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A Beautiful Day in Barrie, Ontario
Published: May 3, 2024
Updated: May 3, 2024
Are you looking for a perfect day trip destination this season? GO north to discover Downtown Barrie and the surrounding area! There are so many fun things to do in Barrie and, now that the warmer weather is here, it’s an especially great time to explore and enjoy an amazing outdoor adventure!
Take GO Transit to Barrie
Your day trip to Barrie kicks off with an awesome ride on GO Transit! Don’t give a thought to that Hwy 400 traffic because while they’re staring at the bumper of the car in front of them, you’ll be enjoying free videos, eBooks & more on the GO Wi-Fi Plus entertainment portal. And, while they’re worrying about the gas money they’re wasting while idling in traffic, you can relax because your GO travel is convenient AND affordable!
For weekend travel to Barrie, use a GO One-Day Weekend Pass — it’s just $10 for your roundtrip! If you’re heading to Barrie on a weekday, invite your friends and family. You can all travel together with a GO Weekday Group Pass, starting at just $30. And, of course, kids 12 and under always ride free on GO Transit, so a day trip to Barrie with little ones is easy on the wallet — and a big winner with transit-loving kiddos!
Tour the Barrie Region by Bike
One of the best Barrie activities is biking! The Barrie region is filled with scenic biking trails for all skill levels. Whether you’re an experienced off-road cyclist or just looking for a leisurely ride along a paved path, Barrie is the perfect place to spend a day exploring the outdoors by bike.
Did You Know? You Can Bring Your Bike on GO!
You don’t need a car to haul your bike to Barrie for a day filled with outdoor adventures. Take GO Transit to Barrie Allandale Waterfront GO Station and bring your bike along for the ride.
Bikes are welcome at GO Stations and onboard GO Transit vehicles, within the guidelines of our Bike Policy. Familiarize yourself with the rules and get ready for a day of fun on two wheels!
The Best Biking Trails in Barrie & Beyond
When you arrive in Barrie, just put on your helmet and head off to explore the area by bike. Choose one of these popular bike trails in Barrie and start your cycling adventure!
Barrie Waterfront Trail
The 6.7 km paved Barrie Waterfront Trail boasts beautiful views of Kempenfelt Bay and it’s the perfect path for a leisurely bike ride with friends or family members of all ages. The 6.7 km trail will lead you into Downtown Barrie, where you’ll find Barrie attractions such as theatre, art galleries, museums, shopping, dining and more! Best of all, the Barrie Waterfront Trail is just steps away from Allandale Waterfront GO Station, making it super simple to start exploring all the fun things to do in Barrie as soon as you arrive.
Oro-Medonte Rail Trail
The theme of your day trip is Bikes & Trains when you take GO Transit to Barrie and then follow an abandoned CN rail line on the Oro-Medonte Rail Trail. Follow the Barrie Waterfront Trail, steps from Allandale Waterfront GO Station, to the Barrie North Shore Trail. It will lead you around the north side of Kempenfelt Bay and then it connects to the Oro-Medonte Rail Trail.
The 28 km Oro-Medonte Rail Trail is unpaved gravel, but mostly flat and you can shorten your ride by turning back at any point. Along the trail, you’ll pass through the towns of Shanty Bay, Oro-Medonte and Hawkestone, and you might spot wildlife such as beavers, deer, herons, foxes, owls, osprey and more.
More Cycling in Simcoe County
Are you looking to go even farther and bike beyond Barrie? With routes ranging from family-friendly to extra challenging, there’s no shortage of opportunities for exploring by bike in Simcoe County. North of Barrie, you’ll find South Georgian Bay — the highest point of the Niagara Escarpment and a gorgeous area with endless opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Remember that you can always extend your GO Transit trip to Barrie with Turo. Request a vehicle to be delivered to Allandale Waterfront GO Station and then head out into Simcoe County for some cycling. Be sure to make time to check out the Barrie attractions when you return, before you head back home with GO!
Guided Cycling Tours in Barrie
No bike? No problem! Even if you don’t have your own bike, you can still enjoy a scenic adventure by joining a guided cycling tour that starts in Barrie, like Born To Ride Bicycle. There are various routes and tours to choose from — pick the difficulty level that’s right for you — and your bike is included, too!
