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INTRODUCTION
Incorporated in 1867, Orillia
is an historical Canadian city with much to offer. The urban design of the city
embraces the nature around it, with waterfront parks,
lakes
and trails enjoyed by visitors and locals. Annual festivals like the Orillia
Perch Festival and Mariposa
Folk Festival, and attractions such as Casino
Rama and the Orillia
Opera House, offer entertainment and leisure in a peaceful and pleasant
environment. Orillia’s rich history and designated National
Historic Sites can be explored using the 9.5 km (6 mi) Millennium
Trail extends throughout the city. The trail is a link in the TransCanada
Trail that connects Canadian provinces and territories. Downtown
Orillia is known for its rustic charm, and contains many accommodation
facilities, sights,
shops and dining
areas. Located at the base of downtown Orillia and overlooking Lake
Couchiching, the Ossawippi
Express dining cars illustrate Orillia’s history and waterfront
views while providing a fine dining experience.
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A Sunset at Georgian
Bay1
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Like most tourist destinations,
summer and winter months are both peak seasons. June, July and August are the
hottest months of the year in Orillia, making the beach
a pleasant attraction. With the majority of snow fall and snow cover in January
and December, winter high season is ideal for skiers and snowboarders. Finding
accommodations in Orillia may be slightly more expensive during the high season,
but booking in advance will ensure vistors have adequate lodging. September
and October see the most amount of rain, and are the low seasons for tourists
and visitors.
This WorldWeb.com Travel
Guide article is helpful to those headed to Orillia in making informed accommodation
choices.
Helpful Links
1) Accommodation
Directory - This is a complete accommodation directory with detailed
listings for hotels, bed & breakfasts, luxury resorts, campgrounds and more.
With links to accommodation websites and interactive maps, these directories
are designed to help visitors find the right place to stay based on budget,
personal preference and the nature of the trip.
2) Online
Reservations - This useful search tool allows travellers to check for
room availability and make secure online room reservations. This feature is
particularly helpful during peak seasons, when finding accommodations may be
a challenge.
3) Map
- The Orillia map can assist visitors in planning their trip by locating accommodations,
and the proximity of appropriate lodging to attractions, restaurants, shops,
tours and transportation.
ORIENTATION
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Orillia
Beachfront2 |
Located on the shores of
Lake
Simcoe and Lake
Couchiching, Orillia is a part of the South Central Ontario Southern
Georgian Bay area approximately 128 km (79.5 mi) away from
Toronto. The TransCanada (Highway 12) leads into the city, and in addition to
Laclie Street South and Rama Road, it is one of the major routes within the
city providing access to the surrounding shorelines. Popular tourism areas include
Rama Road, as Casino Rama is located on this route, and downtown Orillia because
of its accessibility to the waterfront, trails, shopping centres and historical
sites. Major accommodation districts accompany both areas.
ACCESS
The TransCanada
Highway (Highway 12) provides a route to Orillia from most cities in
Ontario. When travelling
from Toronto, Highway 400 north turns into Highway 11 to Orillia. Memorial Avenue
in Orillia provides an exit from the highway and access into the city. For those
travelling via water routes, Orillia ports
and marinas allow boats to both launch and dock for daily rates.
AIRPORTS
Pearson
International Airport is located 115 km (71.5 mi) south of Orillia in
Mississauga, Ontario,
and is approximately one hour away from Orillia. Car
rental companies offer one-way drop off to or from the airport. Also,
limousines and buses provide
service into Orillia.
Much smaller, but a great
deal closer is Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, located 20 km (12 mi) south of
Orillia. Corporate, commercial and general aviation are received on the runway,
and Canada Customs services are available.
TRANSPORTATION
Upon arrival in Orillia,
limousines and numerous taxis are on hand for service, along with the option
of vehicle rental. When parking vehicles downtown, meters with a nominal hourly
fee are available. The maximum time allowed to park varies according to time
and place parked. "Pay and Display" lots require a minimum payment
of 20 minutes parking time. Also, the City of Orillia provides public
transit service throughout the city. Between the hours of 6:15am to
6:15pm on weekdays, and 8:45am to 5:45pm, buses depart downtown every half hour.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotels
Hotels in Orillia
present acceptable rates, adequate amenities and proximity to attractions, including
access to Casino Rama. Many hotels provide complimentary evening shuttle service
to and from the casino. The Days
Inn Orillia is located right across from Casino Rama, and is 15 km (9
mi) away from Pearson International Airport in Mississauga. Although it does
not have any restaurants, its location makes it ideal for budget-conscious tourists
interested in exploring Casino Rama. Hotels located slightly farther also provide
shuttle service to the casino, but are closer to hiking and biking trails,
boating,
golfing
and skiing activities.
