All Aboard for Summer Fun in Barrie

School is out and the kids are itching for exciting day trips! Downtown Barrie has all the fun, sun, and entertainment you need to please the whole family. After this amazing day, the only whining you might hear is, “When can we GO to Barrie again?”

Start Your Trip to Barrie with GO

It’s always a relaxing ride from Toronto to Barrie, Ontario when it’s on GO Transit!

Your family day trip is on track from the moment you board. Without the need to focus on that stressful Hwy 400 traffic, you can focus on family and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a great chance to connect, talk, and get excited for all the fun things to do in Barrie.

You’ll also get a break from stressing about expensive gas prices when you choose convenient and affordable GO travel. A GO One-Day Weekend Pass is just $10 for your round trip to Barrie on a Saturday, Sunday, or Holiday Monday. For those mid-week day trips, use a GO Weekday Group Pass, starting at just $30. Kids 12 and under always ride free on GO Transit, making family trips to Barrie budget-friendly! 

First Stop in Barrie — The Beach!

Remember to pack everyone’s bathing suits because one of the best Barrie attractions is the beautiful waterfront. From Allandale Waterfront GO Station, just cross the street and then follow the Barrie Waterfront Trail along the shore of Kempenfelt Bay. The trail is paved, making it perfect if you’re bringing bikes or a stroller on your day trip to Barrie.

Centennial Beach in Barrie

After an easy 15-minute walk down the Waterfront Trail, you’ll arrive at Centennial Beach. Break out the sand toys and build a sandcastle, go for a dip, or just soak up the sun. There are also basketball and volleyball courts for a friendly game together (maybe kids vs grownups?). 

Little ones will have a blast spending the whole morning digging holes in the sand, filling up buckets of water, and playing at the children’s playground. 

If you have adventurous kids who are 5 yrs or older, you can try something a little bigger…

Splash ON Water Park in Barrie

Like the biggest inflatable water park in Canada! The Splash ON Water Park in Barrie is a huge floating playground that is a dream day trip activity for any water-loving kid (or kid at heart). There are climbing walls, balance beams, trampolines, slides & more — on Simcoe Lake! There is no maximum age to participate so the whole family can enjoy this Barrie attraction together.

Tickets are purchased for a 2-hour time slot, and include the use of a PFD (personal flotation device). All participants must have a basic level of swimming and be comfortable in deep water with a PFD. Everyone will be required to swim to the floating water park unassisted.

It’s Lunchtime — Pause for Pizza!

Who’s hungry? Probably the whole family! After your morning of swimming and splashing, it’s time to take a break and fill those tummies with a crowd-pleasing meal. One of the best Barrie restaurants for pizza is located right across the street from Centennial Beach — perfect!

PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint

A lunch break at PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint will help energize you for the rest of your Barrie activities. The tasty menu includes some creatively named pizzas that will get your kids giggling. Try the Porky Pie, the Cluck Norris Pie, or the Stinky Pie! Kids’ meals come with ice cream for dessert (yum!) and there are also options for any family member who isn’t a big fan of ‘za.

Next Up — Art in the Afternoon

Now that everyone is refreshed and refuelled, it’s time to explore Downtown Barrie and the vibrant art scene!

Self-Guided Urban Art Tour in Downtown Barrie

Walk further along the Barrie Waterfront Trail and you’ll soon discover the inspiring Spirit Catcher sculpture. Continuing into Heritage Park, you’ll find The Sea Serpent and the Heart Barrie sign (a great spot for a photo op!).

Download a copy of the Barrie Public Art Guide to see the locations of more beautiful works of art to enjoy as you walk around Downtown Barrie.

Check the Calendar for Barrie Events

You can experience even more of the amazing arts and culture scene in Barrie if your day trip lines up with one of the fantastic Barrie festivals. Check the Barrie event calendar for dates! 

Open Air Dunlop turns Downtown Barrie’s main street into a pedestrian-only fun zone on select days throughout the summer, and Kempenfest is Barrie’s huge arts, crafts, and music festival!

End the Day with a Win — Game On!

It’s been a fantastic day but before it ends, you have time for one more Barrie attraction. You’ve made it to the Last Level…

Last Level Arcade Lounge

Last Level Arcade Lounge is Barrie’s first retro arcade bar, with all your favourite 80’s classic pinball and arcade games. Children are welcome before 8 pm with an accompanying adult, so keep an eye on the clock and plan to squeeze in time to challenge your family members to a game of Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, or Mario Kart. There’s no better way to bond with your kids than by introducing them to your own childhood! 

Admission to Last Level Lounge is just $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 & under — and unlimited plays are included!!

Goodbye Barrie — until the next trip!

Enjoy a last look at Kempenfelt Bay as you stroll back along the Barrie Waterfront Trail to Allandale Waterfront GO Station. After your busy day in Barrie, you’re all bound to be tired. Luckily you’re able to relax on your ride home with GO Transit. Whether you spend your travel time talking about your favourite part of the day trip, enjoying the free entertainment on GO Wi-Fi Plus, or taking a nap — your ride from Barrie to Toronto will be stress-free.