Experience Special Events in Barrie
Barrie has some amazing events happening during May and June, so try to time your trip to check out some live music, a midway, or an airshow! But, if your trip doesn’t align with one of Barrie’s big festivals, you can still experience that special event atmosphere when spending time at Friday Harbour.
Barrie Waterfront Festival
Barrie positively buzzes with excitement during the Barrie Waterfront Festival! This annual FREE festival has everything you need for an incredible day of fun. Listen to live music, experience midway attractions, shop from local vendors, dine from fantastic food trucks, and enjoy drinks at the beer garden.
Plan your trip to Barrie on May 24, 25, or 26 and head to Centennial Park for a fun-filled day — just a few minutes walk away from Allandale Waterfront GO Station!
Barrie Jazz and Blues Festival
From June 6 - 17, Downtown Barrie is bursting with beats! The Barrie Jazz and Blues Festival features some of the best Canadian and International Jazz and Blues artists performing at over 25 different venues. The festival includes free concerts, great food, and all the best vibes. Your day trip to Barrie will be a hit!
2024 Barrie Airshow
Turn your eyes to the skies on June 15 & 16 and enjoy the spectacular Barrie Airshow! The Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the CF-18 Demonstration Team will take part in this FREE show that is sure to amaze aviation fans of all ages. Flying over beautiful Kempenfelt Bay, these aircrafts will perform displays that will delight the whole family!
Open Air Dunlop
Starting on June 10th Dunlop Street will be closed to cars from Maple Avenue to Mulcaster twice a month, making room for community. You can roll and stroll, shop, and patio hop. There are lots of fun activities planned, such as yoga, dance and fitness classes, art activities, live music and more. Don’t worry if June 10th doesn’t work for you; the festival runs throughout the summer, ending on October 28th, 2024. Visit Open Air Dunlop’s website for more information!
Friday Harbour
For a complete staycation, spend a day or the weekend at Friday Harbour Resort. Located 15 km from Allandale Waterfront GO Station, it’s the perfect place to get away from it all without going too far. Stroll the promenade along Lake Simcoe, rent a fat-tire bike to explore the Nature Reserve, and enjoy the onsite shopping and dining. The Lake Club often features live music on Saturdays!
Grabbing a Bite in Barrie
With extensive options for every budget and preference, dining in Barrie is never boring! You’ll have definitely worked up an appetite with all the biking, special events and other exciting Barrie attractions, so make sure to take time to eat!
The Farmhouse Restaurant
If you’re hungry as soon as you arrive, or just before you head home, you don’t need to look far for some fantastic food. Just a few minutes walk from Allandale Waterfront GO Station is The Farmhouse Restaurant — a Barrie waterfront institution. Open 7 days a week and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Farmhouse’s patio is the perfect place to enjoy a meal while admiring the beautiful view of the Bay.
Dining in Downtown Barrie
Whether you’re looking for a fine dining restaurant or a casual atmosphere, you’ll find something delicious in Downtown Barrie. Indian or Mexican cuisine, wood-fired pizzas or Irish pub fare, chocolate & cheese, and so much more — there’s something to please every palate in Barrie!
Plan Your Trip to Barrie
Getting to Barrie on GO Transit is the easy and relaxing way to start an exciting day trip. From outdoor activities to events & performances to fantastic dining — Barrie has something fun for everyone!
Land Acknowledgement
Metrolinx acknowledges that it operates on lands that have been, and continue to be, home to many Indigenous Peoples including the Anishnabeg, the Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat peoples. We are all Treaty people. Many of us have come here as settlers, as immigrants or involuntarily as part of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, in this generation, or generations past. We acknowledge the historic and continued impacts of colonization and the need to work towards meaningful reconciliation with the original caretakers of this land. We acknowledge that Metrolinx operates on territories and lands covered by many treaties that affirm and value the rights of Indigenous communities, Nations and Peoples. We understand the importance of working towards reconciliation with the original caretakers of this land. At Metrolinx, we will conduct business in a manner that is built on a foundation of trust, respect and collaboration.