Downtown Orillia BIA - Orillia, Ontario

Chula R.

We visited Orillia during the Chrismas time. Walking in the downtown area was great. We liked decorations and businesses in the area.

Sally C.

Great place for a relaxing coffee break and lots of lunch and dining options too. Shops have a unique vibe, not commercialized. The Mariposa is awesome and Apple Annie. The local art galleries have beautiful paintings of Muskoka and other subjects. It's so close to the lake that you can have the best of both places for family and friends to hang out!

Noraina M.

As someone who recently visited Downtown Orillia, I have to say I was quite underwhelmed by the experience. This small town located about an hour and a half north of Toronto really doesn't have much to see or do, especially if you're looking for a lively and vibrant downtown area.

The main street through downtown is lined with a smattering of independent shops, restaurants, and cafes, but the overall atmosphere feels quite sleepy and lacking in energy. Many of the buildings looked a bit dated and in need of some TLC, giving the area a somewhat rundown vibe. I visited on a weekday afternoon and the streets were nearly empty, with very few people out and about.

The one highlight was the beautiful Lake Simcoe waterfront, which offered some nice views and a pleasant walking trail. However, the downtown core itself didn't seem to take full advantage of its proximity to the lake. There weren't many restaurants, bars, or shops that really capitalized on the lakefront location.

Overall, I found Downtown Orillia to be a rather dull and unimpressive small town destination. If you're passing through the area, the lakefront may be worth a quick stop, but I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to spend significant time in the downtown core itself. There just doesn't seem to be enough to keep most visitors engaged for very long.

Mike B.

Downtown Orillia is a gem. I hadn't been here for years ! The Mariposa bakery is a wonderful destination where u will have a hard time deciding on which pastry, tart, cake , or monster donut to enjoy- I've never been a kid in a candy store like this since I was a kid! I'm in my 60s now and very hard to impress!

The sunny Saturday afternoon we arrived there was a very skilled street busker with a guitar singing various hit tunes of the 1970s including Canadian rock and folk classics - very much in the Gordon Lightfoot style. He didn't cover a Lightfoot tune in the short time we were there but I'm confident he does Lightfoot justice when he does.

The town of Orillia's project to commemorate Gordon Lightfoot with various artists commemorative paintings on guitar shaped canvasses that lined both sides of the street was EXTREMELY moving.
Way to go Orillia !!! I'm so proud how you honour your native son!

Ps: planning a fall leaves tour in Simcoe co & Muskoka this fall first stop Downtown Orillia and the Mariposa bakery !

Michael B. Whitby ON

Matt B.

A quaint little town with a rich history and amazing people. You'll find a little bit of everything in the Downtown. I highly recommend Alley Cat Records!

Abhijith J.

A calm, peaceful and beautiful small town in Ontario.

MK L.

Small town with well known writer

Nicole S.

Extremely dissaponted to find so many shops and restaurants closed on a Monday afternoon two weeks before christmas. I understand the difficulties with staffing since the pandemic, I too work in the service industry, however, I would love to see the Orillia BIA really promote and improve advertising for christmas shopping during the month of December by working with the business for better hours of operation, and working with the town to eliminate parking fees. I want to support the downtown, but i can't do that if the stores are closed two days a week and in the evenings.