An escape to Ontario’s beloved cottage country gives us something special in every season. Find inspiration for your next getaway with an inside look from a Torontonian turned local.
By Anna Cipollone
With charming little towns nestled along the water’s edge of Muskoka’s many lakes and rivers, a distinct mood permeates the abundance of natural beauty that surrounds. Colloquially known as “the Hamptons of the North,” scenic forests and lakeside vistas are adored by both the celebrities who summer on star-studded Billionaire’s Row and those seeking refuge in a nature preserve.
With vibrant restaurants, studios, and retreats, there’s no shortage of ways to enhance your wellbeing within Muskoka’s tranquil setting. Here, we’ve captured the requisite musts to invigorate your body and nourish your mind on your next sojourn up north.
LIVE WELL
The Boathouse Yoga Co.
Within a rustic antique boathouse on the northern edge of Lake Rosseau, bare bones post-beam interiors are the perfect backdrop for finding your flow. Weekday vinyasa classes from May to October will leave you feeling grounded, sun-kissed, and serene.
Locals Know: Weekends can get busy, but there’s extra outdoor space on the dock to roll out your mat.
Flow Pilates + Social
For diehard Pilates devotees, it’s rare to find a reformer class beyond the city. This boutique studio is right in the heart of downtown Bracebridge and boasts classes for every level, from beginner reformer to barre-pilates on the mat to postnatal.
Locals Know: Get a group together and book a semi-private class.
Cedar Healing Arts
Yoga teacher and licensed Chinese medicine acupuncturist Sonja den Elzen hosts classes and retreats at her Gravenhurst wellness hub, with an inspiring roster of guest teachers. Experience the potent healing of acupuncture, qigong, and Traditional Chinese Medicine with a private treatment in the clinic.
Locals Know: An immersive yin yoga and sound journey class settles your nervous system with crystal bowls and ear seed therapy to stimulate acupressure points.
Salt Hot Yoga
For the unrivalled experience of soothing heat therapy, balance your body and breath within a Huntsville yoga space rooted in a salt-of-the-earth community. Classes range from dynamic to restorative—choose from a vigorous hot pilates class or a slow vinyasa flow in a warm room.
Locals Know: Walk to class along scenic Hunter’s Bay Trail, a floating boardwalk that hugs the Muskoka River.
EAT WELL
Jack & Stella
A contemporary cafe and restaurant with dockside seating overlooking Bala Bay, come for your morning mocha or imbibe in the evening at the bar. From a delightful home decor boutique to a studio offering three daily yoga/pilates classes six days a week, a quick visit can easily become a full day of bliss.
Locals Know: Go on Saturdays for live music, and don’t miss Georgie’s mini doughnuts at the adjacent pink sugar shack.
The Pearl
Discover simple cottage comforts in harmony with elevated cuisine. Whether you grab a cappuccino to go, dine al fresco, or shop a curated artisanal market for the pantry essentials you crave, decompress within the calming modern aesthetic of this plush snack bar.
Locals Know: The Black Pearl is a sublime signature cocktail–a blend of housemade blackberry purée, gin, crème de cassis, lemon juice, and Cointreau.
Wild Muskoka Botanicals
Huntsville-based herbalist Laura Gilmour sustainably produces a collection of wildcrafted botanicals and artisanal tonics. Join her for a foraging workshop, where you’ll be guided through the forest in pursuit of nature’s finest ingredients while promoting reconnection with the earth and traditional herbal medicine.
Locals Know: Rejuvenate with the locally made elderberry syrup–an organic elixir that boosts immune function and is today’s trendiest health brew.
Relish
A cafe, kitchen, and health food haven owned by mother-daughter duo Jess and Emily, a visit here marks your official arrival at the gateway to Muskoka. Within a historic church in downtown Gravenhurst, stock up on necessities like soups and salads, a maple vanilla latte, and fresh dishes prepared in-house from their to-go counter.
Locals Know: Try the chicken caesar wrap with a Green Dream smoothie (we love adding boosters like hemp seeds, moringa, and aloe vera).
TRAVEL WELL
Windermere House
Enjoy nostalgic lore with historic roots dating back to 1870 at this elegant Victorian-style resort, rebuilt in the mid-1990s after a destructive fire. Known as the Lady of the Lake, its classical embrace is felt at every vantage point. With panoramic views from the barrel saunas overlooking Lake Rosseau, impressive culinary fare, and seasonal sports like tennis and pickleball, this is timeless Muskoka relaxation at its best.
Locals Know: Chef Kee serves refined sushi platters in the summer months.
The Northridge Inn
Country chic with all the sumptuous fixings you left behind in the city. This Sundridge resort has a unique mix of picturesque accommodations–a vintage 1971 Airstream or glamping tent are standout options for an unforgettable visit to this luxe hideaway. Explore bold culinary flavours from Chef Bronwyn Solomon, whether dining on the terrace or in the fireside lounge.
Locals Know: In July and August, sip cocktails poolside while soaking in the calm waterfront.
Muskoka Dome
A geodesic dome in the woods of Bracebridge treats you to sweeping views and a skylight to the stars. This laid-back retreat reconnects visitors with the benefits of forest bathing within a modern loft space, ensuring an unrivalled, therapeutic experience in a remote sanctuary.
Locals Know: Add the DIY oyster bar package for everything you need to shuck like a pro.
Eco Bay Chalet
An expansive modern space with luxury amenities on the waterfront, well-suited to a mindful reset. Unwinding becomes effortless within the newly built chalet that blends open-concept contemporary design with all the extras you find at an extravagant hotel.
Locals Know: Located on an environmentally-protected Bay with no motorized boating, canoeing and kayaking invite space for quietude and self-reflection.