David’s cottage guidebook
Food scene
We love the farmer's market for a breakfast sandwich Saturday mornings, the best cinnamon buns you've ever had, butter tarts, fresh bread, produce and meats. You can even get a pair of hand knitted socks (one day I hope to enjoy that kind of luxury). There's often a couple musicians playing and with the location alongside the river lends a wonderful joie de vivre.
Free parking and less than a block from the vibrant main street, art galleries, library and shops.
29 moradores locais recomendam
Owen Sound Farmers’ Market
88 8th St EWe love the farmer's market for a breakfast sandwich Saturday mornings, the best cinnamon buns you've ever had, butter tarts, fresh bread, produce and meats. You can even get a pair of hand knitted socks (one day I hope to enjoy that kind of luxury). There's often a couple musicians playing and with the location alongside the river lends a wonderful joie de vivre.
Free parking and less than a block from the vibrant main street, art galleries, library and shops.
Great old school take-out Chinese food. Very reasonable, big portions and rivals any Chinese take-out I can get in Toronto. 10th street on the west side of town.
Chef Wok
845 10th Street WestGreat old school take-out Chinese food. Very reasonable, big portions and rivals any Chinese take-out I can get in Toronto. 10th street on the west side of town.
Funny funny name but good place to stop for a meal whether take out or dine in on the way to or from the cottage. They are open till 10pm most evenings so its very convenient and the food is good. Free parking around back and rear entrance for food pickup or dine-in.
10 moradores locais recomendam
Yummy Yummy Sushi
251 10th St EFunny funny name but good place to stop for a meal whether take out or dine in on the way to or from the cottage. They are open till 10pm most evenings so its very convenient and the food is good. Free parking around back and rear entrance for food pickup or dine-in.
We love Sullivan's in Wiarton for anytime we want really good meat to grill. My favs are their Elk and spicy sausages. Huge variety, knowledgeable staff and just one of many good reasons to hang out in Wiarton.
6 moradores locais recomendam
Sullivan's Butcher Shop
641 Berford StWe love Sullivan's in Wiarton for anytime we want really good meat to grill. My favs are their Elk and spicy sausages. Huge variety, knowledgeable staff and just one of many good reasons to hang out in Wiarton.
Another great reason to head to Wiarton! Especially if you're like me and would rather pay someone else to catch your fish. Different varieties of smoked fish are incredible.
18 moradores locais recomendam
Howell's Fish
153 Division StAnother great reason to head to Wiarton! Especially if you're like me and would rather pay someone else to catch your fish. Different varieties of smoked fish are incredible.
Coral's is our new favourite reasons to make the drive to Wiarton or stop when passing through!
We had our first meal at Coral's this past weekend and were impressed enough to make a recommendation here. The Curry Goat Roti rivals the best I've had in Toronto and we enjoyed the Jerk Chicken as well. Both have mild level of spiciness and hot seasoning/sauce supplied on the side.
I'm really looking forward to trying the Oxtail (a celebrated Jamaican favourite) on my next visit.
Coral's Caribbean Cuisine
Coral's is our new favourite reasons to make the drive to Wiarton or stop when passing through!
We had our first meal at Coral's this past weekend and were impressed enough to make a recommendation here. The Curry Goat Roti rivals the best I've had in Toronto and we enjoyed the Jerk Chicken as well. Both have mild level of spiciness and hot seasoning/sauce supplied on the side.
I'm really looking forward to trying the Oxtail (a celebrated Jamaican favourite) on my next visit.
Hiking
One of our favourite spots to hike is Lion's Head. You can easily spend a morning, afternoon or even a day in Lion's Head. There's a lot of up and down in the part of the hike that approaches the cliffs but we have done it a couple times with our daughter when she was around 4 and 5 years old and it was doable for her with some help at times.
The views are incredible and at 1 or 2km, not long enough to make kids grumpy.
Back in town on the waterfront there's a great little beach and places to have some food or go for ice cream.
