Creek-Front Inn with Waterfall Views and Sawmill Heritage

A series of mills churned Walters Creek from the 1850s through the 1980s, chugging along at the exact site of the modern-day Falls Inn and Spa. Today, the mill legacy endures through historical photographs, oil paintings, and gleaming hardwood samples sprinkled throughout the inn. An on-site waterfall—a striking remnant of the old mill operation—roars on as steadily as ever. Each of the guest-room balconies and the inn’s glass-encased dining area angle to face the cascade, where white froth frames a rocky outcropping.

Inside three stories of guest rooms, cushion-top mattresses pair with a small table and chair set. In the bathroom, a heated tile system keeps toes and escaped rubber duckies warm on chilly winter evenings. Within the inn's restaurant (open Wednesday–Sunday), diners peer through wall-to-wall plate glass or cuddle next to the flickering fireplace, sipping local microbrews or vintages from the nearby Coffin Ridge winery. In the morning, homemade scones accompany a choice of either maple-walnut french toast with local apples or a fruit-and-cottage-cheese plate drizzled with local wildflower honey.

An au natural manicure ($30 CAN) keeps nails sparkling at the on-site spa. Those staying multiple nights can combine credits (up to $90 CAN total) for a half-hour Swedish massage ($55 CAN) or a one-hour body scrub with organic-coffee granules ($85 CAN).

Grey County: Outdoor Adventure amid Network of Trails

Walters Falls connects with landmarks throughout Grey County through a labyrinth of looping trails. Abutting the inn, the 4-kilometer Bruce Trail follows the tree-lined river, passing by simple log bridges and miniature cascades. The considerably broader Klondyke Snowmobile Trail lies nearby, welcoming snowmobilers for scenic rides through the countryside.

About a 30-minute drive to the east, the Blue Mountains loom above Georgian Bay. Skiers skim the slopes or strap on cross-country gear to explore parts of the Georgian Trail, which stretches along the bay to Meaford. There, a year-round indoor farmers' market showcases local goodies, such as bison meat, elk-leather moccasins, and sustainably harvested icicles.