One of the best small towns in Muskoka is Bracebridge Ontario! With a river running through it, waterfalls everywhere, and some of the coolest Muskoka attractions, Bracebridge is a great place to go! You’ll find a boat load of things to do in Bracebridge Ontario! There’s something for everyone’s interest. Plus, it’s a great destination all year long!
Bracebridge is only a couple of hours north of Toronto. This makes is a great place for a day trip or weekend getaway! Start planning your getaway to cottage country today with this travel guide! In it you’ll discover all of the top Bracebridge activities, places to visit, where to stay, and more!
10 Best Things to do in Bracebridge Ontario
Many consider the best time to visit Bracebridge is in the summer! However, all year round visitors will find a wealth of activities in the water and snow. With a charming downtown, plenty of outdoor adventures, restaurants, and more, add Bracebridge as one of your stops along a Toronto to Muskoka road trip itinerary!
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Visit Bracebridge Falls
For those who love waterfalls, then you’ll love Bracebridge! It’s one of the best places to see waterfalls in Muskoka. One of the top things to do in Bracebridge is chase waterfalls!
There are three waterfalls in Bracebridge! The first is located right downtown. This one is called Bracebridge Falls.
Near the corner of Manitoba Street and Entrance Drive is a parking lot. It’s a great place to park to explore downtown as well as the falls. After you park, head over the bridge and you’ll get your first glimpse of Bracebridge Falls.
There are multiple viewpoints of the waterfalls as you follow the north branch of the Muskoka River to Bracebridge Bay.
There’s a walking path from the parking lot as well as from the other side of the bridge. Each will take you to different lookouts of the falls.
High Falls
Another great waterfall to visit in Bracebridge Ontario is High Falls! This epic cascade waterfall is 50 feet high.
Located right off Highway 11, it sits along the Trans Canada Trail that runs through Bracebridge. But the big draw to High Falls is that it’s home to five waterfalls!
The area has five different waterfalls which include; Pott’s Falls, Muskoka Canyon Falls, Little High Falls, Big High Falls and another that is man-made.
You can hike down to the base of the waterfalls or enjoy it from the bridge above. However, I do recommend exploring the park to check out the other waterfalls.
The smaller waterfall is adorable and very enchanting in the fall, as its surrounded by moss!
And to find Muskoka Falls you’ll have to drive over to the other side of Highway 11. It’s a beast of a waterfall that can be seen from the highway too!
Wilson’s Falls
The other of the Bracebridge waterfalls is Wilson’s Falls. This little waterfall is located just north of downtown, off of River Road.
There is parking and a lovely hiking trail taking you out to the falls. The trail is again part of the Trans Canada Trail. Wilson’s is a scenic waterfall that’s also on the Muskoka River. And it’s a wild one!
Once you reach the river you can see them. It’s a great spot to enjoy the falls as well as a picnic!
Take a Walking Tour
Named one of the top historic towns in Ontario, there’s a rich history to be found in Bracebridge.
Throughout downtown Bracebridge are numerous beautiful and historic buildings. And one of the fun things to do in Bracebridge is to take a walking tour. It’s one of the many awesome tours available on the Muskoka website!
The self-guided walking tour is a great way to learn about the town of Bracebridge, its history, people, and other cool facts. Covering 1.3 km, the trail takes you to a variety of different points of interest in town. At each stop you’ll find information plaques.
Click here to visit their website for the walking tour.
However, you don’t necessarily need a walking tour to explore town. Downtown Bracebridge is easy to navigate and quite walkable.
A few great places to visit in Bracebridge include: Silver Bridge, the library, and the Clock Tower. The Clock Tower, built in 1915, dominates the downtown and is one of the top Bracebridge landmarks!
Enjoy a Boat Cruise
One of the top things to do in Muskoka is take a boat cruise! And Bracebridge is home to one of the best boat cruises in the region!
