Uniquely positioned on the narrows connecting Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching, it is also the first crossing point of Lake Simcoe from east to west north of Bradford. A charming city of just over 31,000 people, it has retained its historical character with a downtown vibe that brings visitors all year round. From the Mariposa Market to the Orillia Opera House with live professional theatre, this is a city with a heart.
Home to the iconic Gordon Lightfoot and the annual Mariposa Folk Festival, the city offers an array of lifestyle choice from waterfront condos to exclusive classic neighbourhoods lined with beautifully-maintained century homes. Newer estate communities such as Hawkridge and nearby Marchmont offer large open concept executive homes while condo sites such as Invermara and Moon Point, offer a turn- key lifestyle. Established avenues like Maple, Brewery Lane and Couchiching Point offer a range of vintage homes, as well as, well-appointed infill homes that replaced small and dated cottages on gorgeous waterfront lots.
Connecting Barrie to the south on Lake Simcoe and the Trent Severn waterway off Lake Couchiching to the north, Orillia is a boater’s paradise. Pay a visit to the Port of Orillia and you’ll see pleasure craft and yachts of all sizes, many of them from the Great Lakes. Orillia’s is also ideally located with easy access to ski hills of Horseshoe Valley, Mount St Louis and Moonstone to the west. To the north, lies Muskoka with all that it has to offer 30 minutes away.
The city of Orillia offers public transit, a state-of-the-art hospital, great schools and sports facilities, world-class entertainment at Casino Rama, festivals and shopping venues, including a new Costco. Surrounding Orillia are waterside communities such as Westshore, Atherley, Bayshore Village and Lagoon City, providing a range of lifestyle options depending on one’s budget, desired amenities and appetite for maintaining their property.
Come visit Orillia, take in a concert at Casino Rama, enjoy live theatre at the Opera House, stroll the waterfront park and you too will find much to love in this city at the crossroads of Central Ontario.
