Barrie to Ottawa bus

Barrie is a beautiful lakeside city whose waterfront draws visitors from near and far. Kempenfelt Bay is home to three beaches, lush bayside gardens, and the serene Waterfront Trail, but Barrie also has much more to offer. A walking tour through the historic Downtown district reveals the city's diverse cultural and architectural heritage. This is also the place to embrace Barrie's thriving art scene in the form of the renowned MacLaren Art Centre and the city's iconic Spirit Catcher sculpture by the bay. Standout outdoor activities include hot air balloon rides over Barrie, Lake Simcoe scuba diving, and wintertime skiing.

With a dizzying selection of antique shops, flea markets, small boutiques, and big shopping malls, Barrie is home to a one-of-a-kind shopping culture that is well worth exploring. And if you're visiting during the ice hockey season, be sure to catch a game at the Barrie Molson Centre.

Barrie is well served by highway and rail links that connect the city to Toronto, from which destinations further afield are accessible. Intercity bus travel is available downtown from the centrally-located Barrie Bus Terminal.

If big cities such as Toronto or Montreal appear too crowded for your taste, consider Ottawa for a change. Boasting a small-town vibe with a vibrant art scene, the city will appeal to all kinds of travelers. Ottawa’s star attraction is the Rideau Canal, which meanders its way through the city center. In the summer months, the canal is full of boats and cyclists who wander about, and in the colder months of the year, it becomes the largest ice skating rink in the world. If you are a fan of architecture, don’t miss out on Parliament Hill, which features three amazing neo-Gothic structures. For those who seek to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, Gatineau Park, located just 15 minutes from Downtown, offers the reprieve you need.

Ottawa features a very diverse food scene that caters to everyone’s needs. If you just can’t get enough of French delicacies, head to Signatures Restaurant, which is housed in a Tudor Revival-style mansion. If you want to try out Canadian signatures, try Atelier instead.

The main intercity train station in town is Ottawa Station, which is served by VIA Rail. The city’s air services are handled by the Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, which is located 5.5 miles south of the city’s downtown.