Gravenhurst

History

Gravenhurst was first known as McCabes Landing and later as Sawdust City. Gravenhurst was named by a postal official who was reading Gravenhurst or Thoughts on Good and Evil, a treatise by William Smith.
Gravenhurst's economic prosperity stemmed from the construction of a colonization road in the 1850s. Steamboating on the Muskoka lakes began in the 1860s. The town was at the northern terminus of the Toronto, Simcoe and Muskoka Junction Railway.
In 1942 the Royal Norwegian Air Force moved their training camp (Little Norway) from Toronto to Muskoka airfield near Gravenhurst. The Norwegians remained in Gravenhurst almost to the end of World War II in 1945. From 1940 to 1946 Gravenhurst was the site of Camp 20, the Gravenhurst Internment Camp, for Nazi Prisoners of War, known locally as "the Muskoka officers club". It houses up to 489 Nazi POWs. The prisoners of war built a set of stone steps leading down to the waterfront which can still be seen at Gull Lake Park today. They also built a light house in the park. Before the war it was the Calydor Sanitarium. After the war it was turned into a TB sanitarium, again, and later became a kosher resort called The Gateway.
Today, all that remains of Camp 20 is concrete pillars, a fire hydrant, and the outline of a fence. There is an information kiosk at the end of Lorne Street where visitors can go to get more information on the camp.

By car

Gravenhurst is about 170 km north of Toronto. The easiest way to get to Gravenhurst is by automobile, as commercial bus service is limited and there are very few passenger trains to the area. To reach Gravenhurst, take Highway 400 north from Toronto through Barrie to the Highway 11 cutoff (direction North Bay). Proceed up Highway 11 and take Muskoka Road 169 - Bethune Drive (formerly Ontario Highway 169) right in to downtown. Summer travel can be time consuming, as it is a popular tourist destination and the gateway to the Muskoka Lakes region. The roads in Gravenhurst are well-maintained, so no need to worry about using a sport utility vehicle.

By plane

There is no commercial airport in or really anywhere near Gravenhurst, so the easiest way in for international travellers to access the region is to fly to Toronto Pearson International Airport, rent a car and proceed north. There is an airport in Bracebridge for propeller planes and/or private jets. Bracebridge is approximately 20 minutes by car away from Gravenhurst. If you're coming in from other domestic locations, it is possible to fly to Sudbury or North Bay and drive in if Toronto doesn't appeal to you.

On foot

Gravenhurst is easily seen by foot. There is no public transit.

By taxi

There are private taxi companies offering local transportation. Intertown/city transport is by private bus companies. Casino Rama transportation provided by PMCL.

By bus

Ontario Northland, PMCL, Hammond Transportation +1 705-687-2301. Connections to major airports and Metropolitan Toronto.

• The Muskoka Wharf in Lake Muskoka in Gravenhurst spreads across 89 acres. The wharf is full of retailers and restaurants like Boston Pizza and the Blue Willow Tea Shop. The wharf hosts a number of events in the summer including Pirate Fest and the Gravenhurst farmers’ market. There are also condominiums and a Marriott hotel for those looking to spend some time in Gravenhurst.

• Gravenhurst Opera House

  address: 295 Muskoka Road South
  One of Muskoka's most significant landmarks is the heart of cultural activities, featuring both local and commercial entertainment year-round. The beautiful heritage theatre features excellent lighting and sound systems, a large stage with offstage storage areas, 338 comfortable upholstered theatre seats and the most up-to-date public safety systems available.

• The World's Largest Muskoka ChairIn the south end of town, near Star Dust Brewery. A great photo opportunity.

Museums

• Bethune Memorial House

  phone: +1 705-687-4261
  address: 297 John Street North
  The Victorian church manse where this great Canadian was born in 1890 and where he lived for the first three years of his life. Bethune was a doctor who was an early proponent of universal health care, who played a key role in the development of human rights in China.

• New Heritage Museum

  address: 820 Bay Street
  The museum pays tribute to the history of a region that has shared its beauty and nature with generations. A great place to see the old wooden boats that at one time, were a common site on the great Muskoka lakes.

• Grace and Speed - Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre

  phone: +1 705-687-2115
  address: 275 Steamboat Bay Road
  Collection of antique wooden speedboats. One of Canada's Top 10 New Attractions of 2006 .

• Ontario Fire College Museum

  address: 1495 Muskoka Road North
  Training facility for provincial fire fighters. Has a small museum.

• Parts of the Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park and Torrance Barrens Conservation Reserve are in Gravenhurst.
• Winter Carnival: There are events for every age at the carnival including donut eating contests, sno-yoga, ball hockey, a polar dip, and arm wrestling. The town has several dances for those 19 and older, and fireworks on Sunday for the closing ceremony. The fireworks take place at the Muskoka Wharf.

• Reelpro Fishing Charters

  address: 1217 Muldrew Lake Rd. Gravenhurst
  Daily fishing charters on Lake Muskoka, great family fun.

