If you haven't been to Collingwood in a while, this summer is the perfect opportunity to get reacquainted. You will find that a lot has changed, but the charm and beauty is still the same. With Georgian Bay on one side and the Niagara Escarpment on the other, the natural landscape lends itself well to the outdoor sports enthusiast while the pampered princess will be very satisfied with the shopping, dining and spa options.

The Town of Collingwood boasts a rich, architectural heritage that dates back to the late 19th century and you’ll find that many of the buildings have been restored to their original greatness. A stroll down Hurontario Street is a delightful way to spend the day with many shops, cafés and restaurants to choose from. A croissant from Café Chartreuse is simply pine, made from scratch every morning, and if you close your eyes you can easily imagine yourself in Paris as you munch away. 

Chef owned restaurants like Brunello 27 on 4th, The Stuffed Peasant, Azzurra, Tesoro and Catch 22 Fresh Market Grill are all great options. The Admiral’s Post Pub has a great patio and yummy pub fare and JD’s is the hot spot for nightlife.

The Farmers' Market is open every Saturday morning, offering fresh baked goods, organic produce and handcrafted jewellery, to name a few. Across Pine Street you will find Dags & Willow Fine Cheese and Gourmet Shop. Boasting over 100 varieties of cheese from around the globe, plus fresh prepared foods and gourmet products, this is a must for the gourmet food lover.

If you love the history behind small towns, a drive or a stroll down Heritage Drive will take you to Millennium Park… just look for the big white building that has Collingwood Terminals written in big block letters. There are outdoor plaques with photos that explain the history of Collingwood, and the view is beautiful. 

Collingwood has a fantastic trail network, perfect for family bike riding. Trail maps are available at the Welcome Centre in the Museum and at all sporting goods shops.

For the more athletic types, nearby Blue Mountain has a gondola to take you and your bike up the escarpment for a heart pounding ride down. If you are an outdoor adventure seeker, Free Spirit Tours offers caving, rock climbing, canoeing and kayaking. 

More than 1,000 feet in length, the new zipline at Scenic Caves Nature Adventures is a thrill ride for those who dare. Suit up in a seat harness and helmet; riders are clipped securely to a pulley that glides along the zipline cable. The most challenging aspect is stepping off the escarpment into mid-air, like a leap of faith. 

The ride is a 30-second plunge of increasing speed and possible spin high above the ground with velocity reaching about 45 km/hr. A secondary pulley slows the rider before the end of the zipline. With a vertical drop of approximately 150 feet, the zipline descends one-fifth the height of the escarpment, offering a bird’s eye panoramic view of Georgian Bay. 

The zipline is the grand finale to the three-hour guided Eco Adventure Tour which includes a treetop canopy walk, two ziplines of 300ft and 1,000ft, the Suspension Bridge, and caves/crevasse tour. The little ones can enjoy gem stone mining and the brand new train ride.

If you are looking for the perfect summer getaway to rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit, you can try a Summer Cleanse Retreat. Nourish your cells with fresh, organic smoothies, juices, soups and teas. Invigorate your body with hikes on the Glades trail at Blue Mountain and gentle morning exercise. Enlighten your mind with workshops on meditation, goal setting and manifesting, and raw gourmet food preparation. For more information, call Sarah at 705.444.ENRG.

There is absolutely nothing better than treating yourself to a day at Le Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain. The Scandinavian Baths are renowned for their ability to cleanse the skin and provide a sense of well-being. Relax in the Finnish sauna, Norwegian steam bath, thermal and Nordic waterfall as well as hot baths and cold plunges. Complete the experience by enjoying the serenity of the Solaria, relaxation areas and outdoor fireplaces. All day bath access is only $44.

The Collingwood Festival for Canada kicks off at 8 am on July 1 with the annual pancake breakfast in front of Town Hall. At noon, the festivities move to the Federal Building, for the Citizenship Reaffirmation Ceremony during which everyone is invited to reaffirm his or her Canadian citizenship and receive a certificate commemorating the occasion. The downtown merchants will be hosting sidewalk sales. 

Music in the Park starts at 2pm at the Station at 45 Saint Paul Street. The Station grounds will be abuzz with food vendors, children’s activities and family fun. Enjoy live musical entertainment, featuring performances by local entertainers. The finale of the day is of course the spectacular fireworks beginning at dusk.

The 15th Annual Collingwood Elvis Festival, the largest of its kind in the world, takes place from July 23 to 26. New features this year include the first ever Collingwood "Clambake" Beach party on July 25. Rodney’s Oyster House of Toronto will prepare a seafood feast, by digging an authentic 8ft x 10ft pit layered with rocks, pounds of seaweed, and loaded with treats from the sea including oysters, clams and crab. 

Dance the night away to live entertainment from renowned band, The Lincolns. Also gracing the stage will be two Elvis Tribute Artists Champions throughout the night. Tickets for the Clambake are $75 per person and can be purchased online at www.collingwoodelvisfestival.com.

Enjoy Kidsfest during the day with massive inflatables, children's activities, a baby friendly zone, and great food - authentic Coke floats, burgers and more! Kidsfest takes place from July 24 to July 26, starting at 9am every day. For more information, email roxevents@gmail.com.

The Collingwood Jazz and Blues Festival takes place on August 14 and 15 and will include a New Orleans style Jazz Parade. For more information visit www.collingwoodjazz.ca.

For more about Collingwood, visit www.mycollingwood.ca  where you will find events, activities, trail maps, links to restaurant menus and lots of great photos.

Collingwood is waiting for you!