It’s Victoria Day weekend, and thus time for many Torontonians to flee northward and perform the unique Canadian ritual of opening the cottage — a weekend devoted to puttering around with window screens and pump intakes while drinking light beer.
For many, getting to the cottage means first facing the gauntlet that is Highway 11. When the masses bound for Muskoka and its environs exit the 400 onto 11 on Friday and Saturday, the highway may very well turn into a parking lot. To avoid road rage and insanity, we’ve assembled a guide of the best places to stop on Highway 11 to break up the trip.
Turn up the Rock95 (“more wattage for the cottage”), take your sweet time, and get there in one piece. That first gin and tonic will taste like heaven.
BURGER PIT
Webers is undeniably an institution, and has the best psychedelic burger flipper around, but those in the know avoid the chaos and get better burgers at Burger Pit.
5 Booth St. (between Oro-Medonte Line 10 and Line 11)
THE MUSKOKA STORE
The self-proclaimed "Essence of Cottaging" is another Highway 11 institution. The best stop to pick up such long weekend necessities as water trampolines, Muskoka chairs, and loon-themed home decor.
Take S Kahshe Lake Road Exit off Hwy 11 N, south of Gravenhurst, ON
SHANTY BAY GO KARTS
If you’re tired of sitting in a cramped vehicle, then why not hop into an even tinier vehicle and go for a few laps at Shanty Bay Go Karts. At least you’ll get to break 20 km/h. Be sure to check out the cool video directions provided by their delightfully jazzy website, and don’t forget to turn up the volume.
2040 HWY#11 South, Line 1 Oro Medonte
CASINO RAMA
Though slightly off course, this weekend Casino Rama is presenting the one-two punch of Ronnie Milsap on Friday night and Gerry & the Pacemakers Saturday night! If this fails to get you fired up, you can always gamble your life savings away.
5899 Rama Road, Orillia, ON
CORN
Sorry, you can’t have any. Try back in two months.
