Things to Do in The Blue Mountains
North of Toronto and along Nottawasaga Bay, you’ll find a nearly endless list of fun things to do in The Blue Mountains. This small town and its rural surroundings provide activities for all visitors. With such environmental diversity, you’ll discover an array of excursions atop hillsides, in caves and caverns, along beaches or within numerous nature preserves.
Outdoor recreation is the area’s highlight, with cycling paths, beaches and campgrounds hugging the shoreline. You can enjoy exciting hiking, caving and golfing, or take part in snowshoeing and skiing in the winter. A few vineyards dot the lowlands, and craft cider and beer lovers can find their favourites in the Thornbury and Clarksburg districts. Spend downtime perusing art galleries, museums and boutiques, or relaxing at the spa. You’ll never tire of things to do in The Blue Mountains.
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Discover The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains is full of fun things to do. Keep scrolling to discover all that the town has to offer, or jump to a section to learn more about particular activities.
Food and drink
Surrounded by rolling hills and agricultural land, The Blue Mountains is an area rich in wine, craft beer and cider. The town’s long history of apple harvesting has evolved into a delightful cider industry. Wine lovers can visit a couple of the area’s vineyards for tours and tasting.
Foodies will have plenty of things to do in The Blue Mountains — or, rather, things to taste. Aside from breweries and vineyards, you can find several delicious eateries. In Craigleith, try the restaurant at the historic Craigleith Heritage Depot or get your Swiss-German fill at the Alpenhorn Restaurant. There are several eateries at the mountain and ski resorts or in the Thornbury district.
Near Clarksburg, stop at a working orchard to pick your own apples or stock up on preserves. Be sure to check out the local Apple Pie Trail, which takes you through different orchards, restaurants and bakeries in The Blue Mountains. You can learn all about the region’s apple harvesting history while eating regional favourites.
Outdoors
Of all the fun things to do in The Blue Mountains, outdoor recreation is the most popular with locals and visitors. Start at the famed Scenic Caves Nature Adventures, where you can truly do a little bit of everything. An extensive network of trails offers hikes for all levels, including several scenic lookouts and a suspension bridge. Explore caves and caverns or brave ziplining. Enjoy family-friendly activities like gemstone mining, picnics and mini-golf.
In the winter, you’ll find several ski areas that offer downhill skiing, nordic skiing and snowshoeing. The namesake, Blue Mountain, is a popular choice. Slightly off the beaten path is the Osler Bluff Ski Club, which also hosts summertime activities.
If you’re hoping for a day at the beach, there are a few options nearby. Northwinds Beach is small but popular and has several shady areas that bring much-needed reprieve on hot summer days. Peasemarsh Beach serves a few purposes, including lounging along the shore and wandering through the waterfront Peasemarsh Nature Preserve. Christie Beach is another great family friendly option with lovely views of Georgian Bay.
Other outdoor activities include a round of golf or a leisurely cycle along the shore of Nottawasaga Bay via the Georgian Trail. Head to the marinas for boating, paddling and sea kayaking. There are many additional beloved green spaces to explore, such as the Clendenan Conservation Area near Clarksburg and the forested Pretty River Valley Provincial Park.
Arts and culture
Although vineyards, craft cider and outdoor recreation top the list of things to do in The Blue Mountains, you’ll still find more activities to enjoy. The mountain and ski resorts near Craigleith host a few different spas, for example. Relax for an afternoon or an entire day while enjoying hot baths, saunas, steam baths, cold pool plunges and forest bathing at Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain.
History and art enthusiasts can enjoy several other things to do in The Blue Mountains. In Clarksburg, you’ll find the Sheffield Park Black History Museum, which provides a fascinating look at the region’s Black history, achievements and influence. You can explore the museum and a community center at the Craigleith Heritage Depot and stroll Thornbury’s historic streets. Take a peek at some of the neighbourhood’s art galleries and boutiques in Clarksburg, or ‘Artsburg’ as it’s affectionately called, or wander through the Cedar Grove Labyrinth.
Blue Mountain Resort and Village is an excellent choice for families. There are ziplines for the young thrill-seekers, plus bag jumps and a high and low ropes course. You can also enjoy a ride on the open-air gondola — which you might share with some mountain bikers — or the coveted and daring alpine mountain roller coaster, The Ridge Runner. Nearby the resort is the Mountain View Stables, where you can saddle up for horseback riding lessons and a trail ride.
Last updated: August 4, 2022