Discover Barrie: Waterfront Trails, Art and History

Barrie combines waterfront and parkland with public trails, art and locally interpreted history. If you choose the city as a travel destination, you can plan your visit around these different interests: Kempenfelt Bay, hiking and cycling trails, or cultural attractions and historical topics.

Waterfront, parks and trails

The waterfront promenade is complemented by more than 350 hectares of landscaped parkland. Four larger beaches along Kempenfelt Bay are part of the waterfront’s recreational offerings. The beaches are part of a seasonal offering; check current beach advisories before swimming. Conditions and access to parkland may also change seasonally.

For outdoor activities, Barrie has a public trail network of more than 88 kilometres. One specific waterfront route is the Waterfront Trail: about 6.7 kilometres long, it runs mostly on flat, paved surfaces through waterfront parks. The North Shore Trail, in turn, runs along the entire length of the north shore of Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie. Municipal work may affect access, so check current advisories when planning your outing.

The Nine Mile Portage Heritage Trail can be described by its endpoints: it runs between Meridian Place in downtown Barrie and Fort Willow in Springwater Township, and can be used for hiking and cycling. Some sections may be affected by maintenance work or seasonal conditions. By comparison, the information about the Waterfront Trail specifies its approximate length, surface and terrain; for the Nine Mile Portage, the focus is on the connection between the two named endpoints and the activities available.

There are different landscape features to explore beyond the waterfront parks, too. The Ardagh Bluffs include 17 kilometres of trails across 524 acres; most of the area is designated Environmentally Protected (EP). Sunnidale Park is in northwest Barrie and covers 48.5 acres. The park includes the Barrie Arboretum and trails. These details offer different points of reference if you would like to include nature and trails in your travel plans.

Art and history in Barrie

The Spirit Catcher has stood on Barrie’s waterfront on municipal property since 1987. In 1989, the work was added to the permanent collection of the MacLaren Art Centre. Located downtown, the art centre includes several galleries, an education centre and a sculpture courtyard. Barrie is therefore home to both public art and an art centre with a variety of spaces.

Two self-guided experiences offer different ways to explore history. The Waterfront Heritage Trail is an outdoor waterfront experience with interpretive displays. The Heritage Barrie Walking Tour follows streets past historic homes, shops and landmarks. One focuses on interpretation along the waterfront; the other, on historic buildings and places in the streetscape.

Other historical attractions have different areas of focus. Military Heritage Park was dedicated on June 6, 2009, to recognize the significant relationship between Barrie and Canadian Forces Base Borden, as well as the community’s military involvement and history. The Rotary Club of Barrie and City Council contributed to the facility. At the Peggy Hill Team Community Centre, the Holly History installation uses wall panels to present the history of the Holly neighbourhood, its settlers, Holly’s war veterans and the Indigenous history of the region. At the Grey & Simcoe Foresters Regimental Museum, you can view historical artefacts, including uniforms from various eras, medals, field equipment, official awards and historical documents.

Market, tours and events

Every Saturday, the Barrie Farmers’ Market brings together local farmers, food producers and artisans offering products from the region. The mix of vendors changes seasonally. The market is a destination in its own right if you would like to include local producers and crafts in your travel plans.

Tours of Barrie fire stations can be booked. The tour of Station 1 includes a fire museum and lasts 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the number of visitors and their questions. Confirm booking options and details with Barrie Fire before your trip.

Doors Open Barrie takes place annually and offers free public tours of local landmarks. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the announced date for that year’s edition. This helps distinguish events from the art, history and trail attractions described as ongoing features.

Discover more destinations: Oro, Tiny, Alliston, Victoria Harbour, Wymbolwood Beach, Angus, Midland, Port Severn.

For the broader travel overview: Simcoe County.