2026 Simcoe County Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in September)

Simcoe County in Ontario has always been a popular weekend getaway for Greater Toronto Area residents. This time, I highly recommend Barrie Hill Farms, located in Springwater! Want to pick fresh strawberries, blueberries, and sweet corn yourself? Now is the perfect season! You don't need to travel to the middle of nowhere—just head over to Barrie Hill Farms to enjoy some rustic countryside fun and snap some gorgeous photos! 🍓🌽💙 🌱 Trip Highlights Sneak Peek Besides the super open environment and uncrowded flower fields under the blue sky, the best part about Barrie Hill Farms is that you can pick and buy all the fresh, seasonal produce you want! Strawberries, blueberries, and corn are the main stars. While experiencing the fun of picking your own, you can also bring fresh fruit home. It's great whether you visit on a weekday or the weekend, but the best time to go is definitely early in the morning to beat the crowds and enjoy the beauty of the farm as if you've booked the whole place to yourself! 🥄 Itinerary Guide 📍 Barrie Hill Farms Address: [2935 Barrie Hill Rd, Springwater, ON L9X 1S8, Canada] Hours: Open year-round 08:00 - 17:00 (Monday to Friday); 08:00 - 20:00 (Saturday, Sunday) 🍓 Stop 1: Strawberry Fields May to June is peak strawberry season in Simcoe County. Once you enter the farm, just follow the signs and you'll see endless strawberry fields. Make sure to bring a straw hat and sunscreen (they also sell sunscreen on-site). Take your time picking and eating along the way—the strawberries are incredibly sweet! 🫐 Stop 2: Blueberry Patch From July onwards, it's prime time for the best blueberries! The blueberry patch at Barrie Hill Farms is located right next to the wooden cabins. Picking blueberries here is quite effortless, so kids have a blast while adults can snap photos for social media and sneak a few bites. The farm also provides clear bags or baskets, perfect for individual or family portions. 🌽 Stop 3: Sweet Corn Fields July and August are all about sweet corn! The corn here is super fresh. I recommend arriving before 10 AM, as you can almost take home freshly picked corn right away. There's also a cooked corn snack kiosk where you can do a taste test on the spot—so sweet and juicy. 🍰 Handy Tips · Picking activities largely depend on the weather and crop growth. It's highly recommended to call ahead (+1 705-728-0571) the day before your visit to check. · We recommend bringing your own tote bags or reusable bags. Packaging is provided on-site, but bringing your own bags is a great way to support the environment. · The farm has a mini farmers' market. You can buy extra fresh veggies, fruits, or jams to take home for breakfast! 🚗 Transportation Guide Easily accessible by car, Barrie Hill Farms has a large parking lot. Just navigate directly to "Barrie Hill Farms" on Google Maps, and the signs along the way are very clear. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Toronto, making it a convenient and stress-free trip. Starting early is recommended. 🍽️ Farm Food Recommendations You absolutely must try their homemade baked blueberry pie and corn soup. The taste is outstanding, offering a super fresh local flavor that pairs perfectly with the farm's produce. 🔖 Practical Advice · If it rains, the grass can get quite wet, so waterproof shoes are recommended. · It gets pretty crowded during the peak picking season, so the earlier you arrive, the better. Remember to choose well-lit spots for taking photos, and bring your besties along to shoot some countryside-style OOTD pics!

Less than 30 minutes from Toronto, we finally found a super cost-effective summer day trip! Activities include: Boat cruise on the lake Fishing experience Swimming in the lake Water tubing Unlimited paddleboarding & kayaking Kayaking for photos Relaxing by the lake, sunbathing, and enjoying the scenery Perfect for: Friends' gatherings Family outings Couples' dates Anyone looking to take amazing summer photos Lake Simcoe's water is truly refreshing, and it's incredibly photogenic. On a nice day, every snap feels like a vacation! Departures every Tuesday and Friday Adults: $65 Children under 10: $55 534 Lake Drive South, Keswick, ON It's very close to Markham, Richmond Hill, and North York, about a 30-minute drive. It's perfect for a relaxing day on a weekend or holiday. Summer only comes once, don't miss out on the happiest day by the lake!

Just a 30-minute drive from Toronto, the super popular Lake Simcoe Day Trip is back! Every Tuesday and Friday! 🚤 Boat cruise on the lake 🎣 Fishing experience 🏊 Swimming in the lake 🌊 Water tubing 🚣 Unlimited kayaking & paddle boarding One price covers everything! Perfect for friends' gatherings, family outings, or romantic dates—enjoy a full day of fun! 📅 Starting June 23 💰 Adults $65 | Children (under 12) $55 📍534 Lake Drive South, Keswick, ON

📅 Itinerary Day1: Barrie Hill Farms. Enjoy fruits picking from the fields 🍎🍓🫐 Day2: Barrie's Farmer Market, Centennial Beach and Barrie downtown. 🏨 Accommodation : Comfort Inn 🍴 😋 Food Recommendations : 🍽️Scaddabush Italian 🍦Palazzo Gelato 📌 Tips : Barrie's Farmer Market may open only on Saturday morning. Suggest to check opening hours before visit.

