Is Barrie on the bucket list for your summer vacation? It’s not just you! Many tourists from within and outside the province flock to this city located on the western shore of Lake Simcoe during the warmer months.

Because of the city’s proximity to the lake, travellers get to enjoy a ton of water activities like boating, fishing, jet skiing, and swimming in Barrie. Apart from the waterfront activities, Barrie also has a lot of other attractions to keep travellers entertained and excited. So, rest assured, you’re in for a whale of time this Barrie vacation.

To help you make the most of your Barrie vacation, we have picked out some of the best summer destinations. Travellers who visited this city in Ontario rated these attractions as the top choices.

Top Destinations to Tour in Barrie

Sunnidale Park Arboretum

With a large variety of trees, shrubs, gardens, and beautiful floral displays, Sunnidale Park Arboretum is the largest municipal park in the city. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the beautiful outdoors of the city in the sunny weather.

While in Sunnidale Park Arboretum, you can take a stroll along the walking paths, taking in the beautiful scenery while your little ones play and frolic in the playground. Later on, you can have a fun family picnic under the shaded trees of Sunnidale Park.

Splashon Wibit Water Park

This is one of the best destinations to enjoy a day of fun and entertainment in the city of Barrie. There are a ton of water activities and games in this park where you can chill, relax, and cool off. To start with, Splashon Wibit Water Park has an obstacle course with slides, towers, trampolines, and other thrilling things. It’s an amazing way to compete with your loved ones, have a laugh, and enjoy an exciting time on the water. Beyond the obstacle course, Splashon Wibit Water Park has a splash pad for your little ones, tons of swimming areas, and beach volleyball courts.

Minet’s Point

Minet’s Pint, located across the bay from Barrie’s downtown area has a special place in the heart of residents and tourists. Thanks to its amazing location on a peninsula jutting into Lake Simcoe, visitors can enjoy stunning waterfront views from here.

Minet’s Point has a sandy beach, perfect for a swim in the summertime or sunbathing. There’s a well-maintained playground, where your little ones can play while you relax. There are also picnic areas in the park with proper seating areas, where you can enjoy a delicious meal while looking at the scenic views.

Minet’s Point has been a key part of the city for a long time. Its history goes back to the 1830s when this land was granted to a settler called Peter Monett and hence, the place’s name. This place has seen its fair share of transformations, from being an electric railway hub in the late 19th century to overcoming many natural disasters.

Ardagh Bluffs

With around 17 kilometres of trails, Ardagh Bluffs is the perfect place to immerse yourself in summer during the warmer months. The trails in Ardagh Bluffs wind through forests, wetlands, and along the Nottawasaga River. Imagine the many scenic views you can enjoy while taking a walk or hike through the Ardagh Bluffs.

The well-maintained trails of Ardagh Bluffs are perfect for a hike, riding your bike, or simply taking a stroll in the fresh air. If your luck is in favour, you can catch a peek at different bird species, butterflies, and other wildlife at the Ardagh Bluffs.

Heritage Park

Situated on the shores of Kempenfelt Bay in Lake Simcoe, Heritage Park offers visitors a relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy the stunning views. The park has a number of grassy lawns for picnicking, sunbathing, or simply enjoying the scenery of the lakefront.

Best of all, Heritage Park has a sandy beach area from where you can take a dip in the cool waters of Lake Simcoe to get relief from the summer heat. There’s also a special water feature in Heritage Park - the perfect fun place for kids to cool off and play.

Spirit Catcher

This is a 21-metre tall steel sculpture which is an important landmark on Barrie’s waterfront area. Most tourists visiting Barrie make sure to click a photo in front of this beautiful sculpture on their summer trip to Barrie. The famous sculptor Ron Baird designed the Spirit Catcher, taking inspiration from the Thunderbird figure of the Pacific Northwest.

By visiting the Spirit Catcher, you can also catch a glimpse of the beautiful Kempenfelt Bay. After spending some time near the sculpture, you can take a stroll along the waterfront path or simply relax on nearby beaches while soaking in the scenery.

Chappell Farms

Looking for a memorable and wholesome experience while in Barrie? Then, make sure to head over to Chappell Farms, the local farm located conveniently just north of Barrie, at the corner of Highway 11 and County Road 93.

The main highlight of the Chappell Farms that draws tourists from far and wide is the Spring Festival and Fall Festival. The key attractions of the Spring Festival are the magic shows, wagon rides, egg hunts, play areas, the bunny village, and much more. While in the Falls festivals, you can take advantage of events such as pumpkin picking, a challenging corn maze, a haunted barn, live shows, and yes, delicious food prepared from local produce.

Even if you cannot make it to these two festivals, you can still have a great time at the Chappell Farms. This is because the farm allows visitors to interact with their different friendly animals such as goats, sheep, pigs, and bunnies throughout the year. There are also play areas for kids with trike tracks, sand diggers, bale runs, and more. Additionally, you can take a memento of your Barrie trip with artisan gifts, delicious Mennonite jams and jellies, pies, honey, and other sweet treats from the Gift Barn area.

Get All Your Ducks Lined Up for Your Much-Awaited Barrie Trip

To enjoy your Barrie vacation to the fullest, make sure you’re well-prepared for the trip. Make a list of the items you need to bring at least one month prior to your vacation. Since you’ll be travelling during summertime, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat should definitely be in your bag.

Also, book your transportation and accommodation arrangements in Barrie well in advance. This is because, during summer, flights, rental cars, and hotels get filled up quickly, especially during weekends. In short, with careful planning and preparation, you can fully enjoy every moment of your Barrie trip, soaking in the sights and experiences without worry.