“I’m coming to the cottage” is what a handsome Russian hockey player said to his secret lover (and sporting rival) last November, sending millions of fully fledged adults into fits of squeals. It’s also what me and my friends whispered incessantly to one another on a September morning as we pulled up to the literal cottage where Heated Rivalry’s now-iconic scenes were filmed, in Canada’s lake region of Muskoka.
With dense woodland, rocky outcrops and hundreds of lakes, Muskoka’s landscape is quintessentially Canadian. Long before it became synonymous with lakeside cottages and steamy summer vacations, these forests and waterways were, and remain, home to Indigenous clans with deep and enduring connections to the region.
Today, Muskoka exists in an interesting tension: it’s home to year-round communities, as well as some of Canada’s most extravagant waterfront properties and a generous constellation of celebrity cottage owners like Lisa Rinna and Cindy Crawford. Unknowingly, many of us may have already been virtual visitors to the glittering lakes via our screens. After Heated Rivalry came Sterling Point, the Prime Video series also filmed in the area, bringing a fresh wave of attention north.
Muskoka’s main tourist season runs from May to October, meaning there’s no better time to start planning your 2027 summer getaway. You could easily spend a week or more here, but if you’ve only got a long weekend, here’s how to get the most out of Muskoka.
Day One
Hit The Road. You’ll need a set of wheels. Even if you’re basing yourself in one of Muskoka’s bigger towns, there’s plenty to explore beyond them. Fly into Toronto, pick up your hire car and drive north into cottage country, two to two-and-a-half hours away.
Check In And Drop Your Bags Off At... a cottage, duh! For first-timers, the towns of Bala and Port Carling are well-placed for exploring the surrounding Muskoka Lakes area. And there’s no shortage of holiday rentals to choose from. Airbnb is a good place to start your search (where you will find said Heated Rivalry cottage listing), while Jayne’s Cottages has many luxe options for larger groups looking to splash out on a place of their own right on the lakes. If you’d prefer a more traditional stay, Sherwood Inn near Port Carling and The Dudley Inn just outside Bala offer plenty of local charm in great locations.
Get Your Bearings In Bala. By the time you arrive you’ll have worked up an appetite, so head straight to Jack & Stella, a modern general store and cafe. Sitting right on Lake Muskoka, it’s a great place to grab something to eat, sip a coffee and get your first taste of lake life. For a sweet treat, roll on over to Don’s Bakery for a life-changing cinnamon bun or apple fritter.
Head Back To The Cottage For Some R&R. As an Australian living abroad, any time I get to spend in nature feels particularly sacred, so I’d recommend leaving the rest of your afternoon relatively unplanned. Settle into an iconic ’Muskoka chair’ (a classic wooden Adirondack-style deckchair) with a good book, challenge your lover to a game of cards or take a canoe out for a paddle, our cottage had some stowed in the boathouse. If the weather permits, spend the afternoon outside, jumping in and out of the water, music blaring from the speakers and a few drinks, before getting dolled up and heading back into Bala for dinner.
Book A Table At The Pearl – one of Bala’s most popular spots. The menu mixes global flavours with familiar favourites, including its popular ’bucatini kimchi carbonara’. The shop inside has everything from local produce to Pearl merch (get yourself one of their cosy sweatshirts, which read ’Don’t Bug Me, I’m At The Cottage’ on their backs). Bookings essential, it gets busy. Make sure to return for breakfast one morning, too.
Catch A Gig at The KEE To Bala, a Muskoka institution. The KEE has been hosting live music for decades and is one of the area’s best-known venues. Check the programme before you arrive and make a night of it.
Day Two
Find Your Flow with a Pilates or yoga class at Fitness Beauty Health at Mortimer’s Marina, held right on the lake. It’s the best way to kick off your first proper morning in Muskoka, with fun, challenging sessions suitable for all levels. You may recognise the dock (of which you’ll be struggling to hold a bridge pose on), as it makes a cameo in Sterling Point.
Refuel At The Hut Smoothie & Juice Bar, just a hobble away, where you can pre-order a drink before class and have it ready and waiting when you finish. Get the Orange Creamsicle or the Peanut Butter smoothie.
Spend The Day Out On The Water. Hire a boat and spend a few hours cruising through Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph, stopping for a swim, a spot of water skiing or tubing whenever the mood takes you. If no one in your group has a boating licence, you can hire a skipper or join a tour instead.
Pick Your Next Port Of Call. You’ve got a few towns to explore. Port Carling is a nice place to start. There’s little boutiques, a fully gluten-free bakery run out of a van (for our coeliac friends) and an antique shop tucked up on the hill. But wherever you end up on the lakes, you’ll find a town just as quaint. Rousseau is also beautiful to wander around, with its historic general store that opened its doors in 1874.
Stop For A Bite at York & Mason – a great spot for a sandwich – or Turtle Jack’s, where you can sit on its lovely waterfront deck and enjoy an array of burgers, sandwiches, steaks and other grill favourites. If you’d rather keep your feet firmly on dry land, head back over to Bala and settle in at Clear Lake Brewing Co for a fresh, naturally brewed beer and a snack (there’s a full food menu).
Freshen Up And Head Out For Dinner At Rosseau Pizzeria. Opened in 2024 by brothers Anthony and Luca Mazzaferro, the lakeside restaurant brings a little taste of southern Italy to Muskoka. Get the Calabrese pizza and the polenta fries. If you’d prefer a longer, leisurely dinner, The Boathouse Restaurant, also in Rosseau, is another great option, with a seasonal menu and setting made for a special evening.
Day Three
Enjoy One Last Slow Morning. There’s no need to rush. Make a coffee or tea at home, soak up the last of the fresh air and indulge in one last dip in the lake.
If you are keen to get out and stretch your legs before the drive home, head to Huckleberry Rock Lookout Trail, a 2.5km loop through woodland and over huge expanses of exposed granite, with stunning views across Lake Muskoka. If you want a longer walk, Hardy Lake Provincial Park has a choice of trails winding through the rocky landscape and along the water.
Make A Final Pit Stop At Weber’s on your way back to Toronto. A Muskoka road-trip institution since 1963, this much-loved roadside burger joint on Highway 11 is famous for its charcoal-barbecued burgers, fries and old-school drive-in feel. Roll in, grab a burger and enjoy one last bite of cottage country before you have to reluctantly get back to reality.
