Orillia

Orillia ON - Waterfront of Orillia Orillia is a city of about 31,000 people (2023) in Ontario, 35 kilometers northeast of Barrie.

Orillia Halal Explorer

Known as the "Sunshine City" and the city's large waterfront attracts many visitors to the area every year, as do a number of annual festivals and other cultural attractions. While the area's largest employer is Casino Rama, overall economic activity in Orillia is a mixture of many different industries including manufacturing, government services, client service and tourism.

Orillia sits on the shores of two connected lakes: Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching. Both lakes are part of the Trent-Severn Waterway. Travel north on Lake Couchiching and then through three locks and the only marine railway in North America leads to Georgian Bay on Lake Huron. Travel south-east across Lake Simcoe, through many locks (including two of the highest hydraulic lift locks in the world) eventually leads to Lake Ontario. From either of these Great Lakes one can connect to the St. Lawrence and thence to the Atlantic Ocean.

Orillia draws visitors as a gateway to Lake Country, cottage country in Muskoka, Algonquin Provincial Park and the Trent–Severn Waterway and other natural attractions.

History

The history of the area dates back at least several thousand years. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of fishing by the Huron and Iroquois peoples in the area over 4,000 years ago, and of sites used by First Nations peoples for hundreds of years for trading, hunting, and fishing.

The French explorer Samuel de Champlain visited the area in the summer of 1615. He travelled over a trail used by the Hurons, Ojibways, French and British used as a fur-trading route. It would become the Coldwater Road centuries later. Champlain spent the winter with the Hurons in their chief village of Cahiague (near the current Warminster). A monument to Samuel de Champlain can also be found in Couchiching Beach Park and is a National Historic Site of Canada.

The government made treaties with the Hurons in 1798, 1815 and 1818 to gain land to the north and west of Lake Simcoe and then made grants to military veterans. In 1840 and the government bought extra land from the First Nations and laid out the settlement of Orillia.

Transportation links with Toronto and Georgian Bay stimulated Orillia's development as a commercial centre and summer resort.

In Stephen Leacock's 1912 book Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town, Orillia was used as the basis for the fictional town known as "Mariposa". The book was based on Leacock's experiences in the town and since the book's release and the city has attempted to mimic the fictional location in as many ways as feasible.

Orillia was the first municipality in North America to introduce daylight saving time and had the first municipal hydroelectric transmission plant in North America.

Travel to Orillia

By car

Orillia is roughly 1½ hours north of Toronto and is on Ontario Highway 11/12 via Highway 400 North.

Travel on a Bus in Orillia

Ontario Northland has service 5 times a day from Toronto (2 hours 4 min, $27-35).

How to get around in Orillia

GPS 44.604283|-79.412969

• Orillia Transit - ☎ +1 705-325-3975 Opening Hours: Departures at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour from the terminal: Monday to Friday 6:15AM Monday - 10:15PM, Saturday 8:45AM Monday - 7:45PM, Sunday 8:45AM Monday - 4:15PM; no service on holidays $2.25 cash fare, children free Orillia Transit - Five routes run on loops that depart and end at the downtown bus terminal on the West St. and Mississaga St. intersection.

What to see in Orillia

Stephen Leacock House Orillia - Leacock Museum and National Historic Site

• Stephen Leacock Museum | 50 Museum Dr. ☎ +1 705-329-1908 | Opening Hours: Museum: daily 10AM Monday - 4PM, bistro: Tuesday to Friday 11AM Monday - 2PM Suggested $5 donation Stephen Leacock, Canada's beloved humourist spent his most creative time in what he called Lake Simcoe Country. The museum is in the writer's historic former house.

• The Lightfoot Trail System - including the Millennium Trail which is the longest trail in the world.

• The Orillia Opera House - 1 West Street North 44.6083, -79.4203 ☎ +1 705-326-8011 Orillia Opera House Orillia Opera House A This grand old building is at the junction of West Street and Mississaga St. Professional theatre during the summer, concerts and educational programming throughout the year, and 200 performances presented by the local community.

• Shaw Maple Syrup Production - #493 Oro-Medonte Line 14, RR#1 Hawkestone 44.5315217, -79.433153 Between Barrie and Orillia ☎ +1 705-325-4347 | Opening Hours: circa February - April depending on temperatures Visits are free, $5 for horse tour, $10 for pancakes Fun place where you can walk between the maple-trees and see the sap collection. There is a pancake and Sausages restaurant, and al-tours/ tours with horse sleigh (wagon when no snow).

• Orillia's Arts District, on Peter St. S., between Mississauga St. E. and Colborne St. E., is home to a variety of art galleries, fine dining and retail outlets.

