Complete Guide To Visiting Collingwood And Blue Mountain
Nestled along the southern shores of Georgian Bay, Collingwood and Blue Mountain are two of Ontario’s most beloved year-round destinations. This is my favourite part of Ontario and I’ve been visiting both villages for many years, many times, while taking a Georgian Bay road trip. If this is your first time visiting Ontario, then this is a road trip that you need to experience. In this guide I’ll provide a full guide to visiting Collingwood and Blue Mountain, including what to do, where to eat, and places to stay.
Each time I visit, I discover more things to do, cool places to stay, and more amazing restaurants, which I’m happy to share with you. In this guide, I’ll I’ve even added a weekend, and 3, 4, and 5 day itineraries to help you get started planning your trip.
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Why Visit Collingwood and Blue Mountain
There are plenty of reasons why you should visit Collingwood and Blue Mountain, but the promise of a mix of adventure and relaxation are the main reasons why I love this area of Ontario.
Blue Mountain is famous for its ski slopes and European village atmosphere, while Collingwood provides small-town charm, waterfront views, and a growing food scene. When visiting Blue Mountain and Collingwood, you will get the best of all worlds.
Where to Stay
When visiting Collingwood and Blue Mountain, I have stayed in both villages. Where you choose to stay will depend on the type of getaway you’re looking for. With so many great places to stay in both Collingwood and Blue Mountain, you won’t be disappointed whichever village you choose:
In Blue Mountain:
If you want to be right in the action, stay in Blue Mountain Village. You’ll be steps away from the slopes, restaurants, and shops. My top picks include:
- The Westin Trillium House – upscale and perfectly located by the Mill Pond.
- Blue Mountain Resort Lodges – great for families and groups.
- Mosaic Boutique Suites – stylish and central with all the village amenities.
🏨🛌Search Blue Mountain Accommodations
In Collingwood:
If you’re looking for a quieter atmosphere or some retail therapy, I recommend staying in Collingwood. The following are my recommended hotels:
- Living Stone Golf Resort – spacious rooms, pool, and golf course views.
- The VanderMarck Boutique Hotel – modern suites in a restored heritage building.
- Living Water Resort & Spa – a local gem that offers easy access to the water and hydrotherapy spa
🏨🛌Search Collingwood Accommodations
Best Places to Eat
Whether you’re in Collingwood or Blue Mountain, you won’t be disappointed with the food choices. Both villages have a variety of different eateries, from quaint coffee cafes, to elegant upscale food venues. The following are my favourite places to eat:
Collingwood:
- The Tremont Café – a favourite for brunch or dinner with a chic, historic vibe.
- Heavenly Café – for great coffee, breakfast, and carrot cake.
- Black Bellows – locally brewed beer and hearty Canadian eats.
Blue Mountain Village:
- Oliver & Bonacini Café Grill – casual yet elevated dining with scenic views.
- Firehall Pizza Co. – perfect for families and après-ski dining.
- Camino Taco – authentic mexican tacos.
Top Things to Do
Unfortunately I can’t recommend which season, Winter or Summer, is the best time to visit. They both offer different activities, so it will completely depend on what you want to do. I personally love visiting at any time of the year.
I can tell you that if I visit in the winter, I opt to stay in Blue Mountain. When visiting during summer, I will stay in Collingwood. The following are some activities offered which will hopefully help you decide when the best time to visit is for you:
In Winter:
- Hit the slopes at Blue Mountain for skiing or snowboarding.
- Go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing on the Scenic Caves trails.
- Relax at the Scandinave Spa, surrounded by snowy forest serenity.
- Skate under the stars at Woodview Mountaintop Skating Trail.
In Summer:
- Hike or bike the Georgian Trail connecting Collingwood to Meaford.
- Spend a day at Northwinds Beach on Georgian Bay.
- Explore Scenic Caves Nature Adventures for caves, suspension bridges, and ziplining.
- Visit local shops, breweries, and farmers’ markets in downtown Collingwood.
Top Collingwood and Blue Mountain Tours to Book
⛷️ Toronto to Blue Mountain Skiing and Snowboarding Day Trip
🥾 Private Nottawasaga Bluffs Cave Hike
Hidden Gems
There are so many hidden gems in the Georgian Bay area, that it’s impossible to list them all. I highly recommend saving enough time to explore outside of Collingwood to find more hidden gems.
