I'm wondering if anybody can offer us some ideas. My sweetie and I are Toronto residents; I've lived here forever (which makes me a bit embarrassed to even admit ignorance about this question) and he's been here for the past decade or so. We're thinking about a weekend in Algonquin Park, possibly around the end of September. Does anybody have any recommendations in terms of accommodation? We don't want to spend huge bucks and aren't into tennis, golf, or canoeing - so resorts probably aren't the way to go. We like hiking (not too strenuous, though) and just being able to relax and enjoy the scenery. Thanks!

http://www.algonquinpark.worldweb.co...ges/index.html
My husband stayed IN Algonquin Park years ago, very close to the water where you can canoe. He will get the name for me but I have seen photos and it seems to be what you would like.
I cannot wait to go there myself!
I am including this link for you to browse, if you haven't seen it already~

Wow, Scarlett, that was quick! Thanks - I'll have a look at the link.

This is even better!
The lodge my husband stayed in is Arawan (sp)
Have fun~

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/06/tr...9d48725638e132

Hi Meesthare, I know you said no resorts, but have a look at the following site , if you haven't already. www.ontario-resorts.com then on the right hand side of the home page, click on Great Escapes. It may help you find a place. You can also get the Great Escapes brochure at Ontario tourist centres. I've used it in the past and it is excellent. It contains so many places...something for everyone, I think. I'm just looking at it and as well as resorts, it lists country inns, hotels and lodges.
Good luck.
Oh, looking in the book, there is Algonquin Inn. I really don't know about it but it looks good in the book. Says it's for mature adults who want a quiet getaway. www.algonquininn.com

Just checking further..
Scarlett, did you maybe mean Arowhon Pines? It's in the Great Escapes book too and looks good.
www.arowhonpines.ca
Hmmm, makes me want to go to Algonquin too!! I went there camping last Sept for a weekend and it was beautiful.

http://www.arowhonpines.ca/

That's it! He loved it! He was there for a little over a week, went out on a boat with an guide, saw quite a bit of wildlife (bears!) and he keeps promising me he will take me!!

Scarlett, I hope you get there. The fall is particularly beautiful with the change of colours. I go camping once a year for a long weekend ( I go kicking and screaming!!) and I really did enjoy Algonquin.

kodi, LOL, kicking and screaming

Thank you both so much for the great suggestions! We're going to check all of this out today. I don't think any kicking and screaming will be involved, Kodi - does that add to the experience, do you think?

I think if I were to do the kicking and screaming bit, it would be when it was time to leave~

Kicking and screaming is definately part of the camping ritual!! But is only required if you have to sleep in a tent!! Otherwise it's not allowed!
All kidding aside, my best friend and I travel quite a bit together, and I always agree to a camping weekend ( her husband refuses to go, so it's up to the best friend to go!!). But after the kicking and screaming is done, we always have a good time and spend most of the weekend laughing. On one trip, we were setting up the dining tent and it collapsed on top of me. We were rolling on the ground , hysterical with laughter. A nearby camper came to see what was going on and helped us. We aren't totally uncivilized for the weekend. We now get an electrical site and take a toaster and electric frying pan with us. It helps!! And now we have our 'special' coffee.... a shot of Tia Maria or Kahlua added, and that helps even more!!
Meesthare, I hope you find something nice. I'm sure you'll love it up there.

kodi-that sounds more like my style of camping
I like the tents already set up and the electric tea kettles too!
One year we camped on Marthas Vineyard. After the first night of being eaten alive by mosquitoes while we grilled dinner, we ate out every night after~

Yes, Kodi - I agree - I think we will love it up there. My sweetie went through there on concert tour a couple of years ago and couldn't believe the fall colours. I haven't been there since I was a kid and went on a canoe trip from summer camp - talk about kicking and screaming! I hadn't wanted to go and tried to flunk the camp swimming test so that I wouldn't be allowed on the trip; unfortunately a kindly counsellor gave me extra swimming lessons and as a last resort dumped me into the water head-first so that I even passed the diving part. When I think back, I realize it was beautiful; at the time, all I could think of was "Ugh, no flush toilets." Ever the princess, I suppose.
From what I can see on some of the websites, the accommodations all seem to have flush toilets although it looks as if we'll have to be pretty flush to afford to stay there - we're really looking forward to the trip.

Meesthare, it's so true, we don't appreciate nature when we are young.
Scarlett, the mosquitos would drive me nuts. That's part of the reason our annual trip is always in September. NO mosquitos and hopefully no snakes. And I must admit, getting up in the night is probably my least favourite part of the whole weekend....and as I get older, I ALWAYS have to get up in the night!!
This year we are going to Letchworth State Park , south of Rochester, NY. I've heard it's beautiful. And we are thinking of taking the new ferry across Lake Ontario for the experience.
Yup, it really is expensive all around Algonquin, and it books up quickly, I think, for that time of year. So be sure and book early. If you find something reasonably priced, I'd love to know.

I just talked to 'best friend' and her and her daughter stayed at Algonquin Inn last fall and were happy there.
They stayed in a room in the motel part and had their own little patio overlooking the water.
She said the rates were about average for the area and would stay there again.

It does look very pleasant on the website, and it's great to have some feedback on it from somebody who's been there - Kodi, please thank Best Friend for us!
One of the problems we'll have is that we can't book it right away; my sweetie's time isn't his own once the concert season starts. He won't be getting his new schedule for a while. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long. Another option is to stay somewhere in Muskoka near (rather than in) the Park.
Thanks for all the info!

Good luck Meethshare. But now you have me curious. You've mentioned your sweetie's connection with concerts. Would you like to share more info?

Also, it is so funny that you mentioned Muskoka. I was going to suggest that. I have the web site of a cottage near Bracebridge. ( I have no connection, really) Let me know if you'd like to know more.

Kodi - my sweetie is a singer with a professional chamber choir. They do a lot of work here in Toronto but also some out-of-town work and a lot of touring. They toured British Columbia for 2 weeks this past March and I went with them, which was a real thrill for me. (There were some things I was able to do to help out on the tour, so I wasn't just a groupie.)
I might ask you about the Bracebridge website at some point - we just aren't ready to plan anything at this point. The choir schedule is still being finalized and we likely won't know anything for a while yet. But it's a lovely thing for us to look forward to!

Sounds good. Let me know if you want the website.
And good luck with your plans. It's nice to have something to look forward to and know you'll be going somewhere!!
Enjoy the summer. It's supposed to be hot today ( and probably muggy!)