Mother-Daughter Getaway to Blue Mountain, Thornbury & Elora Ontario

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Weekend Getaway to Blue Mountain

Living in London, Ontario lets you have access to some great weekend getaways just a few hours away.  I wanted to have a quick getaway to re-charge and relax.  As with everyone, we lead a very busy life and having my mom live with us, it is nice to take some time to just focus on ‘me’.  Given an opportunity to have a few days of respite, I decided on a last minute trip to Collingwood with my daughter.  It turned into a getaway to Blue Mountain, Thornbury and Elora, Ontario. It wa so nice that a friend offered up her spectacular condo and so, we were set for the night.

We wanted to do some hiking and tour around, maybe go for a spa treatment and then end the day with a good meal.  We managed to do that and more in Collingwood, Ontario.  Located three hours away from London and less than 2 hours from Toronto, it’s an easy drive either way.  We took rural highways which let us make a few stops along the way.  On the way home we went straight south for a detour to the picturesque town of  Elora on the way home which proved to be a small shopping bonus.

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Home to the Elora Gorge, this small tourist town has blossom quite nicely with the addition of the Elora Mill (Luxury) hotel and the many shops on main street.  You can stop off for lunch or a sit on a patio and have a cold artisan beers from local breweries.

Blue Mountain

We drove up in the morning and went straight to the Spa.  This is a very popular destination during the weekend so you will need to do one of two things to get a timed entry: make a massage appointment (which includes access to the spa) or get up very early and get in.  There is a waiting list… a long… waiting list as it turns out.  Don’t let this deter you from going.  What you need to do is plan around it.  We arrived put our names down and handed over our cell phone number.

The attendant will let you know roughly when your  entry time will be (ours was four and a half hours).  We wanted to go for a hike and explore the area.  We were not interested in going shopping or hanging out at Blue Mountain Village.  As it turned out, it started to rain so we went back to the condo and did some work, had a nap and generally R.E.L.A.X.E.D.   When our call came, we were ready to indulge in our Scandinavian spa treatment.

First we took a walk in the Forest Bathing Trail.  It’s not as water bound as you may think, It is a short path which has you stop at different times in the walk and reflect and meditate on the surroundings.  We loved the contemplative exercise but felt it was too short.  The idea is to take in the forest and let your sense take it all in. Using your sense of sight, touch, smell and sound, begin to re-connect with nature.  We sat by the lake and decompressed.  It was cathartic.

When we got the text telling us our spots were now available, we drove over and changed into our bathing suits.  We had brought our own bathrooms and I was comfortable wearing mine from pool to pool, sauna to sauna.  We started in the Eucalyptus steam bath and then made our way to the cold plunge pool.  There is a wood burning dry sauna and an ultra read sauna.  I found that one to be the hottest and most uncomfortable.  I did not last more than 5 minutes.

My favourite part was the quiet nap I took in one of the two-person hammocks.  My daughter was off on her own trying out the different cold pools and returning to the eucalyptus sauna.  There were lounge chairs to laze on and Muskoka chairs to sit at while watching the fire.  The best part about the Spa was that there are no electronics allowed in the Spa and you are asked to keep as quiet as possible.  This rule was not always followed but there were enough encouraging glares to keep the peace to silence those rebels.

The Spa has a small restaurant and other services available.  The only problem is you need to reserve MONTHS, yes MONTHS, in advance.  I will be returning without a doubt and hopefully I will be granted permission to take a few pictures of the beautiful surroundings.  We stayed for a full 3.5 hours but I feel if we’d booked a treatment, you could easily be there for 5 hours.

Insider’s Tip: Consider going during the week (on Wednesday there is a reduced rate) or get there early.  Put yourself on the waiting list and then go have fun.  Their social media fee lets you know how long the wait will be.  We got there around 4:30 and left around 8 pm.  Perfect time as far as we were concerned.

All relaxed and ready to eat, we headed to Collingwood and listen to band playing some great 70s tunes.  We headed to the Harbour Street Fish Bar for dinner.  I thought the food was good but not exceptional.  The main dishes were a bit pricey but the steaks looked good.  We had the Bam Bam Shrimp and Seafood Chowder.  Pass on the Chowder – it was thick and tasted salty.  I ordered the Macaroni and cheese and if it were not the saltiest dish I have ever tasted it would have been great.  The consistency and sauce was creamy, the portion adequate but honestly the salt content was over the top.  I would definitely recommend this small neighbourhood bar for drinks and the live band as both were awesome.

Thornbury

With our road trip coming to an end, the next day we headed home as the day was overcast and raining.  We wanted to take our time and stop off in places that had drawn our attention on the way up.  We had received a great tip from my friend Tammy of inRdream to have brunch at the Thornbury Bakery Cafe. This was also an excellent suggestion.  The seating area is small but it would be the type of place that you sit and chat for a while and It is famous for its delicious sweet buns but we opted for the smoked salmon bagel and the eggs benedict with home fries.  They were both delicious and hit the spot.  My daughter loved her London Fog.

