Barrie – The Depot on Kempenfelt Bay (Lake Simcoe)
The city of Barrie, located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario is a place that punches above its weight. Although it is now but a bedroom community for Toronto, the city was lucky enough to have been an established community long before and as such it is still home to a lively downtown district with busy bars, live music and a fantastic summer festival season. Yet to me the charm of the city lies in its proximity to many other Ontarian attractions.
Table of Contents
A Brief History
Early in its history Barrie was but a small collection of homes uses and warehouses at the edge of Kempenfelt Bay. The depot was a linked to the strategic Fort Willow via the Nine Mile an aboriginal transportation route, part of a corridor that connected Lake Simcoe to the Nottawasaga River which flows into Georgian Bay and into Lake Huron where the city of Wasaga Beach is located today. This corridor was essential to keeping Canada supplied during the War of 1812 and helped cement the depot an an important location. This in 1833 the city was named after Sir Robert Barrie, the leader of all naval forces in Canada. During this era the city was also a terminus for a branch of the Underground Railroad.
Barrie became the county seat of Simcoe County in 1869. The 19th century saw the city expand as it became connected to the Northern Railway, connecting Toronto to North Bay as well as port of the many steamship lines connecting to the Muskoka summer resorts. This period saw the city ravaged by fire giving it the moniker of “among the best burning towns in Canada”.
In the modern era, Barrie was transformed into a major military center with the opening of the Borden Military base during the First World War. In recent years the city has recovered from industrial decline including that which rejuvenated the Molson brewing site.
What to do in Barrie
Explore the Barrie Waterfront
Built on the shore of Lake Simcoe, on the edge of the Kempenfelt Bay, it should be no surprise that Barie has a wonderful waterfront. In recent years condos have begun to crowd it but this is the most important public place in the city. You will find a series of pathways, green space, a marina, tennis courts, gardens, statues and even a beach. It can roughly be divided in two halves, Centennial park/Allandale Station Park (where the beach and historic GO Train terminal is located) to the south, the marina in the center and Heritage park in the north.
PS: The waterfront is most active during festivals and holidays. The best of these is Kempenfest in the summer months but it is also particularly nice around Christmas time when Christmas lights adorn the gazebo and neighbouring plants.
Ride the Oro Rail Trail to Shanty Bay
From the north end of the waterfront you will find informative placards indicating a rail-trail that was once home to the old Northern Railroad. From here one can take their bicycle to Shanty Bay. If you remember from the history section, Barrie was a terminus of the underground railroad. Many freed blacks settled in the community of Oro and one the few rammed earth churches in Ontario was constructed here. To learn more about Shanty Bay click here.
Grab a Pint Dunlop Street and Walk the Downtown
Downtown Barrie is quite small but for a city its size, it has an awfully good bar scene. Most of this action is concentrated along Dunlop Street, located near Barrie’s downtown plaza and war memorial Meridian Place.
Dunlop street as a litany of drinking establishments such as the Kenzington Burger Bar, the Bank (with its rooftop patio), Flying Monkey Micro-Brewery (with its funky interior), Doneleighs (The de-facto Irish pub), the Ranch (a country bar) and the Queen Hotel (a popular nightclub and bar frequented by a younger crowd in the late evenings). There are plenty more but with the ever changing bar landscape is hard to keep up with.
Party at Kempenfest and the Summer Festivals
In the summer Barrie truly comes alive! The previously mentioned Meridian Place has a small recessed amphitheatre when small concerts are hosted and the waterfront is home to larger bands as well as both to sell products during Kempenfest. One of the many bands I have seen here is April Wine, the legendary Canadian rockers.
Catch a Concert At Burl’s Creek
This massive grass field is home to some massive outdoor events including live music festivals. In 2019, I attended a rolling stones concert with 70 000 other festival goers for a great night of festivities!
Take a Walk Through Fort Williow
This recreation of a historic wooden fort is easy to access from downtown Barrie, located just east of the city. In fact one can walk to Fort Willow from Memorial Square in the downtown core via the Nine Mile Portage. To learn more about this fort click here.
Day Trips
Creemore and the Nottawasaga Conservation Area
West of Barrie is a wonderful day hike at the Nottawasaga Conversation area, where deep depressions in the limestone have created cool hideaways that stay that way until the late days of June. When you are done grab a pint of “Creemore” beer in the town of Creemore, home of one of the smallest jail cells in North America. For more information click here.
Newmarket Canal Ruins and the Sharon Temple
On the southern shore on Lake Simcoe, you will find the strange remnants of a failed canal project that is among the biggest white elephants in Canadian history while nearby stands a strange temple representing the “New Jerusalem” of a breakaway Quaker sect. For more info click here.
Orillia
On the north shore of Lake Simcoe, in an area of the body of water referred to as the narrows, stands the town of Orillia. The Hurons caught fish in ancient weirs at this location, proving their ingenuity. The modern masonry settlement is typical of Upper Canada but is still quite quaint.
Wasaga Beach
Looking out at the deep blue waters of the Georgian Bay, one could be excused for wanting to stay! This party hardy beach town at the base of the Nottawasaga Rover is a perfect place to hang around for a weekend. Click here to learn more.
Collingwood and the Blue Mountains
This resort area centers on a chain of hills overlooking the Georgian Bay and includes historic towns such as Collingwood and Thornbury, home of the sublime Thornbury Cider Company. The emerald colored slopes turn white in winter as the area turns into a ski paradise. To learn more click here.
Historic Coldwater Mill
This cute town just north of Barrie is home to a historic mill and in the summer and fall is host to festivals such as the popular Witches Walk. For more information you can check out the link below!
Muskokas
This region north of Barrie is home to many lakes and watercourses. A favourite of the Toronto cottager crowd, it is a charming part of the country, especially as the leaves turn in the fall. If you wish to learn more, you can read my post on the Big Chute here and a second post on some of the Muskokas most prominent towns here.
Parry Sound and the Georgian Bay
Driving north from Barrie you will find the tiny town of Parry Sounds, along with the ghost town of Depot Harbour and Killbear Provincial Park. Perhaps the most impressive part of your journey in these lands will be an old railway bridge spanning over the river gorge. To learn more about this region click here.
Mono Cliffs
This conservation area south-west of Barrie and is part of the famous Bruce Trail. Known for its distinctive depressions in the limestone cliff landscape, the Mono Cliffs will surely keep you busy.
Penetanguishene, Midland and Port McNickel
These towns on the southern reaches of the Georgian bay are steeped in history. Bilingual linguistically, they have long been associated with the Huron People, pilgrims and the fur trading routes of old. This area includes a plethora of navigational history, recreated villages and spectacular Georgian bay scenery. If interested check out my post here.
Toronto
The capital city of Ontario lies due south of Barrie down the 400. Not to be missed is Casa Loma, a historic Gothic mansion with a film pedigree, the St. Laurence Market, The Flatiron Building, the Don Valley, The R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant (the “Palace of Purification”), the Waterfront and the Distillery District. Although I personally prefer Montreal, the city is host to a litany of diverse neighbourhoods worth visiting, one of my favourites being Woodbine Beach. Toronto is typical of big cities and as such is a great place to go into for concerts, sporting activities and other entertainment options. To read more check out my post on the city here.
Conclusion
As you can see Barrie is the perfect base to explore Central Ontario, beyond the excursion mentioned you would head up north to the scenic Bruce Peninsula, the majestic waterfalls of Hamilton or the limestone town lining the Shores of Lake Huron.