29 moradores locais recomendam
Lion’s Head Lookout
One of our favourite spots to hike is Lion's Head. You can easily spend a morning, afternoon or even a day in Lion's Head. There's a lot of up and down in the part of the hike that approaches the cliffs but we have done it a couple times with our daughter when she was around 4 and 5 years old and it was doable for her with some help at times.
The views are incredible and at 1 or 2km, not long enough to make kids grumpy.
Back in town on the waterfront there's a great little beach and places to have some food or go for ice cream.
A lovely hike, easy for most people and the big payoff is a beautiful view and space to picnic on the edge of the escarpment. 10 minute drive from our place!
Skinners Bluff
Skinners BluffA lovely hike, easy for most people and the big payoff is a beautiful view and space to picnic on the edge of the escarpment. 10 minute drive from our place!
Sightseeing
Everyone knows Sauble Beach which we love (FYI, the north end is much less busy) but Sauble Falls is another family friendly spot that is safe to swim and lots of fun for kids and adults to jump off the ledges.
Just a few metres before the falls you can rent a canoe or other watercraft and casually paddle up the lazy river while spotting turtles.
77 moradores locais recomendam
Sauble Falls Provincial Park
1400 Sauble Falls RdEveryone knows Sauble Beach which we love (FYI, the north end is much less busy) but Sauble Falls is another family friendly spot that is safe to swim and lots of fun for kids and adults to jump off the ledges.
Just a few metres before the falls you can rent a canoe or other watercraft and casually paddle up the lazy river while spotting turtles.
A flat hike suitable for any fitness level that ends at a long gorgeous rocky beach which is also great for a stroll, picnic or swim.
7 moradores locais recomendam
Halfway Log Beach
Bruce TrailA flat hike suitable for any fitness level that ends at a long gorgeous rocky beach which is also great for a stroll, picnic or swim.
Singing Sands, like Sauble Beach is on the west side of Bruce Peninsula but further north. Like Sauble it has a great sandy beach and very shallow water that allows even kids to walk out hundreds of feet out into to the lake. it is also much smaller than Sauble, nowhere near as busy but close to other northerly attractions like Halfway Log Dump and Tobermory.
93 moradores locais recomendam
Singing Sands
Dorcas Bay RoadSinging Sands, like Sauble Beach is on the west side of Bruce Peninsula but further north. Like Sauble it has a great sandy beach and very shallow water that allows even kids to walk out hundreds of feet out into to the lake. it is also much smaller than Sauble, nowhere near as busy but close to other northerly attractions like Halfway Log Dump and Tobermory.
Amazing to think this incredible landscape with all its variety can be found within Owen Sound. Inglis Falls, the trails, streams, gardens, wildlife, etc.
Far to much to describe here, see the website:
https://www.owensoundtourism.ca/en/explore/harrison-park.aspx
58 moradores locais recomendam
Harrison Park
75 2nd Ave EAmazing to think this incredible landscape with all its variety can be found within Owen Sound. Inglis Falls, the trails, streams, gardens, wildlife, etc.
Far to much to describe here, see the website:
https://www.owensoundtourism.ca/en/explore/harrison-park.aspx
This is a great spot to stop to learn about Owen Sound and enjoy the view or walk along the harbour. Events including live music are often hosted here and it is a good place to stop and get your bearings while enroute to the cottage.
7 moradores locais recomendam
Marine & Rail Museum
1155 1st Ave WThis is a great spot to stop to learn about Owen Sound and enjoy the view or walk along the harbour. Events including live music are often hosted here and it is a good place to stop and get your bearings while enroute to the cottage.
Kelso Beach and Nawash Park are a great spot to stop enroute to or from the cottage on the north end of Owen Sound.
The beach is small but good for getting in the water easily. The park is great for a waterfronr stroll, has free parking and bathrooms.
Salmon Spectacular and Summerfolk held here in August.
