Meaford
The Municipality of Meaford
What will you discover?
Meaford Hall
Located in historic downtown Meaford, the Hall is a beautifully restored and renovated century old landmark. Meaford Hall is a four season destination where you can check out live theatre, music, films, and an art gallery. The 336 seat Opera House has hosted performers such as Jann Arden, Tom Cochrane, Brent Butt, Burton Cummings, the Strumbellas and more in just the last few years. Meaford Hall is also the location of the Visitor Centre where you can discover even more to do in the area.
Meaford Waterfront
The Meaford waterfront is one of the area’s most stunning and active. It’s not just where our marina is located, but it’s also home to newly renovated public washrooms, a splash pad, seasonal farmers market, various beaches, volleyball courts, the Meaford Museum, playgrounds and where many local events take place. It’s also the starting point for two multi use trails, the Georgian Trail which follows the former rail line all the way to Collingwood, while the Tom Thomson trail travels from Fred Raper Park to the City of Owen Sound.
Meaford Memorial Park
Memorial Park is a picturesque park and campground boasting 468 metres of beautiful shoreline on Georgian Bay. It features many amenities including full service campground facilities, public washrooms, two pavilion shelters, playground areas, beachfront, mini-golf course, woodland walking trails and ample free parking.
The campground is open from the first weekend in May until the week after Thanksgiving. A pet-friendly environment, a portion of the beach is dedicated for dog use and during the off-season our furry friends have full run of the park.
Meaford Big Red Chair Tour
Meaford’s Big Red Chair tour is the best way in which to see the whole Municipality. These oversized muskoka chairs were made in partnership with the students at the Georgian Bay Community School. There are ten locations to visit, each with its own local history story to tell and a great photo opportunity. The tour takes you from urban Meaford, to Coffin Ridge, Fox Harley Davidson, Bognor Marsh, Irish Mountain Lookout and more.
Meaford Icons
The history of Meaford and North America has been shaped by three historic figures who once called the Municipality of Meaford home. The village of Leith was where renowned Canadian Artist and friend of the Group of Seven, Tom Thomson spent his childhood as a young artist inspired by the beauty of Georgian Bay. Tom is buried at the Leith Church and his boyhood home is only a short distance away.
Beautiful Joe was a real dog from the Town of Meaford who had been cruelly abused by his former master. While living with his new family, he met author Margaret Marshall Saunders who was so taken aback by Joe’s story that she wrote a book about it that went on to sell over a million copies more than 125 years ago. Joe’s struggles helped to change society’s attitudes towards animal abuse and Joe now has a whole park dedicated to him and other animal friends to ensure his legacy lives on.
American John Muir is the final Icon who once lived in the Municipality of Meaford. Moving to Meaford during the American Civil war, John Muir was a naturalist, author and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness. John returned to the United States where he helped form the Sierra Club and is known as the father of the United States National Park system.
Pet Friendly Meaford
Meaford is not only home to Canada’s most famous dog, Beautiful Joe, but it’s quickly gaining the reputation as the best place to take your dog on vacation. Meaford is blessed with a love of dogs, and that’s seen through our various pet friendly businesses and numerous events and activities. Meaford has dedicated specific swimming areas for dogs at Memorial Park, pet friendly trails, an off-leash park and a whole park dedicated to Beautiful Joe. The 8.5 acre park includes a bronze statue of Joe, monuments to the 9/11 rescue dogs, services dogs and K9 police dogs. The private home in which Joe was rescued to still stands today beside the park along the Big Head River.
Contact a Tourism Specialist
Local : 705-445-7722
Toll Free: 1-888-227-8667
Check out all ten locations below, and start your Big Red Chair tour today!
Memorial Park is one of the region's only waterfront campgrounds, with a portion being a dog-friendly beach.
Beautiful Joe Park is a peaceful and serene 8.5 acre parcel of Parkland on the banks of the picturesque Big Head River in Meaford.
Creating Our History TOGETHER
Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre, located in historic downtown Meaford, is a beautifully restored and renovated century old landmark.
Explore, Dine, Stay
Destinations in Meaford
Meaford is a four-season playground that has it all!
The Crystal Dragon
A unique retail experience offering a mix of antiques and curios with collectibles and new toys and games for all ages.
Grandma Lambe's Market
For over fifty years, Grandma Lambe's has been serving the area with old fashioned hospitality and the best home baking anywhere.
Chez Gilles Fine Dining and Catering
Nestled in the heart of downtown Meaford in what is being dubbed locally as 'eat street'; Meaford's citizen of the year proudly displays his
Craig Gallery
Craig Gallery is a family run art gallery in downtown Meaford featuring the work of established Ontario artists and local artisans.
The Frauxmagerie Ltd
The Frauxmagerie Ltd specializes in the creation and production of plant based cheese which can be bought directly from the factory.
