Collingwood is a city in Simcoe County, Ontario.

Collingwood

Get in

By car

Collingwood is easily accessed by taking Highway 400 North to Barrie and following Highway 26 West for about an hour directly into Collingwood. There are also other routes that avoid having to drive through Barrie and also more direct routes from Toronto's west end.

By bus

Bus service is available from Toronto to downtown Collingwood, but the ride can take 3 hours or more since many stops are made along the way. The estimated travel time from Toronto Greyhound to Collingwood is about 7 1/2 hrs.

Get around

Collingwood does have a transit service that operates daily, but the easiest ways to get around town are by car or on foot. Taking a car is the easiest way to reach activities outside of the town limits.

See

View from Blue Mountain

• Historic Downtown Collingwood is a great place to go for a stroll in the summer and have breakfast or lunch at one of the many outdoor patios available.

• Collingwood Harbour was a major shipping port in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Most of the shipping traffic from the west ported in Collingwood where cargo was loaded onto trains and transported to Toronto. It was also a major site for manufacturing of ships up until the late 20th century. Since the demise of the shipping industry in Collingwood, the harbour has been turned into a great park and the original grain elevators are still standing.

• The Museum in Collingwood is located just south of the harbour and documents much of Collingwood's history including the settlement of the area and the importance of the shipping industry.

• St. Mary's Church was built in 1858 and recently celebrated its 150th anniversary.

Do

• Blue Mountain, An all seasons resort located within a 10 minute drive east of Collingwood. Blue Mountain is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding in Ontario. There are also activities available during the summer, including a water park and golfing.

• Scenic Caves, ☏ +1 705 446-0256. A labyrinth of caves. Ontario's longest pedestrian suspension bridge. Hiking in the summer, skiing in the winter. Log cabin for rent. 

Suspension bridge at Scenic Caves

• Snowmobiling, There are many great spots to snowmobile in and around Collingwood. Trail maps are available.

• The Gayety Theatre, An old style theatre located in downtown Collingwood. A variety of plays, comedy acts, and musical performances are held at the theatre year round by Theatre Collingwood [1]

• Golfing, Many golf courses are located in and around the Collingwood area including Monterra golf course at Blue Mountain, Cranberry golf course at Cranberry resort, Osler Brook golf and county club located just south of Collingwood, Batteaux Creek, and Duntroon Highlands.

• Biking, There is a great network of trails that runs throughout the town, many are along the old rail lines. The Bruce trail runs along the entire waterfront and continues west for many kilometres. A great bike trip is to bike west along the Bruce trail to Thornbury and back (approx. 50km) or to Meaford and back (approx. 70km). The Bruce trail runs right through downtown Thornbury and downtown Meaford where a great waterfront is available for picnics or to take a rest before heading back.

• Sunset Point is a beach located at the north east end of town and is a great place to sunbathe, swim, and relax in the summer. Sunset Point Park is located adjacent the beach and is great for kids.

Buy

• Skiis and Biikes, The Ski Shop, and Fathom are specialty ski and snowboard shops located along First Street in Collingwood where equipment and clothing can be rented or purchased.

• Sanfilippo's wholesale Fruit and Vegetables is on Peel Street and has been in business since 1953. It is open all year and is a great place to pick up fresh fruit and vegetables for barbecues, parties, or get-togethers.

• Little Ed's Bike Shop is a good place to grab biking equipment or to stop in for a tune up.

Eat

• Duncan's - a good bistro style restaurant on the mainstreet. Moderately priced but well prepared foods. 4 out of 5 stars.

• Cafe Chartreuse - A great cafe with excellent breakfast on the mainstreet of Collingwood. Lunch is also available.

• Azzurra, 100 pine street Collingwood, ☏ +1 705 445 7771. Fine dining with bar and adult entertainment. 
• Beaver and the Bulldog, 195 First Street, ☏ +1 705 446-9711. English pub food and pints. 

Drink

• Molly Blooms and Moguls are two bars frequented by both locals and visitors. They are located across the road from each other on Second Street near the main street and are always hopping.
• Espresso Post, 139 Hurontario Street (3rd and Hurontario Streets), ☏ +1 705 446-1740. 7a-6p. Award winning baristas serving espresso, latte, cappuccino etc. Fresh baked goods made daily on-site. Panini lunches too. All in a registered Heritage Building, Collingwood's first brick Post Office. 

Sleep

• Mountain Springs Resort, 796468 Grey Rd, toll-free: +1-888-828-6745. Luxury Suites offering full kitchens, Jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces and private decks, which provide affordable luxury for a business meeting, holiday, family vacation, romantic getaway, spa retreat, or weekend getaway. Amenities include heated year round pool, hot tub, tennis court, and ski-in/ski-out mountain access in winter time. 

• Cranberry Resort is a large resort development located at the west end of Collingwood. A main inn has rooms available for reasonable rates, or for a longer stay, many privately owned condominiums are available for rent. Cranberry golf course and driving range are located adjacent the resort, and on the north side of Highway 26, Cranberry Marina is on the shoreline of Georgian Bay

• Days Inn and Best Western are also available and are located on the west end of town closest to Blue Mountain
• The Lodges at Blue Mountain (Blue Mountain Lodges), 796468 Grey Road 19, toll-free: +1-877-368-2583, reservations@bluemountainlodges.ca. This four-seasons resort offers a variety of fully furnished vacation rentals including ski-in, ski-out condos, luxury chalets, townhomes, suites, and cottage-style accommodations in the Blue Mountains / Collingwood, Ontario area. 

Go next

Highway 26 will take you east to Barrie or west to Owen Sound. Highway 124 or Airport Road (via Stayner) will take you south to the Toronto area.