Huntsville: Art, Theatre and Trails by the Water

In Huntsville, there are different ways to shape a visit: you can discover public art, enjoy live performances or explore trails by the water. This makes the town an interesting destination for travellers who want to plan their stay around different interests. When choosing a vacation rental, it’s worth first considering which of these experiences you want to define your visit.

Art in the City

The Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery is a free public art exhibition that is open year-round. It features more than 100 reproductions of masterpieces by Canadian artists from the Group of Seven and by Tom Thomson. The main gallery is in downtown Huntsville and comprises 38 murals on the exterior walls of shops and businesses. So you’ll encounter art beyond a single exhibition space: the murals are part of the public realm. The total of more than 100 reproductions describes the gallery as a whole; the 38 murals are part of the main gallery downtown.

If you’re particularly interested in Canadian art, the gallery offers a clear thematic focus for your stay. Its year-round opening sets it apart from seasonal visitor information. Free admission is another specific feature of the exhibition. You can make art a focus in its own right or combine it with a visit to other places and activities in Huntsville.

Trails by the Water and a Longer Route

The Hunters Bay Trail is a 4.6-kilometre waterfront trail used for walking, running and cycling. Floating boardwalk sections offer views across Hunters Bay and Orchard Park. If you’d like to include outdoor exercise in your stay, this trail brings together several ways to get active, including a section specifically located by the water.

The Great Trail covers a different scale: the 52-kilometre route crosses Huntsville along a mix of off-road and roadside sections. It was formerly known as the Trans Canada Trail. Compared with the 4.6-kilometre Hunters Bay Trail, the main difference is its considerably greater length. Its route is also described differently: it alternates between roadside and off-road sections. If you’d rather focus your trip on a waterfront trail or a longer route, these are two distinct starting points for planning.

Theatre and Visitor Information

The Algonquin Theatre has more than 400 seats and hosts live performances year-round. If you’d like to include a theatre visit in your time in Huntsville, this is a cultural option that isn’t limited to a particular season. The theatre is also home to the seasonal visitor services desk: from May to September, during regular business hours, you can pick up visitor guides, maps and brochures, and get tourist recommendations. The desk is located at the Algonquin Theatre, 37 Main Street East.

These offerings appeal to different interests: the Outdoor Gallery focuses on Canadian art, the theatre on live performances, and the trails offer opportunities for walking, running or cycling. Narrow your search for a vacation rental based on which of these experiences matters most for your stay. That way, the focus is not on a general idea of Huntsville, but on your own priorities, whether art, theatre or activities by the water.

Discover More Places

If you’d also like to explore other destination pages: Lake of Bays, Dorset, Dwight, Honey Harbour, Port Carling, Mactier, Minett and Bracebridge.

For the broader travel overview: Muskoka District Municipality.