The Barrie center point is around the area of Downtown Barrie and 20 miles southwest of Downtown Orillia.
When you visit Barrie depends on what type of vacation you're looking for. Do you want to enjoy splashing in the water or skiing down the slopes? Hiking in the forests and hills or ice fishing? The answer you give will tell you what time of year is best to visit Barrie. Winter temperatures in Barrie are chilly with highs sitting around 30 degrees from December to February, which is perfect if you plan on sledding, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing.
There are many places in the area to enjoy your favorite winter activities. Interested in cross-country skiing? Head to Scenic Caves Nordic Centre where you can enjoy professionally groomed trails and the wonder of the outdoors. Snow tubing, at either Horseshoe Resort or Snow Valley Ski Resort, is fun for the family, while dog sledding with Windrift Adventures is something you'll never forget.
If you want to enjoy the water and outdoors, summer temperatures are warm without getting too hot. Highs in July and August average around 80, though it is possible for temperatures to hit in the 90s or higher. May and September are perfect for hiking and enjoying nature. You'll miss the crowds that head to the city during school breaks so you can enjoy the beauty of nature, whether you head to Nine Mile Portage Heritage Trail or Copeland Forest Trails.
There are also events throughout the year around which you can plan your trip. Learn more about these events below.
If you're looking for a hotel where you get the most bang for your buck, consider these hotels that offer the best value in Barrie. The Fairfield Inn & Suites Barrie, located right off of the highway, specializes in making you feel at home. Start each day off in the breakfast room where you can enjoy a fantastic meal that includes hot and cold options such as scrambled eggs, sausages, waffles, fruit, and cereal. All guest rooms include an ergonomic desk and chair, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and hair dryer. Upgrade to a suite if you need to spread out.
Another great value is the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Barrie. Here you'll find warm hospitality from the free breakfast each morning to the well-appointed guest rooms. The indoor salt water pool and hot tub are great for relaxing and having a splash while avoiding chemicals. Rooms include a 32-inch TV, desk and ergonomic chair, free Wi-Fi, and weekday newspaper. Don't forget the Hampton bed and fluffy towels that help to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable.
Rooms are cozy and comfortable at the Best Western Royal Oak Inn. Here you'll find, in addition to standard rooms, jetted tub rooms, kitchenette rooms, and suites, giving you a lot of options depending on your needs. Despite which room you get, though, you'll have a microwave and refrigerator to use. The complimentary breakfast includes sausage, bacon, waffles, yogurt, cereal, juice, and coffee. Located right off of 400 Highway, the hotel is conveniently located next to shopping and restaurants.
Before heading to Barrie, consider planning your trip around one of the many events held in the area each year. The February Blues Festival is held each year in early February. If you love blues music, consider a ski vacation where you can enjoy blues music over the weekend and skiing on weekdays. Winterfest is also held around the same time and might even overlap the February Blues Festival if you want to attend both. The Barrie Waterfront Festival is held at the end of May and features family entertainment, a classic car show, and food trucks.
The Craft Beer and BBQ Festival is ideal for those who love craft beer and live entertainment. There's even a Celebrity Sauce Cook-off. Kempenfest, at the end of July, is one of the largest outdoor arts and crafts festivals. In October, you can explore the world of movies at the Barrie Film Festival. Of course, these are just some of the festivals and events that are held in Barrie throughout the year. Don't forget to check out this year's calendar to see if there's something going on that would interest you.
Barrie is a city in Central Ontario, Canada. It is located approximately 90 km north of Toronto and is full of beautiful landscapes as well as historical sites which attracts tourists from all the world. Downtown of Barrie is full of many attractions such as older buildings for history or architecture lovers, and pubs, restaurants and places for shopping for those who is looking for a nice way to spend their time. All the fun in downtown takes place in Dunlop street, where dancing, live performances and small coffees contribute to a thrilling nightlife. A lot of festivals and events such as The Barrie Waterfront Festival, Barrielicious, Winterfest, Celebrate Barrie, Ecofest, Jazz & Blues Festival, Promenade Days, Ribfest, Craft Beer Show and other take place in Barrie downtown throughout the year, so it is nice to visit the city in every season. The nature lovers also can find a lot of attractions all the year because of hiking and walking trails and numerous winter recreation activities and facilities in the surrounding area, including skiing, snow tubing and snowboarding resorts, snowmobile trails and ice fishing. There are a huge variety of hotels in Barrie. Among many degrees in quality and comfort everyone could find a great place to stay, as Barrie hotels can offer services for everyone's need.
In such touristic places like Barrie, there are often a great number of cheap hotels for travelers with a lower budget, or just people who would rather spend their money on experiences and activities. It is always easy to find some cheap hotels online, or to choose one of the options we recommend: The Clydesdale House, Three Wishes, Richmond Manor, Brookview Bed & Breakfast.
If you are looking for a more sophisticated place, a large number of Barrie hotels can offer you an excellent service and accommodation. Hotels in Barrie will make a nice impression with small town hospitality and friendly service coupled with big-city sophistication. Look for a places like Quality Inn Barrie, Holiday Inn Barrie Hotel & Conference Centre, Days Inn Barri.
There are not only a huge variety of festivals and events in Barrie, but also a great number of vibrant performing and fine arts scenes. You can check two main performing arts venues in the city: the Mady Centre For The Performing Arts, and the Georgian Theatre. If you are looking something different to do, go to a Barrie's beautifully landscaped lakefront parks, where you can walk, ride a bike, or go to a free public beach. In winter Barrie is a wonderful place for skiing and snowboarding, as it is situated in a natural snow belt.
Below are reviews of the city of Barrie, ON from an actual visitor's perspective.
Barrie is a nice city in general.
Rooms and amenities at this hotel were fantastic.
Barrie has a wide variety of amenities, waterfront, restaurants!
We went to the Three Feathers for a wedding - AMAZING venue!!
Clean rooms and friendly staff.
I enjoyed the beach in the middle of downtown Barrie.
The hotel was clean and beds comfortable. There was a lot of access to grocery stores for shopping.
Safe place.
Food and service at the Mandarin is excellent.
Scenic and quiet city offering all the expected amenities.
Restaurants were very good!
Very friendly people and lovely restaurants!
Barrie is a quintessential small Ontario town but it also has so much energy and there are lots of activities to do. Will definitely visit again.
Employees are very hard working and the breakfast was great. Then entire room and surroundings were quiet and safe.
Has a lot of shopping and different things to do.
There were interesting restaurants like Beer Town and many fun activities that suit all ages like the Recroom.
We always enjoy taking the kids to Bowlerama and The Rec Room.
Beautiful! Love the Christmas lights!
Great shopping and nice casino!
My visit was for hospital surgery.
Good antiquing!
Barrie Escape Room was fun and the food was good at Sankana House.
Beach and restaurants!
Everything is within close range.
Shopping and restaurants were great! Lots of choices in both categories!
Lots of good shopping and places to eat
Good shopping.
We were able to fit in some fun and went snow tubing at horseshoe valley. Very reasonably priced and fun! Lots of amenities. Good food options everywhere. Shopping close by!!
The Holly Community centre is a beautiful arena.
The hockey rinks were great and great shopping.
Easy city to navigate around