Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre

Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre Step back in time as you board the grandest of vessels, the RMS Segwun steamship or Wenonah II for a breathtaking Muskoka lakes cruise.

Be sure to include a visit to the Muskoka Discovery Centre featuring insightful and entertainment exhibits! Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre is a registered charity and non-profit leader in preserving, promoting and celebrating the culture and heritage of Canada's Muskoka District. Our mission is to present dynamic, entertaining and educational experiences through our iconic steamships and th

e Muskoka Discovery Centre. The Discovery Centre is open all year round. Our ships - RMS Segwun and Wenonah II - sail from late May to mid October each year. You haven't truly experienced Muskoka, if you haven't sailed on one of our steamships!

Dreaming of those warm summer nights! 🧡💜📷thanks to
01/01/2025

Dreaming of those warm summer nights! 🧡💜
📷thanks to

By 1872, the locks in Port Carling and the canal in Port Sandfield were fully operational. This allowed for large steams...
01/01/2025

By 1872, the locks in Port Carling and the canal in Port Sandfield were fully operational. This allowed for large steamships to access the previously unreachable lakes of Rosseau and Joseph. Steamships brought more and more people to Muskoka who were looking for a place to hunt, fish and to camp. This brought the rise of large resorts which provided a lavish place for these fisherman and hunters to stay.

Follow the leader!🚢📷thanks to
01/01/2025

Follow the leader!🚢
📷thanks to

See you in 2025 folks! 🤎💛🤎📷thanks to .toronto
12/31/2024

See you in 2025 folks! 🤎💛🤎
📷thanks to .toronto

The flagship SS Sagamo at The Royal Muskoka Hotel dock - circa 1910.
12/31/2024

The flagship SS Sagamo at The Royal Muskoka Hotel dock - circa 1910.

🚂⏳"From Hot Streets to Lake Breezes in 150 minutes or less from Toronto"⏳🚂
12/30/2024

🚂⏳"From Hot Streets to Lake Breezes in 150 minutes or less from Toronto"⏳🚂

The Gravenhurst Train Station - circa 1900.
12/30/2024

The Gravenhurst Train Station - circa 1900.

A full compliment of passengers locking through at Port Carling! Imagine the hustle and bustle of the wharf with steams...
12/30/2024

A full compliment of passengers locking through at Port Carling! Imagine the hustle and bustle of the wharf with steamships coming and going and visitors on their way to & from the Muskoka resorts!

Sweet dreams everyone! 🌙📷thanks to
12/29/2024

Sweet dreams everyone! 🌙
📷thanks to

⏳🎩THE ROYAL MUSKOKA HOTEL⏳🎩The Royal Muskoka Hotel was a luxury summer resort hotel that operated from 1901 to 1952 on L...
12/29/2024

⏳🎩THE ROYAL MUSKOKA HOTEL⏳🎩
The Royal Muskoka Hotel was a luxury summer resort hotel that operated from 1901 to 1952 on Lake Rosseau. The Royal Muskoka, completed in 1902, was the largest and grandest hotel in Muskoka, accommodating 350 guests on 130 acres. Built and operated by the Muskoka Lakes Navigation Company, it was extremely popular and drew thousands of tourists each season. Sadly, it burned to the ground in May 1952.

🎩⏳WIGWASSAN LODGE⏳🎩In 1906, Frank S. Hurlbut built a large hotel on the northeast corner of Lake Rosseau’s Tobin’s Islan...
12/29/2024

