In 2004, the city of Owen Sound was named a cultural capital of Canada. Home to the Grey Roots Museum & Archives; the Georgian Bay Symphony; the Roxy Theatre; Beth Ezekiel Synagogue; Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery, to name a few, as well as a number of cultural festivals, it is no wonder! Located at the junctions of Ontario Highways 6, 10, 21 and 26, the city serves as a gateway to the Bruce Penninsula. The land was originally part of the Anishinaabe native territory. The shores of the bay were filled in for shipping and industrial purposes and also for the creation of Kelso Beach Park, 9 hectares on Georgian Bay, at the mouth of the Pottawatami River in Owen Sound.
Tucked into the Niagara Escarpment (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), Owen Sound is surrounded by beautiful greenspace, with Harrison Park being the ‘jewel in the crown’. With more than 40 hectares of trails, gardens, playgrounds, streams, forest and green space, it can be easy to forget you are in the heart of a city. Not only will you find a network of trails connecting to the Bruce Trail, boat rentals; campgrounds; a bird sanctuary; mini-putt; pools, basketball courts; an open-air rink as well, dining and recreation facilities are also popular activities amongst visitors.
There are 34 golf courses in Grey Bruce, making it the hottest new golf destination in Ontario. Southeast of the city are several popular Ontario ski resorts, including Blue Mountain (
www.bluemountain.ca) and Beaver Valley (
www.beavervalley.ca). The city and area also have numerous snowmobile trails.
Owen Sound is one of the hottest fishing destinations in Ontario, with five of its rivers emptying into the bay. Enjoy each of the city’s four public launching ramps; tackle the streams and rivers; enjoy some deep water fishing in the bay or, in in the late summer or fall, Owen Sound Harbour Wall is a popular spot. Some of the largest rainbow trout in the world have been caught in Owen Sound, and annual fishing derbies bring in people from all over North America.
In addition to its three high schools, Owen Sound is also home to a campus of Georgian College (
www.georgiancollege.ca). This campus currently offers 14 full-time programs, including its Great Lakes International Marine Training and Research Centre
being a part of Grey Bruce Health Services (
www.gbhs.on.ca), Owen Sound houses the largest hospital (Owen Sound Hospital) in the Grey County and Bruce County region.
Those flying into Owen Sound may land at Billy Bishop Regional Airport (CYOS).
MUNICIPAL CONTACT INFORMATION
http://www.owensound.ca
Phone: 519-376-1440
Email: cityadmin@owensound.ca
Address: 808-2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound, Ontario, N4K 2H4
CHAMBER & BIA
Owen Sound Chamber of Commerce
Owen Sound BIA
ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Owen Sound Attack (
www.attackhockey.com)
Owen Sound Farmers Market; Saturdays 8am – 12:30, open year round (
http://owensoundfarmersmarket.ca)
Seniors Centre (
www.seniorscentreowensoundandarea.com)
Grey Roots Museum & Archives (
www.greyroots.com)
Grey Sauble Conservation Hikes (
www.greysauble.on.ca)
Owen Sound Cultural Awards; Annual, February (
www.owensound.ca/cultural-awards)
Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival; Annual, August (
http://summerfolk.org/)
Home & Cottage Expo; Annual, Spring (
www.homeandcottageexpo.com)
Festival of Lights; Annual, Nov-Jan (
http://festivallights.ca)
Chi-Cheeman Spring Cruise, Owen Sound to Tobermory; Annual (
www.ontarioferries.com/ontarioferries/english/)
10 day Salmon Spectacular Fishing Derby; Annual, end of summer (
www.brucegreysimcoe.com/Festivals-Events/Events/Owen-Sound-Salmon-Spectacular-Fishing-Derby)
.jpg)