About Orillia, Ontario
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city to lake country. Whether you are looking to explore Orillia in one afternoon to an entire weekend, we will help demonstrate all the wonders the sunshine city has to offer. People who live in Orillia experience the best of both worlds. Orillia is less than 90 minutes from the Greater Toronto Area. Even though growth and progress have been strong in recent years, the Sunshine City has worked hard to retain the small-town charm that has captivated generations. In fact, Orillia has learned to look to the future while celebrating its past. Quality of life is unbeatable in this city surrounded by two lakes, where outdoor pursuits are available in all seasons and are enjoyed by both visitors and residents.
Residents have access to an excellent hospital as well as a range of other public services, including a new state-of-the-art recreation complex, and a brand new public library, which complement a community that also boasts a thriving, historic downtown.
Orillia is also home to Ontario’s newest university. Lakehead University operates a growing presence in Orillia with two locations: one in the historic centre of the downtown and a main campus in West Orillia. Opportunity abounds in Orillia where major employers include the Ontario Provincial Police Headquarters, Casino Rama and Nordia. Orillia is an enchanting place to visit, a great place to work, an ideal place to do business, and a wonderful place to live.
Orillia
Things to do in Orillia
Couchiching Beach Park
Couchiching Beach Park includes the town dock and sandy beach areas that attract many to Lake Couchiching each summer. This 14.5-acre park is home to many special events and features the historic Champlain Monument. The Rotary Train, run by the Rotary Club of Orillia, is stationed at Couchiching Beach Park and brings joy to many visitors during the summer months. It starts running around the end of June until the beginning of September on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It does run on holiday Mondays.
Casino Rama Resort
Casino Rama Resort is Ontario's premier gaming & entertainment destination and has earned a reputation for presenting exclusive world-class sporting, entertainment & television events. Located near Orillia, Ontario, and just 90 minutes from Toronto, the resort offers a complete entertainment experience with over 2,200 slot machines, more than 60 gaming tables, 8 unique restaurants, a world-class 5,000 seat Entertainment Centre, and a 300-room all-suite, full-service hotel, featuring spa and health club facilities. Casino Rama Resort is operated by Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited.
The OPP Museum
The OPP Museum is accountable for its collections to pass them on to future generations. It advances knowledge by making the collections and information bout them accessible to its members, and the general public. The museum's basic responsibilities of stewardship and public service are expressed by preserving, documenting and interpreting artifacts and archival materials that help to build an understanding of the history of policing in Ontario since the formation of Upper Canada in 1791, specializing in the material culture of the Ontario Provincial Police from 1909.
Orillia Fairgrounds Farmers' Market
At the Fairgrounds Farmers' Market, we are passionate about providing fresh and high-quality produce and artisanal goods to our community. Located at 4500 Fairgrounds Rd, Severn, ON, L3V 0Y2, our market operates every Saturday morning from 8am to 1pm, creating a vibrant hub for local farmers, vendors, and shoppers. As a certified farmers' market, operated by a true majority of farmers, we prioritize integrity, authenticity, and respect above all else. Our diverse selection of fresh produce, baked goods, specialty groceries, and crafts reflects our commitment to promoting sustainable and healthy living. Each product you find at our market is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our local farmers and artisans.
Scout Valley
A 230-acre City-owned oasis, Scout Valley is located at the south-west edge of Orillia, bounded by Highway 11 and Old Barrie Road. There are three loop trails at Scout Valley, which is dominated by mature deciduous forest. There is also a refreshing spring of water and a small stream. At the top of the hill is a lookout with fine views across Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching. The oldest house in Orillia, known as Regan House, has found new life at Scout Valley after being moved and lovingly reconstructed at the Line 15 parking lot entrance.
Orillia Museum of Art and History
The Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH) is a hub of culture and heritage located down in the heart of Orillia's Peter Street Arts District. The clock tower of our Sir Samuel Steele Memorial Building is a beacon for our historical location. For over twenty years OMAH has been inspiring creativity and celebrating history, growing as a hub for local artists and historians.
Port of Orillia
Every summer thousands of boaters dock at the Port of Orillia. For many, we are a destination; for others, a special stop on a voyage through the historic 386 km Trent-Severn Waterway. Our adjacent waterfront parks offer scenic trails, sand beach, picnic areas, and free Saturday and Sunday evening band concerts. The Port is steps away Downtown Orillia with its excellent restaurants, pubs and shopping.
Bass Lake Provincial Park
This little lake is home to one of Ontario’s Provincial Parks which includes on site facilities such as camping, picnic areas, a beach, a playground, a retail store and rentals on site. Bass Lake’s shallow, clear waters are the perfect spot to learn how to paddle. The west shoreline of this route is undeveloped creating a sense of seclusion including a marsh area to see wildlife, while the northeastern part of the route allows for the opportunity to stop along the shoreline and walk to the nearby restaurant. There are various locations to access the lake, but the recommended launch is right in Bass Lake Provincial Park.