Our relaxed, early morning travel style is something we love, so much so, we wrote a blog and 2 free downloadable travel guides on it, “Your Daily Slow Travel Planner + Bonus Slow Morning Blueprint” request your free copies at the top of the page or through one of our pop ups.

For more on Collingwood, checkout our other articles “Top 10 Things to do in Collingwood, Ontario: Hiking Trails, Shopping, Waterfront Views, & Nearby Small Towns”, and “Travel Guide to Collingwood, Ontario: Where to Stay, Eat, & Essential Tips” (coming July 14^th).

For flights, car rentals, activities, and stays we use Expedia, if you make an account with them, you will earn travel dollars, with each booking, to go towards your next adventure. For tours, activities, and more, we use Get Your Guide or Viator.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a booking or purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend places, experiences, and products that we have personally used or genuinely believe add value to a trip.

1. Introduction:

Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, waterfront relaxation, or a charming small-town escape, Collingwood has something for everyone. Surrounded by the beauty of Georgian Bay and the Niagara Escarpment, it’s the perfect destination for hiking, shopping, beaches, great food, and exploring nearby villages. This five-day itinerary showcases the best ways to experience it all.

Before finalizing your itinerary, be sure to check the weather forecast. If rain is expected, consider swapping your beach or hiking days with one of the shopping days. Likewise, if you’re hoping to experience stunning sunrises or sunsets, try to schedule those days when clear skies are in the forecast, as the views along Georgian Bay are at their best when the weather cooperates.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend escape or a relaxing getaway, this five-day itinerary showcases some of the very best Collingwood and the surrounding area have to offer.

2. Day 1 – Explore Nottawa & Downtown Collingwood:

Today is about browsing unique one-of-a-kind shops at a leisurely pace, enjoying some good food and easing into your vacation.

Begin your morning in the charming village of Nottawa with breakfast at the Nottawa General Store & Café. Enjoy a freshly brewed coffee or tea paired with one of their delicious pastries or settle in for a hearty breakfast before starting your day. They are open every day from 8:00am to 6:00pm.

After breakfast, take some time to browse the historic general store before wandering next door to the Nottawa Cottage Bookstore, a hidden gem filled with new and used books perfect for every reader. It’s open 10:00am to 6:00pm but closed on Mondays.

From Nottawa, it’s only a short drive into downtown Collingwood. Spend the late morning strolling along Hurontario Street, where you’ll find an excellent collection of locally owned boutiques, specialty shops, and cafés. Be sure to stop into the Blue Mountain Tea Company to browse their impressive selection of loose-leaf teas, then treat yourself to a little relaxation with a wellness treatment or shop the large selection for skincare products at Body Bar Apothecary & Wellness Studio.

Murals on Main St.

Nottawa General Store & Café

The Collingwood sign on Hurontario St.

Choose one of the many restaurants along Hurontario Street for lunch before taking time to explore the colourful downtown murals that add character throughout the core. Checkout our post “Travel Guide on Collingwood, ON: Where to Stay, Eat & Essential Tips” (coming July 14^th) for some restaurant recommendations.

No visit is complete without a sweet treat from Mr. Norm’s Nephew Frozen Yogurt & Ice Cream, head over to 38 Pine Street, to this beloved local institution serving visitors since 1980 and a favourite summer tradition for generations. Depending on where you’re staying and if you have a kitchen or not, if so, you could pick up some groceries and enjoy a meal in tonight to save some money or checkout our restaurant recommendations.

3. Day 2 – Beach Day at Wasaga Beach:

Spend the day enjoying one of Ontario’s most iconic summer destinations—Wasaga Beach. But before you go, make a stop at the Collingwood Coffee Company drive-thru for one of their expertly brewed coffees and one (or two) of their famous and delicious cannoli—a perfect way to fuel your day.

Then Pack up your bathing suit, beach chair, umbrella, towel, sunscreen, picnic, and plenty of water before spending the day relaxing on the world’s longest freshwater beach. The warm, shallow waters make it perfect for swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking, while the expansive shoreline offers plenty of room for walking, beach games, or simply soaking up the sun.

