Parry Sound – Urban Suburban Mommy

When I was asked to write about things that you can do with your child in the north, I got excited! And strangely enough, researching things to do this summer (as I am working part time during the summer) was already on my list.

I am that person that has a list for pretty much everything. Having loose plans/places to go on the days I am not working is something that helps me plan. So, I pulled out the recent Fun in the Sun magazine, questioned some of my friends with children that are a few years older, and I started the 2016 summer to do list!

I was quickly able to compile a list of 10 things to do in the Parry Sound area (aka “up north” or “cottage country” to many) for my son and me. Please note – these are in no particular order…they’re all appealing pending on the day, weather, finances, time of day, if we have company, etc.

1. GET OUTDOORS

I know that this is a tag line used by several businesses in Parry Sound and I think it’s a brilliant “line”. Sure, my list is based on summer activities, but we really are one of the nicest places to not only live, but play/spend time outdoors. Although most need no details, here they are:

Swimming

We have some of the most amazing lakes, and of course Georgian Bay. We have beautiful sandy beaches, and many beaches that offer lifeguards and swimming lessons.

Fishing

As mentioned above that we have a lot of bodies of water, we also have a wide variety of opportunities for fishing. From land. A dock. A boat. A canoe. An island. Just fishing. My husband took Tyson out for his first boat ride where he caught his first fish last month.

Boating

Continuing on with lakes and bays, get out on the water in a boat. Or canoe. Or kayak. Or sailboat. Sail Parry Sound is on the shore of Georgian Bay, and you can see it when walking on the Fitness Trail. Or whatever method of boat you can get your hands on. There are SO many bodies of water to explore and enjoy. And if you don’t own one, you can rent one!

Golf

For the older child (as our mini golf is no longer an option), there are several beautiful golf courses in the area. (Too many to list!)

Other outdoor fun – Plane & ATV

Georgian Bay Airways and BearClaw Tours would be great for those who have an older child, and a bit more $ to spend when it comes to an activity. Both offer a unique “Northern” experience!

2. Playground

Although it seems basic, there are quite a few nice playgrounds for the kids. Of course many are close to some of the beaches that we are going to visit, and others that are at a school or municipal building that offer some great free outdoor time.

3, Tower Hill, Museum and Gardens

The TOWER on Tower Hill has been a well known/visited spot in Parry Sound for years; it’s a tower that looks out over the town of Parry Sound. It also is the home to the Museum on Tower Hill, that showcase beautiful gardens. It’s a great place to take any visitor in Parry Sound to. The museum has great exhibits throughout the summer.

4. Farmer’s Markets

In addition to the market’s listed in the Fun in the Sun magazine, there are a few other regular Farmer’s Markets.

Tuesday’s – at the library

Friday’s – Rosseau

Carling – Saturday’s

McKellar – Saturday’s

5. Rainy Day Activities (or not rainy days….just wanted to group them together or my list would be more than 10!)

Bowling

Georgian Lanes offers several options, as well as birthday parties. It’s an affordable way to spend some time inside.

Library

The Town’s library has some great programs (that run all year long). There’s lots more than just going to read a book – there are crafts, reading tale sessions, learning sessions, reading club and a kids zone to name a few!

Skating

If up for the short drive, one could drive to the Humphrey Arena for some summer skating!

Bobby Orr Hall of Fame

Speaking of skating, our town is “on the map” due to Parry Sound hockey legend Bobby Orr. I worked at the Hall of Fame for 10 years, and can attest that a rainy day in the summer is BUSY! (If you’re a hockey lover, you might want to visit on a super hot day where you can enjoy hours of games, artifacts and memorabilia of the greatest hockey player.)

6. Music

For those that follow my personal blog Mommy Loves Music you’ll know that music is a big part of my life. And in Parry Sound, there’s usually some sort of musical event; be it a free outdoor concert series, music cruise on the Bay, a full fledge concert at the Stockey Centre or one of the weekly artist’s at The Brunswick. (And I couldn’t resist the plug for my friend’s putting on this show….Dolly Parton is coming to the PS area!)

7. Sports

Obviously I will include swimming and fishing again, but there are some other great options!

Baseball – there’s a great little league program.

Soccer – another great program.

Biking – so many great places to do so…especially the Fitness Trail, or the Rugged Trail. Or take note of the BOHF Triathlon (there’s a category for kids), or come and watch the Pedaling for Parkinson’s race. And there’s a great local bike shop (http://parrysoundbikes.com)!

