• THINGS TO DO
• WHERE TO STAY
• WHERE TO EAT

New Tecumseth Tour

Whether your destination is one of the historic communities nestled in the rolling hills of New Tecumseth, or if you are passing through the area to somewhere else, be sure to take some time to enjoy some of the abundant natural wonders, great food and entertaining attractions available here.

Exit Highway 400 at Highway 9 and travel west 16 km to the Tottenham Road / County Road 10. A 3 km drive north on County Road 10, a turn left at the 2nd Concession Road and a 2 km drive down the road, will take you to The Falconry Centre. This facility was designed and built for the breeding and research of rare and endangered raptors. Daily Shows allow you to get up close and personal with some of these magnificent birds of prey.

A few kilometres further north on County Road 10 takes you into Tottenham, where you can climb aboard the South Simcoe Railway for a trip through the gently rolling hills of the Beeton Creek Valley. You will travel in authentic 1920’s coaches pulled by a lovingly restored vintage locomotive. The train station is on Mill Street, one block west of the main intersection. Downtown Tottenham has numerous little eateries within a block, including the classy Freedom’s Junction for lunches and dinners and the cosy Cedar Kitchen for family lunches and a great all day breakfast. The Happy Hog Roadhouse on Mill Street East, is open for lunch and dinner and hosts live blues performances. Another great option for lunch however, is to grab the kids, some sandwiches and a few drinks and head off into the Tottenham Conservation Area for a picnic. This fabulous little park overlooks a magnificent pond with canoes and pedal boats for rent on the south side of Mill Street and has well marked trails along the babbling Beeton Creek on the north side of Mill Street.

Resuming your drive north on County Road 10 through some of the most productive potato fields in Canada, you will come upon the enormous Honda Plant at the south end of Alliston. Turn left here and take the Industrial Parkway a few km to King St. Turn right and head north a few 100m toward the downtown.

A turn to the left (west) at Highway 89 will take you past a box store shopping centre (with numerous family style chain restaurants) toward Earle Rowe Provincial Park. The park is located 1 km north of Highway 89 abutting the west side of Alliston and is clearly marked. This is another jewel of a park and is nestled in the scenic Boyne River Valley, bustling with birds and wildlife. Enjoy a picnic, sunbathing by the large man made lake or swimming in the huge 1 acre pool. You can hike or rent a canoe and paddle down the meandering river. There is comfortable camping for tents, trailers and RVs.

If, instead of turning onto Highway 89 west, you continue on King Street north through the lights at Victoria ½ km to Fletcher Street, you will come across Riverdale Park, Alliston’s other treasured park. This lovely shaded park flanks both sides of the Boyne River and boasts the South Simcoe Pioneer museum, a fantastic children’s playground as well as another enormous circular pool. It is also a great place for a picnic.

Backtracking back down King Street, downtown Alliston stretches east along Victoria and is home to numerous charming restaurants and cafes as well as boutiques and gift shops. A great deal of work has been done to refurbish the downtown core and it is quite a delight to poke around the many shops. Check out Barb’s Clothes Closet for ladies designer clothing, the Curiosity Shop for antiques, De′ tails for gifts and interior decorating and the famous Herbert’s Boots & Western Wear.

The beautifully restored Gibson Cultural Centre at 63 Tupper Street West has opened with a roster of concerts and shows for both adults and children as well as local artists performing afternoons on the café patio. The Centre will also be hosting juried art shows in the main floor gallery.

What would entertainment and shopping be without great food and drinks? You are in luck here as well. Pick up a very nice lunch at the Millpond Café and then browse through the Loft of Books next door. Further east along Victoria, the Groundswell Café offers fabulous wraps, salads and coffee as well as entertainment on Friday nights. E-Dragon has wonderful Chinese lunches and dinners or you can enjoy fine Italian and German dining at Europa. The delicious and elegant Bistro 77 at 77 Victoria Street East is an incredible dining experience.

Head east on Victoria Street out of town to return to Highway 400 via Highway 89. Nicholston Dam makes a nice stop a few minutes out of town. Pitch your tent or park your trailer and stay overnight. This scenic campground hugs the Nottawasaga River and you can rent a canoe or kayak and explore the river. The route to the south is gentle and suitable for beginners. The route to the north is another story. It winds all the way down the Nottawasaga River to ultimately enter Georgian Bay at Wasaga Beach. This trip takes several days and you can arrange with the campground for pick up at the end of your day’s paddle so you can return to the comfort of camp each night. There is also a nice gift shop, tour of the operating grist mill and a picnic area.

If you continue east on Highway 89, it is about 20 minutes to Highway 400 - if you don’t get distracted in Cookstown that is, and Cookstown, well that’s another story….