Shopping in Cottage Country
An hour-and-a-half drive north of Toronto, Ontario, the region of Muskoka is known for its abundant cottages and excellent adventure opportunities. While big-city shopping is not far away, the area also offers plenty of unique, one-of-a-kind shopping experiences, whether visitors are seeking something to eat, souvenirs of their trip, sports equipment for their favourite activity, an exceptional outfit or that special something for their cottage.
Much of Muskoka's shopping can be found in independent stores, shops and boutiques spread throughout the region. The area is also home to several department stores and shopping malls such as the Huntsville Place Mall, situated in Huntsville on Highway 60. Muskoka Wharf, a popular shopping area in Gravenhurst, features a number of stores, including a sports store, toy store and several gift shops. Also located in Gravenhurst is the Gravenhurst Farmers' Market, which features fresh produce and baked goods as well as handmade arts and crafts. Farmers' markets can be found in many urban centres in the area and are generally held once a week during the summer season.
FINDING FOOD & BEVERAGES
Visitors to Muskoka will find even the smaller communities are home to one or more grocery stores where necessities as well as holiday sundries can be found. Foodland in Mactier offers shoppers fresh produce and meats, a deli, a bakery and a number of specialty services ideal for family gatherings or parties. Travellers will find a pharmacy and a vast selection of fresh and dry goods in Minden at Eastons Valu-mart. A variety of specialty food stores are also found in the area such as Bala's Cottage Butcher, which features fresh cuts of certified organic meats, select seafood, fine cheeses and an assortment of condiments.
Visitors looking for that perfect bottle of wine or beverages such as beer and coolers will have no difficulty finding a liquor store. The Beer Store and Liquor Control Board of Ontario have locations in most Muskoka towns. The Beer Store offers a vast selection of Canadian and international beer while LCBO stores feature a wide variety of regional and international wines, beer and spirits. Travellers to Bracebridge will discover award-winning local handcrafted beers at the Lakes of Muskoka Cottage Brewery, including cream ale, honey brown, premium lager and premium dark.
GIFTS & SPECIALTY ITEMS
This vacation destination is home to a variety of shops that feature one-of-a-kind keepsakes and unique Muskoka gift merchandise. While shopping in Bracebridge, shoppers will want to stop in Mostly Muskoka, a souvenir shop that features an extensive selection of Muskokan-made gifts, handcrafts and mementos. Local pottery shops like Dotti Potts Pottery in Utterson sell handmade porcelain items that make ideal gifts. The region is also home to several toy stores selling items such as puzzles, musical toys, arts and crafts supplies, outdoor games and baby toys. Providing games for people of all ages, Applause! has locations in Huntsville, Bracebridge and Gravenhurst.
While on vacation, holidaymakers may wish to stop and pick up reading material or local maps at the Bookcase, an independent bookstore located in a red brick building on Main Street, Huntsville. Camera stores ensure that vacationers are able to preserve their special memories with services such as digital prints, film processing, photos to CDs and camera repairs at shops such as Calvacade Color Lab. After enjoying one of the region's many adventures or a day of shopping, visitors can stop by a confectionery shop for a sweet treat. The Nutty Chocolatier in Huntsville creates fine handcrafted Belgian chocolates and homemade fudge and candies.
SPORTING GEAR & EQUIPMENT
Muskoka is a favourite location for summer and winter recreation and travellers will have little difficulty finding a sports store that meets their needs. Sports stores such as Muskoka Outfitters make shopping easy with everything from camping and hiking gear to paddle sports accessories to running gear. With stores in both Gravenhurst and Bracebridge, it couldn't be easier for outdoor enthusiasts to rent gear for a day of fun or test out a kayak or canoe on site. Cyclists will find a number of quality bike shops in the area with experienced staff and abundant stock whether they are looking for a specific accessory or to purchase a brand new bike. In addition to selling an assortment of bike gear and accessories, Ecclestone Cycle Company in Bracebridge has qualified bicycle mechanics on hand to assist visitors with repairs.
FASHION & BEAUTY
The region is home to a number of unique boutiques offering everything from fashion to footwear to accessories. Shoppers will find a range of quality hoodies, t-shirts, jackets, pants and hats for men, women and kids at clothing stores such as Muskoka Bear Wear in Port Carling. Boutiques offering women's fashions, like Milani in Gravenhurst, provide ladies with the latest trendy styles while children's wear stores such as 4 Muskoka Kids make available funky designer clothing, shoes, accessories and gifts. Adding to a completed appearance are locally made, natural cosmetics and skin care products from health and beauty stores such as Rose Petals.
AROUND THE COTTAGE
Whether visitors are looking to build a vacation home or renovate an existing one they will find ample hardware stores sprinkled throughout the region like the Home Hardware store situated in Washago. The area also has plenty of shops to aid holidaymakers in furnishing or refurnishing their cottages. Kitchen stores such as the Creative Cook in Bracebridge offer a variety of cook and bake ware, chef's knives, table linens, tableware, glassware and gadgets. Other home accessories are available in shops selling everything from drapes to furniture to linens. Those looking to furnish their holiday homes with antiques will find plenty of stores to choose from. Generations Antiques in Gravenhurst carries one-of-a-kind antiques, including collectibles, accessories, gifts and furniture. Fresh flowers add a little something extra and are effortlessly located in florist shops such as the family-owned Cottage Country Flowers. No cottage is complete without a finished landscape. Garden shops like the Windermere Garden Centre help complete any landscape vision with a plethora of plants, hanging baskets, unique pots and focal pieces.
