Muskoka Cranberry Route: The Cranberry Capital of Ontario
A fun-filled (and tasty) trail inspired by Muskoka’s love for cranberries!
September 20th, 2024 – October 20th, 2024
This fall the annualMuskoka Cranberry Routeis back for another season! Join us at more than 30 stops across Muskoka, giving you the opportunity to enjoy cranberries in a plethora of different ways.
Bala is the cranberry capital of Ontario and has been hosting one of the largest cranberry celebrations, theBala Cranberry Festival for the last 30+ years. This year the festival is on October 18- 20, 2024. This cranberry capital is also home to the oldest cranberry farm in Ontario, and the only cranberry farm in the world with its own on-site winery!
The cranberry love doesn’t stop in Bala; in fact Muskoka has long been crazy for cranberries! Across the region talented chefs, bakers, creators and brewers have been incorporating local cranberries into their craft for years. The Muskoka Cranberry Route pulls this collection together to showcase local food, talent and culinary creativity.
Tour the cranberry marsh, sip cranberry craft beer and cider, indulge in cranberry baked goods, taste cranberry inspired cuisine, and so much more! Your cranberry adventure will take you down some of Muskoka’s most historic main streets, scenic back roads and along iconic lake side views.
Plan your #CRANROUTE culinary adventure today. This is one crantastic experience you won’t want to miss!
Visit the Cranberry Marsh
It is only natural to start the Muskoka Cranberry Route culinary adventure with a visit to Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery. Here, you can gain a true appreciation and understanding of how versatile cranberries really are before journeying on to the next stops.
Take the Bog to Bottle Discovery Tour, an experience so special it has been designated a Canadian Signature Experience. This one-of-a-kind experience includes a tour of the farm followed by a guided wine tasting of their delicious wines. The Bog to Bottle tour runs all year and, during the fall harvest, the tour is a guided wagon ride around the South Marsh.
Take theCranberry Plunge, one of Muskoka’s most exciting fall experiences. Don a pair of hip waders and venture into the cranberries for that iconic candid photo of raining cranberries that will surely liven up any photo album or Instagram feed! There have even been marriage proposals in the berries (they said yes)!
Shop the Cranberry Store for some amazing goodies to take home like fresh cranberries, wines, Mrs. J’s famous preserves, cranberry honey, cranberry teas and so much more cranberry inspired delicacies. A must-take-home treat is one of their Cranberry Ciders or Cranberry Splash Wine Spritzers!
Muskoka is home to many hidden culinary gems and deemed a worthy foodie destination by food enthusiasts. With exceptionally talented chefs committed to fresh, local ingredients (like Bala cranberries), it’s no wonder Muskoka is starting to gain a reputation for fantastic food!
Discover the amazing tastes of cranberry-inspired cuisine at these great eateries and restaurants:
Cast Iron Restaurant:While traveling on the Muskoka Cranberry Route stop at theCast Iron Restaurant. Enjoy lunch or dinner and sip on a Red Cranberry Sangria.
Sherwood Inn: Enjoy the Cranberry Turkey Melt Sandwich. Made with Sherwood own smoked fresh turkey, grilled on an artisan Walnut Cranberry bread loave with swiss and arugula served with sweet yam fries and chipotle cranberry aioli.
Bala Bay Takeaway:Experienceseveral cranberry productson the menu, which are available year round and a few that available seasonally. Items include Cranberry BBQ Pizza, Cranberry Tartar Sauce with our famous Halibut & Chips, Cranberry BBQ Jumbo Wings, Cranberry Wraps, Hot and Cold Cranberry Beverages are all a part of our year round menu.
Lakeside Bala:Enjoy a fantastic cranberry dinner atLakeside Bala. The cranberry offerings start with an appetizer of cranberry chowder or salad, main dishes of cranberry chicken supreme or cranberry salmon, and end with a delicious dessert of chocolate cranberry brule or cranberry cheesecake banana bread with whipped cream.
Affogato Café + Gelato:This year on the Cranberry Route, Affogato Café + Gelato are creating a cranberry gelato accompanied by other crantastic menu items. This is a must-try cranberry treat!
