One of the attractions of Central Ontario’s wonderful four-season playground is the rich variety of things to see and do here.

Take the Walk in the Clouds tour at the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve where you literally hike through the canopy of old growth white pine trees on a boardwalk that’s suspended 20 m above the forest floor. See Algonquin Provincial Park in all its natural glory from the visitors’ centre. Get another grand view from the Dorset Fire Tower with an 803 sq km viewing radius of Lake of Bays, which is particularly spectacular in the fall. Look way up at planets, nebulas and distant galaxies through a state-of-the-art telescope at Echo Valley Observatory near Huntsville. And delight your kids with Santa’s Village in Bracebridge, geographically located half way between the North Pole and the Equator.

In Penetanguishene, stroll around historic Discovery Harbour with replicas of British sailing ships. And enjoy a natural experience at Midland’s Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre, one of Canada’s foremost nature preserves. Next door, visit Saint-Marie among the Hurons, a recreated 17th century French Jesuit mission.

On the southern shores of Georgian Bay, embark on an eco-adventure tour both above ground and below water at Collingwood’s Scenic Caves Nature Adventures. A half hour away, cool off on the longest freshwater beach in the world, Wasaga Beach. Or come winter, be thrilled by Blue Mountain Resort’s skiing and snowboarding.

Picnic on the grounds lining the 386 km Trent-Severn Waterway, which meanders through Central Ontario. Be sure to visit the Peterborough Hydraulic Lift Lock – the highest hydraulic lock in the world. And finish it all off by dabbling in boating heritage at the Canadian Canoe Museum.