FAMILY An adventure to remember BRUCE AND GREY COUNTIES OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY BY CARLEY DONALDSON AND HEATHER MOLNAR-ALJOE 8 GREY-BRUCE KIDS • SUMMER <strong>2023</strong>
Cave crawl in <strong>Bruce</strong> County. When it comes to year-round fun, <strong>Bruce</strong> and <strong>Grey</strong> counties offer endless possibilities for family activities and adventure for the young and young at heart. The region is known for its abundance of family activities and ability to encourage kids to look under rocks and use their active, inquiring minds. With epic hiking trails, amazing scenic lookouts, miles of sandy beach and great rainy-day options, your crew will be creating memories from sunrise till sunset. Here are some ideas to help you plan your getaway from the everyday, whether you live in the area or are just visiting. LOTS TO DO IN BRUCE COUNTY Discover our beaches Time moves slower at the water’s edge. Waves are an invitation for jumping and splashing. Shells and smooth stones from the sand are treasures waiting to be discovered by tiny hands. With the Lake Huron shoreline running from Point Clark in the southern reaches of the county to Tobermory on one side of the <strong>Bruce</strong> Peninsula and the sparkling waters of Georgian Bay along the other, there are plenty of amazing beaches to enjoy in <strong>Bruce</strong> County. If you’re looking for family friendly swimming along sandy shores, head to Sauble Beach. Take a swim, stroll the main strip and let the kids blow their allowance at Giggles Arcade. Hike the legendary <strong>Bruce</strong> Trail It’s no surprise that the legendary <strong>Bruce</strong> Trail runs right through <strong>Bruce</strong> County, to its ultimate finish in Tobermory. This is a family-friendly destination that offers a chance to immerse your family in the natural beauty of <strong>Bruce</strong> County. Hiking isn’t just for grown-ups. Underneath every rock is a new creature waiting to be revealed and around every bend is a new story to tell. The curiosity of what the next scenic secret will be will have your children racing through the trees, excited for each new discovery. Hidden caves tucked deep in the rocks are ready for young explorers to use as nature’s ultimate playground. There are some amazing family hikes along the trail. Make sure your little ones have proper footwear (yourselves too!), pack some snacks and water, grab a camera and head out on the trails for the ultimate adventure. Buy yourself a <strong>Bruce</strong> Trail Guidebook or download the <strong>Bruce</strong> Trail app to choose your route and help you find your way. While the hikes at <strong>Bruce</strong> Peninsula National Park are very popular (the hike to The Grotto is perhaps best known), there are many other opportunities to get your family on the trail in quieter spots like Lion’s Head, McNeill’s Mansion near Wiarton, the <strong>Bruce</strong> Caves and Purple Valley. Cool off in Wiarton Wiarton is a beautiful town on the shore of Georgian Bay, with great downtown shopping and restaurants, a beautiful waterfront park, and family-friendly <strong>Bruce</strong> Trail hikes nearby. Bluewater Park in Wiarton is the perfect location to keep your children entertained for hours. Visit the home of Wiarton Willie and spend a few hours at the refreshing splash pad, featuring a variety of ground nozzles, making for the perfect family day trip. Challenge yourself on the ropes Just off the beaten path in Tobermory, you’ll find Little Cove Adventures – home to a high and low ropes course that will challenge your family and test your limits. You’ll be climbing from tree to tree, swinging from tire to tire and zipping from rope to rope with the help of your guides and safety equipment. There are even camping cabin accommodations for those who’d like to use Little Cove as their home base. The high ropes course is suitable for those aged 10 and up while the low ropes course is geared to ages six and up. Experience the county’s history After taking the time to unveil all <strong>Bruce</strong> County has to offer outdoors, plan a visit to the <strong>Bruce</strong> County Museum & Cultural Centre to learn about the history behind all of your family’s favourite spots. There are no velvet ropes or dusty collections here – it’s packed full of fun for the whole family! Enjoy culturally immersive experiences at the Museum, located on High Street, in Southampton. With a great lineup of children’s programming and summer exhibits, the Museum & Cultural greybrucekids.com • 9
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