by Carol Wagg, Wit's End B&B
Muskoka offers glittering lakes and green forests, interesting towns and plenty of leisure and shopping choices. Located around the three major lakes, Lakes Muskoka, Rosseau, and Joseph, with an additional 1600 smaller lakes you can choose to puddle your feet or paddle your canoe in, Muskoka stretches from Georgian Bay in the west to Algonquin Provincial Park in the east, from the Trent Severn Waterway to north of the Town of Huntsville. Huge white pines intended for ship building first brought settlers to Muskoka, but the natural beauty made it a tourist destination as early as the 1870s. Year-round visual delights and recreational pursuits keep visitors coming back.
Getting there
Muskoka is located in Central Ontario in the granite rock of the Canadian Shield just 90 minutes north of Toronto and Pearson International Airport. It is conveniently situated on Highway #11, the main tourist route connecting Niagara Falls, Algonquin Park, and Ottawa the nation's capital. It deserves a stay of at least three days and two nights of your vacation time. While Muskoka is accessible by train, bus, and by air to Muskoka Airport or by Cloud Air services, you'll find you need a vehicle to access the sights.
What to do
Gravenhurst, "The Gateway to Muskoka" is located at the southern tip of Lake Muskoka. To see the lakes the way those early tourists did, visitors still flock to Gravenhurst to enjoy a cruise on Lake Muskoka onboard the RMS Segwun, North America's oldest operating steamship. The new Boat and Heritage Centre "Grace and Speed" opened in 2006 at the Muskoka Wharf, and is an interactive look at Muskoka's boatbuilding and tourism heritage.
The Wenonah II, launched in May 2002, is very similar in appearance to the Segwun, but has double the passenger capacity and is diesel powered. She can cover larger distances in a shorter time.
The Gravenhurst Opera House is the home of Summer Theatre in Canada and hosts a variety of productions year-round in its 350-seat theatre. Bethune Memorial House, a Parks Canada National Historic site is the birthplace of Dr. Norman Bethune. It has been restored to the 1890 period, and also has a gallery dedicated to the medical and social contributions of this internationally-known local son.
Bracebridge "The Heart of Muskoka" is a picturesque town set amid 22 waterfalls and is home and studio to many of the artists and artisans of the Muskoka community. Each September the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour showcases the natural beauty of the fall colours alongside these talented artists. Historic buildings and artists' studios abound. The Lady Muskoka, a 200-passenger cruise boat tours the Muskoka River and Lake Muskoka each day from June through October, and docks just outside of the downtown area.
Ideally located on the 45th parallel of latitude, half way between the equator and the North Pole, Bracebridge is the summer Ho-Ho-home of Santa Claus. While the rest of Muskoka enjoys the busy summer season, Santa and Mrs. Claus welcome the young and the young-at-heart throughout their off-season at Santa's Village.
Muskoka Lakes Township encompasses the towns of Bala, Port Carling, Windermere and numerous smaller lakeside communities where the cottage lifestyle plays a predominant role. Bala is the home of the former "Dunn's Pavilion" where all Muskoka used to dance, and where the KEE to Bala concert hall is now located. It is also the Cranberry Capital of Ontario, and hosts a three-day Cranberry Festival the weekend after Canadian Thanksgiving. The Johnston Family of Cranberry Marsh fame recently opened Muskoka Lakes Winery where you can taste and purchase Cranberry, Blueberry, or White Cranberry wines.
Periodically the Segwun and the Wenonah II voyage into the upper Lakes Rosseau and Joseph from the Port Carling dock, beside which you can see the mural "The Wall Looks Back," composed of thousands of photographs of the area and its early inhabitants. The Muskoka Lakes Museum depicting the life of the early settlers and the boat-building heritage of the area is also located here.
Huntsville offers scenic beauty and in-town conveniences with its downtown shops and local shopping mall. Lion's Lookout is located on a hill near the downtown and provides a panoramic view of Huntsville's Fairy Lake and the surrounding area. Muskoka Heritage Place is the home of the Muskoka Pioneer Village and the Huntsville and Lake of Bays Railway and depicts life as it was in the late 1800s through recreated 
buildings, gardens, and farm animals. The Portage Flyer, a 1928 steam train, transports riders back in time as they travel along the Muskoka River to Fairy Lake.
Near the Village of Dorset, a fabulous 360 degree view from the Dorset Fire Tower draws visitors by the thousands to view the fall colours. Each season has its own beauty. For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, viewing stations are located in various locations on the property. Picnic tables and trails are available. Just a short drive away is the world famous Algonquin Provincial Park. Nearby bed and breakfasts allow you the luxury of a full delicious breakfast before a day of hiking, and a comfortable retreat at the end of the day. The Algonquin Visitor's Centre is a MUST. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, local outfitters can provide everything you need for a few days in the outdoors. Throughout Muskoka is a network of multi-purpose trails, including the Trans-Canada Trail. Hikers, cyclists, skiers, and snowmobilers find their delights in the trails of Muskoka.
Once primarily a summer destination, Muskoka offers four seasons of natural beauty, wildlife, and entertainment. A golfing destination, there are numerous public and semi-private courses to delight your eye and challenge your ability.
Where to stay
CanadaBBHosts recommends
Eating well
Highlights are Three Guys and a Stove in Huntsville, Andrea's Steak and Seafood in Bracebridge, RiverWalk in Bracebridge, Beauideal in Port Sydney, Rebecca's near Port Carling. Numerous local eateries are available as well. For the biggest and best ice cream cones, don't miss Ice Bites on Bethune Drive in Gravenhurst. They serve Kawartha Dairies ice cream, and chances are, you can't eat more than a single scoop (they actually call two scoops a single!) And the price is right.