Wasaga Beach

Enjoy lunch at one of the nearby restaurants or relax on the beach with a picnic before spending the afternoon exploring additional areas along the beach, in the little town or strolling along the shoreline. If you’ve spent enough time on the beach the town also offers, mini golf, go-karting, an adventure park, casino, and hiking at the Wasaga Provincial Park, so lots of options to fill your day.

After a full day in the sun, return to Collingwood for a relaxing evening, maybe pick up dinner and eat in tonight, checkout our post “Travel Guide to Collingwood, ON: Where to Stay, Eat, & Essential Tips” (coming July 14^th), for restaurant recommendations.

4. Day 3 – Blue Mountain Adventure:

Start Your Morning early with Coffee and Pastries at Royal Majesty Espresso Bar Bakery (opens at 8:00am) located in the heart of Blue Mountain Village. Enjoy a freshly brewed coffee paired with one of their house-made pastries, croissants, or cinnamon rolls before setting out for the day.

After breakfast, take a leisurely stroll through the village while it’s still quiet and uncrowded, a great time to take photos.

Ride the Open-Air Gondola (opens at 9:00am)

Take the scenic gondola ride to the summit and enjoy sweeping views of Georgian Bay, the Niagara Escarpment, and the surrounding countryside.

Spend the next hour or two exploring the summit trails.

Recommended hikes:

Sticks & Stones Trail, a 1km loop
Woodview Trail, a 1.2km trail
Columbia Lookout, an off-shoot lookout of the Sticks & Stones loop

These easy trails offer some of the finest panoramic views in Southern Ontario.

Enjoy a lunch on the patio at Summitview Restaurant while overlooking Georgian Bay. With its elevated setting and beautiful scenery, it’s one of the most enjoyable places to dine on the mountain. Alternatively, you could bring a picnic or have lunch in one of the many restaurants in Blue Mountain Village.

After lunch head back down to the Village, either take the open-air gondola back down or follow one of the marked hiking trails to the village. The descent typically takes between 50 to 80 minutes and passes through mature forest with some scenic viewpoints.

Once back in the village, if you purchased the limited-access or the full-access tickets you can enjoy some of the included attractions, (see below for more info on tickets).

Late Afternoon – Explore Blue Mountain Village, spend the remainder of the afternoon browsing the village’s boutiques, galleries, and specialty shops.

Before heading home, treat yourself to a BeaverTail, (very Canadian) an ice cream, or stop by The Greekery for a Greek iced coffee, frozen yogurt, or one of their signature desserts, (the Greekery is located on the pond behind the LCBO).

Blue Mountain Village

Hotels in Blue Mountain Resort

A few Blue Mountain Tips/Options-

If you’re staying in or around Blue Mountain, consider making reservations at the Summitview Restaurant for dinner on another evening. Guests with a dinner reservation after 5:00 p.m. receive a complimentary gondola ride to and from the restaurant. Watching the sun begin to set over Georgian Bay while enjoying dinner at the summit is one of Blue Mountain’s most memorable summer experiences.
If you are staying at the Blue Mountain Resort, check with your hotel as you may get a discount on the daily ticket options and free parking.

3. Gondola and Activities Ticket Options-

Single-Use Ticket

Ideal for hikers, photographers, and anyone looking to enjoy the mountain at a relaxed pace, who aren’t interested in the activities offered, and just wanted a return open-air gondola experience to get them up and down the mountain.

The single-use ticket does give you the option of choosing any 1 of the offered adventure experiences, but we are suggesting you use it for the open-air gondola ride up to the top of the mountain, it says that the single-use tickets not available online and must be purchased on site.

Adults are approximately $20 onsite.

Limited-Access Ticket

Ideal for families or anyone wanting to explore the top of the mountain, as well as enjoy a few additional adventure experiences.

Adults are approximately $35 online (which is cheaper then on-site), this pass includes:

One Return Open-Air Gondola ride
Three additional attractions of your choice (see below for options)

Full-Access Ticket

Perfect for visitors/families who want to experience as many attractions as possible.

