Discover Midland: Art, history and trails

Midland combines public art with insights into Huron/Ouendat history and opportunities for active days. More than 30 murals and sculptures are spread throughout the town. There is also the Huronia Museum, the more than 8 km-long Midland Rotary Waterfront Trail and Little Lake Park, with an 18-hole disc golf course. When planning your trip, the main question is which side of Midland you’d like to experience: art and culture, outdoor activities or both.

Art throughout the town

Midland is home to one of Ontario’s largest outdoor art galleries. Its more than 30 murals and sculptures are located throughout the town rather than being confined to a single exhibition space. The works are a distinctive feature of the townscape. Art lovers can get to know Midland not only through a museum but also through its many outdoor works. Along with the history featured at the Huronia Museum and along the Waterfront Trail, these works offer a range of cultural perspectives to explore during your stay.

The Waterfront Trail: route and orientation

The scenic Midland Rotary Waterfront Trail is more than 8 km long. It provides easy access to downtown, the harbour, parks and attractions. The route is a destination in its own right for those who like to spend time outdoors during their stay and want to include these places in their plans. Along the trail, information panels explain Midland’s maritime and industrial history. This brings exercise and local history together along the same route, which can be enjoyed for more than just cultural or sporting activities. There is also an e-bike charging station along the trail.

Huronia Museum and Huron/Ouendat Village

The Huronia Museum combines an exhibition gallery with a replica of a “pre-contact” Huron/Ouendat village. The replica includes a lookout tower, a wigwam and a full-size longhouse. Visitors generally explore the village on their own, with information panels explaining various aspects of village life. Those who enjoy looking around and reading at their own pace can explore the different parts of the site in their own time. The replica offers a tangible look at a depicted village settlement, while the exhibition gallery brings together additional historical topics and objects.

The gallery features tens of thousands of historical artifacts. These include photographs, Indigenous archaeology and art by members of the Group of Seven. This range sets the exhibits apart: alongside photographic and archaeological collections, there is also art. For visitors with varied interests, the museum can therefore be a cultural highlight in Midland, while the trail and outdoor art offer other ways to explore.

Little Lake Park and concerts

Little Lake Park is Midland’s largest community park and has an 18-hole disc golf course. Those looking to include outdoor activities in their trip will find a specific activity here; visitors more interested in art, local history or exhibitions can focus on those during other parts of their stay. When planning a trip with children, it’s helpful to consider these different options without assuming that the same activity will suit everyone.

The Midland Cultural Centre also adds to the cultural offerings. For concerts, Rotary Hall has seating for 274, with seats in the main auditorium and balcony. This figure describes the concert seating capacity and gives a sense of the hall’s size. If attending a concert is one of your travel interests, Rotary Hall is another cultural venue to consider when choosing your experiences.

Which vacation rental suits your plans?

When looking for a vacation rental in Midland, you can base your choice on the experiences that matter to you. Would you like to discover the town’s art, visit the Huronia Museum, or spend time on the Waterfront Trail and in Little Lake Park? These offerings have different focuses and provide a range of ways to shape your stay. Choose Midland as a vacation destination if this mix of art, history and outdoor activities suits your preferences.

Explore more destination pages

If you’d also like to compare other destination pages, here are more places to explore: Penetanguishene, Washago, Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Nottawa, Waubaushene, Orillia and Oro.

For the broader travel overview: Simcoe County.