Right in town, behind the Quality Inn, you can board the Muskoka Cruises boat, Muskoka Gaga. (Please note that is no longer the Lady Muskoka)
The cruise takes passengers along the Muskoka River and out into Lake Muskoka. The area is best known for Muskoka’s Millionaire’s Row. A stretch of incredible cottages on the lake that are owned by rich tycoons and actors.
Aboard the cruise you’ll discover the one of the many picturesque lakes in Muskoka! Even the river is pretty scenic! Along the way you’ll see an array of wildlife, islands, and some of the grandest and oldest homes on Lake Muskoka.
Address: 300 Ecclestone Dr, Bracebridge, ON
Eat at Bracebridge Restaurants
There are so many awesome places to eat in Bracebridge! You’ll find everything from sweet treats to pub grub, and everything in between.
Most of the best Bracebridge restaurants are along the main street, Manitoba Street. At one end you’ll find a popular spot in the summer, the Ice Cream Shoppe! While at the other end is one of Muskoka’s best coffee shops, Oliver’s Coffee. Along with great coffee, Oliver’s serves a range of light fare and tasty treats.
One of my favourite restaurants in Bracebridge is The Old Station. On the location of an old gas station, it’s now a must place to eat in town. It has a lovely patio for warmer days and a fun cottage feel inside. The menu is diverse and they serve an awesome steak!
A great lunch spot in town is Main Street Delicatessen. They serve up fabulous soups and sandwiches in a retro style space. For fun and Mexican cuisine head over to El Pueblito. This colourful restaurant serves up authentic Mexican food and also has vegan and vegetarian options.
Other places to check out include the Griffin Pub, the restaurant at Inn at the Falls, and the Burger Shop!
Browse and Shop
Running along the main street in Bracebridge are a bunch of awesome boutique shops! Whether you’re looking to browse for a unique souvenir or a statement piece you’ll find it at one of the shops in Bracebridge.
One of my favourite shops is Lilibird. This quirky shop sells a variety of interesting pieces that range from scarves to drawer knobs. Plus, you’ll find plenty of gift ideas too! Another great shop full of treasures is Kala House of Colour. For the book lover, like myself, I highly recommend popping into Owl Pen!
Along with unique boutique there are a few Muskoka staple shops too, like Muskoka Bear Wear. Here you’ll find classic cottage country hoodies and track pants.
My absolute favourite shop in Bracebridge is The Annex! It’s all about shopping local at this shop. Inside you’ll find a wide range of goods that are all locally made. There’s local foods, crafts, and even beautiful plants and pottery! Plus, they host one of the best Christmas Markets in Ontario!
Enjoy Water Activities
One of the top things to do in Bracebridge in the summer is get out on the water! There are so many activities in Bracebridge to do on the water.
With the Muskoka River running through Bracebridge, visitors will find plenty of beaches along it. Plus, it’s a great place to enjoy kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding, and more! One of the best beaches in Bracebridge is Kirby’s Beach. It’s a great spot for families and offers plenty of room to spread out your beach towel.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a kayak or canoe! There are plenty of places to rent them, along with life jackets in Bracebridge. A great company that rents out gear in town is LIV Outside. Plus, if you’re visiting in the winter, they have snowshoe, fat bike, and cross country ski rentals.
Santa’s Village
For those looking for family fun things to do in Bracebridge, add Santa’s Village to your list! This Christmas themed park is a great place to take the kids.
Santa’s Village is located just outside downtown and set on a picturesque area along the Muskoka River. As one of the top tourist attractions in Bracebridge, the theme park has a lot to offers visitors.
Covering 60 acres, Santa’s Village is home to tons of rides, a splash pad, petting zoo, and so much more! Plus, who can resist visiting with Santa in the summer! Plus, there’s a fabulous beach too!
There are two theme parks within the Village! Along with Santa’s Village there’s Muskoka Zip Lines & Aerial Park. Plus, the park features two family campgrounds!
While the park is seasonal, they do open for the holiday season! During this time, they have a Christmas market as well as some awesome Christmas light displays!
Address: 1624 Golden Beach Rd, Bracebridge, ON
Fire and Ice Festival
While many visit in the summer, a great time to visit Bracebridge is in the winter! And one of the top things to do in Bracebridge in the winter is attend the Fire and Ice Festival!
