Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Friday Harbour: Turn Every Day into Friday

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From time to time, my husband and I sit down and have a frank discussion about the life we want to live. What should we do? Where should we travel? How have we grown – as a family, as a couple, as individuals? And, what is the best way to maximize our income, while balancing life and leisure?

Lately, we’ve been thinking about investments – ones that make sense for us financially, but also make sense for our family. And at the top of the list: a weekend escape.

If you grew up in Ontario, chances are that you, or someone you know, has a summer cottage. Escaping the city has long been a summer tradition, with tens of thousands of commuters making the trek up north every Friday from May to September. And the options for cottages are limitless; traditional or modern, big and small. However, I’m *not exactly* the cottage type. While I love the lake, small town vibe and the opportunity to get away from the city, I still prefer the amenities of resort living – the luxe details, urban atmosphere, and most importantly, the ability to get away all year round.

Introducing Friday Harbour, Lake Simcoe’s most successful All Seasons community.

BOARDWALK CONDOS2At Friday Harbour, you’ll discover a four-season 600-acre waterfront resort with an ever-changing selection of recreation, entertainment and activities to enjoy, just 45 minutes outside the Greater Toronto Area. Now taking shape on the shores of Lake Simcoe just south of Barrie, Friday Harbour is accessible along major highways and by GO Train from Toronto.

Four Seasons of Lakeside Vacations: Today at Friday Harbour, the marina is being excavated to accommodate 1,000 boat slips – from runabouts to 100-foot cruisers. From here, boaters may choose to cruise the Trent-Severn Waterway, catch a few hours of fishing or practice their sailing techniques. Kayaks and canoes will skim along the shoreline; jet skis and wind-surfers will share the waves. In winter, this same body of water offers skating, cross-country skiing and ice fishing. 

Urban-Style Amenities: The vibrant Marina Village will be the hub of the community where shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes will hug the harbour, stretching along 4 kilometres of waterfront. The centre for live entertainment will be at the Pier featuring music and theatre, festivals, celebrations and a farmer’s market.

BOARDWALK CONDOS & RETAILFrom Golf and Tennis to Swimming and Hiking: Now taking shape, the 18-hole championship golf course by Carrick Design is being sculpted with material excavated from the marina, changing a relatively flat landscape into a terrain of dips and ridges with holes suited to players of all abilities. Beach volleyball and tennis will vie for attention in the hot summer months where spectators will find shelter under umbrellas set-up along the sand. The lake is the place to cool off; swim, boat and paddle in the designated no-boat area.

“There is nowhere else like this in Southern Ontario,” says Earl Rumm, spokesperson for the resort and President of Geranium Corporation. “It’s perfect for anyone seeking a year-round place they can easily reach and enjoy to its fullest from the moment they arrive.”

“Whichever style of resort home you buy in Friday Harbour, you’ll be able to walk to onsite amenities – golf, beach, boat, nature preserve – within 5 to 15 minutes of your front door,” says Rumm.

LAKE CLUBBoardwalk Condos, set in the heart of the marina village, offer designs ranging from studios to two-storey penthouses. Generous patios, balconies and terraces are included, some as large as 900 sq.ft. The stylish Harbour Flats are steps from the waterfront and available in one-bedroom through three-bedroom plans, all with a large balcony. And, for those seeking a spacious resort townhome with private garage and boat slip, the spectacular Marina and Island Towns are the perfect option. Click here to view prices, floorplans, features and finishes.

Family travel is the perfect way to strengthen bonds, renew relationships and make memories that will last a lifetime. We’re looking to create those experiences – on a weekly basis – with Friday Harbour All Seasons Resort. If you’re in the market for a northern getaway, visit their Experience Centre in Eagles Nest Golf Course, Vaughan. The Experience Centre features a full model suite with decor and furniture package options, so you can get a taste of the quality of construction and finishes you can expect to enjoy when you move to Friday Harbour.

Love what you see? Bookmark www.fridayharbourresort.com – you never know, we could be neighbours!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. I love waterfront properties and this sounds like an awesome place to get away for a mini vacation! Thanks for the tip Lena!

  7. This is the first I have heard of this place, it looks like it is going to be really nice. However, we would prefer the cottage on the lake if we were going to do anything.

  8. This place looks gorgeous and perfect really! I’d be happy in a wee log cabin on the ocean somewhere!

  10. I wondered why all the construction trucks were heading down there for ! This is like a stone’s throw away from where I live in Barrie ! We really COULD be neighbours :)

  11. I went to Friday Harbour several years ago…due for a return because we had such a wonderful time there. Obviously a lot of changes since my last visit.

  20. Gorgeous living surrounded by nature as well as modern conveniences with tennis (a major bonus for a tennis family).

  21. My Aunt lives in cottage country. We go yearly for a family reunion, she lives off the lake. It is the most enthralling yet relaxing environment ever… I could spend hours just walking through the forests or watching the fish swim… chilling in her paddle boat while the kids jump from the cliff/waterfall, cuz you know, I’m too cool for that nonsense <3 I soak up the sun, their laughter & nature.

  24. I cannot believe how much the Lake Simcoe community has changed! Yes we went up to my grandparents cottage every summer, they lived on Lake Driveway!! Special memories indeed. Maybe we should think about this for our vacay home, just lovely! Thanks!

  28. It’s been years since I visited Lake Simcoe when my grandmother had an old rambling cottage which has since been torn down for a mansion of some kind. Really should head back that way to see the changes.

  31. Thank you for listing some very important conversations that couples should have from time to time. Life can get so busy that we forget our overall goals.

  34. Well as nice as this place seems I wasn’t born with a silver spoon or unlimited credit, so I’ll have to stick with the cottage my mother inherited on a beautiful lake. The cottage isn’t very nice but when it comes the lake and everything else, it’s Paradise!