An Introduction to Cottage Country and Sunny Point Resort and Cottages
Cottage country – n (Canadian) any lakeside region where many country cottages are located; home to urban vacationers who are seeking peace, relaxation and the great outdoors.
For many residents of Toronto and eastern Ontario, cottage country is equivalent to Muskoka, the Kawarthas, Parry Sound or Haliburton and every summer, people flock to these regions for a chance to unwind and soak up summer. I have found reports of over 2 million visitors making the trip to this region every year and have dreamed of one day joining them!
Childhood dreams become reality
As a kid, I always dreamed of having a cottage as my friends and their families migrated every weekend to their respective lake side homes. As a teen, I heard of the summer parties and longed to be a part of it. As an adult, I long for the tranquility and the chance to unwind in such a natural environment. I have given up the dream of owning a cottage of my own – I want to explore so much more of the world and tying myself to one plot of land, no matter how pristine, may no longer be my picture. There in lies the beauty of places like Sunny Point Resort and Cottages – I don’t need to be an owner when I can rent, be it a week or a weekend, one of Ontario’s dreamy waterfront properties.
Always up for an adventure, I recently explored the Explorers’ Edge Region, one of Ontario’s premiere tourist destinations only 2 hours north of Toronto. I basked in the excitement of ATVing and mountain biking, gently paddled on Georgian Bay and canoed in Algonquin Park. It was a whirlwind of activity packed into 3 days. Everything I did could be considered a quintessential Canadian wilderness experience (see Adventures with Explorers’ Edge for more details, links and photos) and I reveled in it all. Included in the experience was one night in a cottage in cottage country – what a tease!
Introducing Sunny Point Resort and Cottages on Otter Lake, Parry Sound
We arrived at the cottages at dusk after an activity packed day. Our host, Andy, greeted us with his super friendly chocolate lab who was only too happy to try and distract us from our check in (Sunny Point is a pet friendly resort). Night fell quickly as we were escorted to our respective cottages or cabins in the woods – it was amazing how dark it was out there. Without the pollution of city lights, you really felt like you were in the middle of nowhere. Too bad we arrived to a cloudy night – I can only imagine the stars you would see had it been clear.
The cottages range in size and all have one thing in common – they are all waterfront. They all come equipped with a modern kitchen, satellite tv, wood stove, screened in patio, bbq and a private dock! You heard me…each cottage has a its own dock! Even better, a lightweight canoe is there, ready for you to enjoy!
The resort is set on 84 acres of private beach, offering the utmost in cottage life. They have a 3K hiking trail, 2 tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, and on the beach front – a diving tower, water slide and water trampoline to complement their collection of boats that are available to guests. Rainy days – not to worry, kids of all ages can enjoy billiards, ping pong, air hockey and so much more in the recreation centre!
Of course, Andy teased us with all this information as we arrived after dinner and left early the next morning. There were 5 of us in my group and we all agreed that we didn’t want to leave and that it was terribly unfair for them to show us what cottage life could look like, and not give us the time to experience it, but alas, there were more adventures to be had and not nearly enough time! I know I will be back, and next time – I will be staying longer! One of those cottages has my name on it!
I was a guest of Explorers’ Edge for this 3 day Canadian adventure and my one night at Sunny Point Resort. As always, the opinions I have expressed are purely my own, including the need to return to fully experience cottage country life!
Travel Destination Bucket List 
That looks really beautiful I just got back a few days ago from canoe camping in Killarney and now I’m really missing it!
Posted by drawandshoot | July 19, 2013, 10:48 amYou would have loved it Karen…I am sure you would have collected an amazing series of photos down by the water too! There is always next year!
Posted by Anita Mac | July 19, 2013, 2:35 pmI have family with a lakeside cottage and it must be near where you re describing. I must visit them! Looks just wonderful.
Posted by Animalcouriers | July 19, 2013, 11:00 amI was only there such a short time, but I can assure you, it was wonderful. Loved my cottage and could easily have spent a week there and still been looking for more! It’s a gorgeous area up there.
Posted by Anita Mac | July 19, 2013, 2:36 pmBeautiful Place to Escape and Get Away From It All!!! Happy Weekend:)
Posted by cravesadventure | July 19, 2013, 11:55 amHappy weekend to you to!
Posted by Anita Mac | July 19, 2013, 2:36 pmI want to go there this weekend…..road trip!? Ha….such a cool place and Andy was awesome. It would be a bit of paradise during this super hot 40C weather we’re having!
Posted by Red Hunt (@redhunttravel) | July 19, 2013, 3:17 pmFor sure…the water is calling! Would be a perfect road trip.
Posted by Anita Mac | July 20, 2013, 9:22 amYour Life is really amazing…..hope you do well in Future…
Posted by Ian Mcindoe | July 20, 2013, 3:58 amThanks Ian – just trying to live it to the fullest!
Posted by Anita Mac | July 20, 2013, 9:23 amLooks like a great place! I might have to rent a cottage there one of these weekends!
