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Things to do & Places to see

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Quick Links

Here are some of the most highly rated activities and Attractions in Owen Sound and area. Start your own bucket list, and let us know your favourites! For seasonal highlights, including the salmon run, Festival of Northern Lights, Summerfolk Music Festival and more, see our Festival and Events.

 

Top 10 Physically Distanced Outdoor Activities

  • Picnics in Green Spaces/Parks
  • Open spaces (Duncan McLellan, Garafraxa, Kinsmen Park, St. Julien’s Park, Owen Heights, Alexandra Park, Owen Sound Kiwanis Club Soccer Complex, Kelso Beach Soccer Field)
  • West Rocks Exploring
  • Sport Activities (Harrison Field, St. Julien’s Park, Tom Williams)
  • Hiking (Bruce Trail, Stoney Orchard Park, Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, Tom Thomson Trail)
  • Self-Guided Owen Sound Tours (Saints and Sinners - Corkscrew City Tour, Owen Sound Walking Tour, Cemetery Tour, Wiidosendiwag-Walking Together Tour, the Freedom Trail and the fall Salmon Run Tour)
  • Cycling Routes (Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, The Fitness Trail - Harrison Park, Tom Thomson Trail, & Bruce Trail)
  • ATV/Snowmobile trails
  • Strolling the River District
  • Canoeing/Kayaking/SUP'ing the Rivers, inner Harbour and Georgian Bay
  • Cycle the Sound - endless Streets and Avenues to explore!
 Top Sunrise/Sunset Local Views
  • Bayshore Community Center
  • Centennial Tower
  • Kelso Beach
  • Skinners Bluff
  • Hibou Conservation Area
  • Owen Sound Boat Launch 
  • On the Water - Georgian Bay

 

 Instagram Worthy 
  • Owen Sound Mural (Circle K Convenience)
  • Artists Alley (2nd Ave East between Milk Maid & Bleeding Carrot)
  • Harbour Front
  • Weavers Creek
  • Inglis Falls
  • Centennial Tower
  • Harrison Park 
  • River District

Top "Easy Hiking" Self-Guided Excursions 

  • Jones Falls
  • West Rocks Hiking Trails
  • Bruce Trail
  • Stoney Orchard Park
  • Waterfront trail
  • Tom Thomson Trail
 Top 2021 Summer and Fall Events
  • Music in the Market 
  • Harbour Nights 
  • Moonlight Madness - River District Friday, December 3, until 9 p.m.

 Top Outdoor Activities
  • Sport Activities (Harrison Field, St. Julien’s Park, Tom Williams Park)
  • Hiking (Bruce Trail, Stoney Orchard Park, Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, Tom Thomson Trail)
  • Mill Dam
  • Canoeing/Kayaking/SUP'ing the Rivers, inner Harbour and Georgian Bay
  • Bike Trails (Salmon Tour Trail, Owen Sound East Loop, Owen Sound Girl Guide Route) 
 Favourite Local Takeout Food 
  • Ted and Grace’s
  • Casero’s Kitchen Table
  • Harrison Park Inn
  • Sundays Ice Cream
  • Birgit’s Café and Bakery
  • Elsie’s Diner
  • Frog Pond Café
  • Yummy Yummy
  • Mochi Bubble Tea
  • Sprout
  • Mr. Khan’s Gyro and Fish
  • Papa J's Crave Cave (Kelso Beach) seasonal

Note:

The Farmers' Market is open  8:00 AM  to 12:30 AM on Saturday's. 

Live performances are postponed until further notice, and will resume once restrictions are lifted. Top 5 things to do

Waterfalls Tour

As part of the Waterfalls Tour, Inglis Falls is one of the grandest waterfalls in the region and a must-see when visiting Owen Sound. We also have three more: Weaver's Creek Falls, Jones Falls and Indian Falls.

Harrison Park

The city's jewel in the crown, Harrison Park, for over a century, everyone finds something to love here. Trails, parkland, playgrounds, fish, birds, boats, festivals and family reunions.

Tom Thomson Art Gallery

The early years of this iconic Canadian artist were spent in the Owen Sound area. At the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, learn more about his life, view his work, and visit his gravesite in nearby Leith.

Owen Sound Harbour

The harbour features art banners in the summer, a visitor centre, waterfront heritage centre, parkland, trails, beaches and boat launches, plus interpretive plaques that highlight Owen Sound's place as one of the most historically significant harbours on the Great Lakes.

Historic Walking Tours

If you appreciate history and love walking, this is your ticket to a great experience! We have five Historic Walking Tours to choose from including the "Corkscrew City Tour," tracing the history of prohibition in Owen Sound, the last "dry" city in Canada. Black history sites are also highlighted in the historic walking tour guide.

Artists' Co-op

If you want to take home a piece of Owen Sound, visit the Artists' Co-op, where every item is hand-crafted by a local artist.

Owen Sound Farmers' Market

Local markets are becoming common, but not many have been around for over 100 years! And the Owen Sound Farmers' Market is open year-round!  

Hockey Town

We've been named one of the top hockey towns to visit in North America. Home of the Owen Sound Attack, we are the smallest city to host an Ontario Hockey League team yet have a huge fan base. The Sports Hall of Fame in the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre tells the story.

The Underground Railroad

Owen Sound was the northernmost "station" on the Underground Railroad, the secret route to freedom used by blacks escaping slavery in the United States. The city's Black History Cairn commemorates this, along with sites included in our Historic Walking Tours and the exhibit "Black Roots in Grey" at Grey Roots Museum & Archives.

Museums

History thrives in Owen Sound with our many museums! Visit the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre, the Billy Bishop Home & Museum (a national historic site), and Grey Roots Museum & Archives to appreciate our past. Special programming offered in summer, from ghost walks and a harbour festival to heritage village tours.

For seasonal activities and festivals, including the Salmon Tour, Festival of Northern Lights, Summerfolk Music & Craft Festival and more, see our Festival and Events page. If you have kids, check out family activities.

Visitor Information Centre

FALL/WINTER HOURS & LOCATION:

From October (Thanksgiving weekend) to May (Victoria Day long weekend), Visitor Services is available at City Hall, 808 2nd Avenue East. City Hall is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

SPRING/SUMMER HOURS & LOCATION:

From May (Victoria Day weekend) to October (Thanksgiving weekend) Visitor Services are available at the Visitor Centre, 1155 1st Ave West. It is open 7 days a week: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and weekends 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Check online for changes to hours due to Covid-19.

Harrison Park Campground & Reservations call 519-371-9734

Owen Sound Tourism logo

© 2019 City of Owen Sound

Tourism Office
1155 First Avenue West
Owen Sound, Ontario,
N4K 4K8

Tel: 519-371-9833
Feedback

Email: vacation@owensound.ca

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  • Explore
    • Black History
    • Galleries and Museums
    • Heritage
    • Library
    • On the Water
    • Parks Trails and Scenic Lookouts
    • Sound Outlook
    • Tours
    • Videos
    • View All...
  • Stay
    • Bed and Breakfasts
    • Camping and RV
    • Live Music
    • Living in Owen Sound
    • Resorts Hotels and Motels
    • Spas, Relaxation and Wellness
    • Things to do & Places to see
  • Eat/Shop
    • Breweries and Wineries
    • Businesses
    • Farmers' Markets and Local Food
    • Restaurants
    • River District
    • Savour Owen Sound
    • Scenic City Swag
    • Shopping Districts
    • Theatre and Film