• 3:00pm - Check into Hills

• 6:00pm - Head to dinner just a block away to one of several delicious restaurants including Lovebird Brasserie, Franny’s Mercato, Leeky Canoe, and The Dam Pub, essentially all side-by-side.

• 8:00pm - Stroll down to the harbour to catch the sunset

• 9:00pm - Head home to Hills.  Early to bed, early to ride!  

• 9:00am - Walk one block to McGuinty’s for a delicious breakfast bagel sandwich

• 11:00am - Bike 13km along the Georgian Trail to Thornbury for lunch and some shopping

• 1:00pm - Return to Meaford for a quick swim at David Johnston Park

• 2:00pm - Sneak an afternoon nap in Hill’s comfy beds

• 7:00pm - Head to dinner in Downtown Meaford

• 9:00pm - Visit the newly restored 1887 firehall, Station 87, for a nightcap

• 8:00am - Hike the beautiful Trout Hollow Trail whose trailhead is only 500 meters from Hills. 

• 10:00am - Brunch at Egg-citement

• 12:00pm - Check out of Hills and head over to Grandma Lambes to take home a fresh apple pie.

Beginner — Georgian Trail (Meaford to Thornbury) Distance: 13 km one way | Surface: Crushed gravel (flat) Start: Meaford Harbour (3 min walk from Hills). Follow the Georgian Trail east toward Thornbury along Georgian Bay. Completely flat, well-signed, and hard-packed. Stop for ciders in Thornbury, then ride back. A perfect afternoon. 157 reviews, 4.7 stars.

Intermediate — Thornbury Sticky Bun Loop / Apple Pie Trail Distance: 40–60 km | Surface: Paved country roads Start at Thornbury (18 km drive from Hills, or ride there on the Georgian Trail). Loop south through the Beaver Valley on quiet country roads, stopping at the Blackbird Pie Company in Heathcote, Spy Cider House, and Georgian Hills Vineyards. Some rolling hills. Marked cycling routes available via the Apple Pie Trail map.

Intermediate — Georgian Bay Loop (Owen Sound to Meaford) Distance: 50 km | Surface: Paved/Gravel mix Part of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. Follows the shorelines of Georgian Bay with stunning bay views and patchwork farmland. Moderate difficulty.

Advanced — Beaver Valley Road Loop Distance: 70–91 km | Surface: Paved with some gravel Start in Thornbury or Meaford. Head south into the Beaver Valley — serious climbing involved. The Grey Highlands Gran Fondo route covers this terrain through Meaford, Thornbury, and the Beaver Valley, with riders conquering Scotch Mountain. Spectacular views at every turn. Bring elevation legs.

Advanced Gravel — Tom Thomson Trail / Georgian Highlands Distance: 41–44 km | Surface: Gravel Start: Meaford waterfront. Heads west toward Owen Sound through the Georgian Highlands. Described as a "gravel-grinder's paradise" with staggering views at Irish Mountain and Coffin Ridge. Quiet, remote, and technical.

Trout Hollow Trail (Bighead River) Edwin Street trailhead, Meaford | ~5 min drive or 500m by foot. A beautiful riverside trail named for the Trout family sawmill from the 1850s. Foot traffic only. Ties to conservation history — John Muir worked at this site. Easy to moderate. Access also from Beautiful Joe Park.

Championship Courses

Lora Bay 109 E Ridge Dr, Thornbury, ON |~10 minute drive from Hills.  Nestled between the shores of Georgian Bay and the Niagara Escarpment, Lora Bay, provides the perfect setting for golf. The lush green fairways, with tee decks ranging from 5,100 to 7,100 yards, are expertly designed to incorporate the natural terrain, providing spectacular Georgian Bay views while challenging players of all levels.  

Cobble Beach 221 McLeese Drive Kemble ON~45 minutes from Hills, but worth the drive for this beauty! Just 10 minutes north of Owen Sound, this master-planned course spans 574 acres of pristine shoreline along Georgian Bay.  The award-winning Cobble Beach Golf Links, ranked among Canada’s top golf courses, is a challenging 18-hole links-style course which showcases some of Ontario’s most breathtaking views and stands as one of Doug Carrick’s finest designs.

