Things to do! We <3 activities
Beach Walk or Swim
Whether you’re heading out for a swim or just want to catch the sunset, it’s a great way to spend part of the day. There are a few public access points along the Thunder Beach shoreline — one of the easiest and most central is next to 102 Centre Beach.
Tennis & Pickleball
Courts will be available over the weekend, so feel free to bring your tennis or pickleball gear if you want to play. Just make sure to wear non-marking shoes! Chat with Emily or Alex if you want more details.
Just a 10-minute drive from Thunder Beach, Awenda Provincial Park has a few great hiking trails and beautiful forest and lake views. A nice way to spend a quiet morning or afternoon.
Awenda Provincial Park
Where to Grab Groceries
There’s a convenient location off the main road in Elmvale on the way up from Toronto. Once you’re at Thunder Beach, the closest location is in Penetanguishene.
Foodland
Wendy B’s Fine Foods
Great prepared foods and baked treats. Also a good place to stop if you’re short an ingredient. Emily loves the ginger molasses cookies!
A classic farm stand with fresh produce, seasonal goods, and delicious butter tarts and pies… they also have great honey. Everything is grown and made locally!
Dubeau’s Family Farm
Where to Eat
The Friendly Corner
Owned and run by Emily’s cousin (shoutout @Connor!), it’s a short walk from cottages in the area and open for breakfast, lunch, & dinner! Alex loves the coffee and Emily loves the pancakes and mediterranean bowl.
Cawaja General Store
Worth the 10-minute drive! Emily & Alex love the breakfast sandwiches - they also have baked goods, salty snacks, pantry staples, frozen foods, and ice cream.
A small local Polish spot with seriously good sandwiches. Emily and Alex always go for the pork and chicken schnitzel sandwiches with everything on top!
Tiny Treats Deli
If you love ice cream as much as us…
A classic Ontario stop about halfway between Toronto and the cottage. You can use the drive-thru or head inside to choose from tons of flavours. Alex’s go-to is chocolate chip cookie dough, and Emily always picks creamsicle (controversial, we know).
Kawartha Dairy Barrie
Wyevale Jug City
Soft serve with a loyal following. It’s about 30 minutes from the cottage, and while the outside isn’t much to look at, the vanilla and chocolate twist is worth it. There’s usually a bit of a line on hot days, but it moves quickly.
Another Barrie favourite with a drive-thru, serving soft serve, sundaes, and Blizzard-style treats. Lots of fun options to choose from — we both usually go for a cone dipped in Smarties. Easy stop if you’re craving something sweet on the way up.
The Ice Cream Hut