Adults are approximately $56 online, the Full-Access Ticket includes unlimited access to many of Blue Mountain’s most popular attractions, including:

Open-Air Gondola
Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster
Timber Challenge High Ropes
Skywalk Challenge
Wind Rider Triple Zip Line
Lumber Lanes Climbing Centre
Plunge! Aquatic Centre
Mini Golf
Blue Mountain Private Beach

4. Parking Options-

Blue Mountain offers several convenient parking options.

Free parking is available in the outer village lots, P1A, P1, P3, P4, P5, and P6, approximately a 10 to 15-minute walk to the village or they offer a free shuttle to and from the village.

Paid premium parking is available closer to the village for those who prefer a shorter walk. And there is also accessible parking available. Arriving before 9:30 a.m. is recommended, particularly on weekends and holidays, otherwise it might be difficult to find a spot.

Whichever adventure you choose, Blue Mountain is one of Ontario’s premier summer destinations. With panoramic views, scenic hiking trails, excellent dining, exciting attractions, and a vibrant pedestrian village, it’s the perfect place to spend a summer day.

5. Day 4 – Scenic Hiking & Natural Wonders:

Today’s adventure is all about exploring the incredible natural beauty surrounding Collingwood.

Start your morning with a beautiful sunrise at Millennium Park, (checkout sunrise times here) and get up close and personal with the Terminals. Then drive to the Arboretum (behind the McDonalds) and explore, you can get some great photos of the Terminals and beautiful swans from this area. From here walk along a section of the Georgian Trail, this scenic multi-use pathway follows the shoreline and offers beautiful views of Georgian Bay.

Millennium Park

Swan at the Arboretum

At Sunset Point Beach

Next, head to Scenic Caves Nature Adventures to explore suspension bridges, forest trails, caves, and breathtaking lookouts over the Niagara Escarpment, they open at 9:00am. The costs start at $35.00 for adults, here there is a big suspension bridge, lookouts, minigolf, gemstone mining, and self-guided walking trails. Good hiking/running shoes are required and booking online in advance is recommended. This is located about 15 from downtown Collingwood near Blue Mountain Resort.

If you’re looking for an additional or alternative adventure, consider visiting the nearby Singhampton Caves, (part of the Bruce Trail) where unique rock formations and rugged landscapes offer another memorable hiking experience. It is free to hike here, and more rustic, less groomed than the Scenic Caves Nature Adventure, you still require good foot wear.

No matter where you choose to hike be sure to bring plenty of water, comfortable hiking shoes, and your camera—you’ll find countless photo opportunities throughout the day.

6. Day 5 – Thornbury & A Perfect Sunset:

Spend your final full day exploring the charming community of Thornbury.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before browsing the town’s unique boutiques, galleries, and specialty shops. We enjoyed the Thornbury Bakery Café, for a great breakfast, lots to choose from, it opens at 8:00am and has been serving customer since 1901.

Afterwards, take a relaxing walk along another section of the Georgian Trail, cross the bridge over the Beaver River and soak in the peaceful waterfront scenery.

The South Georgian Bay area is known for its apple orchards and produces 25% of Ontario’s annual apple crop. Due to the popularity of apples in this region, the local governments and businesses created the Apple Pie Trail to support regional agriculture and boost tourism. There are 29 businesses involved throughout the area and are related to apples in some way, everything from restaurants, bars, bakeries, orchards, cider houses, farms, distilleries, cheese shops, wine bars, and museums. 6 of the 29 are in Thornbury, so you could start with these and if you have time and interest, explore more of these local treasures.

Goldsmith Orchards

Thornbury Bakery Café est. 1901

Checkout the complete list here:

The Apple Pie Trail

Blue Mountain Village & Craigleith-

Firehall Pizza Co.

- Address: 162 Jozo Weider Blvd, The Blue Mountains,
- The Vibe: An authentic firehall-themed pizzeria serving apple-accented wood-fired pies and local draft ciders.

