WINTER
owe n s o u n d . c a
WINTER GUIDE
19/20
Follow along with the Colouring it My Way series and learn about why your friends, neighbours, and other locals have chosen to make Grey County home.
visitgrey.ca
#ColouritYourWay
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PUBLISHER & PRODUCTION DESIGNER Nelson Phillips
EDITOR
Jesse Wilkinson
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sarah Goldman Andy Elliott Zak Erb Jesse Wilkinson Nelson Phillips
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS John Fearnall, Zak Erb, Sarah Goldman, Nelson Phillips, Gabriel Alenius, Aaron Burden, Ria Alfana, Sylvie Tittel
DIGITAL
Jesse Ward
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGERS Steve Harron Jesse Wilkinson
........ PUBLISHED BY RRAMPT ON BEHALF OF THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF OWEN SOUND.
The City of Owen Sound lies on the shores of Georgian Bay, just two and a half hours northwest of Toronto at the base of the beautiful Bruce Peninsula. She’s also known as The Scenic City, Corkscrew City, Chicago of the North, and Little Liverpool - but you’ll have to spend some quality time here to learn why. *wink*
WHERE IT’S ALWAYS
SHOPPING SEASON! Experience the heart of the City with a tremendous variety of unique restaurants, cafés, shops, and galleries. PARKING IS FREE.
downtownowensound.ca
Visit owensound.ca to plan your adventure. Copyright 2019. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Views expressed herein are those of the respective author(s) exclusively. Cover photo by John Fearnall. To learn more about Rrampt, visit rrampt.com For feedback, contact info@rrampt.com
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in Owen Sound, ON.
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR ..................................................
Greetings! Owen Sound is where you want to live in the fall and winter. As a sports and recreation community, we have the best conditions and features to cross-country ski, snowshoe, skate, ice fish and snowmobile, all right here in our pristine natural environment. We boast a year-round vibrant Arts, Culture and Music scene featuring our Little Theatre, Georgian Bay Symphony, Billy Bishop Home & Museum, Community Waterfront Heritage Centre, the 74th Annual Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade, live music halls, craft shows, or head down to the Bayshore to cheer on the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack. Our charming downtown is home to over ten art galleries including the TOM and the Artists’ Co-op. Our renovated local Farmers’ Market, restaurants and unique shopping experiences offer something for everyone! I encourage you to take a stroll along the newly constructed River Precinct and enjoy the Festival of Northern Lights. When you see the displays of thousands of twinkling lights along the Sydenham River to the harbour, and at Harrison Park, you will see why families come from near and far to experience the magic. On behalf of Council and staff, I wish everyone a very safe, enjoyable and active winter in Owen Sound! Ian Boddy Mayor of the City of Owen Sound
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Owen Sound Bay. JOHN FEARNALL PHOTO.
ARTS & CULTURE ..................................................
T
he art scene here is nothing short of epic. For such a small community of roughly 22,000 people, the artistic community hits well above its weight, and is well regarded as an impressive artistic hub throughout the entire region.
Downtown Owen Sound boasts many inspiring art galleries, making an art crawl or attending the opening of a new exhibit an easy cultural accolade to take part in. We encourage you to get out there and engage with some of the fine
works of creativity in our city. Interact with the artists, ask them about their practice, learn how this place inspires them - and maybe even take a piece home to boost the aesthetic appeal of your personal spaces.
Tom Thomson Art Gallery
840 1st Ave W, Owen Sound, ON N4K 4K4 A regional art centre, museum and national cultural attraction dedicated to the innovative spirit of landscape artist and Canadian icon, Tom Thomson. Admission to the Tom Thomson Art Gallery is by donation. Free 2 hour street parking is available.
Santa Fe Gallery
828 3rd Ave E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 2K5 Santa Fe Gallery represents a number of area artists plus the art of owners Lin Souliere and Carl Bell. Plus in the second floor main gallery, Santa Fe features a changing exhibit each month. Check out their schedule for the opening receptions for the exhibits, typically on Saturday afternoons.
Grey Gallery
883 2nd Ave E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 2H2 Run by John Laughlin and Anne Dondertman, John is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art who has been quietly but passionately making art for many decades. Anne retired from her position as Director of the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto, and is now devoting her energies to running the gallery, and acquiring books and other items of interest to complement the works of art on display.
