The Muskoka District: A Perennial Favorite Vacation Destination

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 96
Comment this article

It began its celebrity as a favored vacation destination in the mid-1800s. In recent years, locals have grown accustomed to seeing vacationing National Hockey League stars and film celebrities making their way to their cottages. Perhaps lesser known is that in its heyday, Bigwin Inn on Bigwin Island in Lake of Bays was host to notable guests such as Ernest Hemingway, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, John D. Rockefeller and John Diefenbaker. In the resort''s golden years, entertainers including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and Guy Lombardo performed at this jewel of the Muskokas. Today the island boats a par 72 championship golf course at the private Bigwin Island Golf Course. Non-members of that club may try their luck at the over 20 other exceptional public and semi-private courses, 1000 feet above sea level and professionally conceived by designers such as Mark OMeara, Nick Faldo and Thomas McBroom.

The Muskoka District is also an excellent summer destination for cottagers who enjoy boating, fishing, swimming or just relaxing and enjoying the natural ambiance from the dock, deck or balcony of their accommodations. ...
... Snowmobiling is the primary winter tourist activity in Muskoka, with the help of an organization known as The Muskoka Snowmobile Region that maintains a high quality trail infrastructure.

An interesting side trip to the usual seasonal activities available in the Muskoka district may be found just 1 kilometer from downtown Huntsville in the forms of the Muskoka Heritage Place Museum, Village and Train. The museum is open year-round by appointment or chance. The village is open daily from mid-May to mid-October and is a recreation of a community settled around 1880. Costumed narrators offer hands-on activities including candle making, pioneer baking and single-room school lessons. The open-air train rides are scheduled to resume again in 2010, providing a tour of a First Nation''s camp, Beaver Meadow Pond, pioneer dwellings, a blacksmith shop and various farm animals.

Visitors bringing children to the Muskoka District may want to consider a trip to Santa''s Village near Bracebridge. From June 21st till Labor Day, Santa has been greeting children of all ages at his Muskoka summer home for over 50 years. Sportsland is also close by, offering go-karting, mini-golf, batting cages, Laser tag and video games.

Another attraction of the Bracebridge area for those who like ?treetop adventures? is Eaglecrest Aerial Park. This is enjoyed by whole families as an exciting diversion, and specifically by some groups as corporate training. Those taking in Eaglecrest spend about 2 hours at an elevation of 10 to 40 feet amidst the forest canopy of the towering pines along the Muskoka River in Santa''s Village and Sportsland.

The Muskoka District has been a favorite vacation destination for generations, offering a unique combination of naturally occurring beauty and cultured hospitality for the whole family. Bonny Kominek wrote this article while on a holiday booked with Dialaflight who provide flight to Canada and other desinations.