Explore Haliburton

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Haliburton is a substantial block of Southern On-tario, sandwiched
between the dramatic Muskokas (cottage country) and the spectacular
Algonquin Park. Although it works valiantly to establish an identity as
a tourist destination, it is overshadowed by its famous neighbors and
remains a rocky patch of rural real estate, nice enough for a visit but
nothing to get excited about.

Wilson adds her efforts to the fight to change that image. In
traditional guidebook style she leads us around the area, forcing stops
at all the right museums, churches, quaint houses, and landmarks. She
shows us the best scenery, duly draws the geology to our attention, and
makes sure we get to the best of the local attractions.

There’s the circle tour with the little white church, the train
bridge, and the place where former Premier Leslie Frost pulled political
strings to bring a roadside park into being. Next, there’s the circle
tour with the old hotel, some rapids, and more churches. Then there’s
the circle tour that goes past the power dam, more rapids, and more
churches. And don’t miss the four other circle tours, all equally
bucolic.

Yes, Haliburton has history. And scenery. And champions such as Wilson.
If this guide catches on, it will also have a lot of bored tourists
driving in circles.