2nd Ave Gallery
984 2nd Ave E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 2H6 New to the downtown core, 2nd Ave Gallery features exhibition space for artists, paintings and carvings on display, and offers classes/workshops.
Gallery De Boer
969 2nd Ave E, 2nd Floor, Owen Sound, ON N4K 2H5 Gallery de Boer – Fine Art & Jazz owner and curator, Ron de Boer, has always loved art and this love has turned into one of the finest commercial galleries in Grey and Bruce counties. Gallery de Boer represents a wide variety of artists; there is truly something for every taste, with a few areas of concentration. You can see the best of Grey and Bruce County artists on display at any time. The gallery collection also includes an exceptional variety of national and international artworks. There is also a wonderful collection of First Nations art available. The gallery also offers custom framing, art evaluations, art restorations, estate management and more.
Zak Erb
Owen Sound ArtistS’ Co-Op
942 2nd Ave E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 2H6 The Owen Sound Artists’ Co-op has been sharing the work of local artists since 1994. A true co-operative, members work in the gallery monthly, and operations are overseen by a member-driven board of directors.
Intersections Wood Gallery & Studio
299 10th St E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 1S4 Intersections was founded by artist, Stephen Hogbin, with little more than a vision. He saw a place where both aspiring and established artists could go to create in a safe and welcoming environment. Intersections Gallery has beautiful objects for sale by its skilled and imaginative members. The gallery offers both classes and memberships, so you can learn about wood working and create your own works. If you need something special, commissions are available. Intersections also offers Studio Residencies for artists working in wood, or with a significant wood element in their work.
Bliss Studio
271 9th St E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 1N8 Bliss Studio is a privately operated contemporary gallery in Owen Sound with a distinct mission to feature established and emerging artists, have fun, and follow their bliss.
GRIFFIN GALLERY @ The Roxy Theatre
251 9th St E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 1N8 The Historic Roxy Theatre’s Griffin Art Gallery exists to exhibit and promote the visual art of the region. The Griffin Gallery and Armand’s Bar are situated in the lobby and reception area of the theatre. Over 25,000 audience members attend the Roxy Theatre annually. The Griffin Gallery is also available for rent for corporate meetings or community events. The gallery accommodates just under 100 people – less if seating is required. A bartender and additional staff are available for your convenience.
Zak Erb
LOCAL PERSPECTIVE ..................................................
The Best Cup of Joe in the Scenic City. WORDS NELSON PHILLIPS
Here’s the thing about coffee: it’s hot, steeped bean water. C’est la vie. Want to get fancy about it? You can call it what you like, dress it up, and take it for a stroll, but at the end of the day it’s hot bean water. Except, it’s kind of more than that. It’s a lifeline. A crutch. A comrade. Confidante. It’s a breath of fresh air and a motivational speaker, boiled down and trickled into a mug. Ever snow blow your driveway on the weekend in the dead of winter only to come back inside and kick your feet up on the coffee table with a hot cup accented with a wee tickle of Baileys? Yeah. There’s an entire society of coffee ‘snobs’ out there, and whether you’re a lover or a hater of the $6 latte scene - what those so-
called elitist coffee folk know about getting the best of the best is what life’s all about. Back in 2015 I was a barista at a high-end coffee bar in Thornbury. The owner wanted to start a shop in OS. We canvassed the downtown core looking for a spot together for a while, only to have a prospective landlord crunch his face up like a wet rag when we told him our plans. “A coffee shop? Don’t you think there’s enough of those here?” “There’s five Tim’s here,” I replied. “Don’t you think there might be enough of those, too?” If you drink coffee, the man was right; there are a few spots to get a cup of coffee in Owen Sound. Hell, when I get my hair cut at Mane Street (shout out to Jamie) I’m greeted with a stiff cup of perc from the back room.
