A day of sights, tastes, and tales along Ontario’s heartland

There’s always something exciting about the first day of a road trip with the car packed, coffee in hand and the GPS set to somewhere far enough away to feel like an adventure. We rolled out of Toronto in our 2022 Honda Pilot Touring, a recent addition to the family (bought used, but already feeling like it’s been ours for years).

Our first real break came in Barrie, where the waterfront was buzzing with life. Kempenfest was in full swing with art, music and food festival stretching along Heritage Park by Lake Simcoe. The air smelled faintly of lake water and fresh kettle corn, with live music spilling over from the main stage. Strolling along the boardwalk, we found ice cream cones in hand before we even realized it.

Lunchtime drew us into The Mexican House, a casual but colorful spot that filled the table with burritos, sizzling fajitas and enough salsa to keep us dipping for ages. Parking here was a rare treat because it’s free over the weekend which almost felt like winning a small lottery given how busy the festival was.

After lunch, we steered north toward Blue Mountain Village. The drive up was scenic, with rolling hills and wide fields flashing past the windows. Our stop was brief for about 30 minutes but long enough to soak in the postcard-perfect setting of chalets clustered at the base of the mountain, chairlifts inching up the slopes and visitors meandering with coffee cups in hand. The $7 parking fee felt like a ticket into a miniature alpine town.

By early evening, we reached Owen Sound and checked into the Quality Inn. We barely dropped our bags before heading back out because daylight was slipping and we wanted to catch Inglis Falls before dark. The short drive out of town brought us to the conservation area, where we paid $10 for parking and followed the sound of rushing water. The falls roared over ancient limestone, framed by a lush green backdrop that smelled faintly of pine and wet stone. Standing there, we could feel the cool mist brushing our faces.

Not far from the falls, we stopped at Morland Place, a striking private residence with gardens and architecture that felt plucked from another century. The current owner, Al Moreau, happened to be outside and we ended up chatting with him about the house’s history and his life there. His pride in the property was obvious; he spoke like a man who had grown roots as deep as the building’s foundation.

We wrapped up the evening at Mudtown Station, a brewery and restaurant housed in a restored train station. The brick walls and arched windows gave the space a warm, old-world feel, while the scent of grilled meats and craft beer drifted through the air. Dinner was hearty, the conversation easy and by the time we left, the sky had settled into a deep, quiet navy.

Back at the hotel, we finally slowed down, the day’s miles and moments settling into memory. It was only the first day, but already the trip felt full.