Guidebook for Penetanguishene

For a walk: Try the Champlain-Wendat park along the waterfront, it really is beautiful; they recently renovated it for the 400th anniversary of Champlain's landing. It also has an amazing waterpark for the kids in summer. Awenda Provincial Park, this is just slightly North of Penetang but is well worth the drive, the beaches are beautiful and there are some really nice hikes. Excellent winter trails for cross-country and snowshoeing. General Tourism: Discovery Harbour, this is a living museum located in Penetang that traces its roots back to the original British naval and military base, built to safeguard access to Upper Canada after the War of 1812. Really nice space to spend some time while in the area. St Marie Amongst the Hurons, this is another living museum located in Midland. It was a 16th century Jesuit mission and has been fully restored. A great piece of history that is super-interesting for adults and kids. The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre, also in Midland, located on 3,000 acres of wetlands, fen and forest. Includes an amphibian and reptile display hall, hiking, biking and skiing trails, canoeing and kayaking routes, observation tower and boardwalks, birds of prey display, and a Trumpeter Swan conservatory (they are huge and really do sound like trumpets). Dining: Flynn's Traditional Irish Pub (Penetanguishene) - walking distance from the Manse, really nice small town pub vibe, very good food (well priced too), great whiskey and beer list. Larder and Pantry (Penetanguishene) - also walking distance from the Manse, really nice small town cafe, very good well-priced food, including breakfast, excellent coffee and cakes. The World Famous Dock Lunch (Harbour front, Penetang) - this is a very old school café, the locals love it, nice for a quick lunch; the Caesar salad is amazing (like a suitcase of salad) and you can super-size it up for free at the salad bar. Lilly's Italian Eatery (Midland) - great pasta, extensive wine-list, one of the best restaurants in Midland. Mom's Restaurant (Midland) - great food, great service and an unbelievable small town feel. This place has been here pretty much for ever but is not stale. The prices are amazing and the serving size just right. Very good coffee too. If you're in town you should definitely go. Farmers Markets and Local Fare: Midland Farmers’ Market, 526 Bay St., Midland ON; Sundays, 9am-2pm, Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend. Winter location (after Thanksgiving) is in the Huronia Museum Midland on King Street. Nicholyn Farms (3088 Horseshoe Valley Rd W, Phelpston, ON L0L 2K0) - a cool place to stop on the way to or from Penetang. They have about 40 freezers filled with pretty much any type of meat, in the summer they also have a great selection of local fruit and veg. Great place to stock-up on the way home. Lepage Fishery (6 Lafontaine Rd E, Tiny, ON L9M 0S2) - if you like fish you should definitely visit this place, the lake trout are amazing; without doubt the best lake caught fish I have ever tasted. Closed over winter.