There are diners, dedicated coffee bars, local cafés, restaurants, roasters who set up shop at the Farmers’ Market - you name it, you can find a shot just about anywhere. But who’s got the best cup of coffee in town, you may ask? I don’t know, but I eagerly took on the challenge. What my well-caffeinated brain learned was, there’s a time and a place for each of the Scenic City’s java offerings. In the late 50s and throughout much of the 60s, American psychologist, behaviourist, and social philosopher, Bertrund Frederic (BF) Skinner, popularized his thinking that behaviour is a consequence of environmental histories and reinforcement. To make a long story short, he figured we’re all products of our environment.
Change that environment, and you could essentially change an individual, he argued. More on that later. We’ll start with downtown. The Bean Cellar is a staple of the OS coffee conversation. Walk down the stairs to the speakeasy-style café where locals are known to gather and feast your eyes upon this Bohemian-chic icon that’s bound to be playing an eclectic tune or two, while churning out delicious home-style food offerings. Their pièce de résistance is the House Blend coffee. Their dark roast is good, the French Nicaraguan blend is a decent take-home, but the general rule is: never stray from the House Blend - because if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Frog Ponds Cafe on the corner of 8th and 2nd Ave East is another great coffee spot filled with young professionals using the site as a pseudo office - the Rrampt crew is no exception. They offer a killer espresso and their soy Matcha latte is no slouch either. Down the street, wander into Heartwood Home, recipients of the 2019 Owen Sound & District Chamber of Commerce Hospitality Award. For a taste of the city up north, grab arguably the best Americano in town from The Daily Grind, courtesy of a tiny but mighty Breville machine at the coffee bar and beans from Kensington Market’s I Deal Coffee. If you happen to find yourself upstairs at Heartwood Concert Hall later for a show, the pot of coffee the bar staff brew up every weekend isn’t too shabby either. If it’s Saturday morning and you’re wandering the all-new stellar Owen Sound Farmers’ Market, consider trying a Bullet/Keto coffee from the fine folks at Ironwood Coffee at the rear left corner of the main building. Blended with MCT oil and butter (yeah, you heard right) it’s a wild kick-start to your day and tastes fantastic thanks to their locally fire-roasted beans. Back on the main drag, you can also grab an Ironwood cup from the Bleeding Carrot. Try it with coconut milk - it goes exceptionally well with the Mexican Chiapas blend. Next door, Cody and the crew at the Milk Maid are known to serve up a delectable cheese platter and other tasty treats - but they’re great purveyors of coffee, too. Their drip coffee is fantastic, but they also serve up a mean double-shot latte. Uptown, the European Bakery Café is well known for epic breakfast and lunch. Pair a Stan’s Mother sandwich with a cup of their Baden Coffee Co drip and have yourself an afternoon. After a hard gym session at the Grey-Bruce Owen Sound YMCA on top of 10th Street East, you can find a great coffee from Sisters in the lobby. For whatever reason, I’m always drawn to their flavoured coffee - German Chocolate Cake and Blueberry Pancake, in particular. So who’s got the best cup? I don’t think it really matters - and no, that’s not a ploy to get out of having to name one. BF Skinner had it right; my coffee choices are, to an extent, dictated by environmental circumstances. Point is, every cup has its place, and depending on my place, mood, or plans - my opinion on which is the best will inevitably change. I rip on Tim Hortons from time to time like most Canadians, but hey - if I’m headed out fishing, or up the Bruce, you can bet that experience dictates I grab a regular with milk. Wherever you get your fix, cheers to the folks brewing all over this city.
HAVING FUN ISN’T HARD WHEN YOU’VE GOT A CARD WORDS ANDY ELLIOTT PHOTOS JOHN FEARNALL
Winter sure can be a downer if you’re not into skiing or snowshoeing. If you’re anything like me, you probably want as little to do with the snow as possible. But spending the winter indoors can be very fulfilling if you do it at the library! The Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library is handily located on 1st Ave West, only a short distance from other downtown attractions.
They host a number of recurring events, such as PA day activities for kids, as well as programs for adults, like Tech Talk. High school volunteers are paired with folks who are less confident with today’s technology in order to give support and make technology less daunting.
adults! Keep an eye out for their monthly newsletter at the front desk for an up-todate list of all their events and programs. And if that wasn’t enough, you can still check out a book, movie or CD. They also have eBooks and digital media available to borrow from their website as well.
