business

You may have already noticed a familiar happening here in Collingwood. Out for your morning stroll or on your drive to walk, you see them: golfers. Collingwood may be well-known for their skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports, but once that snow melts, the links are where it’s at. We’ve got a number of amazing courses, which is why we are rated one of Ontario’s best golf destinations. Visitors and residents alike enjoy the many choices and levels of golf we have to offer. Here are just a few examples.

Blue Mountain Golf & Country Club

One of the top mentions has to go to this fantastic course, with its natural beauty on the Niagara Escarpment. This 18-hole facility is semi-private, which means there is an application process to become a member, along with initiation fees, but you may also play as a member of the public. Green fees for the public go as low as $45 on Thrifty Thursdays, but are $80 regularly, unless you are a guest of a member. There are also season pass and junior options available. If you are interested in becoming a member, you can join now and get your 2017 membership dues free!

collingwood golf
golf / golfer

Monterra Golf

A favourite of visitors to the area because of its close proximity to the Village at Blue, this easygoing course features rolling bent grass fairways through ravines and creeks, 86 bunkers and some kick-butt elevated tee shots. The setting is of course top-notch and all carts feature GPS tracking. The spring seasons started last week and goes until the snow starts falling. Memberships let you play every day except Saturday all season long, but for 2017, they are already sold out for the season. That tells you how popular this course truly is. You may have to “settle” for a round at $69 with your cart included, or a sunset round for only $39!

Osler Brook Golf and Country Club

Another beautiful course taking advantage of what our area has to offer in terms of scenic views, rolling greens and natural water features, this championship course is the spot to play this season. With views of Georgian Bay, Osler Brook is known as an environmentally responsible course and they actually increased wetland acreage on the property during construction. It was designed by Graham Cooke, a world-renowned golf course architect and this site was chosen for its drama, with high ridges and deep forests on the property. Prior to your tee off, take advantage of unlimited driving range use. Non-member play is restricted to Monday to Thursday and memberships are available to adults, juniors and intermediates.

Are you going to be heading out onto the links in Collingwood this year?

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