Posted by Lorenzo | July 20, 2013, 2:01 pmTotally worth it Lorenzo! A slice of cottage country heaven!
Posted by Anita Mac | July 24, 2013, 2:55 pmThere’s something so special about being near the water and staying in a cottage – this looks great!
Posted by megtraveling | July 21, 2013, 10:46 amI agree Meg…it was so peaceful. I sat there, enjoying my bagel and cream cheese thinking that I could really just hide under the canoe – no one would notice if I didn’t leave – right??!!!
Posted by Anita Mac | July 24, 2013, 2:56 pmGorgeous place, shown by wonderful images! It’s almost like I can feel how peaceful and tranquil it is there! Thanks for sharing this beautiful place!
Posted by Steve | July 21, 2013, 11:50 pmMy pleasure Steve. I would have loved to stay longer for more photo opps. I bet there were some great shots just waiting to be taken!
Posted by Anita Mac | July 24, 2013, 2:57 pmSometimes relaxing at a cottage on a lake can be the best travel. No adventure, no plans, just relax and enjoy nature.
Posted by Trips By Lance | July 23, 2013, 4:47 pmYou bet Lance! I bet your little boy would just love a week here! He would find new adventures each day.
Posted by Anita Mac | July 24, 2013, 2:58 pmShame that you were there only one night! Like you, I’ve always wanted my own lakeside cottage. Being from Chicago, that means cottage country is somewhere in Wisconsin or Michigan. I’ll take Ontario, though! Nice to know Sunny Point has things for the kids to do indoors on rainy days.
Posted by Francesca (@WorkMomTravels) | July 25, 2013, 10:56 amUntil I started to travel so much, I wanted my own lakeside cottage too! Love that there are some amazing places available for rent so that people can have a piece of cottage country without having to buy and maintain one themselves! I am sure you and the family would love it here. So laid back and quiet – it is cottage country as it is meant to be!
Posted by Anita Mac | July 26, 2013, 10:41 amThis looks incredible! I love the idea of being able to rent a lake-side cottage, as I too wouldn’t want to own one since there’s too much of the world to see. 🙂
Posted by The World Wanderer (@TheWrldWanderer) | July 25, 2013, 12:10 pmSpoken like the true World Wanderer that you are!
Posted by Anita Mac | July 26, 2013, 10:41 amAlthough it is nice to see and experience it all, it also nice to leave a slice of unexplored heaven in reserve for your next visit. It gives you something to look forward to.
Posted by Traveling Ted (@travelingted) | July 26, 2013, 1:07 amYou bet Ted….I know I will be back!
Posted by Anita Mac | July 26, 2013, 10:42 amThis is the place I want to go to relax. Seriously–a dog, boats, gorgeous scenery–I’m in. The golden leaves in the picture of you at the table made me so happy. Gotta get back to Canada ASAP.
Posted by Leah Travels (@L_e_a_h) | July 26, 2013, 5:08 amAfter all the travel you have been doing Leah – it would be a great chance to wind down, relax and re-ground! You are welcome back to Canada any time! We have some seriously amazing places from coast to coast!
Posted by Anita Mac | July 26, 2013, 10:43 amlooks beautiful! we dont travel enough to relaxing places like this. must add it to our repertoire.
Posted by Lazy Travelers (@lazytravelers) | July 26, 2013, 4:04 pmFor sure…best taken with a great bunch of friends and a full week to fully unwind and enjoy!
Posted by Anita Mac | July 29, 2013, 7:21 amI’m a city gal, but lately I’ve been doing some camping and spending time close to woods and water too. I could definitely picture myself enjoying a waterfront cottage for a few days… 🙂
Posted by Pola (JettingAround) (@jettingaround) | July 28, 2013, 6:38 pmSunny Point would be more like glam camping meets villa – some of the cottages were so new and modern, it was more like a house or villa right on the lake!
Posted by Anita Mac | July 29, 2013, 7:22 amLooks so so so pretty! I would love a quintessential American weekend in a cabin/cottage like this! One day!
Posted by Ana Silva O'Reilly (@mrsoaroundworld) | July 29, 2013, 5:16 amIt is a quintessential experience – and this one is all Canadian!
Posted by Anita Mac | July 29, 2013, 7:23 amChester demands more information on the dog! Don’t tell me there’s a resident pet?!
Posted by Vanessa | July 29, 2013, 9:31 amThere is a super friendly resident pet, one I am sure that Chester would love! The property is incredibly dog friendly and really, the rules they apply are totally common sense! Exactly what one would expect as they are based on respect for the resort, your fellow cottagers and your 4 legged vacation friend! Pet friendly rules are on their site: http://www.sunnypointresort.com/pet_friendly.html
Posted by Anita Mac | July 29, 2013, 10:02 amOoh what a beautiful place. I’m pretty sure I’d just love to sit back, relax with a good book & red wine in hand and just enjoy the amazing views 😉
Posted by traveller soul | July 29, 2013, 2:37 pmmmmm. YES. i could do with a good kayak ride just about now!!
Posted by Lauren DiMarco | July 31, 2013, 8:32 pm