This central Ontario city has an active waterfront, downtown restaurants, and the Molson Centre for events. Parks and nature trails wind through the area, making it a practical base for outdoor exploration.
Located 90 kilometers north of Toronto on Kempenfelt Bay, Barrie combines city life with easy access to Lake Simcoe. You can paddleboard at Centennial Beach, browse handmade jewelry at the MacLaren Art Centre, or catch a play at the Five Points Theatre. In winter, locals head to Snow Valley for night skiing, while summer brings live music to the waterfront during Kempenfest, when more than 300 artists display their work along the shore.
Getting to and Around Barrie
You can drive to Barrie from Toronto on Highway 400 or take the GO Transit train, which stops at two stations: Allandale Waterfront and Barrie South. Barrie Transit runs bus routes throughout the city. If you need wheelchair-accessible transport, book through the Barrie Accessible Community Transportation Service.
Swimming and Water Activities at Kempenfelt Bay
Five beaches line Kempenfelt Bay: Minet's Point, Johnson's, The Gables, Tyndale, and Centennial Beach. Each has public washrooms and designated swimming areas. From the bay, you can sail through the Trent Severn Waterway, connecting to lakes and rivers across Ontario.
Winter Activities in and Around Barrie
Snow Valley and Horseshoe Resort, both 20 minutes from downtown, maintain runs for skiing and snowboarding from December through March. You'll find marked trails for snowshoeing and Nordic skiing at Springwater Provincial Park. Between January and March, Lake Simcoe transforms into a community of ice fishing huts, where you can catch perch and whitefish.
Arts Scene and Festivals
The Five Points Theatre hosts year-round performances by Theatre by the Bay and Talk Is Free Theatre. During the August long weekend, Kempenfest transforms the waterfront into an art market with food stalls and an indie music stage. The Georgian Theatre at Georgian College runs regular concert series featuring local and touring musicians.
Downtown Barrie's Streets and Shops
Walk along Dunlop Street East to see red brick buildings from the 1800s, now housing independent boutiques, cafes, and pubs. The street curves along Kempenfelt Bay's western shore, leading to waterfront parks and marinas. Every Saturday morning, local farmers and artisans sell their goods at the Barrie Farmers' Market.
City Origins
The western shore of Kempenfelt Bay was originally a resting point for First Nations peoples traveling between Lake Simcoe and Lake Huron. Settlers arrived after the War of 1812, naming their community after British Admiral Sir Robert Barrie. The 1865 railway connection and 1950 Highway 400 construction linked Barrie to Toronto, helping it grow into today's city of 145,000 residents.