Kaytoo Restaurant & Bar

- Address: 176 Jozo Weider Blvd, The Blue Mountains,
- The Vibe: A Canadian-themed lodge offering regional comfort foods, Ontario craft beers, and local apple cocktails.

The Pottery Alpine Restaurant

- Address: 110 Jozo Weider Blvd, The Blue Mountains,
- The Vibe: Located inside Blue Mountain Inn, featuring farm-to-table dining showcasing regional pork and apple pairings.

Death Cookies

- Address: 100 Jozo Weider Blvd, The Blue Mountains,
- The Vibe: A cult-favorite local bakery famous for its legendary, decadent, massive signature sweet cookies.

Georgian Trail eBike Rentals

- Address: 156 Jozo Weider Blvd, The Blue Mountains,
- The Vibe: The prime rental shop for exploring the old rail trail across apple country on two wheels.

The Alphorn Restaurant

- Address: 209881 Highway 26, The Blue Mountains,
- The Vibe: A beloved Swiss-style chalet known for massive schnitzels, fondue, and warm apple strudels.

Beaver Valley & Clarksburg-

Alpine Ridge Alpacas

- Address: 157 Equalization Rd, Clarksburg,
- The Vibe: A unique agritourism farm stop where visitors can feed friendly alpacas right alongside rolling fields.

Oaklane Orchards

- Address: 496465 Grey Road 2, Clarksburg,
- The Vibe: A classic multi-generational, family-friendly estate offering expansive pick-your-own apple experiences.

T&K Ferri Orchards

- Address: 496415 Grey Road 2, Clarksburg,
- The Vibe: A highly specialized, high-density trellis orchard famous for growing massive, super-sweet Honeycrisp apples.

Ardiel Cider House (at Georgian Hills Vineyards)

- Address: 496350 Grey Road 2, Blue Mountains,
- The Vibe: A scenic winery estate offering paired flights of estate-grown wines and local Ardiel dry ciders.

Free Spirit Tours

- Address: 236793 Grey Road 13, Heathcote,
- The Vibe: An outdoor adventure outfitter organizing scenic apple country hikes and paddling trips down the Beaver River.

Blackbird Pie Company

- Address: 236753 Grey Road 13, Heathcote,
- The Vibe: A rustic, hidden-gem countryside bakery universally renowned for its mile-high apple crumble pies.

Spy Cider House & Distillery

- Address: 800810 Grey Road 40, The Blue Mountains,
- The Vibe: A geothermal-powered, mid-century modern distillery crafting premium hard ciders and apple brandies.

Farmer’s Pantry

- Address: 788030 Grey County Rd 13, Clarksburg,
- The Vibe: A massive family farm destination featuring a petting zoo, cedar mazes, and pick-your-own apple orchards.

Grey & Gold Cider

- Address: 788071 Grey County Rd 13, Clarksburg,
- The Vibe: An award-winning, sustainably minded farm cidery specializing in wild-fermented and botanically infused dry ciders.

reDiscovered on Marsh

- Address: 172 Marsh St, Clarksburg,
- The Vibe: A curated boutique marketplace featuring handcrafted goods, local artwork, and apple-inspired home decor.

Market on Marsh

- Address: 183 Marsh St, Clarksburg,
- The Vibe: A charming independent grocer stocking locally made preserves, fresh local cheeses, and seasonal produce.

Thornbury-

18. Thornbury Bakery Café

- Address: 12 Bruce St S, Thornbury,
- The Vibe: A historic community landmark, serving the public for 125 years, renowned for world-class sticky buns, fresh artisanal breads, and custom apple pastries.

The Cheese Gallery

- Address: 11 Bruce St S, Thornbury,
- The Vibe: A gourmet cheese shop and artisan space in a charming downtown gallery setting, pairing global cheeses with inventive treats like apple éclairs.

Bruce Wine Bar

- Address: 8 Bruce St S, Thornbury,
- The Vibe: An intimate, multi-level hidden gem passionate about farm-to-table dining, wood-fired pizzas, and apple cocktails.

