Discover Orillia: Art, History and Water

Orillia offers several distinct themes for a stay: art in public spaces, theatre and museum offerings, Stephen Leacock’s history, and the historic Trent-Severn Waterway. If you’re looking for a hotel in Orillia, it helps to first decide whether culture, local history, or the connection to the water will shape your stay.

Art and Culture in Orillia

The Orillia Arts District in Downtown Orillia spans more than two city blocks and includes independent galleries, studios, and creative spaces. There’s also Streets Alive, an annual art project in the city centre. From spring through fall, life-size sculptures are displayed around a different theme each year; the details of the presentation may vary from year to year.

Since opening in 1895, the Orillia Opera House has been a focal point of the city’s cultural life. Art and local history are the focus at the Orillia Museum of Art & History, which explores both through exhibitions, programs, and tours. Individual programs may change.

St. Paul's Centre is also one of Orillia’s event venues. Its Great Hall has 400 seats and hosts concerts, workshops, and other cultural events throughout the year; the program varies. The Centre also hosts the annual Roots North Music Festival. Orillia’s cultural offerings thus encompass a range of formats, from public art projects to events in halls.

Stephen Leacock and Historical Connections

Stephen Leacock’s story in Orillia is tied to specific years: he acquired Old Brewery Bay in 1908 and had the Leacock House built there in 1928. The Leacock Museum offers self-guided tours daily. Ticketing arrangements and daily availability may change; if you’re planning a tour, check the latest information in advance.

Harbour and Trent-Severn Waterway

The Port of Orillia is a municipal waterfront harbour facility. It is owned by the City of Orillia and operated by the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce. Boating services and reservations are seasonal. If you’re planning to use these services, check current dates and reservation options in advance.

Orillia is also a stop along the historic Trent-Severn Waterway, which is 386 kilometres long. Navigation conditions and services may vary seasonally. The length refers to the entire waterway; the Port of Orillia is the harbour facility in the city. This helps distinguish the specific harbour from the larger waterway.

Market, Trails, and Mobile Tours

The Orillia Farmers’ Market offers fresh produce and handcrafted goods and takes place weekly in Orillia. Schedules and venues may change, and seasonal details should also be taken into account. So, if you’d like to include the market in your plans, check the latest dates and venue before your visit.

For another way to explore, the City of Orillia maintains a trail network of more than 29 kilometres. Tripvia Tours is a free app with three guided mobile tours of some of Orillia’s most notable attractions. The trail network and the app offer different ways to find your way around: the city specifies the network’s length, while Tripvia Tours brings together three themed guided tours. As the digital offering may change, check the app’s current availability if you’re interested.

Discover more destinations: Borden, Wasaga Beach, Duntroon, Victoria Harbour, Tiny, Waubaushene, Nottawa, Brechin

For the broader travel overview: Simcoe County.