Blue Willow Tea Shop: The current high tea menu features an assortment ofcranberry filled favourites.Enjoy theircranberry chicken salad canapéon the bottom tier. Move to the second tier to indulge in acranberry lemon sconewith clotted cream and preserves. Save room for thecranberry apple parfaiton the top! Pair this high tea experience with their cranberry apple tea available hot and iced.
Hotels/Resorts Dining Options
Check out the collection of hotels and resorts offering specialty food and drink for cranberry season. Available for overnight guests or public access. Reservations recommended.
The Rosseau – JW Marriott:Will be featuring Cranberry Orange Pavlova and Cranberry Breeze during the Muskoka Cranberry Route!.
Rawley Resort:Experience culinary excellence at the Lighthouse45 Restaurant, where our Chefs artfully blend locally inspired flavours with innovative touches. Enjoy a cranberry inspired menu from Sep 20 – Oct 20, 2024. Sip on a Cranberry Mojito mocktail or cocktail.CRANBERRY MENU
Sherwood Inn:Sherwood Inn is Located just 8 minutes away from Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery meaning you can soak in the cranberry festivities during the day and return to Sherwood Inn for a meal from their acclaimed restaurant. Featuring The Cranberry Turkey Melt: Sherwood own smoked fresh turkey, grilled on an artisan Walnut Cranberry bread loave with Swiss and arugula, served with sweet yam fries and chipotle Cranberry aioli.
Enjoy the Cranberry Bourbon Smash; cranberry simple syrup, Woodford bourbon, cranberry juice and garnished with rosemary and fresh cranberries
Local Craft
Crack a pint, stop in for samples and discover great local craft breweries. Be sure to bring some craft pints home to enjoy throughout the harvest, taking a bit of Muskoka home with you!
Try these delicious cranberry-inspired craft brews:
Clear Lake Brewing Company:Find this local brewery downtown Torrance, just off of Southwood road. The Cranberry Radler is a refreshing beverage made with Muskoka cranberry juice.
Canvas Brewing:Canvas Brewing Company is Huntsville’s hometown craft brewery, born out of a love for the local landscape and a passion for fresh, well-made craft beer. En route during the cranberry harvest season stop in for a thirst quenching cranberry inspired cocktail as well as a cranberry infused beer.
Copperhead Distillery: Has a Cranberry Spiced Rum Chiller Can that they make seasonally launching mid-September and will be sampling during the cranberry route. They sell Muskoka Gourmet’s Cranberry chutney, and Wild Muskoka Cranberry Juniper Bitters in our retail store. They will also be featuring Cranberry Cocktail Ideas weekly throughout the month of the Cranberry Route.
Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery: We start with quality, local fruit to craft wines that reflect this region. The French call it ‘terroir’ – or taste of place. We make wines from dry to dessert that have won awards at national and international competitions. They’re delicious, fruit forward and perfect for every occasion! Enjoy ciders, wines and seltzers!
Cranned Goods
Visit these route stops and bring the cranberry harvest home with you to enjoy year round!
Bala Freshmart: Don’t forget to pick up some of their famous pure pork Cranberry Sausages, the perfect hearty fall BBQ headliner. The sweet and savoury combination is a match made in heaven. Pair with fresh-baked buns for a delicious cranberry dinner you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Available fresh or frozen.
Cacao Boys: While traveling around Muskoka and enjoying the Cranberry Route, make sure to visit Cacao Boys in Bala to sample their Cranberry bonbons and cranberry chocolate bars
Mrs. H’s Fish & Chips/Wahta Station: Features home made cranberry-based spreads from Laura’s Kitchen, an indigenous-owned company. All of the food products are produced on the Reserve and only available at the Wahta Station store.
Muskoka Brand Gourmet Foods Ltd:Follow the Cranberry Route & stop at Muskoka Brand Gourmet’s new retail store in beautiful Huntsville! Taste the flavours of the season in our spiced Cranberry Chutney, our tangy & tart Cranberry Orange Sauce or one of our many selections of garlic sauce, hot sauce, jams and jellies. Perfect additions to your Thanksgiving Feast!