Thornbury Craft Co. Cider House & Brewery

- Address: 90 King St E, Thornbury,
- The Vibe: Ontario’s most awarded craft cidery, featuring a massive taproom and patio serving tasting flights of crisp, fresh-pressed ciders.

Goldsmith’s Orchard Market

- Address: 207632 Highway 26, Thornbury,
- The Vibe: A beloved multi-generational farm market and bakery, home to the legendary “Thornberry Pie” blending local apples and fresh berries.

Thornbury Farmers’ Market

- Address: 30 Mill St, Thornbury, (Thornbury Park)
- The Vibe: A bustling local Sunday market featuring independent vendors selling fresh apple butter and homemade baked goods.

Meaford-

Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre

- Address: 12 Nelson St E, Meaford,
- The Vibe: A beautifully restored historic theatre hosting live musical performances, art galleries, and cultural events.

Meaford Museum at the Harbour

- Address: 111 Bayfield St, Meaford,
- The Vibe: A waterfront museum showcasing the deep maritime, agricultural, and apple-shipping heritage of the bay.

Meaford Farmers’ Market

- Address: 111 Bayfield St, Meaford, (Under the Pavilion)
- The Vibe: A vibrant community hub gathering regional micro-farmers, bakers, and unique food trucks.

Station 87 Kitchen & Bar

- Address: 87 Sykes St N, Meaford,
- The Vibe: A trendy, casual local eatery serving elevated pub classics alongside a heavy selection of regional ciders.

Good Family Farms

- Address: 157366 7th Line, Meaford,
- The Vibe: A certified organic, regenerative livestock and produce farm selling sustainable farm-fresh goods at their shop.

Windswept Cider

- Address: 317632 3 Line, Meaford,
- The Vibe: A boutique orchard cidery perched high on the escarpment crafting traditional, dry cider from rare heritage apples.

After exploring, return to downtown Collingwood for dinner along Hurontario Street, where you’ll find everything from casual pubs to upscale dining. More on where to stay, eat and some local tips, coming next week, (July 14^th).

To end your trip, make your way to Sunset Point Beach. As the name suggests, it’s one of the area’s best places to watch the sun dip below Georgian Bay, creating a spectacular display of colour and the perfect ending to your Collingwood getaway. Checkout sunrise and sunset times here and the weather here, you’ll want a clear night to experience this sunset.

Sunset Point Beach

7. Getting Around:

Having your own vehicle is highly recommended for this itinerary. While downtown Collingwood is very walkable, many of the region’s best attractions—including Wasaga Beach, Blue Mountain Village, Scenic Caves, Thornbury, Nottawa, and several hiking trails—are located a short drive apart. Parking is widely available throughout the area, making it easy to explore at your own pace. We’ve had great car rental rates through Expedia, check them out here.

Plan. Travel. Capture.

8. References:

For our Collingwood Travel Series, we created our top things to do, itinerary, and tips and recommendations from our own experiences we had through multiple visits to this beautiful area, as well, we recieved recommendations from locals, which helped shape our adventure. In addition, we like to explore the official tourism websites, (Collingwood.ca) attraction sites, public transportation resources when needed (like buses, and ferries), and a few local food blogs to see what local foods piques your interest. Google Maps for driving and walking distances, and tour apps for any activities, like Get Your Guide, Viator or Expedia. We hope you find this 5-day itinerary helpful when planning your own adventure to this beautiful Canadian Town.

Northwinds Beach

9. The Wrap up:

Collingwood offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure, waterfront relaxation, small-town charm, and exceptional local food. Whether you’re spending your days hiking scenic trails, relaxing on the beach, exploring boutique shops, or enjoying a coffee with a view, every day brings a new experience.

This five-day itinerary is designed to help you experience the best of the region while still leaving plenty of opportunities to slow down and discover your own favourite hidden gems. No matter the season, Collingwood is a destination you’ll find yourself wanting to return to again and again.

Plan Better. Travel Slower. Capture More.

Thank you,

Beth

Beth de Verteuil

Wild Meadow Studio