Let me just start by saying: if Ontario were a rom-com, Huntsville would be the dreamy small town the big-city girl moves to after quitting her corporate job, buying a fixer-upper cottage, and rediscovering what it means to be alive (cue the acoustic guitar music). Yeah, it’s that kind of place.

Nestled in the heart of Muskoka, Huntsville is a mix of cozy charm and jaw-dropping natural beauty. I rolled in with a car full of snacks, zero itinerary, and a vague hope of finding myself in the woods. What I found was even better: a town that feels like your favourite flannel shirt — warm, rustic, and weirdly photogenic.

Let’s talk downtown

Downtown Huntsville is adorable and knows it. You’ve got your boutiques, your cafés, your “I make pottery now” vibes — but without being too try-hard. There’s That Little Place by the Lights, a family-run Italian spot where the pasta feels like it was handcrafted by a nona with a sixth sense for carbs. Sit on the patio if you can, and order the gnocchi. Just trust me.

Across the street? Muskoka Bear Wear. Yes, I bought a hoodie. No, I’m not sorry.

I also popped into Algonquin Outfitters, not to buy gear (though you totally can), but to stare lovingly at canoes I will never own. It’s like REI but Canadian and with stronger flannel energy.

Nature came to slay

Let’s get real — you don’t come to Huntsville to stay indoors. Within a 10-minute drive, you’re surrounded by forests, lakes, trails, and places that make you question your decision to live in a concrete jungle.

One morning I hit Lions Lookout, which sounds like a gentle stroll but is more like a “don’t wear platform sandals” situation. The view? Worth every pant. You can see all of Huntsville, the lakes, the town, the trees doing their best impression of a Group of Seven painting.

Later, I took a little solo canoe out on Fairy Lake. Yes, it’s actually called Fairy Lake, and yes, it’s as magical as it sounds. I paddled past cottages with twinkle lights, loons doing their haunting calls (romantic or mildly terrifying? Still unsure), and people casually paddleboarding like they’re not the main characters in a cottagecore dream.

Where I slept (and briefly considered moving in)

I stayed at the Deerhurst Resort, and let me just say — if you’ve ever wanted to feel like a pampered woodland creature, this is the place. It’s a mix of luxe and lodge, with views of Peninsula Lake that made me gasp more than once (okay, like five times).

The spa? Divine. The breakfast buffet? Dangerous. And they’ve got golf, water activities, and even a treetop trekking course if you want to live out your Lara Croft fantasy.

Pro tip: Deerhurst also does live music and events, so check their calendar — you might luck into a full-blown lakeside concert.

Day trip to Algonquin? Obviously.

You cannot — cannot — do Huntsville and skip Algonquin Provincial Park. It’s just 30 minutes away and feels like stepping into a Bob Ross painting. I did a few shorter hikes like Whiskey Rapids Trail (adorable name, right?) and Lookout Trail, which honestly deserves its own poem. Fall is especially next-level, but even in spring or summer, it’s the kind of place where silence actually means something.

Final thoughts (aka me getting sappy)

Huntsville isn’t just pretty — though yes, she’s gorgeous. It’s a town with soul, with friendly locals who give actual recommendations instead of saying “uh, it depends what you’re into,” and with just enough hidden corners to make you feel like you’re discovering something.

I came here needing a reset. I left with a full camera roll, a slight maple butter addiction, and a sneaky plan to come back in the winter — because apparently this place becomes a snow globe. So yeah, Huntsville? She’s a keeper.