Orillia’s Cultural Route

Orillia’s history is tied to the water and this route features cultural landmarks found along Lake Couchiching’s shore and feature famous monuments and historical buildings like the Orillia Bandstand. The vibrant Couchiching Beach Park, connected to Downtown Orillia is on the grounds of the original village plot and industrial waterfront where steamboats carried lumber and passengers throughout the watershed along the Trent-Severn Waterway. Paddlers enter the water at the second beach in the park, travel between the breakwall and the Port of Orillia and then follow the shoreline. From the water you will see the historic Champlain Sailing Club and enter tranquil Old Brewery Bay. You will arrive at the Stephen Leacock Museum, the summer home where the famous author was inspired to write Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town. Then continue along to Tudhope Memorial Park, a bronze statue of singer and poet Gordon Lightfoot, and a memorial to the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald can be found along the point, enter through Portage Bay. This route can be done in either direction and has the opportunity to connect with great walking and cycling trails.