Top Small Museum/ Art Galleries/ Historic Sites

Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario: The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario is a working and the premier hands-on railway museum in Lanark County, Eastern Ontario. The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario aims to preserve the unique and expansive railway history of the area. The Museum is housed in the 1912 Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) Station and is a designated National Historic Site. rmeo.org

Little Claybelt Homesteaders Museum: Founded in 1974, the Little Claybelt Homesteaders Museum offers unique insights into the history of the region. Exhibits are changed periodically to reflect what we know of pioneer life in the southern Claybelt area from the 1880s through the 1950s. www.claybeltmuseum.ca

The Muskoka Lakes Museum: Located in Port Carling tells the story of the development of the region, from untouched Wilderness to Ontario’s Summer Playground. Open from Victoria Day Weekend in May to Thanksgiving Weekend in October, the Museum features displays and activities for all ages. mlmuseum.com

Cornerstone Art & Craft: Features the hand-made work of artisans from across Canada with a dedicated space featuring work from Canadian Indigenous artists including First Nations and Inuit peoples. Friendly staff are happy to assist in choosing your piece and then packaging it for either giving or shipping. Cornerstone Canadian Art & Craft -All Canadian All The Time! cornerstonecanadianart.com

The Pickering Museum Village: The PMV is a living history village nestled on the banks of Duffins Creek in Pickering, Ontario. With 19 historic buildings, stunning scenery, and over 13 exciting programs this summer and fall, there really is something for everyone at this marvelous museum. The museum also offers very immersive, engaging educational school tours. Being a filming location for many Anne of Green Gable’s productions and its close connection to other cultural initiatives across the Durham Region make the PMV a must-visit on everyone’s bucket list. www.pickering.ca/en/discovering/pickering-museum-village.aspx 

Dundurn National Historic Site: Known as Dundurn Castle, this 40-room Italianate-style villa was built in the 1830s on Burlington Heights, also the site of a fortified military encampment established by the British during the War of 1812. It was home to Sir Allan Napier MacNab, railway magnate, lawyer and Premier of the United Canadas from 1854 to 1856. Today Dundurn Castle tells the story of the MacNab family and the servants who lived and worked at the house. Visitors are invited to experience a guided tour of the home with a costumed interpreter, explore the lovingly restored two-acre Historic Kitchen Garden, and discover The Hamilton Military Museum – free with admission to Dundurn Castle. Visitors are invited to experience a guided tour of the home with a costumed interpreter, explore the lovingly restored two-acre Historic Kitchen Garden, and discover The Hamilton Military Museum – free with admission to Dundurn Castle. www.hamilton.ca/dundurn

Muskoka Heritage Place: Operating on 35 acres, Muskoka Heritage Place boasts 16 authentic pioneer buildings, two museums, costumed narrators and fully operational steam train operating on 1 km of track. Since 1971 we've been entertaining and educating generations through a "grab on to history" kind of way. The village is nestled in the Muskoka rocks, trees and hills; just the way it would have looked to the early settlers of the area. With the exception that we are only a 10 minute walk from downtown Huntsville and all that it has to offer. And oh yeah, our farm animals just love listening to people. www.muskokaheritageplace.ca