Big Canoe Project
Big Canoe Project offers guided tours and day camps in our 29' canoe. Get ready to experience Georgian Bay and come paddle with us!
Gordon Pet Services
Offering a series of pet care services including homestyle dog boarding/daycare, training, dog walking, pet sitting, and more!
Beautiful Joe Heritage Society
Schedule a tour of Beautiful Joe Park and learn the history of Canada's most famous dog and the interesting tale of the author.
Grey Heron Garden Centre
A family-owned garden centre, we offer beautiful annual and perennial plants, as well as trees, veggies, herbs, and indoor tropicals.
Maggie + Dix Home and Garden
Opening in May 2021, take a step inside our retail location and get inspired by the unique home and garden décor at Maggie + Dix.
Canadian Pet Connection
Canadian Pet Connection offers high quality pet supplies, doggy daycare, grooming, training, and pet health & wellness advice.
The Meaford Refillery
Ditch the plastic bottles and choose to refill! All natural cruelty free, biodegradable, organic and micro-plastic free!
Cliff Richardson Boats
Storage, supplies, service & docking for boats in Meaford. The best service from uur experienced, certified technicians.
Tom Thomson Trail
The Tom Thomson Trail is a 3-season hiking, cycling and horseback riding route between Meaford and Owen Sound.
Rocklyn Inn B&B
The Rocklyn Inn B&B is an ideal location in the Grey Highlands and Georgian Bay area. Minutes from the Bruce Trail with breathtaking views.
Irish Mountain Lookout
This lookout is the perfect picnic stop with facilities and is located just outside of Meaford, overlooking the countryside filled with apple orchards and the Nottawasaga Bay.
Scenic Drives
BEAVER VALLEY TOUR Head south on County Road 124 from Collingwood. Turn right on to County Road 4, drive through the country side and then
Meaford Big Red Chair Tour
Check out all ten locations below, and start your Big Red Chair tour today!
Memorial Park
Memorial Park is one of the region's only waterfront campgrounds, with a portion being a dog-friendly beach.
This is Apple Country
The South Georgian Bay region is perfect for apple growing. The valley on either side of the Beaver River protects SGB from severe weather.
Fred Raper Park
Located along the shoreline of Georgian Bay, with many amenities including two public beach areas and free parking.
McCarroll Park
McCarroll Park is the heart of family fun in Meaford, Ontario. This park offers a lot of open green space, a splash pad, playground equipment and more!
Ride On!
Bicycling routes, tours & rentals. South Georgian Bay is a bike lover’s paradise, whether you’re a roadie or a mountain biking adventurer.
The Bruce Trail
The Bruce Trail is the oldest and longest marked hiking trail in Canada. South Georgian Bay has some of the best sections of The Bruce Trail and is home to three different sections: The Blue Mountains section, The Beaver Valley section and Sydenham section.
Bayview Escarpment Nature Reserve
Bayview Escarpment Provincial Nature Reserve Trail Total Distance: 5km Difficulty: Easy - moderate Access Points: Sydenham/ St. Vincent
Birding
Birding, the simple pleasures of a gentle hike through the woods and along the river banks of the Georgian Triangle, where the flash of
Your Guide to Fishing in South Georgian Bay
Everything you need to know about fishing in the area
Dog-Friendly Places
Pet-friendly beaches, accommodation & leash-free parks
Beautiful Joe Park
Beautiful Joe Park is a peaceful and serene 8.5 acre parcel of Parkland on the banks of the picturesque Big Head River in Meaford.
Local Parks
A full list of the local parks in South Georgian Bay
Meaford Farmers' Market
Goods that you will find at the Meaford Farmers' Market include: Seasonal Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs, Premium meats, and more!
Trout Hollow Trail
Running through woodland, across streams and even vast meadows, this trail offers beautiful scenery and an easy stroll through the wilderness.
The Georgian Trail
The Georgian Trail is a former Northern Railway route that stretches over 34 km from Collingwood to Meaford. It makes a for a leisurely hike.
Meaford Museum
Creating Our History TOGETHER
Meaford Golf & Country Club
Meaford Golf & Country Club is 18 holes of challenging golf, mature trees, ponds, creeks and lots of hills. This mature 18 hole golf course first opened in 1934.
Coffin Ridge Winery
A boutique winery overlooking Georgian Bay that produces high quality, small batch wine made primarily from hand-planted and picked grapes.
Memorial Park Campground
Memorial Park in Meaford is a picturesque park and campground boasting 468 metres of beautiful shoreline on Georgian Bay.
Meaford Hall
Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre, located in historic downtown Meaford, is a beautifully restored and renovated century old landmark.
Meaford
The shore of Georgian Bay is speckled with interesting towns and sights to see. Meaford is one of these towns.
Ice Skating
Skate on outdoor rinks, skate trails and indoor rinks throughout the region. Here's a list of current times you can get out and skate.