Boating heritage

• RMS Segwun and Wanda III

  phone: +1 705-687-6667
  address: 185 Cherokee Lane
  Fully operational restored steamships, cruises on these small vessels are a wonderful throwback to a simpler time. At one point in time, the Segwun (built 1887) was used to transport vacationers to their cottages and deliver cargo and mail; it offers tourists a chance to take a boat ride in to the past.

• Gravenhurst Farmers Market

  phone: +1 705-684-8731
  Showcases over 70 vendors with high quality fruits and vegetables, plants, organic produce, homemade goods, fresh honey, maple syrup, preserves, meat, fish, cheese more. Local artisans sell carefully handcrafted jewellery, sewing, knitting, carvings, woodworking, soap and fine art. Shop at the market and enjoy a freshly-made crepe, sausage on a bun.

Budget

• Blue Willow Tea Shop

  address: 900 Bay Street Unit #1
  Traditional British lunches and sandwiches, and baking.

• The Bakery

  phone: +1 705-687-2579
  address: 141 Brock Street
  A from-scratch bakery where the doughnuts are made daily. Come early because once they’re gone, they’re gone. Pies, breads, cinnamon rolls, and so on.

• Skyways Restaurant

  phone: +1 705-687-9303
  address: 3560 Highway 11 N
  Family restaurant/diner.

Mid-range

• Muskobilly’s Lakeside Tap & Grill

  phone: +1 705 687-3748
  Solid pub food and good beers at the wharf.

• Wolffs Den Cafe

  phone: +1 705-681-0700
  address: 1130 Bay St
  German cafe offering home-baked pastries, homemade lunches, espresso-based coffees (all certified fair trade organic), wines and beers. And a Biergarten.

• Silver Pines Restaurant

  address: 1613 Kilworthy Road
  Pizza, pasta, burgers, wings.

Splurge

• The Creative Plate Eatery

  phone: +1 705-687-9191
  address: 2194 Muskoka District Road 169
  Organic produce, herbs, and grain-fed, non-GMO proteins, fresh seasonal produce, quality ingredients, and creative food artistry. Lactose-free, gluten-free and vegetarian meals are always on the menu.

• Frosty Pint Pub

  phone: +1 705-687-4333
  address: 110 Ferguson Road
  Pub with TVs, and quieter restaurant. :Canadian comfort food": sandwiches, wraps, wings, salads, pastas.

Budget

• Arundel Lodge

  phone: +1 705-687-4030
  address: Highway 169 - Walker's Point Road
  July and August only.

• Star Motel

  address: 469 Bethune Drive North

• Skyways Motel

  phone: +1 705-687-6608
  address: 3566 Hwy 11 North
  Outdoor pool, smoking or non-smoking rooms, pet-friendly.

• Camp Hillbilly Estates

  phone: +1 705-689-2366
  address: 1633 Highway 11 South, Kilworthy
  Heated salt water pool, 75 forested acres,choking trails.

Mid-range

• Howard Johnson

  address: 1165 Muskoka Road South
  Fitness centre, free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, pet friendly.

• The Inn on Bay

  address: 291 Bay Street
  A boutique inn in the heart of Gravenhurst offering luxury & relaxed Muskoka comfort.

• Oakwood Motel/Muskoka Adventure

  address: 1060 Muskoka Road South
  Smoke-free, reasonably priced rooms with one or two double beds, air conditioning, shower and/or bathtub, a fridge and microwave.

• Trenanthia Cottage

  address: Sparrow Lake
  A beautiful lakeside 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom cottage available to rent year-round in the Muskokas. Built-in Hot Tub open throughout the seasons. Surrounded by forest on 3 sides - a nature lovers paradise.

Splurge

• Taboo Resort Golf and Spa

  address: 1209 Muskoka Beach Road
  Par 71 championship golf course, 3 swimming pools, the longest private sandy beach in Muskoka, canoe or kayak on Lake Muskoka, fitness centre, three clay courts, two hard-surfaced tennis courts, nature trails.

• Pine Lake Cottages

  phone: +1 705-687-2072
  address: 1383 Highway 169 North
  Paddle boats, canoes and kayaks are provided at no extra charge for guest use. Explore the six mile long lake or fish for small and large mouth bass. Late May to mid-Oct.

The wonderful thing about visiting Muskoka is that there are plenty of small towns in the area to visit. Port Carling, Bracebridge, Parry Sound, Huntsville, Sudbury and North Bay are all within a few minutes or 1-2 hours driving distance. Toronto is close by if you're a visitor to the province coming in from Highway 17 to the north. The region is rich with museums, shopping, and attractions. For those who like to gamble, there is Casino Rama (located near the small town of Rama) near Orillia. Webers Burgers (go south 25-30 minutes drive on Highway 11) is an attraction unto itself with it's rail-car dining area and unique (to the region) overpass walkway. And in Muskoka, one can always find a secluded lake to just sit and admire the scenery.