TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL | Top 10,000 Places to Visit in Canada
Page created by Lauren Sparling |McMaster University | Photo by Vlad Umnov
Bala Cranberry Festival | Weekend after Thanksgiving
Since 1984, Bala has hosted its annual Cranberry Festival in October and is an event that can’t be missed.
Each year various vendors sell local produce, baked goods, art and other products. There are also musicians performing live! This event is very popular amongst locals and tourists alike.
Photos: https://www.facebook.com/bala.cranberry.festival/
This beautiful cascade waterfall is located right in the heart of the town of Bala. The Bala Falls is the source of the Moon River, which flows from Lake Muskoka to Georgian Bay.
You can either walk over the waterfall’s footbridge or down to the base. The rocks at the bottom are an excellent spot for a picnic, so bring a blanket and a basket of food!
Photo: By P199, CC BY-SA 3.0
With Memories of Lucy Maud Montgomery
This family-owned museum honours the author of Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery.
The museum is in a restored 1920’s tourist home where Lucy spent two weeks in 1922. She based the novel The Blue Castle on the area.
The museum includes popular displays such as the world’s largest Green Gables Dollhouse, L M Montgomery’s Silver Tea Set and Anne’s puffed sleeved dress.
One of the most outstanding is a world-class display of Montgomery’s 1st edition books.
Photo: Vlad Umnov
This park is a great place to relax while overlooking Bala Bay, one of the hubs of cottage country north of Toronto.
It is also a great spot to enjoy the weekly ski show! Once a week in the summer months, students from a nearby water ski school perform aquatic stunts for audiences at the park. Students form pyramids, jump obstacles, ski barefoot, and occasionally ski while they wear alpine skis.
So, check out this incredible show on a weekday night (7:30 PM on Tuesdays or Thursdays throughout the summer).
Photos: Vlad Umnov
The Bala Historic Walk is a self-guided walk of historic Bala. The Town of Bala consists of three islands interconnected by bridges over beautiful waterfalls.
This walk has a spectacular view of the Moon River and the falls.
Photo: Vlad Umnov
In 1907 the Canadian Pacific Railway opened a prominent “summer” station at the harbour. In 1927, six CPR train routes each way served Bala, four daily.
The Bala Weekend trains continued to serve the tourists until 1963 when the station was demolished.
The Summer train station was built where the Portage Landing parking lot is now, besides the steamship docks (also called the Bala Wharf and the area called Bala Harbour).
Photos: Vlad Umnov; F. W. Micklethwaite – This image is available from the Toronto Public Library under the reference number PC-ON 1248, Public Domain
This local Marsh and Winery has been open since 1950. With maple syrup in the spring, blueberries in the summer, cranberry harvest in the fall and an ice trail in the winter, there is plenty to enjoy all year. They also offer quality craft wine that reflects the local fruit in the region.
Check out their wine-tasting, scenic patio, and wooded trails, available 365 days a year!
Photos: Vlad Umnov, https://www.facebook.com/JohnstonsCranberries/
This park is a great place to have a picnic, play a game of catch or sit back and relax. There are plenty of picnic tables and a pavilion for you to use, as well as a beautiful sand beach.
This park is very family-friendly, with a great swimming area and playground for kids to enjoy.
Photo: Vlad Umnov
Are you looking for a delicious treat? Make sure to visit Don’s Bakery next time you are in Bala. The family-owned and operated bakery has been open since 1947 and makes homemade baked goods from scratch.
They offer delicious loaves of bread, buns, cookies, cupcakes, muffins, cakes, pies, tarts, donuts and other pastries. With plenty of options, there is bound to be something that you will enjoy!
Photos: Vlad Umnov
If you want the opportunity to get out on the water, visit the Bala Cove Marina, which has been serving the community for over 20 years. This full-service marina offers boat rentals, boat sales, mechanical servicing, premium gas, seasonal mooring, onsite custom upholstery and winter storage.
Photo: balacovemarina.com
This charming concert venue is a big attraction for locals and visitors alike. They have a great selection of small Canadian bands that come to play. It’s a great place to enjoy live music with friends and have fun!
Make sure to check out their website to see who is playing.
Photo: Vlad Umnov
The church was opened in 1921.
