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Hamilton Spectator

Art galleries, patio pints and outdoor thrills: What to do in and around Collingwood — including chef-approved picks

Summer in the city is crowded and sweltering. Use this road trip guide to get out of town and explore the charming places within driving distance of Toronto. Every week, we'll spotlight an Ontario destination, complete with expert picks for how best to enjoy. Happy trails! Framed by Georgian Bay on one side and the Niagara Escarpment on the other, Collingwood is made for being outside. It's about two-and-a-half hours from Toronto but feels further, in the best way. Trails start close to town, the air smells like pine, and the bay breeze cuts the heat. The historic core is small and walkable, with a mix of art galleries, cocktail bars and indie shops, all set against a backdrop of handsome red-brick buildings. Beyond the downtown, the surrounding area offers plenty of ways to slow down, or raise your heart rate — the thrills of Blue Mountain are just about 15 minutes away. Here are some of the best things to do in and around town: Do a self-guided gallery crawl. Known for its creative streak, Collingwood throws a free downtown art crawl each September, but its galleries are worth visiting year-round. Start at Mountainside Gallery , where the well-curated collection ranges from vibrant ski-scene paintings by Steve Tracy to earthy, wheel-thrown porcelain by Susan Card. A short walk away, Butter Gallery features boldly coloured Canadian landscape paintings and abstract sculptures. For a behind-the-scenes experience, visit Tremont Studios ; the street-level gallery shares space with a dozen working artists upstairs in the historic Tremont building. Tap into small-town spa culture. Collingwood's wellness scene is rooted in its surroundings, with a focus on simplicity, stillness and fresh air over flash. At Everlove , the Nordic-style circuit invites you to alternate between a steamy sauna and icy plunge pools. In summer, the studio hosts movement classes on a well-tended lawn, with space to move, sun on your skin, and nothing but the sound of the breeze. Or head to Vortex Wellness Studio , where treatments such as red light therapy and immersive meditation pods are offered in a cosy, community-focused space. Endswell Beer and Later Pizza are located under the same roof, so you can pair the small-batch beers with a Brooklyn-style pie. Pair a craft pint with a slice. Whether you come for hops, carbs or both, Endswell Beer 's wood-accented taproom is a welcoming spot to refuel. Expect approachable, small-batch beers such as English ales, crisp lagers and easy-drinking pilsners. The brewery shares space with Later Pizza , a Brooklyn-style outfit known for chewy crusts and playful toppings like marinated zucchini with chimichurri. Grab a table inside or snag a picnic bench on the patio. Nicky's Doughnuts & Ice Cream offers desserts in flavours you're unlikely to see elsewhere. Treat yourself to inventive desserts. At Nicky's Doughnuts & Ice Cream , the pillowy handmade doughnuts come in flavours both classic and creative. Past hits include the orange hibiscus and the ube glaze, while a mainstay is the pink-iced Homer, which is reminiscent of an old-school sprinkle doughnut. The house-made ice cream is equally original, with flavours you're unlikely to see elsewhere, such as turon (made with banana and jackfruit like the Filipino dessert) and sweet corn blueberry cream cheese. Stroll over to nearby Optimist Harbourview Park to enjoy your treats while taking in bay views. Go for a therapeutic nature hike. Hiking here feels especially meditative, particularly on a forest therapy walk led by local outfitter Free Spirit Tours . Their gentle treks, from 90 minutes to three hours, wind through woodlands like the George Christie Nature Trails or Metcalfe Rock, while focusing on mindfulness, breath work and tuning into your surroundings. Prefer to go solo? The 3.4-kilometre George Christie loop is also easy to navigate on your own and offers a peaceful dose of nature just minutes from downtown. Kettlewells Vintiques & Florals is the spot for eclectic antiques. Hunt for one-of-a-kind finds. Collingwood's vintage and thrift scene is small but full of character. Browse the fashion racks at Bishop Consignment , where you might chance upon labels