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As the ultimate tourist
destination, Casino
Rama offers hotel accommodations, including 300 luxury suites, each
with a fireplace and full bathrooms. There is also a fitness facility, a full
service spa with an indoor pool, steam room, sauna and a leisure rooftop patio.
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the 17, 837-square-metre (192,000 sq
ft) casino contains over 2,300 slot machines, 120 gaming tables and hosts competitive
poker tournaments. The Entertainment Centre seats 5,000 and well-known artists
perform on stage with different acts occuring every week. With nine restaurants
on site, visitors are given the chance to satisfy any craving. The banquet and
meeting facility is available to accommodate anything from intimate group meetings
of 20 or large receptions of up to 500 guests.
Downtown
Orillia
A vibrant place
for visitors, Downtown
Orillia is approximately 113 km (70 mi) from Pearson International Airport,
and 11 km (7 mi) from Casino Rama. Many accommodations
located downtown, including a number of bed
and breakfasts, are waterfront with access to the beach,
numerous shops,
dining
and attractions.
The Quality
Hotel Champlain Waterfront is the only waterfront hotel in downtown
Orillia, and is very close to tourist sites, restaurants, and shops.
Bed and Breakfasts
Orillia is home
to a number of bed
and breakfast accommodations. As a popular and reasonable alternative
to hotels, Orillia bed and breakfasts offer simplicity and escape while maintaining
luxury and charm. While the cost is comparable to that of hotels, bed and breakfasts
are more intimate, with personable hosts in alluring classic homes constructed
in the 1900s. A classic Victorian home built in 1896, Tisdale
House can be found in downtown Orillia, and is minutes away from Lake
Couchiching, shopping and eateries. It offers visitors high speed Internet access,
laundry facilities and private bathrooms, amongst other amenities.
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Orillia
Trails4 |
Camping
Bass
Lake Provincial Park contains 182 campsites, including 92 with electrical
services and three group sites. During the summer, the park allows for visitors
to swim, hike and fish. Kayaks and canoes can also be rented for boating. Reservations
are accepted from Victoria Day in May until Labour Day in September, but the
sites are on a first-come, first-served basis during early spring and late fall.
Although campsites are closed in the winter, skiing and snowshoeing can still
be enjoyed in the park.
Mara
Provincial Park campground has 105 campsites, 36 of which have access
to electrical services. The campground is close to a wide beach attributed as
one of the best in the area, with a boat launch capability and a play area.
Accommodation Alternatives
Located on the
shoreline on Lake Couchiching, Fern
Resort has seven different accommodation facilities on site, each suited
to fit guests’ needs. The resort started as a winter facility, but is now
open all year round. Winter activities such as ice fishing, dog sledding, snow
shoeing, curling and skiing, keep guests entertained during colder months. Summer
activities include tennis, golf, fishing and archery. Fern Resort mainly caters
to busy seasons and holiday weekends, offering specialty packages during these
times. It is also the next closest hotel to Casino Rama.
With organized canoe trips
during the summer months, and a location close to sailing and skiing sites,
the HI-Orillia
Home Hostel is ideal for travellers looking to enjoy the outdoors. It
is not a members-only hostel; however, non-members are required to pay an extra
fee for accommodation.
The Port
of Orillia grants access to docking, boat launches and waterfront facilities.
Situated in easy walking distance of downtown Orillia, it offers easy access
to shopping, dining and lodging. It is open in mid-May through to Labour Day
in September, and offers free shuttle service to Casino Rama. Showers are available
for those wishing to remain housed in their boats. Laundromats, grocery stores
and restaurants are also located nearby.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- A Sunset at Georgian
Bay; Georgian Bay, ON, Canada
- Orillia Beachfront;
Georgian Bay, ON, Canada
- c/o Casino Rama; Casino
Rama at Night; Orillia, ON, Canada
- Orillia Trails; Georgian
Bay, ON, Canada
