11 Fun And Relaxing Things To Do In The Collingwood Area This Spring And Summer

Collingwood is calling...

Collingwood is a charming town located on the southern shore of Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada and is just a 2.5 hour drive from Toronto.

Debralee Wiseberg / Getty Images

In the winter it's known for its ski hills and winter sports but there are tons of other things to do in the area even when the snow melts (that don't involve any sports equipment!). Here are a couple of local and charming things to do in the Collingwood area this spring and summer that involve food, drinks, and relaxation.

1. Explore the town of Collingwood and book a relaxing stay at a cosy boutique hotel like The Dorchester Hotel.

Instagram: @thedorchesterhotelcollingwood

The Dorchester hotel is a family-owned hotel that just opened in the heart of downtown Collingwood! It's steps away from restaurants, breweries, and shops making it the perfect base to explore the area. The rooms are all recently renovated but there's a an undeniable charm due to the history of the building. I can confirm the rooms are luxurious and the robes are the definition of cosy. Highly recommend this gem of a hotel!

2. Get some fresh air and take a walk on one of the many gorgeous Collingwood Trails.

With over 60 kilometres of recreational trails, there's a trail for everyone whether you're in the mood for a leisurely stroll or looking for a more vigorous hike. Locals suggest trying out The Loree Forest Trail, Collingwood's Waterfront Trail, or Pretty River Provincial Park.

3. Head to Thornbury to try some famous local ice cream from Pom Pom Treat Hut.

Instagram: @pompomtreathut

Thornbury is a cute town thats just a 20 minute drive from Collingwood, but still on the coast of Georgian Bay! It's the perfect place to wander around since the main street is full of shops, restaurants and cafes. For some delicious, small batch, plant-based ice cream head to Pom Pom Treats and try flavours like peach bourbon, peanut brittle, and cherry chocolate chunk. If you're in the mood for caffeine head to Good Grief for a delicious cup of locally roasted coffee.

4. Stop by the picturesque town of Kimberly to try some world-reknowned cuisine.

Instagram: @heartstavern

Just a 20 minute drive from Thornbury is Kimberly, an undiscovered gem in the heart of Beaver Valley. Surrounded by a ski hill and tons of outdoor walking trails, Kimberly is also home to delicious cuisine. Check out Hearts Tavern and Bar which serves up seasonal and local cuisine (they were just named one of Canada's top restaurants by Enroute Magazine). Or stop by Justin's Oven for some high-quality dishes and pizza. 

5. Hit up some local breweries!

Instagram: @blackbellowsbeer

Collingwood is full of breweries! Collingwood Brewery was established more than 150 years ago and they have a beer for every occasion. If you appreciate a well-crafted beer head to Side Launch Brewery— named after the locally-built ships that were launched sideways into the Georgian Bay harbour. Or check out the new kids on the block, Black Bellows, where they take a no-rules approach to their brewing. Or you could just discover the local brewery scene with The Beer Bus Company!

6. If you're not in the mood for beer, visit some wineries to sample the local vineyards.

Instagram: @coffinridge

Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery is Grey County's first winery overlooking gorgeous views of Georgian Bay. Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery embraces a spooky theme year round and celebrates a grape’s journey of being squished to death and then brought back to life through wine. Back From The Dead Red and Divine Intervention are popular choices! Located near Ravenna atop the beautiful hills, the Roost Winery grows, makes, and serves seriously good cold climate wine for unserious occasions. Try the 2018 Chardonnay which is a carefully curated, award winning wine!  

7. And if hops and grapes aren't your thing, check out the local cideries.

Instagram: @thornburycraft

Today, Thornbury is the largest apple growing region in Ontario— so it's no wonder they're known for their cider. At Thornbury Village Cidery and Brewery, true craftsmanship is at their core (pun-intended!). At Spy Cider House and Distillery, their goal is to create unique and flavourful ciders to pay homage to the region.

8. Visit Grandma Lambes to satisfy your sweet tooth and take some cute photo opps in the apple orchards.

Instagram: @grandmalambes

Grandma Lambes is a local treasure! It's a family-run business dating back to the early 1940’s where Mabel Lambe began selling home-grown apples from her garage on Highway 26 in Meaford, Ontario. Now Grandma Lambe's is known for its pies, baked treats, and unique gifts! Their apple pies, cookies, and butter tarts are SOOOO delicious. 

9. Enjoy gorgeous views of Georgian Bay and enjoy delectable food in Meaford.

Instagram: @municipalityofmeaford

The Meaford Harbour is a beautiful marina on Georgian Bay! The marina is walking distance to downtown Meaford which is full of restaurants, shops, and the iconic Meaford Hall. There are tons of activities to do in Meaford too! If art is your thing check out The Craig Gallery, and if you're into sustainability then check out The Keep Refillery Meaford. McGinty's Cafe is known for its coffee, sandwiches, and country charm. Franny's is famous for its delicious authentic Italian cuisine. 

10. Unwind, unplug, and melt into relaxation at The Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain.

Instagram: @scandinaveblue

Located just a quick 5 minute drive from downtown Collingwood, Scandinave Spa is an outdoor, year-round spa located on 25 acres of Canadian forest. Guests can enjoy treatments of thermal baths, cold plunges, and massages. In the summer there's also a forest bathing trail to enjoy (where you might even see a little critter or two!).

11. Last but definitely not least, take a beach day and enjoy one of the gorgeous beaches in the Collingwood area!

Instagram: @sgeorgianbay

Whether you want to relax on the beach, try out a water sport, play in the water, or even camp out over night, Georgian Bay is full of beaches each with their own characteristics! Some notable beaches include Wasage Beach, Northwinds Beach, Sunset Point Beach and Craigleith Provincial Park. 

There you have it, just a couple of reasons to visit the Collingwood area this spring and summer! Have you visited Collingwood before? What are some of your favourite things to do? Let us know in the comments below. And while you're at it — follow BuzzFeed Canada on Tiktok and Instagram for a grand ol' time, eh?