The Best Small Town In Ontario For A 3-Day Weekend
Gravenhurst is one of Ontario's most popular four-season destinations, located in the legendary Cottage Country. For well over a century, it has been the first community travelers turn to, with historic lodges and contemporary resorts like the Muskoka Bay Resort. Speaking of the bay, the Muskoka Wharf is no stranger to visitors, featuring a range of dining options and even a Discovery Centre. In exciting news, a brand new rail service will be launching in the summer of 2026 with a stop in Gravenhurst, meaning getting here will be easier than ever. From sailing aboard historic steamships like Wenonah II to enjoying cultural offerings at the local Opera House, Gravenhurst is a great place to spend a long weekend, whatever your idea of fun.
Sail Aboard An Authentic Steamship
The RMS Segwun has been a part of Gravenhurst’s history since it launched here in 1887. North America’s oldest still-operating steamship, the “Lady of the Lakes,” is the sole survivor of a fleet of vessels that once carried passengers across Lake Muskoka, the largest of the region’s lakes. Along with her sister ship, Wenonah II, the Segwun still carries many passengers each year, although it is currently undergoing restoration. Though now largely dedicated to sightseeing cruises, passengers will take in such sights as Millionaire’s Row, where some of the world’s wealthiest families maintain mansion-scale “cottages,” and the many small granite-exposed islands so common here.
While a typical cruise will last an hour or two, longer sailings reach the community of Port Carling at the northern end of Lake Muskoka. Here, you can disembark and explore the small village and do some celebrity spotting, as the likes of Tom Hanks, the Rolling Stones, and countless other A-list celebrities own or stay at cottages on neighboring Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph. Special fall-color cruises are also worth looking into, and both vessels offer lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea service throughout the sailing season.
Explore the Muskoka Wharf
Whether it's hopping aboard a steamship or renting a pontoon boat or jet-ski from Muskoka Boat Rentals or Matchless Adventures, most Gravenhurst adventures begin at the Muskoka Wharf. This impressive multi-million-dollar project combines accommodations, dining, and heritage attractions along a lovely wooden boardwalk that follows the contours of Muskoka Bay.
One of the most popular things to do here is visit the excellent Blue Willow Tea Shop. A Muskoka Wharf staple since day one, this popular stop serves a delightful (and proper!) English afternoon tea with great views of the steamships coming and going. Another must-dine on the Wharf is the top-rated Dock of the Bay Steak & Seafood Grille. In addition to the superb views from its large over-the-water patio, the menu is top-notch (a personal favorite, the Dock Steak Slider, never fails to please). Double-check its seasonal hours, as it is typically closed from October to May.
Muskoka Wharf is also where you’ll find one of the town’s best hotels. Located at the opposite end of the boardwalk from the tearoom and steamships, the Residence Inn by Marriott offers larger family-friendly suites that serve as the perfect weekend getaway base. Adjacent to the Wharf boat launch, it’s also right next to the Muskoka Discovery Centre, a state-of-the-art museum housing restored antique boats and period artifacts that trace the town’s lengthy history as a center of wooden boat construction.
Muskoka Bay Resort, with its championship golf course and complimentary shuttle to the wharf just a few minutes away, is another solid accommodation choice. And though located at the south end of town, the new Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites is another good option.
Muskoka’s Cultural Hub
You’ll know Muskoka’s cottage season has arrived when venues like the Gravenhurst Opera House start putting on shows aimed squarely at out-of-towners. From Broadway-style musicals to comedies and dramas, countless Canadian actors, including the late Donald Sutherland, spent time here in their early years. The Opera House also has a reputation for its acoustics, with legends like Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo singing (literally) the praise for its acoustics.
If music festivals are your thing, then plan your weekend around one (or both) of the two summer events hosted across Gravenhurst. The Tall Pines Music & Arts Festival is a two-day, all-Canadian affair held each July at Gull Lake Rotary Park, just steps from the town’s train station. The more intimate Muskoka Music Festival takes over the Gravenhurst Opera House for a few nights each August, as well as hosting special VIP events at private cottages around Lake Muskoka.
Other Things To Do In Gravenhurst
It often surprises visitors to learn that Gravenhurst is recognized internationally as the birthplace of one of the world’s most celebrated humanitarians. Bethune Memorial House, now a museum and National Historic Site, is where Dr. Norman Bethune spent the first three years of his life after being born here in 1890. The museum is currently closed for the season and will reopen in May.
Today, this elegant wood-clad Victorian-era home and its adjacent visitor center rank among Muskoka’s most-visited attractions. Exhibits and artifacts chronicle Bethune’s remarkable achievements, with particular attention paid to his time as a pioneering surgeon on the frontlines in China during its war with Japan in the 1930s. Bethune died a national hero in China in 1939, aged just 49.
Drive 30-minutes west of downtown Gravenhurst, along the road to Bala, and you’ll find yourself in the Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve, one of the finest stargazing locations in Ontario. Established in 1999 and one of only a handful of sites across Canada considered to be free of light pollution, try to arrive a few hours before nightfall to explore a site that really does deserve its name.
After Torrance Barrens, you’ll want to check out Hardy Lake Provincial Park, one of Muskoka’s most popular nature sites. This very popular park features hiking trails ranging from an easy paved path starting from the parking area to a longer circular route that follows the full shoreline of the picturesque lake. It does get busy, so arrive early in order to avoid parking along the busy road.
Gravenhurst certainly does manage to pack a remarkable range of experiences into one compact, accessible package. And thanks to the coming rail connection (the first in decades), visitors will soon be able to explore this charming little town without even needing a car. So, whether you’re wanting to sail aboard a 19th-century steamship, do some stargazing from a dark-sky preserve, or rent a boat and drift across Lake Muskoka, you’ll find your three-day getaway can be as jam-packed or relaxing as you want it to be.
