Outdoor Activities

There are three really amazing outdoor activities to see on Manitoulin Island:

Cup and Saucer Nature Reserve

This Nature Reserve has over 12 km of hiking trails through the bush as well as 2km of adventure trails. Every trail has a different degree of difficulty and time needed. The times vary between 15 mins to 4 hours. 

Cup and saucer lookout trail 

The lookout trail is a 5.0-km trail considered a moderately challenging route, it takes about 1.5 hours to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking. At the very top, the view is absolutely breathtaking. 

Bridal Veil Falls 

Bridal Veil Falls is a beautiful 34 ft tall waterfall. When visiting, guests are welcome to swim in the water and under the waterfall. There are a variety of walking and hiking trails that you can use. This attraction is easily accessible from the road and parking area. 

A few of the other amazing outdoor activities are listed below:

Bidwell bog trail 

Mclean’s park trail system 

Freer Nature Reserve

M’chigeeng Hiking Trail

Strawberry Channel Lookout

Recreation

Manitoulin Golf

Manitoulin Golf course Opened in 1980, the course has had 40 years to mature It has 9 holes. “The par 36 course offers multiple sets of tees at each hole, and alternate tee decks on #2 and #8. You can play 18 holes and enjoy a completely different looking back 9.” Manitoulin Golf offers day passes and memberships. 

East Bluff Lookout

East Bluff Lookout is the perfect place to stop in for a magnificent view. No need to get out and walk, the lookout is easily accessed by car. You can stop to enjoy lunch at the picnic tables while looking out at the beautiful gore bay. 

Dark Sky Manitoulin Eco Park was Canada’s first Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. It’s the perfect place to look out at the dark sky to find the Northern Lights/Borealis Aurora, Meteor showers and other events! When visiting, you can stay the night at the camping site or inside the Dark Sky Preserve.

Business

Manitoulin has plenty of amazing businesses and restaurants. These are a few of them:

The Anchor Inn Hotel

The Anchor Inn Hotel was established in 1888. The Hotel has been fully refurbished to its former glory.  It’s a full service hotel, restaurant, bar, as well as rooms and apartments. The restaurant is known for their fresh homemade food and excellent service. 

Manitoulin Chocolate Works 

Manitoulin Chocolate Works began in 1995 in an old building. They then moved to a small shop, and finally to their beautiful artisan chocolate factory, where they are currently established. ThIs amazing place is family owned by a family of four. Their goods change daily, monthly and seasonally. Some of the other products they sell are jams, butters, spice, rubs, cookies, puddings, teas, etc. 

3 Cows and a cone

3 Cows and a cone ice cream started over 26 years ago when they took over the day-to-day operations from Farquhar’s dairy. When Farquhar’s decided to step away from the retail end, 3 Cows and a cone gladly stepped up. They offer a wide variety of ice cream flavors and also offer food options. 

Manitoulin Brewing Company 

Manitoulin Brewing Company consists of three guys “from the North, living in the North, wanting to give something back to the North”. They love creating a variety of beers for the avid beer drinker and for those who want to try something new. They also carry a huge variety of beers from various locations. While stopping by, you can enjoy a great meal at The Silo and Patio which offers all of their beers on draught and amazing food from their food truck. 

A few of Manitoulin’s other great businesses and restaurants are:

Elliott’s

Wood & waves, bed & breakfast

Lakeshore wellness +

Friends furever pet retreat

Garden’s gate

Ed’s

Schools

Manitoulin Island has 11 schools. These schools are for grades kindergarten through grade 12. These schools belong to a variety of school boards. This is a list of the eleven schools:

Little Current Public School

Wikwemikong High School

Wasse Abin Pontiac School

Assiginack Public School

St Joseph’s Anishnabek School

Manitoulin Secondary School

M’Chigeeng

Kenjgewin Teg

Lakeview Public School

Central Manitoulin Public School

Christadelphian Bible School Manitoulin Island

Child Care Centres

Having childcare close to home is extremely useful. There are many childcare options on Manitoulin island. This is a list of seven private options: 

Christadelphian Bible School Manitoulin Island

West Bay First Nation Day Care

Wikwemikong Hub Centre

Early on and family center

Gore bay and assiginack child care

Children’s services, home child care

Little current daycare – little current public school 

Parks

Public parks are a great place to have fun with your family while burning energy and spending time breathing in the fresh air. Manitoulin Island has parks for all ages. It has these following 9 parks:

Green Bay Park

MilLow Island Municipal Park

Street park

Centennial Museum Park

Cenotaph Park

Turner Park

Bebamikawe Memorial Trail Head

McLeans Mountain Lookout

Cedar Grove Park