Much of Muskoka's shopping can be found in independent stores, shops and boutiques spread throughout the region. The area is also home to several department stores and shopping malls such as the Huntsville Place Mall, situated in Huntsville on Highway 60. Muskoka Wharf, a popular shopping area in Gravenhurst, features a number of stores, including a sports store, toy store and several gift shops. Also located in Gravenhurst is the Gravenhurst Farmers' Market, which features fresh produce and baked goods as well as handmade arts and crafts. Farmers' markets can be found in many urban centres in the area and are generally held once a week during the summer season.
FINDING FOOD & BEVERAGES
Visitors to Muskoka will find even the smaller communities are home to one or more grocery stores where necessities as well as holiday sundries can be found. Foodland in Mactier offers shoppers fresh produce and meats, a deli, a bakery and a number of specialty services ideal for family gatherings or parties. Travellers will find a pharmacy and a vast selection of fresh and dry goods in Minden at Eastons Valu-mart. A variety of specialty food stores are also found in the area such as Bala's Cottage Butcher, which features fresh cuts of certified organic meats, select seafood, fine cheeses and an assortment of condiments.
Visitors looking for that perfect bottle of wine or beverages such as beer and coolers will have no difficulty finding a liquor store. The Beer Store and Liquor Control Board of Ontario have locations in most Muskoka towns. The Beer Store offers a vast selection of Canadian and international beer while LCBO stores feature a wide variety of regional and international wines, beer and spirits. Travellers to Bracebridge will discover award-winning local handcrafted beers at the Lakes of Muskoka Cottage Brewery, including cream ale, honey brown, premium lager and premium dark.
GIFTS & SPECIALTY ITEMS
This vacation destination is home to a variety of shops that feature one-of-a-kind keepsakes and unique Muskoka gift merchandise. While shopping in Bracebridge, shoppers will want to stop in Mostly Muskoka, a souvenir shop that features an extensive selection of Muskokan-made gifts, handcrafts and mementos. Local pottery shops like Dotti Potts Pottery in Utterson sell handmade porcelain items that make ideal gifts. The region is also home to several toy stores selling items such as puzzles, musical toys, arts and crafts supplies, outdoor games and baby toys. Providing games for people of all ages, Applause! has locations in Huntsville, Bracebridge and Gravenhurst.
While on vacation, holidaymakers may wish to stop and pick up reading material or local maps at the Bookcase, an independent bookstore located in a red brick building on Main Street, Huntsville. Camera stores ensure that vacationers are able to preserve their special memories with services such as digital prints, film processing, photos to CDs and camera repairs at shops such as Calvacade Color Lab. After enjoying one of the region's many adventures or a day of shopping, visitors can stop by a confectionery shop for a sweet treat. The Nutty Chocolatier in Huntsville creates fine handcrafted Belgian chocolates and homemade fudge and candies.
SPORTING GEAR & EQUIPMENT
Muskoka is a favourite location for summer and winter recreation and travellers will have little difficulty finding a sports store that meets their needs. Sports stores such as Muskoka Outfitters make shopping easy with everything from camping and hiking gear to paddle sports accessories to running gear. With stores in both Gravenhurst and Bracebridge, it couldn't be easier for outdoor enthusiasts to rent gear for a day of fun or test out a kayak or canoe on site. Cyclists will find a number of quality bike shops in the area with experienced staff and abundant stock whether they are looking for a specific accessory or to purchase a brand new bike. In addition to selling an assortment of bike gear and accessories, Ecclestone Cycle Company in Bracebridge has qualified bicycle mechanics on hand to assist visitors with repairs.
FASHION & BEAUTY
The region is home to a number of unique boutiques offering everything from fashion to footwear to accessories. Shoppers will find a range of quality hoodies, t-shirts, jackets, pants and hats for men, women and kids at clothing stores such as Muskoka Bear Wear in Port Carling. Boutiques offering women's fashions, like Milani in Gravenhurst, provide ladies with the latest trendy styles while children's wear stores such as 4 Muskoka Kids make available funky designer clothing, shoes, accessories and gifts. Adding to a completed appearance are locally made, natural cosmetics and skin care products from health and beauty stores such as Rose Petals.
AROUND THE COTTAGE
Whether visitors are looking to build a vacation home or renovate an existing one they will find ample hardware stores sprinkled throughout the region like the Home Hardware store situated in Washago. The area also has plenty of shops to aid holidaymakers in furnishing or refurnishing their cottages. Kitchen stores such as the Creative Cook in Bracebridge offer a variety of cook and bake ware, chef's knives, table linens, tableware, glassware and gadgets. Other home accessories are available in shops selling everything from drapes to furniture to linens. Those looking to furnish their holiday homes with antiques will find plenty of stores to choose from. Generations Antiques in Gravenhurst carries one-of-a-kind antiques, including collectibles, accessories, gifts and furniture. Fresh flowers add a little something extra and are effortlessly located in florist shops such as the family-owned Cottage Country Flowers. No cottage is complete without a finished landscape. Garden shops like the Windermere Garden Centre help complete any landscape vision with a plethora of plants, hanging baskets, unique pots and focal pieces.
Nat Caron Photography
Wedding and portrait photographer in the Southern Georgian Bay area of Ontario!
Wedding Photographer
Delta Grandview Resort - Huntsville
has been known for its splendid hospitality since 1911.
