Getaways & Day Trips Guide › Getaways: Culture Breaks

Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts

2 Bay St. • View on map »
Parry Sound
705-746-4466 • 877-746-4466

Only in Canada would a new concert hall and hockey museum be built as one attraction. It’s cost-effective and combines the town’s two claims to fame: birthplace of hockey legend Bobby Orr and home of the Festival of the Sound (705-746-2410, 1-866-364-0061), which featured the Elmer Iseler Singers and True North Brass in summer ’07. Not only does the innovative ark-like hall have spectacular views of Georgian Bay, but its acoustics are superb. Since Anton Kuerti initiated the Festival of the Sound in 1979, the annual musical event has become a favourite with chamber music aficionados. The Bobby Orr Hall of Fame hockey museum (1-866-746-4466) features such charming memorabilia as Orr’s little red wagon and moth-eaten sweater, and offers many activities.

Driving Time:: three hours.
When:: Festival of the Sound, three weeks starting in July; other events year-round.
How Much:: Festival of the Sound $15–$40; museum $6–$8.