muskoka boat & heritage centre

We visited this museum while we waited to board the Segwun steam boat. The entrance is free if you buy a ticket for a tour around the lake Muskoka. The ladies working at the front are very friendly and give you a quick info session of what you will see in the museum. All the boats are in very good condition and you can see a great collection of them. By the time you leave a learn a big chunk of info about the history of steam boats. Recommended if you are around the docks looking for something to do.

Didn't have much time to visit the centre as it was closing shortly, but in the few minutes I was there for, I was mesmerized by the collection of antique canoes and power boats this centre has.There are various artifacts dating back to the 1900s...Also, there are activities and workshops which are held or the kids, so if one plans the Cruise and Heritage Centre on the same visit, it'll perfectly work out.

The admission for the museum is free if you've taken a cruise on the local steamship, the Segwun. The museum has a great variety of things to look at. Everything is well presented and a variety of media is used. The museum has a boat dock behind it . The wooden boats in the dock area have been restored and are beautiful. A volunteer at the museum talked to my friend and I about the history of some of the speedboats. The history of Muskoka is quite interesting and the museum gives you an idea of what it would have like back in the days of settlement.

My boyfriend's grandfather volunteered at Grace and Speed until he passed away. I think he even worked up until a week before he passed - he loved it that much. Whenever we were with him, he would always talk about this place and would always educate us with really interesting information about steam engine boats. My knowledge of boats isn't that advanced but you could see the passion coming from him every time he would talk about boats. He had us hooked.It wasn't until we had his celebration of life party at Grace and Speed that I actually got to see what all the fuss is about. The location is breathtaking! Very beautiful whether you're inside or out walking on the docks. The staff are the friendliest people you'll ever come across also they know their stuff! The museum itself is amazing! Its not a big museum that involves a ton of walking but it's just the right size! Its very interactive and very informative. You can even walk out on the dock where all the amazing boats are. Like I said before, I don't know too much about boats but these looked like they came straight out of a 1930's movie. They are the coolest things I've seen. This is place has something for everyone wether you're an adult, teenage or kid. It's something I don't see very often but I'm very happy I finally got to see why my boyfriend's grandfather loved this place so much! The gift shop is really nice as well! Having so much history and having the few steamships left still active, I had absolutely no problem buying a ton of cool things at the gift shop. Money well spent! My only suggestion I would have to make is that there should be magnets of the steamships especially the Segiun. I would of loved to pick up a magnet of one of the ships. Other than that, no complaints at all. We weren't able to go on the cruise unfortunately but that's something that we're all going to do on the anniversary of grandpa's passing. It's something he would want us all to experience. If you're ever in Gravenhurst, this is a MUST see!! You will not be disappointed.

This is an interactive 'museum' based on the steamships with other displays and is attractive to both the young and older segments of our society. Right now they are displaying the 'big band' era, highlighting Dunn's Pavilion in Bala as well as the permanent displays of the Segwun, background history of the development of the area and of course, the in water antique boats. To do the whole Centre, at least 2-3 hours are needed to fully appreciate all the displays.

Visited after a steamer cruise on the RMS Segwun - see separate review :). As others say, the entrance fee is included in the cruise fee. Actually this is a really good way to spend an hour and a half. Good exhibits in the museum. My daughter liked the bridge and the harbour mock-up. I liked the speedboats dating from the 1920s or so. Also liked the temporary dance band exhibits.

Don't ever book your wedding here. We ordered wine with dinner. No wine was served because there was no servers. Dishes weren't cleaned up after people ate. When asked about the wine they said no wine was ordered yet the frig was stocked with wine. Groomsmen had to cut and serve the wedding cake. No organization at all. Good thing the rest of the wedding was perfect because venue did nothing but set up and leave.

Really enjoyed this museum, which was both engaging and informative. The boats are beautiful, and the volunteer guides were really helpful. Much better than many larger museums!

A museum featuring the Muskokas of a by-gone age it is well worth spending an hour or so here prior to taking a cruise through Muskoka cottage country of today.

We held our son's Wedding Rehearsal Dinner July 2014 in the Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre in Gravenhurst. The event was beyond our expectations! This location and its atmosphere provide a perfect place for people to mix and get to know each other.Our meal was catered by Fresh Kutz from Bracebridge and was excellent. The mix of staff from the caterer and the Museum staff was ideal and seamless. Service was very efficient and friendly.Planning for the event was assisted generously by Ann Curley who met with us and offered many helpful and insightful suggestions. Thank you Ann and your bartenders and staff for a wonderful evening! Attendees said it was an evening and location they'll always remember.

The price of admission was included in the cost of a trip on the RMS Segwun. So we weren't expecting much.We were were wrong! The museum is exceptional of its kind. Narratives clearly told for young and old.The initial highlight was the boathouse itself that contained beautifully restored boats, mostly on loan by the lucky and generous owners.The unexpected highlight was the knowledge and charm of Harvey B. Who in his 85 years had grown up in the area. Not only does he know about boats but he quickly became a friend who's shared stories and approach to life made a bigger impression even than the boats.

We took a cruise so the admission was included but if not it is worth it. It explores the heritage of the area related to the ships and the resort hotels of years past.

This is definitely worth seeing if you love the history of Muskoka. This will take you a couple of hours to truly enjoy.

We were pleasently suprised, with the items and the local history. Frankly we thought we would be in and out in 10 min, but were there for over an hour and a half. looking at the variety and style of the cedar strip boats was really quite a pleasure.

Great museum highlighting the 3 historical phases of Lake Muskoka. The steamships, the wooden boats and the resorts!! Great display of wooden boats in the water!!