About this sequence: Wheels desires to encourage you to discover. This sequence of daytrips and longer drives highlights nice experiences you may have within the province, and reveals you why Ontario is “Ours to Uncover.”
With its rural panorama — there appears to be farm stands promoting contemporary eggs and corn round each flip — it hardly appears doable that Innisfil is situated merely an hour’s drive from Toronto’s city panorama. A day journey to this rural city alongside the western shore of Lake Simcoe, and simply south of Barrie, will depart you feeling like you’re far-off from the town.
Within the morning: Seize a breakfast smoothie to get pleasure from in your automobile as you drive north on Freeway 400 towards Barrie. After 60 minutes take the exit for Cookstown, situated in southwest Innisfil. This space is named the antiques capital of southern Ontario, with a number of alternatives to buy, browse and barter.
Situated in a gorgeous 100-year-old barn, the Cookstown Vintage Market options 35 sellers promoting every thing from delicate glassware to residence equipment and classic clothes. The market is unfold over two flooring, with 6,000 sq. toes ready so that you can uncover.
When you’ve scored your second-hand treasures, drive lower than quarter-hour to the 400 Market. Solely open on Saturdays and Sundays, it options quite a few distributors promoting typical flea market merchandise — like T-shirts and smartphone instances — in its predominant space, whereas the adjoining Roadshow Antiques is filled with surprises.
The 32,000-square-foot centre options stall after stall crammed with classic furnishings items, uncommon collectibles and bric-a-brac, equivalent to retro glass Coke bottles nonetheless crammed with pop.
Round midday: By now, your abdomen could also be beginning to grumble, so pack your purchases into the trunk and drive to Friday Harbour Resort. This group on the shores of Lake Simcoe incorporates a marina, seashore, eating places and extra — and far of the property’s facilities are open to the general public.
As soon as parked, stroll over to the Seashore Membership Restaurant. Whereas its seaside-chic decor is comfy and welcoming, you could discover it laborious to withstand the views of Lake Simcoe from the patio. As for the menu, you may select from classics equivalent to fish and chips and burgers, all with a twist. Every little thing right here is Mediterranean impressed. Its traditional cheeseburger is made with a juicy lamb kofta patty somewhat than beef, whereas its fish and chips incorporates a serving to of coleslaw spiced with za’atar seasoning.
Within the afternoon: Thrust back your post-meal sluggishness with just a little motion. If you wish to expertise Lake Simcoe, hire some water sport gear — paddleboards, canoes, kayaks or water bikes — from the resort’s Out of doors Exercise Centre.
Should you want to remain on land, you may hire a motorcycle to discover the close by Nature Protect at Friday Harbour. This 200-acre sanctuary options accessible trails that weave round tall timber and cross over small streams, providing an idyllic escape from the bustling marina space.
Should you want indulging in some retail remedy, stroll over to retailers situated at The Promenade at Friday Harbour. Cease into K9 Pawvengers for treats to your pup, Candy Harbour Toy & Sweet Co. for some Kawartha Dairy ice cream, and Feather and Stone boutique to peruse its curated mixture of clothes and accessories.
Within the late afternoon: Wrap up your lakeside sojourn by driving again to Cookstown to Laura’s Farm Stand, which is open from late July till October, to get some contemporary produce to take residence. Additionally it is residence to spectacular sunflower fields which can be in bloom throughout August and September.
A one-kilometre path weaves by the farm’s flower fields, and you may decide your personal flowers — together with zinnias, cosmos, dahlias and gladioli — to take residence with you. Should you go to round mid-September or in October, you may choose your personal pumpkin from the farm’s patch.
For a portion of this journey, the author was hosted by Friday Harbour Resort, which didn’t evaluate or approve this text earlier than print.
For the drive
Innisfil isn’t simply farms and antiques. Throughout your drive, hearken to the “Innisfil Accelerates” podcast, which explores the city’s tech startups and the subject of good cities. Host Danny Riendeau interviews a unique skilled in every episode.
TIMELINE: Drive Information
• 9 a.m. Go away Toronto
Drive north of Freeway 400
• 10 a.m. Cookstown Vintage Market
• 11:30 a.m. 400 Market
• 1 p.m. The Seashore Membership
• 2 p.m. Lake Simcoe or the Nature Protect at Friday Harbour
• 3:30 p.m. The Promenade at Friday Harbour
• 4:30 p.m. Laura’s Farm Stand
NOTE: Occasions are strategies solely