🎩⏳WIGWASSAN LODGE⏳🎩
In 1906, Frank S. Hurlbut built a large hotel on the northeast corner of Lake Rosseau’s Tobin’s Island, and christened it Hotel Waskada. Then, in 1931, George A. Martin heard that Hotel Waskada was up for sale. Thanks to a career in advertising, he had well-developed business and marketing acumen, he decided to purchase the resort. With new ownership came a new name. Out was Hotel Waskada, and in was Wigwassan Lodge (Wigwassan is an Algonquin word meaning “silver birches")
Wigwassan opened its doors to the public in the summer of 1932, and guests were impressed with what they found. Staff members were told their primary objective was to make sure the guests enjoyed their stay, almost regardless of the lengths they had to go. Unusually, staff were not only permitted to socialize with guests, but were actually encouraged to do so. Many considered Wigwassan the most hospitable resort in Muskoka. Additionally, the grounds represented a literal island of tranquility, a place where it was easy to unwind and find solace.
Wigwassan Lodge was very much a little village, comprising a number of numbers spread out over the island, including main lodge, dance hall, boat house, and a variety of different accommodation options. By the 1950s, the hotel was catering largely to the young, boisterous crowd and so the hotel was always alive with youthful energy, unlike many Muskoka resorts that were growing grey and tired along with their customer base. Designed to thrill and titillate, the attractions were numerous. Along the docks, tanned and trim instructors taught waterskiing and put on exhilarating performances.
The owner unfortunately died in 1966 and the resort ceased operating. Eventually, the contents of the resort were sold at auction in 1969, and shortly after the buildings were torn down and burned in what were giant funerary pyres for a cherished Muskoka resort.
(Photos and article thanks to Andrew Hind and Ian Turnbull)

G'night Muskoka! 💛🧡📷thanks to
12/28/2024

G'night Muskoka! 💛🧡
📷thanks to

The NAIAD, a 68-foot craft built at Toronto in 1890 for Senator William Eli Sanford, was the first known steam yacht on ...
12/28/2024

The NAIAD, a 68-foot craft built at Toronto in 1890 for Senator William Eli Sanford, was the first known steam yacht on the Muskoka Lakes. Senator Sanford used the yacht to entertain guests at his summer home on Lake Rosseau. Guests aboard have included Prime Minister Sir John Thompson on a fishing trip and later both Lord and Lady Aberdeen. In this photo, it is being moved from the Gravenhurst Wharf to Lake of Bays for the Peck family of Illinois. Note the Linn tractor being used with the horses to pull the load.

🛶⛵️THE OLDEST REGATTA ⛵️🛶The annual Muskoka Lakes Association regatta is the oldest regatta in North America, maintainin...
12/28/2024

🛶⛵️THE OLDEST REGATTA ⛵️🛶
The annual Muskoka Lakes Association regatta is the oldest regatta in North America, maintaining a tradition of family, fun, and aquatic competition on the Saturday of the Civic Holiday weekend. Established in 1894, the MLA is also Canada's oldest cottage association. Representing over 2,000 members, the group advocates for responsible stewardship and enjoyment of the unique environment of the Muskoka Lakes.
Muskoka Lakes Association

Heading home! 🚢📷thanks to Cole Lewis Photography
12/27/2024

Heading home! 🚢
📷thanks to Cole Lewis Photography

⏳🎩THE HEYDAY⏳🎩Steamships in Muskoka were in their heyday in the early 20th century, when hectic scenes such as this were...
12/27/2024

⏳🎩THE HEYDAY⏳🎩
Steamships in Muskoka were in their heyday in the early 20th century, when hectic scenes such as this were commonplace at Muskoka Wharf as passengers transferred from train to steamship.

🎩MILLIONAIRES ROW - LAKE MUSKOKA 🎩Andrew Carnegie led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th cent...
12/27/2024

🎩MILLIONAIRES ROW - LAKE MUSKOKA 🎩
Andrew Carnegie led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century and he became one of the richest Americans in history.
Carnegie built a summer home at "Millionaires Row" on Lake Muskoka as did many other wealthy Americans from Pittsburgh in the late 1800's. The stretch of shoreline at Beaumaris was also known as ‘Little Pittsburgh’.

Port Carling Wharf in 1890! 🎩🚢⏳What do you think Muskoka Lakes Museum and Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce and ? Such ...
12/26/2024

Port Carling Wharf in 1890! 🎩🚢⏳

What do you think Muskoka Lakes Museum and Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce and ? Such a cool photo of a bygone era!

Address

185 Cherokee Lane (Muskoka Wharf)
Gravenhurst, ON
P1P1Z9

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9am - 4:30pm
Sunday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+18666876667

Website

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Videos

100-Mile Cruise
100-Mile Cruise

In 2012, the spectacular 100-Mile Cruise was recreated in celebration of Segwun’s 125th anniversary. This awe-inspiring, all day event featured Segwun and Wenonah II sailing together up to Lake Joseph and accompanied by over 100 antique & class boats!! What do you think? Should this breathtaking experience be brought back again?

