Located within a 3-hour drive (or less) from many urban centres, our naturally beautiful region is great for short weekend getaways. But there is so much to see and do (and not do) that a longer stay is a true escape from the pressures of daily life.
Some of our guests come to just relax and de-stress, others to get out and experience activities and adventures. Then there are those who can carve out enough time in their busy lives for a bit of both. For these folks, we suggest the itinerary below. It's highly adaptable to individual interests. Just ask us for alternate suggestions.
5-Night/6-Day Great Escape
Day 1: Huntsville & Check-in
Some of our guests come to just relax and de-stress, others to get out and experience activities and adventures. Then there are those who can carve out enough time in their busy lives for a bit of both. For these folks, we suggest the itinerary below. It's highly adaptable to individual interests. Just ask us for alternate suggestions.
5-Night/6-Day Great Escape
Day 1: Huntsville & Check-in
- Pack up the car and hit the road. Don't forget tunes for the car and a stop at Tim's for coffee and road snacks.
- Depending on the time (if it's before 3pm), stop in Huntsville and explore the charming downtown shops, boutiques, galleries, cafes and restaurants. Have lunch at a restaurant patio or carry some take-out down to the riverside park. Did you forget to bring sunscreen, a hat or other getaway gear? Pick them up in town.
- Rent a canoe or kayaks from Algonquin Outfitters on Main Street and take a paddle up the Muskoka River and back.
- From downtown, drive up to Lion's Lookout Park for a view over the lakes, river and hills of Huntsville.
- After 3pm, head on up to Fern Glen Inn to check in. We'll show you around the property, give you maps of the area and printed information about things to see and do, plus a directory of restaurants.
- Get settled in your room, stretch your legs with a short stroll, or enjoy the fresh air and green views from the gazebo or one of the decks. Relax, unwind, decompress.
- Dinner in Burk's Falls or Huntsville, or here at the inn with advance notice.
- Star gaze from the hot tub before turning in for a great night's sleep.
Day 2: Algonquin Park
- Hearty, wholesome breakfast (you choose the time between 8:00 and 9:30). Ask us about favourite trails and spots in the park, or to clarify directions.
- Head over to Algonquin Park's day-use corridor. Hike a selection of trails, check out the interpretive displays in the Visitor Centre. Break for lunch at the cafe in the centre or at the Portage Store restaurant. Didn't get a chance to canoe yesterday? Then rent a canoe from one of the in-park outfitters for a short paddle or try some more of the gorgeous trails.
- On your way back from Algonquin stop at Ragged Falls Park, just off Hwy 60. It's a short walk from the parking lot to the top of the falls. Have fun but be careful clambering over the boulders as you get right in there for some great shots.
- Stop for dinner at 3 Guys and a Stove or one of the other great restaurants in Huntsville.
- Return to the inn for an evening fire. Soak your tired muscles in the hot tub or in a nice warm bath before sinking into bed.
Day 3: Almaguin Highlands
- Wake up to another great breakfast!
- Gather up your maps and list of things to see and do then head out to explore the region. In the summer months, don't forget to bring your bathing suits, beach towels, sunscreen, hat.
- Tour the sights, towns, trails and lakes of the Almaguin Highlands. Some you might want to include are: Long Lake for a swim; Birch Beach on Doe Lake for swimming or lounging; Brook's Falls (waterfall, swimming, short trail); the town of Burk's Falls for shopping and dining; Screaming Heads (bizarre outdoor artscape); the town of Magnetawan for swimming, viewing the locks, or just a pretty country drive; the town of Kearney (light meals, canoe & kayak rentals); search for Seguin Falls; hike the Forgotten Trails; visit local galleries, studios and shops.
- Care to see a lovely patch of the Highlands on horseback? Ask us about booking a private trail ride at a local farm.
- End your outing with a great dinner at Danny's Justa Pasta or bring take-out back to the inn for an al fresco meal on the deck.
- Back at the inn, enjoy a campfire under the stars and a comfy bed.
Day 4: Lazy Day (or not)
- Sleep in and have the later breakfast time.
- Walk the private trails through our 120 acre property or stroll down the Seguin Trail a short while to see a pretty little lake. Depending on the season, pick wild blueberries or raspberries along the way.
- Feeling ambitious? Hike the Seguin Trail from the inn to the town of Sprucedale. It should take you 3-4 hours to travel the 13km distance at a comfortable pace. Call us from town and we'll come pick you up. In the meantime, enjoy a well-earned lunch at the diner in the General Store.
- Stretch out on the deck loungers and read a book (we have lots if you didn't bring one) or practice the fine art of the afternoon nap.
- Raid our supply of lawn games and board games: play a match of bocce ball or croquet, Trivial Pursuit or chinese checkers.
- On a sunny afternoon, toss the beach towels in the car and make the short drive to Long Lake or Doe Lake for a swim.
- Have dinner at the inn (with advance notice). Or order in pizza delivery. Or for that summer beach feeling, pick up some fish & chips from one of the many chip trucks gracing the local towns.
Day 5: Parry Sound
- Breakfast awaits!
- Pick up a map and Parry Sound brochure from our reception area. Take the lovely, winding drive west to the town of Parry Sound on Georgian Bay.
- Cruise the Thirty Thousand Islands of Georgian Bay on the Island Queen ship. The morning cruise tours the inner islands while the afternoon cruise tours the wilderness of the outer islands. Call ahead for reservations to avoid disappointment.
- Hike through lovely Killbear Provincial Park, just north of town.
- Climb the Fire Tower high on the hill overlooking the town and bay. Visit the museum by the base of the tower.
- Have dinner in Parry Sound or head back eastward for a local meal.
- Last night to marvel at the dark, starry sky and be mesmerized by the embers of a campfire.
Day 6: Check-out and the journey home
- Yet another great breakfast to start your day!
- Walk around the property and take some photos before packing up and checking out.
- If you didn't get a chance to stroll the shops of downtown Huntsville yet, this is a good time to swing by.
- If you're not in a hurry to get home, we'll recommend some additional stops and detours on your way, such as: Arrowhead Provincial Park, the Dyer Memorial; and the Dorset Fire Tower.
- Back home in the real world... enjoy your photos and memories from a great escape to Fern Glen Inn!
