Muskoka

Muskoka, Canada – Cottage Country and then some

Featured24 Comments

If you’ve got the money, I’ve got the place. Muskoka, Canada – cottage country and then some. It’s a few hours north of Toronto. It’s beyond beautiful with more trees and lakes than you can imagine. A fantastic place for a vacation or weekend in the summer. Muskoka in the Fall, when the leaves change colour, is gorgeous. If you like snow and ice (ice fishing, snowshoeing, skating, snowmobiling) then you would like it here in the winter too. It’s well worth it to travel to Muskoka.

Muskoka Background

The District of Muskoka is bigger than the state of Rhode Island and contains more than 1,600 lakes. It’s also the home to 7 Provincial Parks and the world famous Algonquin Park for campers. 20 golf courses and top resorts like Taboo, Deerhurst, Grandview, Clevelands House, and JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort.

It’s been the place to go for the well heeled for many years. Tourists flock here from Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world to see Muskoka’s natural beauty. Many Torontonians, some Americans and others have cottages, chalets and/or country homes here. Bryan Adams, Goldie Hawn, Martin Short, pro hockey players and more own some of the more fabulous summer homes. My sister (not famous) has owned a regular cottage for years. My brother-in-law owns a float plane and will fly off their lake to buy butter tarts and chelsea buns.

Boating is naturally popular on the lakes of Muskoka. Here’s a chance to take a quick ride on a ski boat in Muskoka:

The Aura of Muskoka

There’s a few places that have an aura about them in Muskoka. Bigwin Island in Lake of Bays. Now a private island with club and full 18 hole top rated golf course. (As a world golfer, I can tell you that the 18th hole is one of the prettiest in all the world. The longest hole on the course, it sweeps down to the right from an elevated tee towards the lake and clubhouse). Many years ago, Bigwin played host to big bands like Tommy Dorsey, Count Basey and others at the Pavilion.

The “Kee to Bala” Bar, located on Lake Muskoka, dates back to 1930 and still has musical acts performing to this day. The Ramones, Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, Burton Cummings and many more have played here. Mix in some great bakeries, diners and burger joints through the area and Muskoka traditions stay strong. It’s the longed for Muskoka cottage lifestyle that keeps them coming back.

If you’re convinced that this is the place for you, check out cottages for rent in Muskoka. Or take the plunge, and get a Muskoka Cottage for Sale.

Seriously, it’s well worth it to travel to Muskoka!

  • Muskoka Cottage

Muskoka in the Fall (by Air)

markstraveljournal1 Comment

Muskoka in the fall is something special. And seeing it from the air is even better. A float plane is a real adrenaline rush. Screaming down the lake to take off and rising above the trees. Landing on the water is an equal rush. The views are great. North of Toronto is Muskoka – cottage and lake country. Thought I would share a few photos:

Weekly Photo Challenge – From Above

markstraveljournal6 Comments

I’m a big fan of a view from above. It puts everything in perspective and let’s you see the full picture.

View from 124th floor Burj Kalifa

The view from the 124th floor of the Burj Kalifa in Dubai is something else. All urban, city and man made.

Banked Turn Over Muskoka by marktravel

The view from above in a moving object- a small plane in central Ontario, Canada. An adrenaline rush. All rural.

Auschwitz 2 - Berkenau from the Main Gate by marktravel

The view from above the main gate at Auschwitz 2-Berkineau in Poland. Over 1 million people entered this death camp and never came out. Numbing. Perspective is everything.