Wenonah II High Tea
Wenonah II High Tea

Experience High Tea in the Wenonah II's dining salon! Upgrade your 1.5 hour cruise with the addition of the high tea package and enjoy an authentic high tea service while cruising on beautiful Lake Muskoka! There are only a couple more weeks of cruises left, so book today! High tea can be booked online along with your cruise at www.realmuskoka.com or by calling 705-687-6667. #cruise #muskoka #hightea #lakemuskoka #muskokasteamships #fallcolourcruise

Wanda III out for testing as we work towards Transport Canada certification! The ship is looking great as she glides across Muskoka Bay with her new electric engines. Stay tuned for more updates on Wanda III: Steam to Green! #wandaIII #muskoka #steamtogreen #electricboat

After sailing out of Port Carling all week the Wenonah II is finally on her way back to her home port of Gravenhurst. Book your weekend cruise online at www.realmuskoka.com or call 1-866-687-6667 #MuskokaSteamships #MuskokaDiscoveryCentre #thingstodoinmuskoka #GravenhurstWharf #lakemuskoka #portcarling

CALLING ALL PIRATES! Join us on the last quest of the season on Lake Muskoka to find the hidden treasures this Sunday - September 1st! Book online or call to reserve your tickets for the last Captain Corbin adventure this season! Use code PIRATE20 to get 20% off regular priced tickets for adults, seniors and kids aged 3-12 - call or book online! #muskokasteamships #thingstodoinMuskoka #thingstodoinGravenhurst #WenonahII #piratecruise #MuskokaSteamships #MuskokaDiscoveryCentre #PirateShip

The first Wenonah Pirate cruise of the season! Standing room only. Face painting and Pirate Snacks to be had. Use your cruise discount (adults-$15, kids- free) to visit the award winning Muskoka Discovery Centre after the cruise. #MuskokaSteamships #MuskokaDiscoveryCentre #thingstodoinmuskoka #pirates #GravenhurstWharf #PirateShip #WenonahII #gravenhurst

Sip n’Sample is BACK! This Saturday, July 6th the evening cruise features the world famous Oyster Bay Wines . Come onboard to explore the world of wine or upgrade and add a 3-course meal to your cruise! Music onboard by the Mitch Beube and Jason Crawford. Tickets are limited — Book early. Don’t forget you can get discounted admission to @Muskoka Discovery Centre when you book a cruise. www.realmuskoka.com or call 1-866-687-6666 #MuskokaSteamships #sightseeingcruises #CruiseIntoSummer #WenonahII #MuskokaWharf #muskokasteamships #MuskokaDiscoveryCentre #cruise #sipandsample #thingstodoinmuskoka

Wanda III was out for testing as work continues on her restoration and electrification. Stay tuned to our social media and website for more information about Wanda's official relaunch and cruise schedule! www.realmuskoka.com #muskoka #wandaiii #steamtogreen #cruise #muskokadiscoverycentre

Wenonah II visiting 3 special docks on Lakes Rosseau for special cruises!

Did you know our ships can dock at many local resorts, ports of call, and even private cottages on the Muskoka Lakes? Check out this video where the Wenonah II cruised into 3 different docks in one day for special private charters! We visited Rosseau Lake College, Windermere, and the Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club on beautiful Lake Rosseau. Host your next special event with us, wether it be a wedding, corporate function, staff appreciaton, or any other celebration, and give your guests an experience they won't soon forget! www.realmuskoka.com or call 1-866-687-6667. #muskoka #muskokalakes #lakerosseau #cruise #privatecharter #wenonahii #steamships

One week until the Wenonah II cruise to Walkers Point for the Canada Day Fireworks display. Book Online or call 705-687-6667 www.realmuskoka.com #MuskokaSteamships #WenonaII #CanadaDayWeekendFireworks #cruises #walkerspointmarina

One week until the Wenonah II cruise to Walkers Point for the Canada Day Fireworks display. Book Online or call 705-687-6667 www.realmuskoka.com #MuskokaSteamships #WenonaII #CanadaDayWeekendFireworks #cruises #walkerspointmarina

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