- Sunset Point Park (Collingwood): A peaceful spot to watch the sun dip below Georgian Bay.
- Pretty River Valley Provincial Park: Perfect for scenic hikes and wildlife spotting.
- Craigleith Heritage Depot: A small but fascinating museum highlighting local history.
- Local Wineries & Cideries: Try Georgian Hills Vineyards or Thornbury Village Cider House.
Getting There
Collingwood is about a 2-hour drive from Toronto, making it an easy weekend road trip. Having a car gives you flexibility to explore both Collingwood and the Blue Mountain area at your own pace. It also makes it easy to visit the small towns beyond Collingwood.
Tips To Visiting Collingwood And Blue Mountain
Whether you choose to visit Collingwood or Blue Mountain, or both, there are a few tips that will make your visit more enjoyable.
- visit midweek or should seasons (Spring & Fall) for fewer crowds
- book accommodations early during ski season and summer weekends. I recommend 6 months in advance
- pack layers – the weather can change quickly
- bring snacks and beverages, as most accommodations have refrigerators
- if visiting during the winter, check the road conditions, as the highway into Collingwood and Blue Mountain is often closed due to snow
- HAVE FUN!
Sample Itineraries To Experience Both Collingwood And Blue Mountain
Weekend Getaway (2 Days)
Day 1: Arrive in Collingwood, enjoy breakfast at Duncan’s Café, stroll the waterfront, browse the shops in the historic downtown, and have dinner at The Tremont.
Day 2: Spend the day at Blue Mountain. Hike, ski, skate, or relax at the Scandinave Spa, and end with dinner in the Village.
Long Weekend (3 Days)
Friday: Check into your Blue Mountain stay and explore the Village.
Saturday: Adventure day full of skiing, mountain biking, or spa time.
Sunday: Head into Collingwood for brunch and boutique shopping before you head home.
Longer Time In Collingwood and Blue Mountain
If you have a longer time in Blue Mountain and Collingwood, I would add on 2 more days to explore the area:
Day 4: Drive to Thornbury, Meaford, Owen Sound. Owen Sound is known as the “City of Waterfalls” and is great for hikers
Day 5: A trip to Wasaga Beach and Midland should be added to your itinerary if you are visiting through the summer months. Wasaga Beach boasts the longest freshwater beach in the world. Midland offers a 2 hour boat cruise through the Georgian Bay National Park, which can’t be missed.
Visiting Collingwood And Blue Mountain
If you’re looking for an Ontario getaway that offers both adventure and relaxation, then consider Collingwood and Blue Mountain, which offer the best of both worlds. Collingwood is the bomb for water adventures, while Blue Mountain is the ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts. What makes these villages ideal is that you don’t have to choose – you can visit both during the same vacation.
Are you ready to plan your next Ontario getaway? Save this guide to visiting Collingwood and Blue Mountain, and don’t forget to explore the backroads for hidden gems along the way!
Are you in the midst of planning a vacation in Ontario, Canada? Let me help you out. As a life-long resident, the following are the platforms that I generally use when I’m road tripping around my beautiful Province:
🏡 Rentals: Ontario has every style of accommodation rental imaginable, to suit every budget and travel style. For my vacation rentals, I use VRBO. This platform provides a wide variety of accommodations for every budget.
🏢 Hotels: Sometimes, I prefer to stay at a hotel, especially if I’m just staying in the area for a night or two. My go-to platform for booking hotels in Ontario is always Booking.com
🚴♀️ Activities: Ontario has so many activities to offer that it’s often difficult to choose. My favourite platform to find activities in each area of Ontario is Get Your Guide
🚗 Car Rentals: Ontario is so massive that’s it’s literally impossible to explore everything without a vehicle. Although I do have my own car, there have been times that I’ve rented a vehicle – especially for longer road trips. When in doubt, I’ve used Booking.com to find the best deal on rentals.
💰 Insurance: When travelling abroad, I purchase my medical insurance through Advisor Max, as well as my cancellation and trip-interruption insurance. Advisor Max is also the ideal company for visitors to Ontario, or any part of Canada, to purchase their travel insurance.
PIN GUIDE TO VISITING COLLINGWOOD AND BLUE MOUNTAIN