8. Santa’s Village

This attraction is in Bracebridge (about an hour away from Parry Sound) and although I haven’t been there, I have heard nothing but great things from family and friends. We will attend this summer! (And if you register ahead of time, they’ll email you coupons and discounts so you can plan your visit and save a bit.)

9. Camping

I know that I have mentioned boating, fishing and swimming already, but these are an integral part of the camping experience. Although my camping days (both past and present) are limited, I do know how important the camping experience is. There’s really nothing better than pitching a tent, cooking over open fire (of course more than fish and hotdogs. ’Smores is mandatory at my campfires) and singing tunes.

10. Do nothing

Just breathe. Sit outside and smell that darn fresh air. Take a walk. Smell the flowers. Just chill out (ok, maybe bring a camera and book)…but honestly, life is so busy 95% of the time, I think that just taking time to do nothing is an essential part of enjoying summer in the Parry Sound area.

Obviously I have kept to the Parry Sound—Muskoka area for my 10 things to do. I hope that if you find time to come to the Parry Sound area, that one of these 10+ things to do will result in a great experience for you and your child!

I was born and raised in the city. In fact there are times when I still refer to myself as a city-diot. Many friends and family would still agree with this statement too – so what if I would prefer to swim in a pool rather than a lake? Seeing the bottom of where anyone is swimming does seem incredibly logical if you ask me.

Speaking of swimming, that’s one of the first things that I think of when it comes to raising my child. I didn’t learn how to swim until we moved up to Parry Sound. My mom enrolled me in swimming lessons, and shortly after I was cannon-balling my way through local lakes and Georgian Bay. I am pretty sure that my husband was swimming on his own by the time he could walk, so it was clear that our son needed to know how to swim at a very young age. Unfortunately Parry Sound does not have a decent pool. (We did take lessons last year but the temperature of the pool was never above 65 degrees so the experience was overshadowed by my son’s blue lips.) So unless you’re up for the 75 minute trek to Bracebridge, swimming in the off season is not an option.

Times like this always make me think about raising our son in a small town. Of course I can only reference how I was raised (in Toronto). And Ian can only reference his small town upbringing (Parry Sound). Although I feel like this would be a suitable time for a PROs and CONs chart, I have streamlined my list for reader benefit.

Support

Our small town has a ton of support. My doctor’s office always fits me in. In fact, they have a baby nurse that’s a phone call away for those quick questions like “I am ready to give my kid peanut butter. Now what?!”.

The support from the local agencies such as Hands and Social Services is huge! The Early Year programs that run throughout our community are amazing. Whether you want to get out of the house and learn about foods to introduce to your baby, or have craft time with other young children, or just have a place to meet for tea in the first few weeks after giving birth, the support is there. (More on the actual birthing experience in a small town some other time.)

As a community, the support is nothing short of amazing. The way we band together when someone’s child is born with a heart disease, or stand by a family after a tragic death – in general, a small town is there to support you in ways that a large city can’t.

Comfort

To some it may seem like a small thing, but I love knowing that when my son is old enough to ride his bike to the corner store, that he can. And unsupervised. And he will return safe and sound. There is a comfort in a small town that just makes you feel okay that your child is out there on his own.

Easy commute/great pace

I am done work at 2pm. I pick up my son at 2:07 and we are home by 2:20 many days. And he’s still in (and out) of a car seat. I love that by 2:30 we are “doing” something! There are lots of options for afternoon and evening activities – music class, hockey, long walks to the park, swimming, etc. They’re all at very reasonable times which still allows us to eat dinner as a family, etc.

Culture and diversity

This is an area that we often lack in, however, the city is only just over 2 hours away. It’s a reasonable weekend family trip even if it means getting a hotel room so you’re not spending half of the day in the car with your little one.

And although shopping should likely have a category on its own, it is another area that we are lacking in a small town. Luckily in this day and age, we are able to order just about anything within seconds on our smart phones so although we miss the hustle and bustle of a shopping mall, we can still obtain everything that the city folk can!

Parry Sound does all seasons well – especially summer. If you haven’t had the chance to experience the little town that I call home, I hope that you can find the time to do so. Small town life isn’t perfect. But neither is city life. But if you’re wondering about the choice between a big city, or a small town, I would encourage you to give a small town a good look. And believe me, a few years ago I could only imagine raising my child in the city. Now, I can’t imagine it any other way. I’d like to think that we have the best of both worlds with Toronto being a short drive away.

Krista Holmes, KH Mgmt, became a mother in the summer of 2014. She works behind-the-scenes in the Canadian music industry, designs several social media campaigns and manages special events. Her love for motherhood & music can be found on her blog, mommylovesmusic.wordpress.com.

@KHmgmt

Urban Suburban Mommy

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