Rent a cottage on a private Georgian Bay beach near Toronto, Canada Reviews

We’ve been obsessed with unique overnight stays of late, and found a new spot for anyone craving a bit of privacy. This one’s a dreamy cottage getaway that’s less than two hours from Toronto where you can spend the night along the shores of Georgian Bay on a private beach!

This stay is offered through Discovery Harbour, a 30-acre living history museum nestled along Penetanguishene Bay, just under a two-hour drive from Toronto. Visitors can experience a rustic glamping-style escape right beside the water in a cute cottage-style cabin that sits on the beach, with direct access to the museum.

Cabins starts at $150 per night (larger cabins can sleep up to six people), and come complete with two Muskoka chairs and a private outdoor firepit for dreamy nights by the bay. There are no private bathrooms inside the cabins, but washrooms, showers and a water refill station are just a short walk away.

Each cabin booking includes admission to Discovery Harbour (until Sept. 6), Sainte-Marie among the Hurons (until Oct. 12) and Nancy Island (until Oct. 11) while they’re open for the season. And there are a bunch of free add-on experiences, too! Learn traditional fire-starting methods using a flint and striker or a bow and spindle. Or, if you’re travelling with your kids, discover 19th-century British games like Nine Men’s Morris, Table Skittles, Devil Among the Tailors and quoits.

There are also ghost tours if you’re brave enough to explore the darker side of history, as well as several creative workshops. Bookings are open until the end of October, so it’s totally worth adding to your list for a last-minute summer trip or amazing fall escape!

And if cabins aren’t your style, check out these dreamy Ontario houseboats where you can sleep on the water this summer.