A getaway to Blue Mountain and Collingwood would not be the same without a little bit of shopping and sightseeing in nearby Thornbury. There were plenty of shops to draw our attention on this raining morning.

After brunch, we walked around town and hit a couple of really great clothes and vintage stores.  Our favourite was The Georgian – Artisan Shop because it’s a family shop full of features local artisanal fair.  You’ll find everything from paintings, jewellery, home decor to tiny indoor gardens.  Shop from over 100 Canadian artisans! 

This is a workshop space, right as you walk in you’ll see The Planting Bar where you can plant succulents or herbs.  All the materials are there for you to make and take home. 

Speaking to the owner, Patricia Stewart, she informed me very soon there will be a DIY Craft Bar where people can come and create different crafts at the back of the shop.  If you need some assistance, all you have to do is ask. Currently, you can now buy craft kits to take home and create the adult craft at home.  You have a choice of kits to make beeswax food wraps, crystal bead bracelets or wall weaving kits.  This is a great option if you are on vacation and need a little distraction!

We also loved The Cheese Gallery.  It was full of all sorts of kitsch and cute items related to cheese.  Serving dishes, cheese boards and cheese journals are available. Buy both imported or locally sourced cheeses.  Other items that caught my eye was a selection of milk glass goblets.  It’s unusual to so many find milk glass pieces in one place.

Meaford

Continuing on our getaway to Blue Mountain, Thornbury & Elora, we made a quick stop in Meadford.  They had a fun scarecrow contest, the Scarecrow Invasion,  which runs until mid October.  The scarecrows can be found in the downtown core on lampposts, in front of businesses, in storefronts and ‘scattered’ in public spaces.  It was charming.  Be sure and have a look at the Art Gallery located in the Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre for unique exhibitions (included is the public library, art galleries and theatre) .

There is a pretty impressive lineup of live acts at the Meaford Hall so checkout the schedule for more details. I wouldn’t mind seeing Jim Cuddy, The Skydiggers, Men of the Deep or the Good Lovlies.

Insider’s Tip: Stop at Grandma Lambe’s Country Market, located on ON-26 just outside of Meaford, this family owned country market is  open year-round and with a wide selection of baked goods, grocery items, and gift ware.  We picked up some apples and an apple pie to die for.  There was a huge variety of baked goods and well worth the stop.  Honestly, there is nothing like sourcing local produce in what is a very productive rural area.

Elora

As we headed home, I decided on a small detour and headed to the Village of Elora.  Surrounded by Mennonite farmland and the natural beauty of the Elora Gorge there is much to see and do in this area.  You can also pop over to Fergus if you have some time.  Elora is nestled along the banks of the Grand & Irvine Rivers where the dominant edifice is the Elora Mill.  Now converted into a boutique, luxury hotel & spa, the views are striking.  Although I have never stayed, I’ve heard it is a great romantic getaway with luxury rooms and spectacular views.  I guess I’ll have to come back with my husband!

There is no question Elora is a very romantic location with unique restaurants that which have outdoor patios.  Quaint shops which will lure you in with local pottery, paintings and home decor.  We could not resist buying a few things at Honey Church Lane for my mother and daughter.  If you are looking for an eclectic selection of contemporary and vintage finds, this is your shop.  It also hold milk painting workshops.  I’d love to attend one as I’m a big fan of re-purposing old items and make them new again. 

We also took a peak into the Gents & Kings Barber Lounge because it was a throwback to a bygone era – big barber shop chairs with a modern twist. No doubt about it, there is plenty to see in this picturesque village.

After a look at the Elora Mill Hotel (where you’ll get a great view of the Grand River), head up Price Street to Church Street and walk down the driveway towards the Victoria Park which runs along the gorge.  You will eventual get to Lover’s Leap and a set of stairs leading down to the gorge.  The James Street is pretty steep so tread carefully.  There were  brave souls walking along the gorge as the river was not very high. 

If you feel even more adventurous, you can try SkyRider Zipling across the gorge.  We saw the terminus by the James Street side of the gorge but you actually access it from the other side.  Be sure and check out their website for opening times during July and August. 

My last recommendation is to cross the bridge beside the Elora Mill Hotel and walk over to The Foundry.  There is a lovely outdoor Riverside Chapel.  It is an open outdoor space and has a great view of the Mill across the river. If it rains there is the indoor Foundry Chapel.   There had been a wedding earlier in the day and the decorations were still up.  How lovely is that?

Whether you want a romantic weekend away, a girl’s weekend or a perfect weekend to spend with your daughter, there is so much to see in south-western Ontario.  A getaway to Blue Mountain, Thornbury & Elora will include wineries, great restaurants, Scandinavian spas and luxury hotels.  If you are seeking a little R ‘n R, this is where you want to be.  Go for a drive and see the beauty that is Ontario!  Now to plan a trip back with my husband for our anniversary.

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