Muskoka Heritage Place is a popular destination that takes you back in time to the 1800’s. Whether you’re a resident, spending the day in Huntsville, or stopping by for a few hours, there is plenty of fun for everyone of all-ages at Muskoka Heritage Place. With a variety of activities that are entertaining, educational, and family-friendly, here are ten things you won’t want to miss out on while visiting Muskoka Heritage Place.
| 1. Ride the Steam Train |
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| 2. Visit the Steam Museum |
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| 3. Meet Farm Animals |
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Farm animals were a necessity for survival in the 1800’s as settlers tried to be as self-sufficient as possible. At Muskoka Heritage Place, you will find a couple of sheep and chicken coop waiting to meet you. Arrive early enough in the morning and you’ll hear the Rooster crowing while the sheep are grazing all day! |
| 4. Meet out blacksmith |
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| 5. Discover the museum |
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| 6. Take a school lesson 1800's style |
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| 7. Be the engineer for a day |
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| 8. Explore the Great Pumpkin Trail |
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| 9. Eclipse Walk with Light |
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There will be music, spoken words and thousands of interactive lights that will respond to sounds created by the visitors themselves. Season 2 of the Eclipse – Walk with Light is reopening in November 2022! |
| 10. Ride A Portage Flyer Christmas to Santa |
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ALL ABOARD! Starting at Rotary Village Station, the Portage Flyer Train takes you on an incredibly scenic journey along the Muskoka River onto Fairy Lake Station. During the summer months, passengers will be riding on the 1926 Steam Locomotive while the spring and fall months operate the 1948 diesel locomotive. The Portage Flyer Train is open during spring, summer, and fall. An all-ages, family-friendly journey, riding the open-air coaches on the Portage Flyer Train is a must-do when in Huntsville!
Ever wonder about the early years of transportation around Muskoka? The Steam Museum is a re-creation of a typical 1920’s Ontario train station with a variety of historical artifacts and information. Learn more about the importance of the steam train, its origins, and try on a costume as a steam train engineer!
Located at Pioneer Village, the Blacksmith Shop Novar was built in 1899. DJ the Blacksmith has had 24 years of craftsmanship experience and has crafted horseshoes, produced iron tools, carriage wheels, and other objects out of iron or steel. Swing by the shop and see what DJ is crafting up!
Located in the main admission building, the self-guided Muskoka Museum displays the origins of settlers and pioneers to the Town of Huntsville. With continually changing exhibits, you’ll always learn something new. With hundreds of historical artifacts and a self-guided scavenger hunt, the Muskoka Museum is the perfect place for adults and children to learn a thing a two while exploring the rich history of pioneers in Huntsville.
Built of hand-hewn hemlock logs by volunteers, the Etwell, Lake Vernon School House was built in 1895 and is kept in excellent condition today. While visiting Pioneer Village, let your children (or you) experience a school lesson back in the 1800’s, ride the old-school swings, or ring the school bell while dressed up as a student in the 1800’s. If you’re looking to brush up on your handwriting skills, this is also the perfect place to do it!
Ever wanted to be a Steam Train Engineer? At Muskoka Heritage Place, you can learn what it takes to be a Steam Train Engineer as the Chief Engineer is also a qualified diesel or steam locomotive Engineer Instructor and will keep you on track while there will be a couple exams and training to ensure that your experience doesn’t fall off of the rails. Visit the Muskoka Heritage Place website for more information about Engineering for a day.
A family-friendly annual community event aimed to spook but not haunt. Trick-or-treat with us on the evening of October 31 each year, rain or shine! Geared towards younger trick-or-treaters, themes are kept on the “not-so-scary” side as there is music, magic, and mystery to keep you on your toes throughout the night. Traffic-free and family-friendly, the Great Pumpkin Trail is the perfect place to trick-or-treat!
Interested in taking an evening stroll that is different than your usual path? The Eclipse – Walk with Light is an interactive, unique and artistic sound to light forest night walk at the Rotary Village Station inside 
For one day only, the Portage Flyer Train is decorated in Christmas lights to get everyone ready for the Holiday season. Take the 1KM ride along the Muskoka River onto Fairy Lake Station where Santa Claus is waiting to meet you and enjoy a complimentary hot chocolate and cookies while singing Christmas carols to get you in the holiday mood! This years Portage Flyer Christmas Train Ride to Santa is scheduled for December 23, 2023 from 5-8pm.These are the top 10 things you definitely won’t want to miss out on at Muskoka Heritage Place, but there are so many more things to do such as: taking wedding photos, hosting a wedding, picnicking at Pioneer Village, dressing like an engineer, and etc.!
We look forward to seeing you here!