Living in Port McNicoll

Source Tay Township

Tay Township is located just 90 minutes North of Toronto offering a mixture of rural and urban settings. The township is made up of four small villages Port McNicoll, Victoria Harbour, Waubaushene, and Waverley. It’s a great location for a cottage property, retirees, or those looking to live outside the hustle of a larger urban centre because of its relaxed lifestyle and access to a variety of recreation.

Port McNicoll offers a more rural setting and slower-paced living. Housing styles are limited here most being single-family homes with small to larger lots. There are an array of community groups and clubs, sporting activities, and arts and culture events for residents young and old to get involved in as well as parks and green spaces to enjoy.

Travelling to and from Port McNicoll is easy. Commuters will take highway 400 North all the way to the end switching over to highway 12. New developments like Public Transportation with the County of Simcoe LINX Transit System are underway to better serve residents who rely on public transportation easier access to surrounding areas.

There are two schools local to Tay Township, the Tay Shores Public Elementary School and St. Antoine Daniel Catholic School which is a secondary school both of which are in Victoria Harbour. Public high school students will attend the Georgian Bay District Secondary School in Midland and Catholic elementary school students will attend Sacred Heart Catholic School also located in Midland.

Source Tay Township

For those who enjoy the outdoors, the Tay Shore Trail is an 18-kilometre multi-use trail that begins at Wye River with access points in Waubaushene and Port McNicoll. The trail takes you through wetland and wooded areas with information plaques along the route outlining the natural and historical aspects of the township.  Many residents use this trail for walking during the summer as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during the winter.

Talbot Park is a popular park amongst kids as there is a playground, baseball diamond, and snack bar. They recently also made an off-leash dog park here for pets and their owners to enjoy. Magnus Beach is a beautiful area for swimming during the summer that also has a sandy beach area for relaxing as well as some picnic tables.

The Township offers a variety of recreational activities and programs split between the three community centres in Victoria Harbour, Port McNicoll, and Waubaushene. Some of these classes include yoga and pilates. For kids, full-day summer camps are offered at the Port McNicoll Community Centre. Each week has a different theme and kids will participate in a variety of games, sporting activities, outdoor play, and crafts. Other activities and events kids get can involved in through Tay Township is the educational workshops in partnership with the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre.

Source The Port Cafe

Shopping is limited to the Village General Store which carries small items groceries and daily necessities. Residents must travel to Victoria Harbour for groceries and other urban amenities. There are a couple of different dining options in Port McNicoll, the Port Café and Marina’s Sports Bar. Marina’s Sports Bar is a popular restaurant amongst residents and visitors alike. They serve your traditional pub fare food, pizza, and all-day breakfast. The Port Café is the perfect spot to grab a snack serving a few different sandwiches, burgers, poutine, and salads.  

Port McNicoll is a great place to live or cottage with its relaxed living atmosphere and access to a variety of recreational activities as well as community-offered events.

-The BDAR Team 

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