Every January the festival takes over downtown Bracebridge! Visitors will find ice skating, ice sculptures, fire pits to warm up at, and plenty of fun family-friendly activities.
The Fires and Ice Festival is best known for the massive tubing hill that runs right down the main street. With the perfect hill, Manitoba Street transforms into a winter wonderland of tobogganing fun!
Other fun activities include a pancake breakfast, axe throwing, curling, and a carnival. In addition, throughout the day a variety of shows take place. There’s a fire guy, birds of prey show, and more!
Plus, after all the fun, the night comes alive with an awesome fireworks display! The festive is one of the top attractions in Muskoka in winter!
More Bracebridge Things to do
The area is home to a wide range of hiking trails and art galleries. There’s are endless things to do in Bracebridge all year long!
Chase Ghosts – If it’s a ghostly history you’re after check out the courthouse and the Inn at the Falls which are both said to be some of the most haunted places in Ontario. Another great place to visit is the Woodchester Villa. This octagon house was built in 1882 and has a handful of interesting features.
Visit Nearby Small Towns – There are so many great small towns near Bracebridge! It makes for the perfect base to explore Muskoka. A few destinations that make perfect day trips from Bracebridge are; Gravenhurst, Bala, Huntsville, and even Algonquin Provincial Park!
Upjohn Nature Reserve – If you’re looking for a great hiking trail in Bracebridge, check out the Upjohn Nature Reserve Wetland Trail. This roughly 1 km loop trail takes you through a nature reserve that’s home to an old beaver pond. Along the trail are a variety of information plaques as well as benches.
Northern Escapades Mini Golf – Whether you’re looking for more fun things to do in Bracebridge with kids or a fun date idea, check out Northern Escapades Mini Golf. This mini putt golf course has 18 holes of fun. Plus, they have an ice cream shake on the property to celebrate with a scoop of Kawartha Dairy!
Muskoka Highlands Golf – For those looking for more of a challenge then mini putt, tee up at Muskoka Highlands Golf Links! This Scottish-inspired Links-style golf course is beautiful. Plus, if you’re wanting to hit a few golf balls in the winter, Muskoka Highlands also has a simulator!
Where to Stay in Bracebridge
There are a host of places to stay in Bracebridge. Visitors will find everything from hotels and inns to vacation rentals. Or if you’re looking for something cozier, check out the best cottages in Muskoka to rent.
Inn at the Falls – Like I mentioned before, if you love history and aren’t afraid of a ghost or two, consider staying at the Inn at the Falls. Built in 1870, the inn is one of the most haunted hotels in Ontario and is said to be home to several ghosts. Inn at the Falls has a great location, steps from downtown. Plus, there’s an on-site restaurant.
Quality Inn – Situated right along the river, the Quality Inn offers budget-friendly rooms. This hotel is a great place to stay as it’s close to downtown and is where the boat cruise leaves from. Plus, there’s a restaurant in the hotel and many of the rooms have water views.
Villas of Muskoka – For those looking for more privacy and somewhere to stay for a large family, then the Villas of Muskoka is a great option. With two and three bedrooms villas available, they’re a short drive to downtown. All of them have lake views, a balcony, and a fully equipped kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bracebridge Ontario
When planning your trip to Bracebridge you might have a few questions. Discover where it is, what it’s known for and the top things do!
What is Bracebridge Ontario known for? – Bracebridge Ontario is best known for all of the waterfalls in town. It’s also a popular summer destination in Ontario. Plus, it is home to one of the top Ontario festivals, the Fire and Ice Festival.
What is there to do in Bracebridge in winter? – Fire and Ice Festive, visit frozen waterfalls, go snowshoeing, dine at restaurants, and browse the shops downtown.
Best Things to do in Bracebridge – Visit Bracebridge Falls, High Falls, Wilson’s Falls, Santa’s Village, take a boat cruise, and attend the Fire and Ice Festival.
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