The Date Almanac
A family day around Collingwood
The Saturday market, the caves and suspension bridge at Scenic Caves, and a swim at Wasaga Beach
A summer Saturday for the family around Collingwood. Start at the downtown market for berries and snacks, then spend the morning at Scenic Caves, squeezing through the limestone crevasses and crossing the long suspension bridge high over Georgian Bay. Cool off in the afternoon at Wasaga Beach, the longest freshwater beach in the world, with shallow water and miles of sand. Three stops, none more than about 20 km apart.
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Start at the market · Collingwood
Collingwood Downtown Farmers' Market
A Saturday-morning market in downtown Collingwood, every Saturday from the Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving, 8:30 to 1, in the lot at Second and Pine. Local growers and makers bring produce, baked goods, cheese and crafts to a busy main-street crowd.
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Caves and the bridge
Scenic Caves
A nature park on the escarpment above Blue Mountain, open spring through mid-November. One admission covers the cool limestone caves and crevasses, Southern Ontario's longest suspension footbridge at 420 feet, marked hiking trails, lookout points over Georgian Bay, and a children's adventure playground. The old forest turns colour in the fall.
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Swim and sand
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park
Fronts the longest freshwater beach in the world, 14 kilometres of sand along Nottawasaga Bay backed by dunes and wetland, with more than 25 kilometres of trails and the Nottawasaga River for paddling. The day-use lot fills and gates close on hot weekends.
Before you go
- The downtown market runs Saturday mornings, Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving, 8:30 to 1, so go early or build the day around the other two stops.
- Scenic Caves charges admission and is open for the summer; one ticket covers the caves, the suspension bridge, the trails and the playground. Wear closed shoes for the rock.
- Wasaga Beach is a provincial park with paid day-use parking; on hot weekends the lots fill and the gates close, so arrive before midday.
- Bring sunscreen and a change of clothes. Georgian Bay stays cool into early summer, so late June is better for sandcastles and a quick dip than a long swim.
- The caves and the beach are each most of a day on their own, so leave plenty of time or pick one.
A free day out from the Home Almanac. Every stop is a verified place; days change with the season, so print it the week you go. Data (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, openstreetmap.org/copyright.