Humble Pie Butter Tart Factory & Pizzeria: They will be baking many cranberry goodies. • Pumpkin Cranberry Scones • Cranberry Linzer cookies • Apple Cranberry Pies and Crumbles • Cranberry & Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies NEW • Cranberry & Dark Chocolate Buttermilk Scones NEW • Cranberry Lemon Scones
The Shipyards Muskoka Marketplace:Traveling the Muskoka Cranberry Route. Stop at the Starbucks Coffee at The Shipyards Muskoka Marketplace. Enjoy the locally made Cranberry Muffins and/or Award Winning Cranberry Tarts.
Rich Hill Candles:Visit Rich Hill Candles on the Muskoka Cranberry Route in Bracebridge for a variety of cranberry and cranberry blended candles such as jars, pillars, votives, tealights, and wax melts
Experiences
Rawley Resort: Visit the spa during the Muskoka Cranberry Route for a Cranberry Cream Body Quench $99 or Cranberry Cream Foot Ritual $69
HydroSpa Rosseau: Visit the spa at the JW Marriott and enjoy a Harvest Glow Body Scrub – 50 minutes | 210 Immerse yourself in unparalleled luxury with Harvest Glow Body Scrub. This indulgent treatment features a cranberry-infused scrub that gently exfoliates, revealing a luminous and smooth complexion. Complemented by a light, relaxing massage, it enhances circulation and alleviates tension. Infused with the essence of the cranberry harvest, this experience leaves your skin velvety soft and exquisitely polished, radiating the warmth and vitality of the season. Experience the epitome of luxury by booking your appointment at (705) 765 – 7000 or hydrospamuskoka@marriott.com. Embrace the seasonal splendor and elevate your well-being.
Sunset Cruises: Come aboard the Peerless II on theCranberry Route!Enjoy deliciouscranberry muffins and hot drinksavailable for purchase onboard while Captain Potts shareslive commentary on the rich history and stunning scenery of the Muskoka Lakes.Perfect for a cozy fall adventure!
Pratts Garden Centre: As you drive through Bala, make sure to stop at Pratt’s Garden Centre. They are offering a delicious Cranberry Christmas Cider. Take your time and stroll around the garden centre.
Overnight Packages
Muskoka is brilliant during the fall season, and a Muskoka Cranberry Route culinary adventure is the perfect excuse for a fall getaway. Stay at one of these great Muskoka Cranberry Route accommodation partners:
Bala Bay Inn:As you travel on the Cranberry Route relax with an overnight stay at the Bala Bay Inn from Sept 20 through Oct 20 guests can receive a Complimentary Cranberry foot scrub, soak and massage. $60 value. Appointments requested – promotional code given at time of booking.
Christie’s Mill Inn and Spa:(Port Severn) Get away from the everyday at the picture perfect lakefront Christie’s Mill Inn & Spa. Unwind in your comfortable and tastefully adorned guest room, and take a moment to put your feet up by the fireplace or on your patio overlooking the lake or gardens.
Timber Rock Cottage: Come for the fall colours, stay for the cranberries! Offering a place to rest for the cranberry enthusiasts, after a long day. Centrally located between Bala, Bracebridge and Huntsville. Guests stating they will be participating in the Cranberry Route or the Cranberry Festival in Bala, will receive a specially curated gift basket featuring local cranberry products
Legacy Cottages on Lake Rosseau: Exclusive Cranberry Trail Offer: Book your stay during the Muskoka Cranberry Route and receive 15% off on your Cottage Rental Rate, plus a delectable cranberry chocolate treat awaiting you in your cottage upon arrival!
Touchstone Resort: on Lake Muskoka offers stunning waterfront views with a front row seat to Muskoka’s world famous fall colours. Until October 31st use CODE AUTUMN and receive a 25% discount on mid week stays. Enjoy the view with refreshing Cranberry cocktails and special Cranberry treats at the Touchstone Grill.
Escape North | Boutique Cottages: Welcome to your Escape North. Enjoy the beauty of Muskoka’s Fall Colours with a Muskoka Lakes Cranberry Wine Spritzer, a special offering to celebrate cranberry season.en
