The local flavour weekend : Orillia, Creemore and Collingwood
Route: Orillia → Creemore → Collingwood
Overnights: One night in Orillia and one night in Collingwood
Day 1: Settle into Orillia
Arrive in Orillia late in the morning and begin at Mariposa Market, where visitors can pick up baked goods and browse its collection of shops. Travellers arriving on a Saturday could visit the Orillia Farmers’ Market instead and shop directly from local growers, food producers and artisans. From there, explore the independent shops along Mississaga Street and stop for lunch downtown.
Check into The Champlain Waterfront Hotel, which places visitors close to downtown and Lake Couchiching. Leave part of the afternoon open for a waterfront walk, time at the hotel or simply a break before dinner.
Before dinner, stop at Couchiching Craft Brewing Co. for a locally made beer or take-home purchase. Book dinner at The Common Stove, where the menu is built around a wood-fired grill and locally sourced meats and vegetables. Both are downtown, making the evening easy after a day of travel.
Stay: The Champlain Waterfront Hotel
Day 2: Follow the local food route west
Enjoy a slow breakfast before leaving Orillia. On the way west, stop at Nicholyn Farms in Springwater. Its farm market carries locally produced foods, fresh bakery items and prepared options from its Food Hut, making it a practical place for a light lunch or picnic supplies.
Continue to Creemore for an unhurried afternoon on Mill Street. Browse Curiosity House Books, shop for low-waste home and personal-care products at The Keep Refillery, and stop for coffee or something sweet at Creemore Bakery & Café or Bank Café. Creemore’s compact main street makes it easy to park once and explore on foot.
Finish with a visit to Creemore Springs Brewery. Visitors who are continuing to Collingwood can make this a retail stop, or plan a responsible tasting with a designated driver. Continue to Collingwood, check into The Dorchester Hotel and leave time to relax before dinner at The Tremont Café, located within the hotel.
Stay: The Dorchester Hotel.
Day 3: A slower Collingwood morning
Spend the morning exploring downtown Collingwood’s shops and heritage streets. Add a short walk along the waterfront or one of the town’s recreational trails rather than committing to a long hike. Before heading home, visit Currie’s Farm Market for seasonal produce and locally made food to take with you.