34 moradores locais recomendam
Kelso Beach Park
Kelso Beach and Nawash Park are a great spot to stop enroute to or from the cottage on the north end of Owen Sound.
The beach is small but good for getting in the water easily. The park is great for a waterfronr stroll, has free parking and bathrooms.
Salmon Spectacular and Summerfolk held here in August.
Hibou Conservation Area and beach in Paynter Bay is maybe the safest and family friendly waterfront area this side of Sauble.
The beach is sandy, long enough (+200m) for many people to spread out and the water is shallow enough for younger kids to be safe (under supervision of course).
The beach is under 30 minutes drive from our cottage. It's closer than Sauble Beach and very convenient if you will be in Owen Sound; just a few minutes north of town on the east side of the sound.
9 moradores locais recomendam
Hibou Conservation Area
County Road 15Hibou Conservation Area and beach in Paynter Bay is maybe the safest and family friendly waterfront area this side of Sauble.
The beach is sandy, long enough (+200m) for many people to spread out and the water is shallow enough for younger kids to be safe (under supervision of course).
The beach is under 30 minutes drive from our cottage. It's closer than Sauble Beach and very convenient if you will be in Owen Sound; just a few minutes north of town on the east side of the sound.
convenience
The last place to get drinks, milk, butter tarts or lottery tickets on the way to the cottage. Right on the main road, when you pass here you are about 10 mins from the cottage.
Indian River General Store
318607 Grey Rd 1The last place to get drinks, milk, butter tarts or lottery tickets on the way to the cottage. Right on the main road, when you pass here you are about 10 mins from the cottage.
Boating and fishing
Big Bay is 10k up the road north of us. It's a nice spot for getting an ice cream at the general store, going to visit the wonderous Keppel Croft Gardens (great for kids!) or hanging out at the beach.
The main event here is the big government dock and boat ramp. Launch your trailered boat here or just enjoying sunning, diving or fishing off the dock.
18 moradores locais recomendam
Big Bay
Big Bay is 10k up the road north of us. It's a nice spot for getting an ice cream at the general store, going to visit the wonderous Keppel Croft Gardens (great for kids!) or hanging out at the beach.
The main event here is the big government dock and boat ramp. Launch your trailered boat here or just enjoying sunning, diving or fishing off the dock.
Kid centered entertainment
Just before Owen Sound on the drive north is the turn off for Story Book Park. With a water park and many rides all catering to the under 10 set, this is a great alternative to beaches and hikes.
26 moradores locais recomendam
Story Book Park
123221 Story Book Park RdJust before Owen Sound on the drive north is the turn off for Story Book Park. With a water park and many rides all catering to the under 10 set, this is a great alternative to beaches and hikes.
I put Kepple Croft Gardens in my "Kid centered entertainment" category but I enjoy this sanctuary as much or more than my daughter.
There's horses, ducks and many other animals here; trails, ponds, a lovely bench swing for two, even a scale representation of our solar system in a field. Unlike a zoo, one can interact with animals in a beautiful and naturalistic setting.
10 minutes north from our cottage and right in Big Bay. Turn left into their driveway as you pull into Big Bay. Park for free and walk to or from the General Store for ice cream and the Government dock/boat launch/beach.
Leave a small donation and bring an apple for the horse.
7 moradores locais recomendam
Keppel Croft Gardens
Grey Road 1I put Kepple Croft Gardens in my "Kid centered entertainment" category but I enjoy this sanctuary as much or more than my daughter.
There's horses, ducks and many other animals here; trails, ponds, a lovely bench swing for two, even a scale representation of our solar system in a field. Unlike a zoo, one can interact with animals in a beautiful and naturalistic setting.
10 minutes north from our cottage and right in Big Bay. Turn left into their driveway as you pull into Big Bay. Park for free and walk to or from the General Store for ice cream and the Government dock/boat launch/beach.
Leave a small donation and bring an apple for the horse.