• Orillia Museum of Art & History | 30 Peter Street South ☎ +1 705-326-2159 Opening from Monday to Saturday 10AM Monday - 4PM, Sunday 1PM Monday - 4PM Suggested $5 donation - Considered the hub of art and culture for the city, plays an instrumental role in municipal cultural events. The museum occupies all four floors of the historic Sir Sam Steele Building, a landmark destination for residents and visitors. A collection of over 10,000 artefacts of regional historical significance features in a rotating exhibits schedule. On a separate floor is contemporary art space with exhibits featuring regional and international artists. The museum also features a designated education space and hosts activities including art-making and interpretive programming for children, artists, artisans, historians, etc.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Orillia

• Casino Rama - 5899 Rama Road 44.647222, -79.350278 ☎ +1 705-329-3325 Casino Rama Casino Rama Casino Rama is a hotel, entertainment and shopping complex on the lands of the Rama First Nations, on the eastern shore of Lake Couchiching, just outside of Orillia.

• Spring Boat, Cottage and Outdoor Show: usually the middle weekend in June.
• Perch Fishing Festival: Perch are netted, tagged, and released into the local lake, to be caught for prize money. This event also includes a large social gathering consisting of a "perch fry".
• Christmas in June, at the Port of Orillia, includes a boat decorating contest and turkey buffet. Boat and cottage shows are held in June and August.
• Canada Day - the largest such event in Central Ontario, at Couchiching Beach Park. The day begins with a traditional pancake breakfast served by the Mayor and Council, and ends with a large fireworks display.
• Mariposa Folk Festival: this festival is the longest running folk festival in Canada.
• The Leacock Medal Gala and Award ceremony is held each June at nearby Geneva Park to honour the best Canadian humorous book published the previous year. Tickets are for sale to the public.
• Scottish Festival at Couchiching Beach Park and Centennial Park in July each year. Marching bands from around the nation participate.
• Other popular annual festivals include the Blues Festival, Jazz Festival, and Beatles Festival.
• Lake St. George Golf Club is ten minutes north of Orillia.
• Couchiching Beach Park, Centennial Park, and the Port of Orillia: the city's waterfront has an extensive lakeshore boardwalk, a large park with two beaches, several playgrounds, an outdoor theatre, a touring ferry, and a children's train.

Halal Restaurants in Orillia

• Wilkie's Bakery 169 Mississaga Street East ☎ +1 705 327-7163 Excellent butter tarts.

• Maria's Restaurant 83 Mississaga Street West ☎ +1 705 326-9206
• The Highwayman Inn & Conference Centre - 201 Woodside Drive ☎ +1-800-461-0269
• Ossawippi Express Fine Dining Cars - 210 Mississaga Street East ☎ +1 705-329-0001
• The Gourmet Station 42 Mississaga Street West ☎ +1 705-325-8926
• Kelsey's Restaurant - 405 Memorial Ave ☎ +1 705-327-2900
• Webers Charcoal Barbecued Hamburgers - 8825 Highway 11 North - GPS: about 1 kilometers north of Orillia, next to Ontario Highway 11 ☎ +1 705-325-3696 Opening Hours: Mid-Apr to mid-October: daily from 10:30AM to 7:30PM or later; mid-Oct to Dec and late Mar to early Apr: F-Su only Burgers, veggie Burgers and Hot Dogs from $4.25 - Long line-up, but they move quickly. This place has a legendary status amongst cottagers.

• West 22 - 22 West Street South - Good people, food.

• Grape and Olive Wine and Martini Bistro - 400 Memorial Avenue at the Best Western Hotel ☎ +1 705-238-5086 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 7AM Monday - 10AM, 5PM Monday - 9PM; Friday 7AM Monday - 10AM, 5PM Monday - 9:30PM; Saturday 7AM Monday - 11AM, 5PM Monday - 9:30PM; Sunday 7AM Monday - 11AM, 5PM Monday - 9PM

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Orillia

Orillia - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Orillia, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Orillia. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Orillia and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Orillia. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Orillia. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inOrillia: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Orillia.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Orillia: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Orillia, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Orillia.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Orillia, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Orillia, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Orillia and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Orillia, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Orillia, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Orillia without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Orillia is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Orillia.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Orillia is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Orillia, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Orillia Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• Quality Hotel Champlain Waterfront - ☎ +1 705-325-0770
• Comfort Inn - ☎ +1 705-327-7744
• The Highwayman Inn & Conference Centre - ☎ +1-800-461-0269
• Stone Gate Inn - ☎ +1 705-329-2535
• Best Western Mariposa Inn - ☎ +1 705-325-9511
• Econo Lodge - ☎ +1 705-326-3554
• Days Inn Orillia - ☎ +1 705-326-8288
• Best Western Couchiching Inn - ☎ +1 705-325-6505
• Knights Inn - ☎ +1 705-325-7846
• Kings Inn - ☎ +1-800-530-7416

• Adleigh House Bed & Breakfast - 149 Peter Street North - +1 705-325-1124

Telecommunications in Orillia

Ontario's Lake Country]

Travel Next

Orillia is a good central location to start with if travelling back and forth to several locations in Southern Ontario]. Muskoka, including Gravenhurst, Huntsville (Ontario) | Huntsville, and Parry Sound is nearby to the north continuing up to North Bay and Sudbury (Ontario) | Sudbury. To the south down Highway 400 is Barrie, and Toronto]. A few hours along highway 7 to the east is Ottawa.

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