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Parry Sound
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A cheerful little place,
PARRY SOUND
, beside Georgian Bay 85km north of Port Severn, was named after the Arctic explorer Sir William Edward Parry, but it earned the nickname "Parry Hoot" because the log-drivers on the river chose this as the place to get drunk in. Things are more genteel today and the town has become a popular stopover for boats roaming the Thirty Thousand Islands out in the bay. Parry Sound is also the home port of the
Island Queen
, which squeezes through these same islands in a spectacular
cruise
that has become one of the region's most popular attractions (June to mid-Oct daily at 2pm, plus July-Aug daily at 10am; 3hr; $18; tel 705/746-2311 or 1-800/506-2628,
info@island-queen.com
). The jetty for the
Island Queen
is at Government Wharf, just below the centre of town at the end of Bay Street. Otherwise, Parry Sound is short of specific sights, though its pocket-sized harbour is overshadowed by a splendid Edwardian railway
trestle bridge
and the few blocks that make up the commercial centre - along and around
James Street
- are dotted with good-looking old brick and stone buildings. In addition, the town rustles up a well-respected classical music
Festival of the Sound
(details on tel 705/746-2410,
www.festivalofthesound.on.ca
) in the second half of July and early August.
Buses to Parry Sound pull into the depot just off Hwy 69 well to the east of the town centre. To get downtown from here, call Parry Sound Taxi (tel 705/746-1221). The tourist office is in the former railway station, at 70 Church St (May-Sept Mon-Thurs 8am-4pm, Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 10am-2pm; tel 705/746-4213). From here, it's 800m south along Church Street to the centre and 300m more to Government Wharf. The tourist office has details of local accommodation including several central B&Bs . One especially good option is the Victoria Manor , in a handsome old house with turrets and with a lovely garden at 43 Church St and Rosetta (tel 705/746-5399, victoria@zeuter.com ; $60-80). The Comfort Inn by Journey's End (tel 705/746-6221 or 1-800/228-5150; $60-80) is east of the centre on the way out to Hwy 69 at 120 Bowes St.
For
food
, head for
Bannerman's
, in the centre at 65 James St (Mon-Fri 7am-5pm & Sat 8am-4pm) - a smashing deli and bakery selling the tastiest of meals and snacks. In the evening, try the
Bay Street CafAŠ
(tel 705/746-2882), down by Government Wharf at 22 Bay St, where the menu runs from pizza and sandwiches to fish and chips. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Canada,
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