Summer, Straight Ahead!

Muskoka is a beautiful place to be any time of year but she really shines in the summer. With an abundance of water sports, outdoor activities, cultural events and opportunities to just relax, summer in Muskoka is fabulous! Here are some of the things you can look forward to if you plan to visit us in the next few months:

• For anytime fun, try hiking, biking, driving tours, golf, geocaching, or a variety of watersports (even surfing!)
• Muskoka Lakes Spring Art Tour, June 8 & 9
• Farmers’ Markets in Dwight (NEW!) on Tuesdays, Gravenhurst on Wednesdays, Huntsville on Thursdays, Rosseau on Fridays and Bracebridge on Saturdays
• Canada Day Fireworks in Huntsville and a Strawberry Social at Muskoka Heritage Place, July 1
• Nuit Blanche North street festival, July 13
• Algonquin Park Wolf Howls, Thursday nights in August
• Huntsville Jazz Festival, Aug 1-3
• Artists of the Limberlost Open Studio Weekend, Aug 17-18

Come and see what else Muskoka has in store! You can view the availability of our waterfront cottages here.

With warm summer thoughts,

The Howell Family

Summer is Market Time!

You would think the lush greenery in Muskoka would indicate fertile soil perfect for gardening. In reality, if you dig beneath the surface into the rocky, sandy landscape you’ll wonder how it’s possible that anything manages to grow here at all (and you’ll appreciate those who have produced abundant crops all the more!). Fortunately, it’s possible to find summer Farmers’ Markets almost every day of the week in Muskoka. Check out the offerings of local growers and artisans at these markets:

• Bala Summer Market – Mondays from June to Labour Day from 9-2 in Muskoka Lakes Sports Park
• Gravenhurst Farmers’ Market – Wednesdays from May to October from 9-2 at Gravenhurst Wharf
• NEW Port Carling Farmers’ Market – Thursdays from June 20 to September 1 from 9-1 in Hanna Park
• Huntsville Farmers’ Market – Thursdays from May to October from 9-2 in the Canadian Tire Parking Lot
• Rosseau Farmers’ Market – Fridays from July 1 to September 2 from 9-2 at the waterfront
• Baysville Farmers’ Market – Fridays from July 1 to September 2 from 2-6 in the arena parking lot
• NEW Huntsville Downtown Farmers’ Market – Saturdays from July 2 to October from 9-1 in River Mill Park
• Bracebridge Farmers’ Market – Saturdays from May to October from 8:30-1 in Memorial Park on Manitoba Street

If you’ve missed out on the market for the day, try one of these independent stores that offer some local (and some not-so-local) goods:

• Dwight Market – a selection of essentials and one of the best butcher shops around
• Hillside Market - a small selection of essentials and yummy baked goods just across the highway from Colonial Bay
• Butcher’s Daughter on Hwy 60 in Huntsville – deli & takeout
• Farmer’s Daughter on Hwy 60 in Huntsville - deli, takeout and some fresh produce
• Kawartha Dairy on Hwy 60 in Huntsville - Ice Cream!! Plus some local baked goods, preserves and maple syrup.
• Robinson’s in Dorset – food, hardware, clothing, and gifts all in one. It’s worth the drive!

Remember that our Cottages are equipped with full kitchens so that you can prepare everything from leisurely, 4-course nirvana to a box of Kraft Dinner. Our Deluxe Studio rooms have a mini-fridge, 2-burner stove top and dishes, pots and cutlery. Studio rooms have only a mini-fridge.

Then next time you visit us (the July long weekend, perhaps?), we hope you’ll take in some of the bounty offered at these summer markets and support our local farmers. Ask us for directions!

From our family to yours,
Bruce, Nicolle, Luke, Ben and Addie