The library also puts together one-off events and recreational activities for all ages. These range from story time readings to guest speakers and fun social events for teens and
Just next door to the library, occupying the same building is the Tom Thomson Art Gallery. It’s named for one of Canada’s most iconic landscape painters.
Tom Thomson is an enduring figure in Canadian history, not just for his beautiful works of art, but also due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death (the library may have several books on the subject). The gallery is home to many of Tom’s original oil sketches, artifacts from his life, and copies of old photos. In the gallery’s other space is an ever changing lineup of guest exhibits from artists all around the world! These guest
exhibits are spectacular, sometimes interactive, and always thought provoking. There’s even a gift shop with handmade art and jewelery. Admission is by donation. In addition to the regular art exhibits, the Tom Thomson Gallery will host workshops and panels to help foster the creative spirit in Owen Sound’s art community. Check out their Facebook page for a full list of events. The library and the gallery are two
valuable resources! You can read a memoir, learn a language, or go on a thrilling adventure in the pages of a book! You can see some of the best art Canada has ever produced right next door, and it’s all right here in our little community. It’s something to be proud of, and there is no better time to use these resources than when you’re trying to ignore what the weather is doing outside.
HOME IS WHERE THE WATER IS
WORDS AND PHOTOS ZAK ERB
You’re in Owen Sound in the dead of winter. Hunting about for something to do. You’ve visited the countless art galleries, taken in all the live music you can handle, and thoroughly satisfied your inner foodie. You’ve heard that this area is known for world class hiking, with waterfalls, great trails, and stunning views. But isn’t that sort of outing best enjoyed in the warmer months? Isn’t it too snowy and cold now? Absolutely not! With an extra layer or two, and a pair of snowshoes, the trails in and around Owen Sound are nothing short of a winter wonderland.
to the north of the falls. The Owen Sound Waterfront Trail crosses the frozen mouths of the Pottawatomi and Sydenham rivers while making its way around the inner harbour. This straightforward trail offers views of our famous grain elevators as it meanders through Kelso Beach. Once you’ve reached the opposite side of the Bay, enjoy a long look across icy Georgian Bay from the Harry Lumley Bayshore on the east side. Make sure to enjoy an “aprèshike” beverage at the Bishop’s Landing or Mudtown Station.
Harrison Park is the best bet for a family outing, offering scenic trails on either side of the Sydenham River, a great snowy playground and perhaps the best toboggan hill in the area. Those looking for a decent bit of winter cardio can trek from the park up to Inglis Falls via the Harrison Park Side Trail which connects to the main Bruce Trail.
Looking to capture an iconic winter selfie? Consider hiking to the base of one of our frozen waterfalls. Jones Falls is easily accessed in the Pottawatomi Conservation Area just west of town. Park at the Springmount Visitor Centre and follow the riverside trail until it meets up with the Bruce Trail. Just past this point a side trail brings you through an icy crevice (tread carefully) right to the base of the falls.
Inglis Falls, whether you’ve snowshoed or driven to it, is one of the best wintry scenes Owen Sound has to offer. In addition, it offers access, via the Bruce Trail, to further great lookouts and technical trails
Indian Falls, a short drive north of town, is a challenging, though short, winter trek. Park at the trail-head just off Grey Road 1, strap on your snowshoes and follow the trail through some rough terrain to the
base of the falls. Be sure of your footing and don’t get too close to any running water or large overhanging icicles. Selfie glory is now yours. In winter as in summer, Owen Sound makes a great “homebase” for day trips into the surrounding area. Consider making your way north up the Bruce Peninsula to Lion’s Head Provincial Park if you crave a truly adventurous snowshoe. The Bruce Trail here displays some of the best views to be had in the province. The 7km there and back trek to the famous Lion’s Head Lookout will have you feeling like an explorer of old. For those who enjoy the finer things (and who doesn’t), Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery offers a snowshoe tour paired with wine and cheese. Find Coffin Ridge a short drive east of town off Highway 26. Snowshoe tours run on weekends all winter long. The Owen Sound area is beautiful all year long, but it truly shines when the rivers turn to ice, the trees are dusted in white and fresh snow crunches underfoot. So grab your toque, mitts, and a pair of snowshoes and get exploring!
CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE: Inglis Falls from above, looking toward Owen Sound. Indian Falls near Balmy Beach. Zak Erb exploring with some precious cargo. Indian Falls from below. JOHN FEARNALL PHOTO. Inglis Falls is a spectacular sight when she lets loose. JOHN FEARNALL PHOTO. Jones Falls on a stunning bluebird day.
LOCAL RECIPE ..................................................
Gitche namewikwedong. Great Sturgeon Bay. Nestled on what’s now known as Georgian Bay, this scenic city which we call home has a rich history as the traditional hunting and fishing grounds of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation of the Nawash people. We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful areas of the province and walk this land that is filled with deep Indigenous roots. Whether you yourself have roots here, are a recent transplant, or fall somewhere in between, you may have heard of – or even visited – Gitche Namewikwedong’s name sake cultural heart , M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre. Originally a small, grassroots initiative back in 1988, M’Wikwedong gained momentum and has been a steady pulse in this area for nearly two decades now. As we move forward in this age of reconciliation and reclamation, this organization becomes more important than ever.
THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA FOR M'WIKWEDONG INDIGENOUS FRIENDSHIP CENTRE WORDS AND PHOTOS SARAH GOLDMAN
The Friendship Centre offers programs for everyone, from prenatal nutrition services and family-focused activities, to supports for adults and elders. It has become a place for people to both reconnect with traditional teachings and expand their knowledge of the Anishinabek culture. It’s a cornerstone for breaking down social and systemic barriers while uniting people of all backgrounds. But while we’re busy breaking down those barriers, our ever-expanding list of programs has us bursting out of our current building.
That’s why we are thrilled to be moving to a new location this winter! We’ll be taking over the old Dufferin School building, giving us room to grow with the community. Not only is the location a perk – close to the heart of downtown and walking distance to the water – but the larger space means more room for gardens, playscapes for children, community celebrations and ceremonies, and workshops for people to hone traditional and sustainable living skills. While it feels odd to close the doors of the little building that we’ve called home for so long, the M’Wikwedong staff are excited to finally spread our own roots.
In just a few short months, we will be welcoming visitors into the new space with open arms. We can’t wait to share this new journey with the community, and we hope you’ll stop by to say aanii! In the meantime, why not try your hand at making bannock? The traditional Indigenous bread is a favourite snack and the perfect excuse to get cozy around a winter bonfire. We’re sharing our Bannock in a Bag recipe, straight from the children’s and youth programs (but grown-ups love it, too). We hope you enjoy it!
Bannock in a Bag In a zippered plastic bag place: · 1 cup flour · 1/2 tablespoon baking powder · 1/2 teaspoon sugar · 1/8 teaspoon salt - Seal bag and shake it to mix the dry ingredients. - Cut in 1/8 cup of shortening or butter - Slowly add 1/3 cup water - Press most of the air out of the bag and seal it - Press and squeeze the bag with your hands until the dough is mixed (add more flour if the dough is too sticky) Cooking over a campfire: Wrap the dough around a stick and cook it over an open fire until golden brown. Cooking in the oven: Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Place lumps of dough on parchment paper on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown, checking to make sure it does not burn. Serve bannock with maple syrup or jam. Feeling a tad more adventurous? Try adding raisins, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips, or using the bannock mix as an ingenious way to wrap sausages, hot dogs, or veggie dogs.
