What to do and see in Manitoulin Island, Northeastern Ontario: The Best Hidden Gems Things to do

June 14, 2021 Marianna Hollaway

Discover the best top things to do in Manitoulin Island, United States including Perivale Gallery, Kicking Mule Ranch, Cup and Saucer Trail, Misery Bay Provincial Nature Reserve, Maja's Garden, The Old Mill Heritage Centre, Janet Head Lighthouse.
Restaurants in Manitoulin Island

1320 Perivale Rd E, Spring Bay, Ontario P0P 2B0 Canada +1 705-377-4847 [email protected] http://www.perivalegallery.com
Excellent
92%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 164 reviews

Perivale Gallery

Follow Perivale Road East from Spring Bay. Perivale Gallery offers a feast for the senses along the beautiful southeastern shore of Lake Kagawong. Representing exceptional contemporary Canadian fine artists, sculptors and artisans for over 38 years, this eclectic exhibition of original work in a variety of media and styles, is ever-changing and evolving and worth several visits over the season. Open weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) from the May holiday until mid June, then DAILY (10-5) until mid-September.

Reviewed By 598cathym - Britt, Canada

What a treasure Perivale Gallery is! We have been wanting to visit for some time now, and finally had the opportunity yesterday. Well curated and represented, the gallery provides the work a host of diverse artists and artisans. The North is prominently on display in various forms: wall art, sculpture, jewelry, pottery.... all worthy of a second, third look, and even permanent gazing in the perfect spot in your home. The gardens at Perivale are equally impressive. Stroll through and the peaceful serenity will envelop you. If you are on the beautiful island Manitoulin, stop in. If you are not, make the trip ... it is so worth it!

2. Kicking Mule Ranch

101 Gauthier Rd, Tehkummah, Ontario P0P 2C0 Canada +1 705-859-1234 http://www.manitoulin-island.com/kmr/
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 53 reviews

Kicking Mule Ranch

Reviewed By bebetanne

Animals for petting:Rabbits,Goats,Mules,Chickens And some exotic Birds. Horseback riding with Instruction available.Staff is great.Entertaining for young and old.

3. Cup and Saucer Trail

Bidwell Road at the junction of Hwy 540 and Bidwell Rd, Ontario Canada +1 416-960-8121 http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails/view/cup-saucer-trail
Excellent
66%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 296 reviews

Cup and Saucer Trail

Reviewed By ian24241964 - Toronto, Canada

Great walk and beautiful view. The path is wide open with very few tricky spots for the walk. 4 or 5 great views from the top overlooking the whole north side of the island.

4. Misery Bay Provincial Nature Reserve

Misery Bay Road, Evansville, Ontario P0P 1Y0 Canada
Excellent
71%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 77 reviews

Misery Bay Provincial Nature Reserve

Reviewed By nickelcitygirl - Sudbury, Canada

This is a day use only park; there is no camping available. The website indicated that the Visitor Centre would be open weekends in May and June and all week during July and August, but just a heads up that this was not the case during our visit. The Visitor Centre was closed when we were there, and the washrooms were closed as well (the sign indicated that they are only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Pack whatever you need to eat or drink, as there were no options to purchase anything. Also note that there are no garbage cans, so you bring out whatever you take in. There is a very nominal fee; the most expensive walk in fee is $2 for an adult 18+. There was some flooding when we visited, so not all of the trails were available. We did the Inland Alvar trail, which is about a 5 km loop. There were a few spots where you are by the water (Misery Bay and Lake Huron). The water was so clear! It's an easy walk and the trail is well marked. If you want to be along the water for a long stretch, it looks like the 8 km Coastal Alvar trail follows Lake Huron for about 3 1/2 km. Definitely worth a visit!

5. Maja's Garden

6152 King Street, Hwy 542 Ontario, Mindemoya, Ontario P0P 1S0 Canada +1 705-377-4471 [email protected] http://www.majas.ca/
Excellent
75%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 57 reviews

Maja's Garden

A visit in Maja's Garden is Free if charge. We offer delicious vegetarian and vegan LUNCH options made with product from our organic garden. Our workshop fees can be found on our website.

Reviewed By westielover_TO - Toronto, Canada

We came to Manitoulin Island last year around this time and fell in love with the place, so we came again this year with our little son. We only discovered Maja’s on this trip and now regret that we haven’t been there before! The magic starts right at the front lawn with a fantastic and whimsical outdoor wooden chess set which my son and husband enjoyed after lunch. There are lunch selections available, as well as baked goods, grains, beans, and other foodstuffs to take away. The menu is organic, mostly vegetarian, and all yummy, with some of the baked goods also gluten free. We ordered our lunches, bought a nice big jar of local honey to take home with us, as well as a proper cycling jersey for my husband (the owner is in the Manitoulin Cycling Society) and then walked around the side of the house to the gorgeous gardens! There were lovely little tables and umbrellas set up (all socially distant), a vegetable garden, a little greenhouse, and lots of beautiful little corners to marvel at. In terms of their covid-19 protocols, we felt very comfortable there. Everyone wore masks in the little front store area, they have a hand washing station at the side of the house that they ask you to use on your way to the back garden, and they leave your food and drinks on a bar height table close to your table where you can easily grab your lunch which allows everyone to stay socially distant. My husband (who’s vegetarian) had a delicious lentil burger with Italian wedding soup. My little son loved his slice of ham, cheese and leek quiche, and I also loved my cheese and tomato quiche. The pasta salad we shared was also perfect - dressing wasn’t too tart, pasta was al dente. We enjoyed ourselves so much, we could have stayed there all afternoon (and I imagine if it were a bright, sunny Manitoulin day, with the gardens overflowing and the hollyhocks nodding, many people probably do!) We had some homemade sorbet and some type of apple pie with pecans that smelled heavenly and tasted even better! The only thing nicer was the wonderful, warm, and friendly owners who served us and made us feel welcome. Apparently they have musical acts there in the evenings sometimes! Would definitely recommend and return!

6. The Old Mill Heritage Centre

15 Old Mill Road, Kagawong, Ontario P0P 1J0 Canada +1 705-282-1442 http://kagawongmuseum.ca
Excellent
36%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 25 reviews

The Old Mill Heritage Centre

7. Janet Head Lighthouse

621 Lighthouse Rd, Gore Bay, Ontario P0P 1H0 Canada +1 705-282-4355 [email protected] http://www.gordonbarrieisland.ca/community/janet-head-lighthouse/
Excellent
24%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
5%
Terrible
9%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 21 reviews

Janet Head Lighthouse

Janet Head Lighthouse re-opened to the public for July and August of 2019. October, 2019 update - the lighthouse is now closed for the season. The outside grounds are open year round. Summer hours for the 2020 season will be posted in the spring, 2020.

Reviewed By SthAussietravelgirl - Ontario, Canada

Great place to visit to learn of the importance of these lighthouses that are a fixture of the past on Manitoulin Island

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