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Southern Georgian Bay, Ontario
Midland and Penetanguishene
Two harbour towns on Georgian Bay with deep history: a reconstructed 17th-century Jesuit mission, the Martyrs' Shrine, a British naval base, Wye Marsh and cruises from Penetanguishene into the 30,000 Islands.
Photo: Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, Midland, Pjposullivan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Midland and Penetanguishene sit at the southern end of Georgian Bay, in the homeland of the Huron-Wendat. In 1639 French Jesuits built the mission of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons here, and it's now rebuilt as a living-history site.
Penetanguishene's Discovery Harbour recreates a British naval and military base from the 1800s, and Midland's downtown is known for its big outdoor murals.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Rotary Champlain Wendat Park
A waterfront park on Penetanguishene harbour.
Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre
Boardwalks, an observation tower and trails in a big wetland.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Martyrs' Shrine
A twin-spired church on the hill, honouring the Jesuit martyrs.
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons
A rebuilt 1639 Jesuit mission with costumed interpreters.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Discovery Harbour
A reconstructed 1800s British naval and military base with tall ships.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Penetanguishene main street
Shops and cafés running down to the harbour.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
30,000 Islands cruise
Sightseeing, lunch and dinner cruises from Penetanguishene aboard the Georgian Legacy.
Season Weekends from May, then Tue–Sun mid-June to Labour Day (check before you go).
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
- Sainte-Marie among the Hurons Tickets
Part of our Georgian Bay guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- The historic sites take a full day.
- An island cruise and a beach at Awenda fill the second.
- Watch the sunset over the bay from the Midland town dock.
Nearby and worth the drive
The long freshwater beach and the dune trails.
Collingwoodabout 50 min · Guide ↗Blue Mountain and the harbour.
Parry Soundabout 75 min · Guide ↗The 30,000 Islands, further north.
Ready-made trips with Midland and Penetanguishene
Good to know
- Tourism: southerngeorgianbay.ca.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, Midland, Pjposullivan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Wye Marsh, Midland, Óðinn, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awenda Provincial Park, rokker, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Martyrs' Shrine, Midland, Pjposullivan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Penetanguishene waterfront, Martin Cígler, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Midland town dock, Chicken4War, CC BY-SA 4.0