Carolyn B. Heller - Moon Spotlight Georgian Bay & Cottage Country

the mantra for summer in Ontario

Beyond Algonquin, smaller parks like Arrowhead Provincial Park are great for families looking to camp, hike, or swim, while farther north, the lakes and forests surrounding Temagami make it a prime destination for canoe trips.

While the northeast is a natural choice for outdoor adventures, its ripe for cultural explorations, too. Aboriginal people have lived in Northern Ontario for thousands of years, and many First Nations welcome visitors who want to learn about their culture and traditions. If you venture north to the remote communities of Moosonee and Moose Factory Island on the shores of James Bay, you can explore the culture of the Cree First Nation, one of Canadas largest aboriginal groups.

Northeastern Ontario also has a large francophone population, so dont be surprised to see bilingual signs or hear Bonjour and Merci. The city of Sudbury is particularly bilingual; its Canadas third-largest French-speaking community outside Quebec. In some northern towns, youll find French Canadian influences in the food, with tourtire (meat pie) and poutine (french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy) almost as common as burgers and fries.

Looking for outdoor adventure? Cultural adventure? Just plain adventure? Then head north.

This region is packed with outdoor activities, but many Cottage Country and northeastern attractions dont begin operation until mid- or late May and close in mid-October, after the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. July and August are the busiest travel months; fall is the best time to visit, when the foliage is most dramatic.

A weekend trip could take you to the Muskokas and Algonquin for a relaxing outdoor getaway. Youd want at least a long weekend to take a canoe trip in Temagami or to explore the cities of North Bay or Sudbury. With several days to spare, you could travel to Cochrane, then take the Polar Bear Express Train onward to the Cree communities of Moosonee and Moose Factory Island.

With more lakes than you can count, the Muskoka region is one of Ontarios vacation lands. For many Ontarians, Muskoka is Cottage Country, a place to escape from the city, where your obligations are nothing more than to sit on the porch of your cottage and relax. Even people who dont have cottages of their own (or friends with cottages who invite them for weekends) head to Cottage Country to stay in B&Bs, hotels, or the many cottage resorts that dot the lakes.

The Muskoka region, north of Toronto, encompasses the towns of Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, and Huntsville, among others, extending northwest to Georgian Bay and northeast to Algonquin Provincial Park. Tourism to Muskoka began in earnest in the 1800s when steamboats transported visitors across the lakes. These days, nearly all the steamboats are gone (except for a couple used for sightseeing cruises), but the visitors continue to come. And if youre looking for a place to get outdoors, whether to hike, canoe, or just sit on the porch, you should, too.

Algonquins Killarney Lodge

BARRIE

Barrie isnt really part of the Muskoka region, but youll likely pass through the city on your way north. Even though its 105 kilometers (65 miles) north of Toronto, it feels like an extension of the metropolitan area (and people do commute daily from Barrie to Toronto), rather than the start of a cottage holiday. Still, its a handy spot to break up your drive, whether to have a bite to eat or to stay for a day or two. And if youre continuing north from Barrie, stop in the town of Orillia to tour the former home of noted Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock. Barrie spreads out along the shore of Lake Simcoe, so even in the heart of the city, you can stroll along the lake. Dunlop Street is the main downtown thoroughfare; most sights and shops are on or around Dunlop.

Barrie has a small but worthwhile art museum, the Maclaren Art Centre (37 Mulcaster St., 705/721-9696, www.maclarenart.com, 10am-5pm Mon.-Fri., 10am-4pm Sat.-Sun., adults $5), which exhibits work by established Canadian and emerging regional artists. Half of the building was Barries original public library, built in 1917; the other half is an airy contemporary addition. If youre looking for a gift for an arty friend, browse the jewelry and works by local artists in the gallery shop.