Sightseeing in Orillia

Travelling by motor coach is one of the most exciting ways to sightsee, according to Trip On. The tour company arranges single- and multiday trips that whisk travellers to popular destinations in the U.S.A. and Canada, all in the comfort of luxury coaches that never get stuck in cloud traffic. After collecting passengers from designated pickup locations, the coaches speed away to places such as the Kawartha Lakes, historic Gettysburg, or popular casinos. Most day trips include lunch and sightseeing tours led by Trip On’s knowledgeable guides, and multiday excursions also include hotel accommodations. The staff can also accommodate custom tour requests, to create a trip tailored to a customer’s unique adventurous spirit.

Named as a national historic site, Parkwood Estate guided tours offer an intimate and informed look at pristine turn-of-the-century architecture, furnishings, gardens, and landscaping. Knowledgeable volunteers contextualize the experience, narrating events from former owner R. Samuel McLaughlin's life as an auto baron, or explaining the intricacies of his elaborate black-truffle badminton tournaments. While truth may be stranger than fiction, it's seldom as interesting: explore Parkwood Estate's role as a film set, viewing the hall where Professor Xavier appealed for calm in mutant-human relations, or the stairway where Billy Madison single-handedly overcame schizophrenia to victoriously re-enter the world of mathematics. Tours run Tuesday through Sunday, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Canadian Automotive Museum illustrates Canada's history in the automotive industry, spanning the details of economic development, Canadian craftsmanship, and valuable and rare car exhibits. The museum showcases around 65 vehicles built during 1898 to 1981, and artifacts on display include motorcycles, trucks, pianos, and the short-lived piano-car. Famous automotive names such as Brooks Steam, Redpath, Tudhope, and McKay exhibit Canada's impact on the auto industry, and a variety of international cars adds to the overall wealth of history inhabiting the 25,000-square-foot building. An array of motor-car and associated parts exemplify the development of engineering skills and craftsmanship in steel steed building from 1770 to present day.

Ben Navaee Gallery is dedicated to two causes: first, to present and promote local Canadian artists in its gallery space, and second, to raise funds and awareness for philanthropic causes related to poverty, homelessness, and natural disasters. With classes, the gallery aims to educate its visitors, helping them learn about the work of a new artist or teaching them how to paint a heartfelt message onto that artist's car. During each calming session, students leave outside stress behind as they unlock hidden artistic talents with the help of gentle, encouraging instruction. This nurturing environment is an extension of Ben Navaee himself; a veteran painter, sculptor, and photographer, Ben has spent the last 25 years helping students better their lives through art, as well as yoga and meditation.

The sixth annual Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival celebrates the history of Canadian aviation with showcases, exhibits, and live demonstrations on the grounds of Downsview Park and Airport, Canada’s first urban national park. Tickets grant entrance to Hangar Bay 1's exhibitions and aircraft displays, access to outdoor display grounds and runways, free Canadian Air & Space Museum admission, and a tour of the newborn helicopter nursery. Wings events showcase classic aircraft from the world's oldest flying DHC-1 Chipmunk to brand-new cloud ticklers such as the gargantuan C-130J Super Hercules. In-between browsing fields of professionally manufactured and home-built aircraft, guests watch pilots fly swiftly into the airport compound.

A non-profit design centre and museum, Design Exchange educates guests in all realms of design with unique lectures, programs, exhibitions, tours of its historic building and collection, and youth activities. A family/dual membership grants pairs and families unlimited exhibition entrances, as well as free admission or discounts to lectures, movie nights, workshops, and gladiatorial paintbrush matches. Members may also enter a raffle drawing for two tickets to the November DX Awards, a celebration of excellence and creative mind bending in Canadian design. Membership also proffers discounts for children's enrolment in design camps and a 15 per cent discount off items from the DX Shop, a gallery of designer publications, apparel, household goods, and decor. Visitors may expect impromptu sightings of the industry's most creative and untamed minds, as well as peeks at upcoming design trends.