Last Updated on July 29, 2025
Orillia is a historic small city in Ontario, just 90 minutes north of Toronto. Known as the “Sunshine City,” it’s positioned between Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching, with a waterfront area, mainstreet shopping, beautiful parks, and a small-town feel.
My partner Luke and I love hopping in our car-share to go on weekend trips, and Orillia is the perfect place for one – especially in winter! You can escape to Orillia to enjoy cozy coffee shops, local shopping, wintry walks, and for winter activities like snow tubing.
During winter in Orillia, you have the chance to embrace Ontario’s winter season, and then warm up in one of the city’s cute eateries like the Hog and Penny, or bustling breweries like Quayle’s.
Ready to visit Orillia in winter? Let’s dive into what to do in this beautiful city.
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How to Get to Orillia, Ontario
The best way to get to Orillia is by car. While it’s possible to reach Orillia using public transit (I’ve taken the bus to Orillia from Toronto a few times!), for this weekend in Orillia you will need a car. Having a car will make it simple to get to activities that this itinerary includes, that are outside of the city in the Oro-Medonte region.
Here’s driving instructions for reaching Orillia from three nearby cities:
From Toronto: Drive north on Highway 400 for about 125 km, following signs for Barrie and Parry Sound. Take Exit 131 for Highway 12 East toward Orillia and continue for approximately 15 km into the city. The drive takes about 90 minutes, depending on traffic.
From Ottawa: Drive west on Highway 417, which becomes Highway 17, and merge onto Highway 416 South toward Toronto. Take Highway 401 West, then connect to Highway 400 North toward Barrie. Finally, take Exit 131 for Highway 12 East toward Orillia. The trip is about 450 km and takes approximately 4.5 to 5 hours, depending on traffic and stops.
From Barrie: Head north on Highway 11 for about 35 km and take the exit for Highway 12 West toward Orillia. Follow Highway 12 for a short distance into the city. The drive is quick and typically takes around 25-30 minutes.
Need a car rental? Discover Cars compares the prices for a vehicle from a variety of suppliers to ensure you get the cheapest rate, and you can reserve your car rental in advance. Reserve a car rental here!
Where to Stay in Orillia
For a cozy winter weekend in Orillia, I recommend staying at the Champlain Waterfront Hotel. This historic hotel, located at the corner of Front Street and Mississaga Street in downtown Orillia, originally opened in 1932.
It was considered a prime location, being close to Orillia’s waterfront and within walking distance to the downtown core of Orillia, which is filled with shops and restaurants – and it continues to be a prime location today!
These days, Champlain Waterfront Hotel offers everything you could possibly need: free wireless internet, complimentary breakfast and free parking. All guest rooms include a refrigerator, 49-inch LCD television, Keurig coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board.
Aside from its historic charm, Champlain Waterfront Hotel is a convenient location for a stay in Orillia. After a day of enjoying nearby winter activities, you can come back to the Champlain Waterfront Hotel, park your car, warm up, and then go for a walk to Orillia’s waterfront, or to nearby coffee shops, shopping, and dineries.
If you want to have an especially cozy stay at Champlain Waterfront Hotel, I recommend booking into one of the hotel’s king fireplace rooms!
Champlain Waterfront Hotel
6 Winter Activities in Orillia, Ontario
If you’re in southern Ontario, heading north is the best way to embrace Ontario winter. You may not want to drive as far north as Thunder Bay, or even Huntsville, especially if you’re looking to go on just a weekend getaway. For many in southern Ontario, Orillia is much closer, making it perfect for a winter escape.
Ready to experience winter in Orillia? Here’s 6 winter-themed activities you won’t want to miss.
1. Go snow tubing at Horseshoe Valley Resort
Snow tubing at Horseshoe Valley Resort is a fun winter activity that’s just 20 minutes from Orillia. With multiple lanes and a magic carpet lift to take you back up the hill, it’s an exciting way to enjoy the snow without needing any special skills.
While this is a family-friendly activity, I can confirm it’s tons of fun for all ages. Luke and I had a blast going down the hill together – sometimes opting to have the staff send us spinning!
Be sure to dress warmly in layers, including a waterproof jacket, snow pants, gloves, and winter boots, to stay comfortable. The resort provides tubes, so all you need is your energy and enthusiasm.
The lift passes for snow tubing at Horseshoe Valley Resort are issued in 2-hour windows. It’s best to check the time slots on their website in advance, and if you like, you can buy your pass in advance, too.
2. Enjoy delicious bagels at Poppies Bagel Company
Poppies Bagel Company, located at 42 Mississaga St W, opened its doors in July 2024. Founded by Britt Hicks and Cam Fraser, this little bagel shop specializes in hand-rolled, New York-style bagels.
This is the place to go for breakfast or lunch in Orillia! You’re guaranteed to find Poppies Bagel Company busy with locals and visitors, swinging by for one of their bagel sandwiches, or to pick up a dozen bagels to go. You can choose from their selection of bagel types, including everything, jalapeño cheese, and cinnamon, and also pick up some of their house-made cream cheeses.
When we stopped by Poppies Bagel Company for breakfast in January 2025, we were impressed by how warm and friendly the staff were (despite it being so busy!), and we had the chance to have a quick chat with Cam, one of the co-owners.
You have the option to grab a bagel sandwich and coffee to enjoy there (they have a couple small tables you can sit at), or, you can grab your bagels and coffee to go. We had their smoked salmon bagel and it did not disappoint!
