A Delightful Day in Dwight

Have you ever felt immediately at home in a place you have never been? Welcome to Dwight…

Known as the “Gateway to Algonquin Park,” this small town with a big heart is definitely a must-stop destination. Businesses will welcome you with open arms and friendly faces, making you feel right at home. Situated in the Township of Lake of Bays, Dwight has become a popular destination with a common theme throughout Dwight’s businesses: all things local.

With cute shops, galleries, restaurants, bakeries, a sandy beach, and plenty of local attractions, Dwight is the perfect getaway destination. To help plan your What to Do in Dwight list, we took a tour of the town and compiled some suggestions that you’ll want to check out.

Read on to learn more!

The Moose Cafe & Grill

Start your morning with a hearty home-style cooked breakfast or lunch at the Moose Cafe & Grill. The welcoming and cozy atmosphere makes you feel immediately at home and the staff feel like family. With bread from the local bakery and menu items cooked from scratch, you’ll walk away feeling well-fed and energized for a memorable day exploring Dwight.

Fan favourite: We suggest trying the Great Canadian Moose breakfast: 2 eggs, grilled back bacon, fresh bakery bread, and home fries – yum!

Before you go, make sure you take a walk through the gift shop filled with Muskoka souvenirs and check out the work of the talented local artists, displayed around the store.

Visit their website for more information

Cedar Creek

Now that you’re re-energized, walk next door to the breath-taking Cedar Creek. This beautiful store features 25+ incredibly talented local crafters and artisans. Products include: art, home decor and fun treasures to spice up your life. While shopping, the knowledgeable staff will teach you about the various histories of the crafts and those who created them.

Visit their website for more information

The Old Palmer House

Step back in history in this beautiful 1870s log home, featuring a wonderful array of antiques, home decor, and Canadian art. The Old Palmer House has three floors of merchandise making it feel like a treasure hunt for the perfect products for your home or cottage.

Visit their website for more information

Erika’s

We dare you to try to get through this part without drooling. You can smell the delicious sweets waiting for you as you drive into the parking lot at Erika’s. This family owned and operated bakery and gift shop features award winning delights and you’ll find out why they’re so sought after once you bite into one. Customers often joke that they need a cover over their eyes when picking out their treats, to avoid buying their entire stock.

Erika’s is also a popular stop for both breakfast and lunch. We recommend trying their fan favourite all-day breakfast meal, the Northern Cowboy – scrambled eggs, ham, onions, and peppers. Yum! Don’t forget to check out the gift shop on your way out, featuring the beloved and popular Melissa and Doug toys.

Visit their website for more information

Oxtongue Rapids Hiking Trail

After you have gathered some sweet eats at Erika’s, take a break and meander your way to the Oxtongue Rapids Hiking Trail, which is two kilometers east of Highway 60 and Highway 35. The trail is a relatively easy hike at one kilometer each way in length and takes you beside the Oxtongue Rapids for a beautiful view, but be sure to keep your children close as it’s a fast moving river with rocky slopes to the river’s edge.

Click here for a map of the trail

Dwight Market and Pharmacy

Whether you’re looking for fresh produce, specialty pies, delicious deli items, household supplies, or pharmaceutical needs – this place has everything you need and more. The friendly and enthusiastic staff at the Dwight Market and Pharmacy are ready to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

Heading into the Algonquin Park for a camping trip? This is the perfect shop for all your last minute needs to make sure you’ve crossed all your t’s and dotted your i’s.

The market also features an in-house butcher shop with high quality AAA meat and custom cuts all done right in front of your eyes. The top pick is a toss up between the AAA Ribeye Steak and the delicious Lamb Sirloin, so why not choose both? After you’ve picked out your high-quality meat, head over to the specialty cheese section for some mouth-watering finds that will spice up your happy hour.

Visit their website for more information

Oxtongue Craft Cabin & Gallery

You’re walking into a beloved 40-year-old Muskoka tradition when you visit Oxtongue Craft Cabin & Gallery, Muskoka’s longest-running gallery. The gallery is a uniquely Canadian shopping experience housed in a quaint log cabin. This premier destination offers an exquisite selection of nature-inspired original art and fine craft by over 110 Canadian artists and artisans. The carefully-curated selection includes gorgeous studio jewellery, unique and functional pottery, glass and woodworking, and many other keepsake and gift-giving treasures. Owner Karen Piovaty brings enthusiasm and style to the main and lower garden galleries and can provide a wealth of information about her talented makers.

Oxtongue Craft Cabin & Gallery’s ever-evolving collection reflects the beauty of Muskoka and its relaxed cottage lifestyle; additionally, the gallery offers special events and workshops throughout the season.

Visit their website for more information

Lake of Bays Garden Centre

The charming year-round Lake of Bays Garden Centre (voted Muskoka’s favourite Garden Centre for 2019) is an ideal stop for all of your garden and landscaping needs. No matter the time of year, they boast products to help beautify your home or cottage. Take your gardening skills to the next level from their expert staff who are eager to share their experience and knowledge. Why not sign up for one of the workshops?

The Lake of Bays Garden Centre offers fresh cut flowers and arrangements, annuals and perennials, Christmas trees and greenery, home decor, ladies fashion, garden accessories and bulk soils (to name a few). Worried about how to haul your purchases? No sweat – they also offer delivery! If you’re having a hard time finding your green thumb, you can reach out directly to their landscaping services, Five Point Landscaping, and leave the tricky stuff to the experts.

Visit their website for more information

Dwight Beach

Sit down for some R&R and a scenic view of Dwight Bay at Dwight Beach. The shallow and sandy white beach offers 150 meters of shoreline and is perfect for dipping your feet into the water. If you’re feeling ambitious, Dwight Beach has a four kilometer hiking trail, which takes you down a quiet road to the Stewart Memorial Church.

Click here for more information

Webster’s Beacon

Webster’s Beacon, a family owned and operated store for 38 years, is a corner hot spot open seven days a week for all your visiting needs. The staff are known for their helpful and friendly approach to all who enter. They are eager to answer questions and find anything you need. Stock up on gas, groceries, gifts, and enjoy a selection of treats from their Van Houtte coffee bar. A popular take out lunch spot for the locals, Websters Beacon (a chili cook-off award winner and this year’s favourite caterer in Muskoka), creates 10 different toasted sandwiches that are topped any way you would like. Their pizza dough is rolled out daily, which you can enjoy by the slice or the entire pie. Webster’s Beacon has a surprising twist of both fresh food and unsurpassed charm.

Visit their website for more information

Winterbottom Tattoo

Now there’s a way to remember your beautiful time in Dwight, at the all new Winterbottom Tattoo shop! This award winning and new-to-Dwight tattoo shop has over 20 years of experience at their previous location, creating beautiful art with their fine electric tattooing. The Winterbottom family has been in Dwight for 125+ years! So naturally, this family-owned business wanted to follow their family roots and bring their business to Dwight.

The Winterbottom Tattoo shop prides itself on its pristine cleanliness and specializes in animal and skull tattoos. They are also well-known for their cover-up and restoration pieces. They will custom draw and design your ideas so you can leave the art to the experts. They are appointment based only, so be sure to call ahead.

Visit their website for more information

Dwight Heritage Walking & Driving Tour

End your day with the Dwight Heritage Walking & Driving Tour. This tour takes a step back in history as you explore the early settlers that called Dwight home in the mid 1800s. Follow along with the guide that explains the history of each destination as you walk or drive through this charming and historical Ontario town.