#hellonewyear Craving that sun-warmed, "just-picked" flavor? Escape the Toronto concrete and find yourself knee-deep in the rolling fields of Barrie Hill Farms. Just an hour north of the city, this 200-acre family legacy is the ultimate destination for "Pick-Your-Own" enthusiasts. Imagine a 2026 summer morning where the only thing on your to-do list is filling a basket with juicy strawberries, plump blueberries, or crisp fall apples. From the tractor-pulled wagon rides to the sweet scent of fresh pies wafting from the Silo Café, this farm is a masterclass in rural charm. Whether you’re here for the "June-bearing" berries or the golden pumpkins of October, Barrie Hill is where city life slows down and the simple joy of the harvest takes over. 📍 5 Tips for Your Farm Fresh Visit · Transportation: Drive north via Highway 400 to the Bayfield St. exit. For a greener route, take the GO Train (Barrie Line) to Allandale Waterfront Station and hop a quick 15-minute rideshare to the farm entrance. · Best Time to Travel: Mid-June to July is peak berry season! Visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning (around 8 AM) to enjoy the quietest fields and the freshest, untrammeled fruit. · Must-Visit Spots: The Silo Café for their famous berry frozen yogurt, the Farm Market for local honey, and the Hillside Strawberry Fields for the best panoramic farm views. · Suggested Itinerary: 9 AM: Arrival and wagon ride to the fields. 11 AM: Market shopping for artisanal treats. 12 PM: Farm-to-table lunch at the café. 1 PM: Photo ops at the "Big Red Tractor." · Photography Tips: Avoid the harsh midday sun! Shoot at Golden Hour or on a bright overcast day for soft, even lighting on the fruit. Get low to the ground for "macro" shots of the berries nestled in the leaves for a truly professional look. #BarrieHillFarms #PickYourOwn #OntarioFarms #StrawberryPicking #ExploreSimcoe2026

Winter in Midhurst, Simcoe County, is a veritable northern fairytale—endless white forests, shimmering snow, and every step a tranquil, poetic adventure. This trip especially recommends a hike along Midhurst's famous Trout Trail, offering a relaxed overview of the winter landscape and allowing you to experience the most authentic natural beauty of Canada. Entering the snow-covered forest, every step is a challenge. Located in Midhurst, the Trout Trail in winter offers views of snow-covered trees and streams, with towering pines and low shrubs all draped in a blanket of ice and snow. The biggest takeaway from this trip was how challenging walking in the snow is. It's slippery, the snow is thick, and tree roots and loose rocks are often covered, requiring extra caution with every step! If you're going in winter, I highly recommend bringing snow boots and trekking poles for safety and to conserve energy. Hiking in the snow is physically demanding, so remember to bring warm drinks and rest stops along the way. Trout Trail Scenic Recommendations The entire trail roughly follows Bayfield St, approximately 2 kilometers long, and is not too physically demanding to complete. Recommended highlights include: 1. Forest Ski Trail: The entrance is surrounded by a vast expanse of snow-covered forest, with branches laden with frost, creating a winter wonderland atmosphere. 2. Near-Reach Stream: A small stream flows through the trail, often with thin ice on the surface and snow-covered banks in winter, offering a unique and picturesque scene. (A must-visit for photos!) 3. Native Forest: The entire trail marks a nature reserve, allowing you to spot wildlife along the way. Adventure enthusiasts will not be disappointed. 4. Deep Forest Side Paths: Some side paths offer quieter sections with deeper snow, perfect for experiencing the pristine tranquility of nature. Trip Tips 1. Trails can be challenging in winter.

Simcoe County is renowned for its pristine natural beauty and distinct seasonal seasons, and the Trout Trail in Midhurst is a popular hiking route year-round. Stepping onto the Trout Trail in January, you're surrounded by snow-covered streams and snow-capped forests, a tranquil and healing experience. It truly doesn't disappoint; it's a popular trail for embracing nature all year round! The Midhurst Trail (especially the Trout Trail) is a route suitable for both beginners and seasoned hikers, perfect for both a brisk workout and leisurely observation of winter scenery. Its biggest highlight is its accessibility even in winter, with snow-covered landscapes and streams complementing each other, surrounded by trees blanketed in snow, offering a serene escape from the city and a truly therapeutic experience. Recommended Attractions: Trout Trail: This is a star route in the Midhurst Trail network. Walking along the frozen creek during the snow season, with snow-covered tree trunks and slightly icy paths, is a truly authentic "Canadian winter" experience; every snapshot is a masterpiece. Importantly, the trail is well-maintained, making it less slippery, so parents with young children can rest assured. 📍Address: 11545 Bayfield St, Midhurst, ON L0L 1X0, Canada Basic parking is available at the trail entrance, but it's recommended to arrive early in winter to avoid parking difficulties due to snow. Opening Hours: Open year-round, but recommended to visit between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM in winter (the trail can become icy after dark, posing a safety risk). Recommended Route and Experience Tips: 1. The snowscape is most spectacular in January/February, and the area near the creek is particularly quiet, perfect for taking photos and relaxing. 2. The trail is approximately 5 kilometers long and has a certain level of difficulty.

Barrie is a city about an hour's drive from Toronto. It's not a particularly touristy place, but the city itself is compact and perfect for relaxing! There are buses running through the city, so even though Canada is a car-oriented country, it's easy to get around without a car! A day off where you can take a photo with the Barrie sign, walk around the waterfront area, drink a beer, walk a little further, and eat ice cream that seems to be famous in this area. It's peaceful and nice! Speaking of poutine and Canada, Tim Hortons is a chain, but it's still a must-have when you come to Canada! These two are a must in Canada 🇨🇦 #Let's go abroad #Canada #Barrie