We're #1 WORDS JESSE WILKINSON
Flake. Powder. Pillow Drift. Pow-pow. The fluffy stuff. Whatever you call it, snow is something that defines us here in Owen Sound. It often arrives in November and lingers until April, and for most, it’s a love/hate relationship. Sure, we complain about it more often than not. Almost in passing, we’ll mention begrudgingly that ‘a dump is on its way’ or that ‘visibility was a bugger last night’. But we have a right to complain about the fluffy stuff more than most – according to weather reports, we get more of it than any other city in Ontario. Officially 130 inches of backbreaking, sled-sliding, tongue-touching flakes of flurry fall on the Scenic City every winter. That literally makes us number one. And frankly, deep down we all love it. Well at least until February. And when I say that we have a right to complain more than most, that also means we have the right to celebrate it more than others, as well. When you’re walking downtown this winter and the thick flakes are floating through the light of the street lamps and falling gracefully on your eyelashes; when the Festival of Northern Lights is guiding you along the frozen riverbanks with your loved ones close by, hot chocolate nestled in mittened hands; when you stop shoveling your lane to chat with your neighbours for a few minutes and recon-
nect over shared experiences of this city in the winter - that’s us celebrating the gift (yes gift!) of our annual snowfall. Let’s imagine our winter without it for a second. What would become of our topnotch snowshoeing? Let’s not even mention the cross-country skiing that makes this area so special. What about the sled trails that we love so much? Would ice fishing be the same? How many of us take tobogganing with our kids for granted on any given day? A heavy snowfall gives us the soft banks to fall into when skating at the Harrison Park rink (on even days; remember the HOSE rule - hockey on odd days, skating on even). It turns random parking lots into giant snow-hill kingdoms to conquer. Shoveling it gives us a work out so we don’t need to go to the gym. In December, it makes our downtown look even more authentic and Christmas-like (is that a word?). There’s a reason this city was chosen for the setting of One Magic Christmas way back in 1985. It’s always been the fluffy stuff. So I say we just celebrate that we’re number one in the snow department, and save the complaining for the summer heat. I’m of the belief that if it’s going to be cold, there might as well be snow. I mean, when’s the last time you got in a good ol’ fashioned snowball fight? I’m not
condoning throwing snowballs at unsuspecting bystanders, but a family-friendly winter battle royale sure does make the day less ordinary. You’re already bundled up so those snowballs aren’t going to hurt that much anyways. You can always build yourself a snow-wall to hide behind if things get out of control. Unless something really surprising happens, we should expect our winters to keep delivering us copious amounts of icy presents from the sky and save our complaints for the only thing that chaps my lips come January: when you shovel your neighbours lane as a courtesy and it snows again before they get home, erasing your good deed. Then you should be given full license to shake your fist in the air and wonder what you did to upset the snow gods. Yes, snow gods are 100% real. That’s really the worst thing that can happen to us in this beautiful, white, winter wonderland. But we’d do it again - time and time again - because we’re Owen Sounders, and we know how good it feels to get home and see our laneway already shoveled for us. We pull right into our driveway without a thought of where our shovel is. Let the family spill out of the car and shuffle into the house. And quietly gather a handful of snow while no one’s looking, form it into a ball and soar one through the air! Let the snowball fight begin.
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AFTER THE SUN GOES DOWN IN OWEN SOUND WORDS JESSE WILKINSON
PHOTOS NELSON PHILLIPS
Let me guess – you’ve been on the trails all day snowshoeing or cross country skiing and now you’re hungry, thirsty, and itching to socialize? Perfect. Owen Sound is the regional hub of Grey Bruce for a reason – it’s got a lot to do when the sun goes down. And since the sun descends at 5pm in the winter, it leaves lots of time to explore the nightlife the city offers. Instead of just listing all the places you can go, here’s some pre-packaged nights that will give you an idea of what kind of fun can be had. That’s right, all the work is done for you. All you need to do is just choose your adventure, or create one of your own.
Option #1:
Option #2:
Option #3:
Option #4:
Option #5:
· Go record shopping at Sourcat Records. · Enjoy dinner at Sizzlin’ · Catch a show at the Roxy Theatre. · Close out the night with drinks and apps at Jazzmyn’s.
· Visit Kokoro Salt Cave for some R&R. · Experience dinner at Casero Kitchen Table. · Attend an evening show at Heartwood Concert Hall. · Find some late night drinks and apps at Shorty’s Bar and Grill.
· Stroll the Festival of Northern Lights along the river. · Explore the menu at Mudtown Station. · Catch an Owen Sound Attack game at the Harry Lumley Bayshore. · Head to Bishop’s Landing for some food and drinks.
· Roll some rocks at the Owen Sound Bowling Alley. · Take in a movie at Galaxy Cinemas. · Enjoy post-flick apps and drinks at Joe Tomato’s.
· Enjoy a vintner’s plate at Coffin Ridge. · Join the snowmobilers at Boston Pizza for some big screen sports action. · Dinner and live music at East Side Mario’s.