3. Go for a wintry walk at Scout Valley
Scout Valley is a 230-acre, city-owned park that’s located just outside of Orillia. The park features three loop trails—Algonquin, Sugarbush, and Homestead—each approximately 2 kilometers long. Together, these trails total about 6 kilometers of natural pathways that are absolutely beautiful during winter.
As you walk (or snowshoe!) one of Scout Valley’s trails during winter, you can admire mature deciduous trees that are covered in snow. During the winter, the park’s forest is quiet and peaceful – the perfect place to enjoy Ontario in winter!
Scout Valley’s three trails are well-marked. Be sure not to miss a lookout with views of Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching!
On a walk at Scout Valley during January 2025.
4. Taste craft beers at Quayle’s Brewery
Quayle’s Brewery, located in Oro-Medonte, Ontario, is approximately 14 kilometers from Orillia. This farm brewery opened in 2020 with the goal of becoming a world class hop yard and farm brewery. The name “Quayle’s” comes from the family name of one of the brewery’s co-owner’s, that has origins in the Isle of Man, located in the Irish Sea. You’ll see lots of references to the Isle of Man inside the brewery!
Quayle’s is more than just a brewery – it’s known for its family-friendly community events, too. During winter, the spacious beer garden that Quayle’s is known for is closed, but that’s okay! On mild (or chilly!) days you can still enjoy the outdoors by drinking a beer next to one of their fire pits.
Or, head inside to warm up with a fresh glass of rotating craft beer and a delicious meal from their food menu, which includes shareables and mains. There’s a selection of games you can choose from to keep yourself (and maybe your kids) entertained, and often, there’s live performances creating a cozy, lively atmosphere.
Ahead of your visit to Quayle’s Brewery, be sure to check their schedule for special events like horse-drawn sleigh rides, comedy nights, trivia nights, and euchre tournaments.
5. Check out the shopping in downtown Orillia
Winter in Orillia isn’t complete without a bit of shopping! The main street in Orillia’s downtown core is Mississaga Street. It stretches from Orillia’s waterfront nearly all the way to Highway 12, but most of the boutique shops are concentrated in the downtown area, near Lake Couchiching.
You’ll want to go for a leisurely stroll up Mississaga Street, popping into some of the locally-owned shops. Stop by The Rind & Truckle to browse artisanal cheese and goods. The staff here are super knowledgeable, so if you’re a fan of charcuterie, they’ll help you make some great selections.
Another must-visit shop is the Mariposa Market. This old-fashioned general store has been a favourite place for family and friends to meet for the past 34 years – in fact, I remember visiting the Mariposa Market when I was a kid! The shop is inside a 1911 heritage building that houses a bakery, two cafes and two unique shops where you’ll find local syrup and honeys along with preserves and chutneys. While in the Mariposa Market, be sure to grab some of their Texas Donuts, and summer sausage.
If you like vintage shopping, head to Pocket Skate & Vintage. This locally-owned shop has a curated selection of unique vintage clothing along with a section of the shop that is dedicated to their quality skateboard brands and apparel. The staff here are friendly and they know their stuff about snowboarding and skating, so it’s a must-visit while in Orillia!
6. Enjoy Orillia’s restaurants and cafes
I promise you, you will eat well on a winter trip to Orillia. Orillia is home to a variety of restaurants ranging from comfort food and pub fare to contemporary, creative dining.
The Hog & Penny, known as “Orillia’s Pub” is an authentic British pub in downtown Orillia. They serve delicious classics like salmon gravlax, scotch egg, and British chips, in a cozy setting. The Hog & Penny hosts a variety of events like trivia night and live Celtic music. If you go on a Friday, be sure to stick around until 9:00 PM, which is when they start live music and a singalong!
Another must when it comes to dining in Orillia is FARE. This waterfront restaurant is the place to go for a contemporary cuisine menu.
FARE is in a beautiful winter setting, located on the Stephen Leacock grounds, where you’ll find a museum dedicated to the writer. From the restaurant’s windows, you have a view of the frozen lake. When we dined there in January 2025, there were kids playing ice hockey right outside of FARE.
Orillia is also home to many cozy cafes, like the Lone Wolf Cafe. This downtown Orillia cafe sources premium beans to ensure every cup is perfect! They also offer a menu of fresh, locally-sourced pastries, sandwiches, and snacks. More than just a cafe, it serves as a community hub, hosting regular events like music nights, cocktail nights, and art exhibitions.
Lone Wolf Cafe
Final Thoughts: Visiting Orillia in Winter
Orillia truly stands out as a place to head to for a winter getaway. Whether you’re snow tubing at Horseshoe Valley Resort, exploring the trails at Scout Valley, or enjoying a craft beer at Quayle’s Brewery, there’s plenty to fill up a winter weekend in Orillia.
As with visiting anywhere in Ontario (and the world!), be sure to follow best practices for being a responsible tourist. Do your best to support local businesses while in Orillia, be respectful towards any wildlife you encounter while enjoying the outdoors, pack in and pack out, and be sure to slow down to really take things in and enjoy Orillia!
Bundle up, and make your way to Orillia this winter season—you’ll have tons of fun and leave with a new appreciation for this beautiful “Sunshine City.”
I want to thank Orillia & Lake Country Tourism for hosting us as media. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
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