Exploring Deerhurst Resort, Muskoka is one of the best local road trip within Ontario during Pandemic Year 2020.  

Deerhurst Resort is approximately 189km from Toronto.  The drive takes approx 2 hours and 20 minutes with minimal traffic.

Muskoka is a beautiful place to visit in the Spring/Summer/Fall.  You must be wondering what to do here in the winter!  This is my first time in Muskoka and it happened to be in the Winter too.  Let me tell you, it is quite fun if you go with your family and/or friends!  There are quite a bit to do here. Fortunately, we made it there before the second province-wide lockdown in Ontario.

Where to Stay in Muskoka:

Our friend booked 3 bedrooms (The Greens Resort Homes) at Deerhurst Resort.  The cottage is near Deerhurst Pavilion and is surrounded by Deerhurst Lakeside golf course.  Deerhurst Resort is located just 5 minute drive from downtown Huntsville and 45 minutes from Algonquin Park.  Hence, this is the ideal selection for your Ontario vacation in Muskoka. It is so close to everything else. 

The Greens resort homes comes with Master bedroom with King bed, a second bedroom with two Queen beds, and a third bedroom with one Queen bed; three bathrooms.  In addition, it has a kitchen with full size appliances, microwave, toaster, kettle, coffee maker, pots, pans, dishes and cutlery, a dining room and a living room with stereo, TV, DVD player, and fireplace.  The balcony comes with a view of the lake.

Deerhurst Resort appreciates Healthcare workers that they offer discount toward the bookings of the accommodations.  We went with our friend who is within our circle during the pandemic.  She is a nurse and we were able to get the accommodation at a discounted price.

Things to Do at Deerhurst Resort:

Day 1 (Friday – Dec 2020):  Exploring Deerhurst Resort, Muskoka

This road trip was planned for a friend’s Surprised Birthday.  After 2 and a half hours of drive from Toronto, we arrived at Deerhurst Pavilion parking lot and waited for our friends to arrive to give him a Birthday surprise.  4 of us checked in and waited for the Birthday boy to arrive.  When checking in at Deerhurst, they gave you a wrist band.  This allows you to use the amenities on site like Swimming Pool, Indoor Rock Climbing, Escape Cabins and Stargazers Ridge Arcade.  

We got the key cards to the unit.  There are parking right outside of the unit.  Because of Covid time, this place is not as busy as in the Spring/Summer/Fall.  After moving our stuff from the trunk inside the unit, we started wiping down the surfaces in the unit with alcohol/sanitizer wipe and then unpacked.

Then we took a walk around the area.  Guess what we saw when we first stepped out of the unit!  Our Deer Friends! 🙂

Then we found a volleyball court during our walk.  2 of our friends ran back to the car trunk to get the volleyball.  Thank goodness we have a volleyball with us. 🙂  Volleyball in Winterwonderland time!

Dinner at Eclipse:

Because we told Deerhurst Resort that we were there for a friend’s Birthday, they gave us a voucher for a choice of free alcohol drink or a dessert for 6 of us.

Make sure to make your dinner reservation in advance at Eclipse in order to guarantee sitting.  This is required especially during the pandemic when limited sittings are available in the restaurant.  We have to divide the group into 2.  A table for 4 of us and another table with 2.

Dishes at Eclipse that we ordered and highly recommended:

• Cedar Plank Atlantic Salmon 
• Shrimp and Lobster Carbonara (Alfredo sauce or you can ask for substitute of Rose Sauce)
• Roast Supreme of Chicken
• Fish and Chips

Desserts:

• 2-Tone Chocolate Mousse
• Apple Cheesecake

Day 2 (Saturday – Dec 2020):  Exploring Deerhurst Resort, Muskoka

Saturday’s Healthy Breakfast:

Alternatively, we substitue maple syrup with the canned peaches on the pancakes and have blueberries and rasberries with sausages.  It is quite a delicious breakfast menu!

Swimming Time:

We saw Wild Turkeys on the way back to the Unit after swimming.  Is this what is on our dinner menu? 🙂

Then we had Charcuterie Board made by our friend Tiff

And we made Gingerbread House

Next, we took a drive into town (Huntsville) and walked to Beavertails.  This is the first eat-in Beavertails store that we have ever visited!

If it is your Birthday, they give you a complimentary Beavertails! so make sure to mention to them if it is your birthday!

We went back to the unit after enjoying the Beavertails and change into our snow pants. Then we headed out to check the Starlight Trail.  The trail was lit up with beautiful lights!

After the trek at the Starlight Trail, we came back, showered and played some board games.  I highly recommend Taboo and Jungle Speed Board game!  They are both such a fun games!  I love playing “Taboo“:  An Unspeakable Fun!  Check out the Video for the fun part of the Taboo game!

Lastly, we made Surf and Turf for dinner with beans and caesar salad.  And we “wine” down! 🙂 This ends the night perfectly!

Day 3 (Sunday – Dec 2020):  Exploring Deerhurst Resort, Muskoka

We woke up early and made breakfast with some leftover steak, garlic bread.  We also fried some scramble eggs and bacon.  Then topped it with some fruits.

WE in THE NORTH (Muskoka) – PRE 2nd Province (ON) lockdown:

 This video summarizes our whole road trip while Exploring Deerhurst Resort, Muskoka.  If you like this travel video, please SUBSCRIBE to “My Real Life Tips” YouTube Channel.

Tips:

• Make reservations in advance when you plan for your trip. It could get busy in the Spring/Summer. 
• Call to check on Covid-19 regulations before booking.
• Bring your snow boots and snow pants
• Plan your meals and cook at home if you are there for 2 nights or more.
• Must visit Eclipse to check out their delicious food and dessert menu.
• If you are there for a Birthday celebration, be sure to inform them so you get a voucher for complimentry drink or dessert for the party.
• Bring board games to play there.  I highly recomment Taboo! so much fun!
• Take a drive into town (Huntsville) to check out the stores there and must check out Beavertails!

Highly Recommended Local Road Trip within Ontario:

• Exploring Sandbanks – 2020
• Wine Tour Guide 2020 in Prince Edward County
• Exploring Tobermory, Ontario