The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund (NOHFC) has announced significant support for the largest restoration in the 145-year history of the RMS Segwun, Canada’s iconic steamship. The fund also announced important support for the “Love Muskoka, Sustain Muskoka” exhibit at the Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre. Graydon Smith, MPP Parry Sound-Muskoka, and George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth, visited the Muskoka Discovery Centre in Gravenhurst on Friday (Jan. 30) to announce their commitment and support through NOHFC in the amount of $830,000. This grant is a critical piece of financing in the project, which will cost more than Read more
Muskoka
The District of Muskoka is hoping to reconnect southern Ontario cottage country with Toronto cottage owners and would-be visitors. Porter Airlines was the last to offer commercial flights to Muskoka Airport with 35-minute service from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport during summer 2019 and 2022. Yours truly was able to try the flights a couple times, and thought they were outstanding. The route was suspended during the pandemic and officially cancelled in early 2023, As reported by my friends at Open Jaw, “with travel patterns shifting and demand for domestic getaways rising, local officials say the time is right for a Read more
Georgian Bay Islands National Park is a small but fabulous chunk of land that’s only a couple hours north of Toronto. The best way to reach the park is via a short ferry ride from the small but cute village of Honey Harbour, which is just a short drive northwest of Port Severn, off Highway 400. The park is a great spot for hiking and biking, with easy-to-read trails and a bike rental shop in case you can’t bring yours along. We had a great day trip, but you also can arrange for a campsite, sleep in an old-style, wooden Read more
A new survey finds Ontario residents are eager to explore their own province and other areas of Canada. More than one-half are likely to visit another country, but not too many appear keen on trips to the US. A survey conducted by Context Research Group on behalf of Destination Ontario found that nearly nine in ten Ontario residents (87%) are likely to take an overnight pleasure trip within the province in the next year. Only a quarter indicated they are likely to travel to the US and less than one-third (29%) said they feel welcome there. “Several key barriers discourage Read more
It’s that time of year. Time to thank all the people who’ve been nice to me in my 2024 travels. And, more than likely, time to annoy all my friends who feel like I’m bragging. It may seem that way, but I really am just trying to send another thank you to the hotels, restaurants and destinations that hosted me this year. It’s also fun to look back a bit, and to post some silly or inspiring photos. So, without further ado, here are some great experiences I had this year in Ontario, Florida, Alberta, Alaska, Hawaii, Vancouver, New York Read more
