If you're anything like me, "Sterling Point" has you dreaming of lake days and searching for remote Canadian cottages you can rent out with your besties next summer. The good news is, you don't need a private dock or a cottage-owning friend to experience the wonder of Muskoka.
While the town of Sterling Point only exists in the show, the real-life region of Muskoka north of Toronto is filled with lake towns, boat rentals, waterfront restaurants, and plenty of places where you can get out on the water. The region's three big lakes, Lake Muskoka, Lake Joseph, and Lake Rosseau, are at the heart of the Muskoka experience, but with more than 1,600 lakes in the region, there's plenty of room to get away from it all.
Here's how to experience the real Muskoka that inspired the show, so you can plan your "Sterling Point" getaway.
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Getting to Muskoka
U.S. travelers can fly into Toronto Pearson International Airport (passport required!) and rent a car to make the 2-hour drive north to the lake region. Or, you can do as Annie (Ella Rubin) did and book a floatplane to get you there in style. A car is necessary if you want to explore the greater Muskoka area during your visit, as regional taxis and public transit are limited.
Pick Your Lake
The three big Muskoka lakes each have a slightly different personality. Lake Muskoka is the most connected to towns and services, with Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, and Bala nearby, making it an easy choice for first-time visitors. Lake Rosseau has a more classic resort-and-cottage feel, with Port Carling and the village of Rosseau along its shores, while Lake Joseph is quieter and more secluded. The three lakes are interconnected, so you can explore more than one during a boating day if you time it right.
Get Out on the Water without Owning a Boat
You don't need to arrive with your own boat to spend a day cruising Muskoka's waterways. Boat-rental companies around Port Carling and Gravenhurst offer pontoons and other recreational boats for visitors, making it possible to spend an afternoon swimming, exploring coves, and stopping at waterfront restaurants just like the locals do.
Lake Muskoka is the most accessible of the three big lakes, with towns like Gravenhurst and Bracebridge to explore. If you want to check out the marina where Oona's (Bo Bragason) houseboat was often docked, you'll want to head to Mortimer's Marina, a working marina between Port Carling and Bala. While you can't walk along the wooden footbridge featured in the show, you can grab a smoothie or ice cream at the marina café to fuel up for your day on the water.
Boat rentals are available for those looking for a DIY day on the water. Or, you can book a sightseeing cruise with Muskoka Cruises or Muskoka Steamships to leave the captaining to the experts.
Go Thrifting in Port Carling
While you might not have room for a vintage Huber Scoop chair with matching ottoman in your carry-on luggage, you can follow Annie's lead from Season 1, Episode 3 and check out the Port Carling thrifting scene. Clutter Porch is where to go when you're looking for new sunnies or a retro-inspired beach cover-up, while Auntie Doodie's Antiques has all those vintage brooches and glassware that are perfect for your next cottage-core party.
While you're there, head to the locks to watch boats pass between Lake Rosseau and Lake Muskoka, and then check out The Wall, a massive photo mosaic featuring images from Port Carling's past.
When the temps creep up, visit one of the area's three beaches (Archdekin Park, Hannah Park, and Indian River Park) for a dip.
Make Dinner a Lakeside Affair
When it's time to refuel after a day on the water, head to Gravenhurst's Muskoka Wharf, where you can grab dinner with a view of Lake Muskoka. Dock of the Bay Steak & Seafood Grille serves up all the favorites from a waterfront location, with outdoor dining that's especially appealing on summer evenings.
If hunger hits you in Port Carling, Water's Edge Wine Bar & Grill is your spot for fish tacos, steak frites, and happy hour specials you can't pass up.
Catch a Movie Under the Stars
Not a lot of movie watching was happening in Season 1, Episode 4 of "Sterling Point" when Annie, Ramona (Amélie Hoeferle), and friends spread out their picnic blankets lakeside for movie night, but you can recreate the scene around Muskoka.
The Muskoka Discovery Centre in Gravenhurst hosts Friday night flicks throughout the summer months, while the Muskoka Drive-In offers a more old-school option with family-friendly flicks, a BBQ, and a snack bar. You can also find waterfront movies hosted by libraries and community organizations during the summer.
Skip the Private Cottage
The private waterfront cottage is central to the "Sterling Point" fantasy, but finding one to rent isn't always as easy as the show makes it look. Most Muskoka cottages are privately owned, and the vacation-rental market is made up of a limited selection of those properties.
If you want to recreate Annie's cottage-country experience, start your search with a local rental agency and book well in advance, particularly if you want waterfront access for your group.
Another realistic option is to stay at a cottage resort, lodge, or hotel, and spend your days on the lakes. You won't get your own private dock, but you'll still have plenty of opportunities to swim, boat, eat by the water, and live out your own "Sterling Point" summer. A few standout options: Deerhurst Resort, Sherwood Inn, Touchstone Resort, and JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa.
The Shortcut
Almost every cottage on these lakes is privately owned, and only a slice of those ever hit the rental market. Book through a local agency, months out, or don't count on being waterfront.
A cottage resort gets you the lake without the dock. Book Deerhurst and JW Marriott The Rosseau for resort amenities, or Sherwood Inn and Touchstone if you want a quieter atmosphere.
Rent the pontoon in Port Carling or Gravenhurst. The three big lakes connect, so one afternoon can cover more than one of them if you leave early.
Lake Muskoka if it's your first trip, Lake Rosseau for the classic cottage-country look, Lake Joseph if you want to see fewer people.
You need the rental car. Regional transit and taxis won't get you between towns.
