Midland: local rooms, events and more

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Town and around · Ontario · 27k people

Midland

Locals say Georgian Bay

Where the bay meets the shield

Georgian Bay BlueShield Green

Welcome to Midland, the heart of Georgian Bay! Whether you're a boater, a hiker, or just here for the butter tarts, you'll find a friendly dock to tie up to. Come for the islands, stay for the sunsets.

Clubs for Midland

No clubs for Midland yet.

The room

Midland Quiet now Where the bay meets the shield

One room for everyone around Midland. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Midland. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Little Lake Park A central green space with a beach and walking trails.
Huronia Museum Local history and art, including a reconstructed Huron village.
Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Hockey memorabilia and interactive exhibits in Parry Sound.
Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre A wetland preserve with boardwalks and birdwatching towers.
Discovery Harbour A reconstructed 19th-century naval and military site in Penetanguishene.
Charles W. Stockey Centre Waterfront performing arts hall in Parry Sound.

Outdoors Kayaking the 30,000 Islands
Outdoors Hiking the Georgian Trail
With kids Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre
With kids Discovery Harbour
Evenings Sunset boat cruises
Evenings Live music at the Stockey Centre
Locals love Marinas and boat launches
Locals love Waterfront parks

Through the year

Butter Tart Festival June A sweet celebration of the region's favourite pastry in downtown Midland.
Festival of the Sound July–August Classical and chamber music concerts on the waterfront in Parry Sound.
Dragon Boat Festival June Paddlers race across Parry Sound harbour in a colourful spectacle.
Winterama February A winter carnival in Penetanguishene with ice sculptures and family fun.
Midland Fall Fair September Agricultural exhibits, midway rides, and local produce at the fairgrounds.

A four-season climate with lake-effect snow in winter and pleasant summers. The best time to be out is from late spring to early fall. Best: Summer (June to September) is perfect for boating and beach days, with warm days and cool nights.

Talk like a local

“the Bay”: Short for Georgian Bay, as in 'heading out on the Bay this weekend?'

Getaways

Wasaga Beach Longest freshwater beach in the world, 28 km away.
Collingwood Skiing at Blue Mountain and a charming downtown, 42 km away.
Barrie Bigger city with lakeside parks and shopping, 43 km away.
Owen Sound Waterfalls and the Bruce Trail, 86 km away.

Local flavour

Teams

Midland Flyers Provincial Junior Hockey League
Penetang Kings Provincial Junior Hockey League
Parry Sound Islanders Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League

Also rooting for Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Raptors

Eat and drink

Fish and chips with fresh pickerel A staple at waterfront spots, using locally caught fish.
Butter tarts A classic Canadian treat, often homemade in the region.
Fresh Georgian Bay whitefish Often smoked or pan-fried, a local delicacy.
Wild blueberry pie Made with berries picked from the Canadian Shield.

Where people go

Marinas and waterfront parks The towns are defined by their harbours and boardwalks.
Historical sites Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and Discovery Harbour tell the region's story.
The 30,000 Islands and Canadian Shield The rugged landscape and countless islands are a defining feature.

Heritage and traditions

This region is proud of its rich Indigenous and French Canadian heritage, its deep connection to Georgian Bay's natural beauty, and its role as the birthplace of hockey legend Bobby Orr.

This time of year in Midland

Fall colours Autumn The Canadian Shield explodes in red and gold, drawing leaf-peepers.

Say it like a local: “You know” — A filler word, common in casual speech.

Festivals

Martyrs' Shrine Pilgrimage September Annual pilgrimage honouring the Canadian Martyrs, Jesuit missionaries killed in the 17th century.
Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre Annual Pow Wow Summer A vibrant celebration of Indigenous culture with drumming, dancing, and crafts.
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day June 24 Celebrated with bonfires and French Canadian pride, especially in Penetanguishene.
Midland Christmas Market December A festive market with local crafts, food, and holiday cheer.

Landmarks with a story

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons A reconstruction of a 17th-century Jesuit mission, a key site in Canadian history.
Martyrs' Shrine A Catholic shrine dedicated to the Canadian Martyrs, with a striking church and peaceful grounds.
Penetanguishene French Quarter The historic French settlement area with heritage buildings and a distinct cultural feel.

Food traditions

Tourtière A French Canadian meat pie, especially served at Christmas and New Year's, brought by early settlers.
Maple syrup season In early spring, families visit sugar bushes to collect sap and boil it into syrup.
Corn roasts In late summer, community corn roasts are a social event, often paired with fresh fish.

Music and arts

Group of Seven inspiration The Georgian Bay landscape inspired many Group of Seven paintings, and the area remains a magnet for landscape artists.
Indigenous art Anishinaabe artists create traditional crafts, including beadwork, moccasins, and paintings.
Folk music scene Local venues and festivals host folk, blues, and roots musicians, reflecting a strong community music tradition.

A little history

17th century The Wendat (Huron) people lived in the region, and French Jesuit missionaries established missions, including Sainte-Marie.
1812 A naval base was established at Penetanguishene during the War of 1812.
19th century The region grew through lumber and shipbuilding industries.
Early 20th century Members of the Group of Seven painted the rugged Georgian Bay landscape, capturing its beauty.

Rivalries

Midland Flyers vs. Penetang Kings Junior hockey games that split the community.
Parry Sound vs. Huntsville Friendly competition in hockey and other sports.
Midland vs. Penetanguishene Sibling rivalry over the best waterfront and events.

Game day Minor hockey
Game day Fishing derbies
Outdoors Ice skating on Georgian Bay
Outdoors Cross-country skiing
With kids Visiting the Martyrs' Shrine
With kids Exploring the Midland Cultural Centre

The area has a mix of English and French, with a distinct French dialect in Penetanguishene. English speakers have a Canadian accent, with 'eh' and 'about' pronounced as 'aboot'.

Only here

Penetanguishene is one of Ontario's oldest French settlements, with a unique dialect that blends French and English.
The Martyrs' Shrine is the national shrine to the Canadian Martyrs, a pilgrimage site for Catholics across the country.
The region's rugged beauty inspired many Group of Seven paintings, making it a living gallery of Canadian art history.

New here? A few tips

Embrace the winters – they're long but beautiful, with plenty of snow for skiing and skating.
Try the local fish and chips at a waterfront spot – fresh Georgian Bay pickerel is a must.
Learn a few French phrases if you're in Penetanguishene; locals appreciate the effort.
Get a boat or book a tour to see the 30,000 Islands – it's the best way to experience the region.
Be prepared for cottage traffic in July and August; plan your drives accordingly.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Nearby

Every area

Wasaga BeachOntarioWhere the sand meets the sky and summer never ends.Simcoe CountyOntarioWhere the bay meets the countryside.OrilliaOntarioLakeside charm and sunshine days.CollingwoodOntarioWhere the escarpment meets the bay.BarrieOntarioThe Bay City: a city that hugs the bay EssaOntarioHome to friendly faces and endless fields.Owen SoundOntarioWhere the lakes meet the Bruce Kawartha LakesOntarioWhere every lake has a story and every sunset is a postcard.

Midland. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.