Road Trippin’ Preview
As we welcome spring amid reopenings, we can all indulge in notions of traditional warm weather fare like patios, barbecues…and road trips!
Barrie’s central location makes us a prime hub to launch car voyages through the warm weather months. Starting in May, and every Thursday through September, we’ll bring a new Ontario destination you can reach in a reasonable travel time.
Here’s a few picks from last year to get the GPS juices flowing. And if you’ve got some suggestions, we want to hear them!
THE THOUSAND ISLANDS
This trip is a bit further afield than usual, but well worth the extra gas.
Zip along the St Lawrence River and spend some time exploring the Thousand Islands! The archipelago sits on the border between Canada and the United States.
Beautiful scenery, quirky museums, tons of fishing and some fantastic restaurants are nestled into the area, as well as the massive National park. There are also a number of picturesque towns, and even a few castles to visit.
Picton
You’ll find Sandbanks Provincial Park in Picton, the jewel in stunning Prince Edward County. And even if you are the kind of person who doesn’t usually have a thing for lakes, this one will win you over.
The area is awash in clean, clear water over rock-free sand bars. Bring a stand-up paddle board if you’ve got one, because the water here is calm and often shallow. It’s safe for the kiddos, as long as they are in sight. And the shoreline is ideal for sandcastle construction and mudpie making!
CRYSTAL LAKE BOARDWALK
This five-kilometer looped hiking trail in the Bruce Peninsula wraps around the crystal-clear Cyprus Lake and brings you through a forest of century-old trees. Partly made up of a wooden boardwalk, it makes for an easy and scenic stroll.
Boardwalk
Take this short stroll to admire the small but astonishing plants that grow in the Singing Sands Fen habitat. This extremely delicate wetland is home to a variety of orchids and insect eating plants.
Forest Beach Loop
Head though the woods and dunes along Dorus Bay toward the rare alvar habitat. This exposed bedrock may seem barren, but mosses, lichens and some rare flower species flourish in this harsh environment.