Located on Georgian Bay in Ontario, this active community centers around winter sports at Blue Mountain and sailing at its working harbor. The restored 1800s limestone buildings line the downtown.
Collingwood sits on the southern edge of Georgian Bay, where forests meet limestone cliffs and caves. You can ski at Blue Mountain, walk across the treetop bridges at Scenic Caves, or spend a day at Wasaga Beach’s sandy shoreline. Winters bring skiing and snowshoeing, summers open trails for cycling along the Georgian Bay coast, and fall colors paint the Niagara Escarpment. Downtown’s Hurontario Street preserves early 1900s buildings with shops selling maple syrup, outdoor equipment, and handmade goods. Located two hours north of Toronto, the town provides easy access to both nature and local history.
Year-Round Adventures Across Collingwood
Collingwood’s landscape changes with each season, creating opportunities for different activities. At Blue Mountain Resort, ski 42 trails with a 720-foot vertical drop in winter, then return in summer to ride mountain bikes or try the zip lines. Walk across suspended bridges at Scenic Caves Nature Adventures during warmer months, or follow their cross-country ski trails when snow covers the ground. Paddle a kayak or stand-up board on Georgian Bay’s clear waters, or hike sections of the Bruce Trail to see cliffs and waterfalls. When temperatures drop, join locals ice fishing on the bay or rent snowshoes to explore trails like the ones at Pretty River Valley Provincial Park.
Hurontario Street and Downtown Collingwood
The brick buildings along Hurontario Street reflect Collingwood’s history as a 19th-century industrial center. Browse stores selling camping gear, locally made pottery, and jars of honey from nearby farms. Visit the Collingwood Museum to see scale models of ships built in the town’s former docks, along with photographs of early railway operations. Every Saturday from June to October, the farmers’ market fills a parking lot with vendors offering apples, fresh bread, and handmade soap. Walk ten minutes east to Sunset Point Park, where you can watch sailboats pass by or swim from the small beach.
Blue Mountain Resort Through the Seasons
Blue Mountain Resort stays busy even after ski season ends. Take an eight-minute gondola ride to the summit for views stretching across Georgian Bay to the Manitoulin Island silhouette. Climb the Via Ferrata route using metal rungs bolted into the cliffs, suitable for beginners with guided tours. The pedestrian village hosts summer concerts around fire pits and maintains an ice-skating trail along the slopes in winter. Ride the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, a self-controlled cart that winds down the mountain through maple and beech trees. In September, the resort celebrates Oktoberfest with pretzels, schnitzel, and live polka music.
Restaurants and Local Food
Collinwood’s eateries focus on regional ingredients like freshwater fish and Ontario-raised meats. Start your day at The Tremont Cafe with pancakes made using flour from nearby mills and bacon smoked in-house. For dinner, Azzurra bakes thin-crust pizzas in a wood-fired oven and serves them with beers from Collingwood Brewery. Northwinds Brewhouse & Kitchen ferments its IPAs with honey sourced from apiaries less than 20 kilometers away. Grab a slice at Firehall Pizza Co., which tops its pies with ingredients like venison sausage or wild leeks. Stock up on seasonal foods every Saturday at the farmers’ market, where vendors sell items like aged cheddar and strawberry-rhubarb jam.
History and Cultural Sites
The town’s name comes from a British naval officer, but its history spans thousands of years. Indigenous communities like the Saugeen Ojibway Nation have lived in this area for generations, and guided tours at nearby parks share stories of their connection to the land. In the 1800s, Collingwood’s harbor shipped grain and timber to other Great Lakes ports, a legacy explored through exhibits at the local museum. Canadian Mist Distillery has operated since 1967, using water from the escarpment’s natural springs to produce whisky. Today, the town maintains accessible trails like the paved Georgian Trail and hosts events like summer concerts in parks with wheelchair-friendly viewing areas.
Travel Tips and Logistics
Most travelers reach Collingwood by car via the main coastal highway connecting to Toronto. If flying into Toronto Pearson International Airport, rent a car or book a shuttle for the two-hour drive north. Accommodations range from modern condos at Blue Mountain Resort to motels with kitchenettes near downtown. Reserve lodging early for summer weekends, especially during events like the late-July Elvis Festival or September’s Art on the Street fair. Bring a windbreaker and layers—Georgian Bay’s weather shifts quickly, with strong winds common in late autumn and sudden summer storms rolling in off the water.
