Perfect Family Getaway at Viamede Resort

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Categories: Family Fun

Family Fun
By Parentsource
05/30/2013

Family Fun at Viamede Resort. If you're looking for an outstanding family getaway this summer, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, then Viamede Resort on Stoney Lake (north of Peterborough) is the perfect choice.
It's got everything you need and more... including fabulous accomodation (a historic main inn and plenty of rustic cottages), tons of outdoor fun (hiking, paddling, swimming, sports) and the most beautiful natural setting. We had the privilege of spending a weekend in May at Viamede and our kids are already asking when we can go back. Read our review below for the details on all the fun we had!

The Main Inn

Viamede has a rich history and some of its buildings date back to the 1870s. There's even a chapel (which is perfect for weddings) which stands proud in its beautiful simplicity.

The main inn has a selection of rooms, most with gorgeous views of Stoney Lake and some with private balconies.

Cottages

There are 19 private cottages at Viamede, ideal if you've got kids or are doing a group getaway. Most cottages have a lake-view and are equipped with a kitchen, fireplace, air conditioning, private deck and bbq.

Dining

Breakfast Buffet
Breakfast is included with all rooms at Viamede. They offer a delicious breakfast buffet in the main dining room including bacon & eggs, pancakes or french toast, fruit, cereal and toast, fresh pastries, coffee, juice and more. My husband and I particularly enjoyed the yummy grilled tomatoes! Many tables have a stunning view of the lake (as you can see in the photo here).

1885 Dining Room and Mount Julian Inn
There are two other dining options at Viamede that unfortunately we weren't able to check out. One due to a wedding reception going on the weekend we were there and the other because it's not meant for young kids. But the 1885 Dining Room in the Main Inn is a popular steakhouse (click here to see a sample menu) and the Inn at Mount Julian offers a fine dining experience which is a great way to celebrate any special occassion (due to the menu, the Inn is geared towards guests over age 12).

Boathouse Pub
This is a fantastic place to grab lunch or have a casual dinner (appetizers, burgers, wings, fish 'n chips, etc). Their deck overlooks Stoney Lake and there are big screen tvs for sports fans and a pool table for more entertainment (we had our first family game of pool there and my son is now hooked!). They also have a great selection of beer on tap and local beer including one in particular that my husband was happy to discover: Hop City 8th Sin.

BBQ Baskets
All guests at Viamede have access to a barbeque, either on their own private deck at their cottage, or on the bbq patio if they're staying in the main inn. To alleviate the hassle of guests having to bring their own food, Viamede has a bbq menu that you can choose from to cook your own feast including salads, vegetables, burgers, steaks and more.

The Marina

Viamede offers complimentary use of their canoes and kayaks, and boat rentals can also be arranged. My daughter and I went out paddling one morning and enjoyed being out on the lake instead of just looking at it! Life jackets and paddles are provided along with an emergency kit.

Hiking Trails

We love hiking so were happy to learn that Viamede has 6 km of trails on its 165 acre property. We were impressed by the size and beauty of the magestic oak tree seen in the picture here. My kids were lucky enough to spot 2 young deer ahead of us on the trail. It's important though to beware of poison ivy...we saw a bit and were glad we had long pants and closed shoes on.

The stables

On our way to the hiking trails, we passed by the stables which are home to Viamede's very own pigs, turkeys, ducks and chickens. The pigs were very friendly (they must have thought we had food!) and the young turkeys are being fattened up for Thanksgiving. The chef at Viamede enjoys using local and fresh ingredients including herbs and vegetables from their own garden.

Fishing

Our kids love fishing so we brought our own rods and tackle and they couldn't wait to hit the docks. My daughter caught the first fish, a cute little striped perch, which she threw right back in. My son didn't have quite as much luck but did have a few nibbles on his hook. He had heard stories of the massive musky (up to 50 inchces long) that lived in Stoney Lake so was hoping to snag one of them. I'm guessing you need to be a bit further out on the lake for a chance to catch one of those.

Relaxing poolside

Whether you want to sunbathe or go for a dip to cool off, the pool is the place to be. Not everyone enjoys swimming in lakes, so the pool offers you the best of both worlds with its lakeside view and clean clear water.

Tennis, volleyball, badminton, basketball, shuffleboard and more

There is no shortage of activities to keep the kids (and adults) busy! We tried out the shuffleboard and played some tennis, but there's also badminton, soccer, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes and more to entertain the young ones. Our only issue was that no one seemed to know how to play shuffleboard so we just made up our own version which was just as fun. I've since come across the rules online so will include a link here.

Playground and Beach

Wait there's even more for the kids to do... Viamede has its own small beach with a fun playground just above it. Bring your own buckets and shovels to play in the sand (we forgot ours) and don't forget the kids' swimsuits and sunscreen. The beach is not manned by a lifeguard but the water is fairly shallow which makes it great for younger kids.

Campfire Fun

One of the highlights of the weekend for my kids was the campfire on Saturday night. They were thrilled that there were marshmallows supplied to them for roasting and making s'mores! To make things even better, the staff member who built the fire was a talented musician and pulled out his guitar to sing a few rounds of campfire songs!

All in all, Viamede Resort on Stoney Lake offers a wonderful summer getaway for your family. It's only a 2 hour drive from Toronto (or 90 minutes from Oshawa). The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. You'll be surrounded by nature and able to relax by the pool or on your Muskoka chair or be active with water activities, hiking or sports. It's got something for everyone and I guarantee you'll come home with special family memories that will stay with you forever!

For more information about Viamede Resort, please visit their website at www.viamede.com

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