such as Gucci. Continue north on Hurontario and you'll hit the Daisy Chain , where thrift meets curated vintage in a cheerful, boho-style space (think: everything from chunky '90s jewelry to ethically made handbags from brands like Pokoloko). Within a short drive, Kettlewells Vintiques & Florals is worth the detour for its mix of fresh-cut blooms and eclectic antiques, like salvaged corbels, wrought-iron patio sets and weathered wood tables. Low Down is an unpretentious bar with a sunny patio downtown. People-watch from the patio. Low Down nails the sweet spot between cool and unpretentious. This Simcoe Street bar serves sippable cocktails and a front-row seat to downtown foot traffic from its sunny patio. On the Asian-inspired menu, the Coco Loco Bowl hits all the right summery notes with coconut jasmine rice, charred pineapple and pickled chilies. Cocktails rotate monthly, but the minty, tequila-based Hotel Lobby is a reliable standout (and just $10 during Happy Hour). A day pass at Blue Mountain Resort grants access to its adventure-park activities like the Wind Rider Triple Zips, shown. Head to the kid-friendly attraction. Only about 15 minutes from Collingwood, Blue Mountain isn't just for skiers. A summer all-access day pass grants entry to more than a dozen activities, including the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster and the Timber Challenge High Ropes, a network of swinging bridges and zip lines. At the Mill Pond Activity Centre, rent a water trike and cruise across the pond. Prefer a slower pace? Hop on the gondola for dramatic views of Georgian Bay and the Niagara Escarpment. (Pass pricing varies by guest age; book online in advance for better rates.) If you stay: Somewhere Inn Collingwood is a stylish, 10-room boutique property in a restored century home, with both vintage charm and modern comforts. Relax in the on-site thermal spa circuit, or wind down at Brooky's, the intimate wine bar. Want more food and drink recommendations for Collingwood? The Star asked chef Jeremy Austin of the Pine to share some of his favourites. Chef Jeremy Austin is the co-owner of the Michelin-starred Pine, right. After spending time cooking in Hong Kong, China and Italy, Austin returned to Canada. He opened the Pine in Collingwood in 2020 and quickly established a reputation for elegant tasting menus. Since then, his restaurant has moved to nearby Creemore — and earned a Michelin star — where he continues to serve a refined, multi-course experience shaped by local ingredients. When you're in Collingwood, here are just a few of Austin's go-to places to eat and drink. Bello Pizza : 'It's a little Brooklyn-style pizza place. They have a wicked patio in the summertime. Everything is delicious. I always get the classic Bello Pizza, and my wife loves the mozza sticks. The gnocco fritto is really nice, too. They have great cocktails and it's a nice, chill vibe.' Austin's recommendations include the Tremont Cafe inside the Dorchester Hotel. The Tremont Cafe : 'They do some really nice Wagyu if you're looking to splurge. It's part of the Dorchester Hotel, and the menu is sort of Lebanese-Italian fusion. It's fine dining — great cocktails, great service and a beautiful atmosphere. The cocktails are fairly classic, so I'll usually get a Negroni.' Gibson & Co. : 'One of my favourite things about it is the location: You have to go down a brick alleyway to get to it, and it makes you feel like you're part of a secret. They have nice coffee. I tend to do iced lattes in the summer and cappuccinos in the winter. They also source amazing wines from all over the world.' The menu at Georgian Bay Surf Club includes must-have duck wings. Georgian Bay Surf Club : 'They have an interesting approach, doing 'surf' cuisine from all over the world. The duck wings are a must, and the duck sandwich is amazing, too. The chef's family owns King Cole Ducks, and what he does with ducks is pretty remarkable. The space is modern with beautiful interior design.' Northwinds Brewery serves up Detroit-style pizza along with its beers. Northwinds Brewery : 'It's a local brew pub (with) a log cabin-like vibe, and I have a great meal every time I go. Their smash burger is delicious. They do Detroit-style pizza as well. It's crispy on the bottom, almost like a focaccia pizza. I like their Nosy Parker Porter, although all the beers are good.'