Bruce County

About

Bruce County is named for James Bruce the sixth Governor General of the Province of Canada and shares its name with the Bruce Trail and the Bruce Peninsula. Bruce County contains three distinct geographic areas. The Peninsula is part of the Niagara Escarpment with breathtaking views, rock formations, cliffs and hiking trails. The Lakeshore includes nearly a hundred kilometers of fresh water and soft sandy beaches. The interior region has a strong history in farming and is also known as the bread basket.

Quick Links:
Annual Events – Attractions & Entertainment – Outdoors – Eating & Drinking – Shopping– Rest & Relax – Maps – Key Locations

Annual Events

The main festivals include:
. Februrary – Wiarton Willie Festival – Wiarton
. March – Saugeen Bluffs Maple Syrup Festival – Saugeen Bluffs
. May/June – Huron Fringe Birding Festival – Port Elgin
. June – Bruce Peninsula Orchid Festival
. July – Scottish Festival and Highland Games – Kincardine
. July – Lighthouse Blues Festival – Kincardine
. September – Port Elgin Pumpkinfest

Attractions & Entertainment

BLUEWATER SUMMER PLAYHOUSE
Kincardine / Bruce County
Theatre
Bluewater Summer Playhouse provides professional live theatre every summer, with a mix of comedies, dramas, musicals and everything in between. In the off season, Bluewater Summer Playhouse is responsible for bringing special events to Kincardine, including its annual Taste of Kincardine Dinner, Dance and Auction; Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre; as well as an assorted mix of live concerts. Performances are out of the Kincardine Centre for the Arts.
website / google maps

KINCARDINE THEATRE GUILD
Kincardine / Bruce County
Theatre
Kincardine Theatre Guild is a not for profit community theatre company that performs out of the Kincardine Centre for the Arts. The season runs from September to June with the production of 3 plays, and all participants are volunteers.
website / google maps

Outdoors

BRUCE’S CAVES CONSERVATION AREA
Whiarton / Bruce County
Caves / Hiking / Conservation Area
The unique cave formations found along the escarpment face were formed by the wave action of post-glacial Lake Algonquin, 7,000 to 8,000 years ago. The conservation area consists of 7 hectares of Niagara Escarpment and rock talus, upland hardwoods, wooded swamp, caves and access to the Bruce Trail.
website / google maps

THE GROTTO – Bruce Peninsula National Park
Tobermorey / Bruce County
Caves / Hiking
One of the most popular attractions in the National Park, the Grotto is a big cave on the shore, carved out by the waves of Georgian Bay over thousands of years. The cave itself is stunning, with sunlight from the outside revealing a brilliant underwater tunnel on the inside. You can walk along a ledge inside its cavity or swim in its cool, clear, turquoise water. Free maps and guides are available on the website. Note, it is a pristine setting – there are no signs, lights, stairs or handrails.
website / google maps

Chi Cheemaun Ferry
Tobermorey / Bruce County
Boating
With a name that comes from the Ojibwe word for “big canoe”, the Chi-Cheemaun ferry takes passengers from Tobermorey to Manitoulin Island, introducing them to the rich Aboriginal heritage and natural beauty of the region. Dinner Cruises & Star Gazing Cruises are also available.
website / google maps

Eating & Drinking

THE SWEET SHOP / THE COFFEE SHOP
Tobermory/ Bruce County
Sweets / Ice Cream / Cafe
The Sweet Shop is located on the harbour and is still producing hand-made fine confections the old fashioned way. The candy is cooked in copper pots and worked on marble tables to obtain a delectable, creamy texture in their fudges and a crispiness in their brittles. They also have a large selection of ice creams, sherbets and frozen yogurts. They also expanded operations and opened The Coffee Shop with herbal teas, coffees, ice caps and slushy Lemonade as well as breakfast sandwich, wraps, bagels and other light meals.
website / google maps

WALKER HOUSE RESTAURANT
Southhampton / Saugeen Shores / Bruce County
Restaurant / Historic Site
The Walker House, originally known as the Royal Hotel, was built in 1852 and was one of the first structures erected in Southampton. The Walker House earned its name in 1915 when Robert and Helen Walker purchased the building. Slowly, the hotel transitioned into a restaurant in 1936.
website / google maps

Shopping

Tobermory/ Bruce County
Art / Pottery /Jewellery
Kincardine Theatre Guild is a not for profit community theatre company that performs out of the Kincardine Centre for the Arts. The season runs from September to June with the production of 3 plays, and all participants are volunteers.
website / google maps

THE PAINTED TURTLE & BALLOON HEADQUARTERS
Tobermory/ Bruce County
Gifts / Crafts
An eclectic mix of unique gifts, beading supplies, jewellery and accessories, eco friendly helium balloons, healing crystals and decks and more. Call to confirm hours.
website / google maps

Rest & Relax

ACRES ON THE LAKE
Miller Lake / North Bruce Peninsula / Bruce County
B&B
Situated on 23 acres of private waterfront Bruce Peninsula, the location is known as an “alvar” which nourish distinctive flora and fauna, some rare. There are nature trails located on the property – which will take you to a large marsh rich in wildlife and plants. Guests enjoy a private sitting room with views of the Lake, walk-out to the stone patios and a kitchen with fridge. Adults only, no pets.
website / google maps

CHANTY BREEZES BED & BREAKFAST
Southhapmton / Saugeen Shores / Bruce County
B&B / Spa
This gracious Victorian home, with spacious wrap-around porches, offers the discerning visitor an exceptional standard of accommodation and service in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. With patios, flower gardens and mature trees, Chantry Breezes is just one block away from the white sand beaches of Lake Huron and is an easy stroll to shops and restaurants. Seven tastefully decorated bedrooms feature antiques, historic charm and en-suite bathrooms.
website / google maps

Maps

Check out the map on the Discover Ontario page to see where Bruce County lies within Ontario.

Key Locations

Municipalities
Arran-Elderslie
Brockton
Kincardine
South Bruce
Northern Bruce Peninsula (Tobermorey)

Town
South Bruce Peninsula
Saugeen Shores (includes towns of Southampton, Port Elgin, and the township of Saugeen)

Township
Huron-Kinloss

Visit the Official Regional Site of Bruce County