Barry's Bay

Barry's Bay is a town of about 1,300 people in the Township of Madawaska Valley in Eastern Ontario, near the eastern entrance to Algonquin Provincial Park.

Former railway station, now a tourist information office at Barry's Bay

Understand

History

This area of Renfrew County was first settled in the early 20th century along with other communities on the Opeongo Line. The town served as a standby base for the Canadian military during the war years. Local workers and lumbermen were reformed into soldiers to help contribute to the war efforts of Canada in World War II.

It was first named 'Kuaenash Ne-ishing' (Algonquin for 'beautiful bay'), and later named after James Barry, a foreman for McLaughlin's Lumber in Arnprior who constructed a cabin as his headquarters in the area where St. Hedwig's Church stands.

Get in

Barry's Bay is at the northern end of Ontario Highway 62, at its junction with Ontario Highway 60. It is 185 km west of Ottawa - follow Highways 417 and 17 to Highway 60 near Renfrew.

By bus, Greyhound Canada travels from Ottawa to Pembroke once daily (2 hr 8 min, $18-45) and from Pembroke to Barry's Bay twice a week (1 hr 28 min, $14-40).

• 🌍 Barry's Bay/Madawaska Valley Airpark. General aviation only; no scheduled service.  

Get around

The nearest taxis are in Pembroke (Ontario).

See

• Railway Station Museum & Water Tower Park, Tourist & Visitor Information Centre, and South of 60 Arts Centre, 19503 Opeongo Line, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Open hours vary depending on the time of year. Home to one of only two remaining wooden free-standing water towers in Ontario. In addition to the usual information about attractions and events, "the Railway Station" houses an art gallery, and offers picnic facilities and free wi-fi. 

Żurakowski Park

• Zurakowski Park (across the street from the Railway Station Museum). This park honours local resident Janusz Zurakowski, one of the test pilots of the Avro Arrow. A replica Arrow is on display in the park. 

Do

• Radcliffe Hills Ski Area for snowboarding and downhill skiing.

Buy

• The Baykery, 21 Bay, ☎ [phone]. The local bakery - bread, sweet or savoury pies, cookies, butter tarts, and donuts, all home-made. 

Eat

• Charlie D's, 19349 Opeongo Line (Highway 60 and Arena Road), ☎ [phone]. A roadside "chip wagon" serving french fries, hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, and many varieties of poutine. 
• Dairy Freez & Grill, 23 Bay St, ☎ [phone]. A roadside stand. Serves locally-made Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream. 
• Polka Spudz, 2 Opeongo Square. Another roadside "chip wagon", but this one serves pierogis in addition to the usual fare. Try the Polish Poutine! 
• Madawaska Coffee Co.. M-F 10AM-5PM. A cafe that roasts its coffee in small batches. Roasted coffee and souvenir mugs are available to take home. 

Drink

Sleep

As the second-closest town east of Algonquin Provincial Park (Whitney is right at the park's entrance), Barry's Bay gets quite a few overnight visitors who are tired of camping in the park.

• Ash Grove Inn, 42524 Combermere Road, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. In the summer, a "fifth wheel" trailer is offered as an additional double room. Non-smoking hotel. Reservations accepted by telephone only. Restaurant on premises. 
• Balmoral Hotel, 16 Opeongo Square, ☎ [phone]. 
• Madawaska Valley Inn, 19854 Ontario Highway 60, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Four guest rooms with a shared hot tub. Complementary wi-fi. Breakfast is available at an extra charge. There is a gift shop on-premises, with homemade jams and other items for sale. 
• Pinewood Inn, 378 John St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 10AM. 

Connect

• Madawaska Valley Public Library (Barry's Bay and Area Public Library), 19474 Opeongo Line, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Free wi-fi is available at the Barry's Bay and Area Public Library. 

Go next

Routes through Barry's Bay

Huntsville ← Algonquin Provincial Park ←	W  E	→ Wilno → Renfrew
END at Junction ← Barry's Bay ←	N  S	→ Maynooth → Belleville