5 Georgian Bay Day Trip Ideas Worth the Drive

Believe it or not, the best Georgian Bay day trip ideas are often the ones that feel easy. After all, you don’t have to go far to find open water, good views, and towns that still move at a normal pace. It’s close enough for a day out but far enough to actually feel like you’ve left home.

Here are five solid options that show what makes this part of Ontario such a good place to spend a day.

1. Take a Boat Cruise from Collingwood

There’s no better way to see the Bay than from the water. Once you’re out there, the shoreline looks completely different, with stretches of escarpment, quiet inlets, and open water that feels a lot bigger than you expect.

Cruises leave regularly from Collingwood through the season, and there’s a range of ways to do it:

• Sightseeing tours for relaxed views and fresh air.

• Sunset cruises when the light turns the bay gold.

• Dinner cruises for an easy night out on the water.

• Fishing charters for anglers looking to land the big one.

• Private charters for small groups or quieter outings.

Whether you stay close to the harbor or head out farther, it’s one of the easiest ways to get a feel for the size and beauty of the Bay.

2. Spend Time at Awenda Provincial Park

Awenda is about an hour north of Barrie and one of the quieter provincial parks on Georgian Bay. It’s a great mix of forest, lake, and beach, making it the kind of place where you can go for a long walk, swim, or just sit somewhere without hearing anything mechanical for a while.

The Bluff Trail in particular has one of the best lookouts over the Bay, but there are shorter, easier loops if you’re just out for a casual walk. And if you’re up for a swim, the main beach stretches for ages, with soft sand and water that stays cool even in midsummer. 

Overall, Awenda Provincial Park is peaceful, low-key, and feels miles away from everything without being hard to reach.

3. Explore Midland

Midland’s the kind of town that’s easy to spend a few unplanned hours in. The waterfront is calm and walkable, with boats coming and going and benches everywhere. And if you want something a little more lively, the downtown area has a good mix of small shops, cafés, and restaurants — enough to keep you busy without feeling touristy.

While you’re there, the murals scattered around town are worth a look, as they tell pieces of local history in a way that actually fits the setting. If you’re interested in learning more, you could then head to Huronia Museum for a solid overview of the area’s Indigenous and early settler stories. 

It’s not a packed day, but it’s a genuinely nice one.

4. Enjoy Blue Mountain in Summer

Blue Mountain is one of those Ontario road trip destinations that never really slows down, even once ski season ends. In summer, the gondola runs for panoramic views of Georgian Bay, and the trail network is open for hiking and biking. There’s also the mountain coaster, which is fun without being a full adrenaline commitment.

And back in the village, you can grab lunch, shop, or sit on a patio while live music plays. It’s busier than the other spots on this list, but it’s well-organized and easy to navigate, so you can make it as active or as laid-back as you want.

5. Relax at Wasaga Beach

Wasaga Beach gets a lot of attention — and for good reason. It’s the world’s longest freshwater beach, with more than 14 kilometres of shoreline. 

Better yet, the numbered beach sections each have their own vibe:

• Beach 1–2: busy, loud, lots of energy and food stands.

• Beach 3–5: quieter and family-friendly.

• Beach 6: wide open, fewer people, best sunsets.

There’s also plenty of parking, spots for picnics, and room to spread out, making it an easy win for a low-effort day out.

Plan Your Georgian Bay Day Trip with Collingwood Charters

Every stop around the Bay — whether it’s a park, a town, or a beach — comes back to the same thing: the water. It’s the thread that runs through the whole region and the reason people keep finding their way back here year after year. 

So, if you want to really take it in, seeing it from the water is the clearest way to do it.

Here at Collingwood Charters, we offer sightseeing, sunset, and dinner cruises, along with fishing and private charters that show off the shoreline from every angle. It’s a simple addition to any of these trips and a reminder of what makes Georgian Bay special in the first place. Check out our events calendar to book your spot today.