Barrie has become a destination for Canadian tourism, thanks to its historic waterfront on Lake Simcoe and the well-preserved buildings in its 19th-century downtown. Two major performing arts centers, the Mady Centre and the Georgian Theatre, anchor a vibrant cultural scene accentuated with a selection of museums in and around the city. Aficionados of regional and military history will find plenty to keep them engaged, while art lovers can admire works in Barrie’s galleries.
Camp Borden, located 14 miles southeast of downtown Barrie, trained over half the Canadian soldiers that served in World Wars I and II, and now provides a home for one of the largest military museums in Canada. Borden Military Museum tells the story of Camp Borden and allows guests to admire a massive collection of armored vehicles. The Grey & Simcoe Foresters Museum, located in a 19th-century drill hall in downtown Barrie, honors one of the most storied regiments in the Canadian Army. The museum presents exhibits on the entire span of the regiment’s activities, from involvement in the 20th century’s largest international conflicts, to domestic relief for major disasters like the 1997 Manitoba floods.
Discovery Harbour, located on Georgian Bay 35 miles north of Barrie, preserves a scenic waterfront site that memorializes the region's settlement as a naval outpost in the early 19th century. Guests can stroll along historic docks, explore reconstructed barracks and climb aboard two replica tall ships, the H.M.S. Bee and H.S.M. Tecumseth. Travelers in Barrie can drive 32 miles north to visit Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons, the headquarters for the Huron mission of the French Jesuits. Visitors can enjoy a glimpse into the world of 17th-century upper Canada, brought to life with a costumed tour staff and more than two dozen reconstructed buildings.
The Simcoe County Museum, located just five miles from downtown Barrie, delivers regional history on a grand scale, with five central galleries and 16 separate display buildings in a 327-acre park. Exhibits cover the entire span of Simcoe County history, from the prehistoric area to the present, and include artifacts like a mastodon skull, a reconstructed Wendat longhouse and farm equipment like a 1922 steam shovel. Barrie’s Main Street exhibit transports visitors back to Barrie at the turn of the 20th century, with recreations of actual businesses. The Simcoe County Museum also provides a home for restored buildings transported from around the area, including an 1834 log cabin.
The downtown MacLaren Art Centre occupies an expanded 1917 Carnegie library and serves as the central gallery space for the visual arts in Barrie. The MacLaren Art Centre hosts a full schedule of rotating exhibitions from local and international artists, with a permanent collection of 26,000 pieces. Visitors can also sign up for classes and workshops, with options available for all ages. The Edge Gallery, located just three blocks away, focuses on local and regional artists. Visitors can browse works for sale and also enjoy a schedule of themed exhibitions.