An evening in the theatre district
The Owen Sound alleyway shuffle
CORY LAYCOCK PHOTO
A walk along the water
Go west
UNSPLASH PHOTO
An east side adventure
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WHERE TO STAY .....................................
YOU’RE HERE. NOW WHAT? WORDS NELSON PHILLIPS
You’ve made the trek. Braved the icy reputation of the near-north and now you’re here. First, welcome; visitors are a massive part of who we are here in Owen Sound. If the winter can do one thing consistently, it’s find a way to get us all in one spot — whether that be a kitchen party, a live show, an art exhibit, a brunch date, or a hockey game. Second, you’re going to need a place to stay and if you’re not one of the lucky ones who have a friend or family member in town who can put you up in the guest bedroom or on the pull-out couch, you’ll find a plethora of accommodations in Owen Sound that continue the welcoming attitude of our fair city. We thought we’d put together some of the highest ranked hotels, motels, and B&B’s in town so you can not only enjoy the culinary, cultural, and natural wonders of Owen Sound, but get a good night’s rest as well. According to the review-dependent folks at TripAdvisor (and in no particular order) these are the crème de la crème of Scenic City accommodations, but don’t limit your experience here - there are loads of excellent Airbnb retreats and hidden gems spread around the area that deserve your patronage as well. So spread the love around and try a few before you, *ahem* end up moving here full time *cough*.
TRAVELODGE
880 10th St E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 1T4 • 226 909-0235
NIGHTS INN
672 10th St W, Owen Sound, ON N4K 3R9 • 519 372-2929
COMFORT INN
955 9th Ave E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 6N4 • 519 371-5500
Straightforward roadside hotel with free Wi-Fi & continental breakfast, plus a business centre.
Set amid eateries on Route 6, this no-frills budget hotel is 2 km from Kelso Beach Park on the Georgian Bay.
Classic hotel offering classic rooms, plus free breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking.
QUALITY INN
OWEN SOUND INN
DIAMOND MOTOR INN
950 6th St E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 1H1 • 519 376-1551 Straightforward hotel with free Wi-Fi & parking, plus an indoor saltwater pool & a fitness centre.
485 9th Ave E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 3E2 • 519 371-3011 Casual rooms with flatscreen TVs, mini fridges & patios/balconies in a low-key, motel-like hotel.
713 9th Ave E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 3E6 • 519 371-2011 Humble motel offering basic rooms with free Wi-Fi & kitchenettes, plus on-site picnic tables.
BEST WESTERN INN TRAVELLERS MOTEL ON THE BAY & RESTAURANT 1800 2nd Ave E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 5R1 • 519 371-9200
740 9th Ave E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 3E5 • 519 376-2680
Modest hotel offering an exercise room, a sauna & a restaurant, plus a cocktail lounge & free Wi-Fi.
Informal rooms with free Wi-Fi in an old-school motel with a restaurant serving home-cooked diner-style fare.
INN ON 6th
THE HIGHLAND MANOR INN
896 6th St E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 1G8 • 519 376-3510 Casual rooms with microwaves & cable TV in a motel offering a seasonal outdoor pool and a sauna.
867 4th Ave ‘A’ W, Owen Sound, ON N4K 6L5 • 519 372-2699 Antiques-filled1870s property offering upscale rooms, a wraparound porch and free hot breakfast.
WHERE SN W GOES TO VACATION. We’re no strangers to snow. We’re cross-country skiers and snowshoers. We fish in the cold – and love it. Skating is just what we do and when the temperature is right, we make snowmen…and ladies! We don’t hibernate in the winter, we get out and embrace it! www.owensoundtourism.ca
Horton & Horton Lawyers Since 1939 Barristers, Solicitors & Notary Public Real Estate, Wills, Estates, Corporate, Civil Litigation, Family Law, Separation, Divorce and Collaborative Family Law Edward P. Horton, B.A., LL.B., Q.C. W. Joanne Horton, B.Sc., LL.B. R. P. Horton, Q.C. (1939-1982)
Superior Service with Experience Serving One Client at a Time 519-376-8650
What’s on at THE... CURIOUS THE
INCIDENT OF THE
IN THE
NIGHT-TIME
Feb 6-8 & 12-15
Mar 26-28 & Apr 1-4
roxytheatre.ca
June 4-6, 10-13