Country Courses

Meaford Golf Course 408 Ridge Road, Meaford | ~10 min drive from Hills. A mature 18-hole course first opened in 1934, nestled on the shore of Georgian Bay. Two separate 9-hole configurations (Randle & Millennium). Par 71. Three sets of tees for all skill levels. Casual, affordable, and scenic. Book online at meafordgolf.com for a 5% discount.

Scenic City Golf Course and Driving Range 203674 ON-26, Owen Sound, ON | ~18 min drive from Hills. Locally owned and operated by Jake Clark and family.   Scenic City Golf Course is committed to providing great golf at affordable prices.

The Keep Refillery Across from Hills, Sykes Street | ~2 min walk Eco-friendly, waste-free, natural soaps, shampoos, and household cleaning supplies. Bring your own containers. A Hills partner.

Groove Boutique 12 Sykes Street N | ~3 min walk Fashionable second-hand clothing and accessories (Guess, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger). Sustainable, affordable, and well-organized.

Meaford Farmers' Market 1 Don Bumstead Drive | ~5 min drive (seasonal) Weekly market with local produce, meats, baked goods, preserves, arts and crafts, and food vendors. Live music on market days.

Grandma Lambe's Hwy 26 East of Meaford | ~5 min drive Orchard and bakery. Gift packages include butter tarts and jam — the same ones you'll find in your room at Hills. A must-stop.

GUM Gallery 46 Sykes Street N | ~3 min walk Artist-run conceptual gallery — new addition to downtown Meaford. Worth a visit for something genuinely unexpected.

Meaford Harbour Grant Avenue, Meaford | ~5 min walk The harbour is the natural starting point for kayak or paddleboard outings on Georgian Bay. Calm inside the harbour, open water available.

Bighead River Accessible from Beautiful Joe Park, Meaford | ~5 min walk A scenic river paddle or swim option in the heart of town.

Free Spirit Tours (Beaver River, Heathcote) Heathcote | ~25 min drive Guided paddling and rentals on the Beaver River. A beautiful, tree-lined waterway. Also offers snowshoe tours in winter.

The Apple Pie Trail Various stops, Blue Mountains / Thornbury / Meaford | Self-guided Ontario's most celebrated culinary trail. 28 stops across the region from Creemore to Meaford, taking you through orchards, bakeries, cideries, and artisan shops in what locals call "Apple Country." Inspired by South Georgian Bay's long apple-growing history — the region produces roughly 25% of Ontario's annual apple crop. Available year-round. Download the trail map at applepietrail.ca. Best experienced by car or e-bike. Key Meaford and Thornbury stops include:

Meaford Memorial Park Beach 181 Grant Avenue, Meaford | ~5 min walk The town beach, right on Georgian Bay. Free access. Playground and picnic area. A short walk from Hills.

David Johnston Park 125 Fuller St, Meaford, ON | ~500 meters from Hills! Located east of the Meaford Harbour, David Johnston Park is a wonderful place to enjoy Georgian Bay with protected swimming and paddling. This small park features picnic tables, portable toilets and accessible parking.

Christie Beach Conservation Area Christie Beach Road, off Hwy 26 | ~10 min drive east One of the best family-friendly sand beaches on this part of Georgian Bay. Change rooms, washrooms, playground, and picnic shelter. Free access.

Fred Raper Park 207 Bayfield Street, Meaford | ~5 min drive Waterfront park with beach access. Free.

Note: All Meaford-area public beaches are free. Craigleith Provincial Park (between Thornbury and Collingwood) requires a day-use park pass.

• Beautiful Joe Park — Leash-free dog park and scenic riverside walking, adjacent to the Trout Hollow Trail. Free.

• McCarroll Park & Splash Pad — 210 Parker Street East. A great summer stop for kids.

• Meaford Museum — 111 Bayfield Street. Features over 9,000 artifacts with a special apple history exhibit. Perfect for a rainy afternoon.

• Big Red Chair Tour — 10 giant Muskoka chairs placed at scenic spots throughout the municipality (May–October). Each one reveals local history and nearby attractions. A fun self-guided outing for all ages.

• Georgian Trail — Flat, wide, and beginner-friendly for kids on bikes or scooters between Meaford and Thornbury.

• Meaford Farmers' Market — Seasonal. Live music, local food, and a community feel.

• Story Book Park — Located only 20 minutes from Hill, take your young family to Story Book Park.  Take a leisurely stroll through the park, stop to feed the deer, take a walk through a haunted house, a local favourite amongst young and old, or try your hand at the 9 hole mini golf course.