There’s nothing quite as awe-inspiring and magical as enjoying a summer night gazing up at the sky to see streak after streak of sparkling meteors fly by. To maximize your viewing experience of this summer’s meteor showers, your best bet is to get away from the city lights. It’s also a great excuse for a mini getaway!
The Perseid meteor shower, one of the brighter meteor showers of the year, occurs annually between July 17 and August 24. The shower tends to peak between August 9 and 13. Meteor shower viewing is perfect for night owls as the best viewing occurs into the wee hours of the morning, so be prepared to be up very late!
The rules for successfully viewing meteor showers are pretty simple – know the dates of these amazing astrological events, find a dark area free from light pollution, hope for a cloud-free night, get comfy, and enjoy!
We’ve created three different meteor getaways, two nights in length, each with comfortable accommodations as well as great daytime activities to keep you busy while you wait for the second evening of astronomical wonder.
Set your sights on beautiful Voyageur Country for this getaway! Your recommended accommodation for this trip is the Canadian Ecology Centre, nestled into the serene Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park. Arrive early to give yourself some time to settle into your comfy cabin, and explore the Provincial Park. Not far from the cabins is a path through the woods that will lead you to the beautiful Campion Rapids, a great place for a picnic! Take the opportunity to go on a hike, or paddle the Mattawa River, and find your perfect spot to view the meteor shower in the evening.
Go ahead and sleep in, because you’ve just spent a long evening enjoying the fresh air and counting meteors as they stream through the night sky. Once you’re well-rested, head towards the town of Mattawa for lunch at Le Voyageur Inn where you’ll be treated to authentic Thai cuisine. After lunch, travel 10 minutes east on Highway 17 to Mattawa Golf & Ski Resort for a challenging round of golf on their nine-hole course, where you’ll enjoy the course’s natural beauty and maybe even spot some local wildlife! Spend the rest of the day exploring downtown Mattawa, or head back to Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park to get set up for another night of wishing on shooting stars!
Let’s be honest – you’ve loved your getaway so far and aren’t quite ready to head out first thing in the morning, right? Linger a little longer and travel 25 minutes to Pyramid Paintball in Bonfield for an exciting round of paintball. With its variety of fields and games, you’re sure to have a ball!
Situated on 175 acres in Timmins, luxurious Cedar Meadows is your destination for this trip. Stay in one of their cozy chalets that offers all of the comforts of home, and even your own wrap-around porch, perfect for convenient viewing of the night sky. Arrive early enough to explore the area. Timmins offers a great system of trails for hiking and biking.
Cedar Meadows also offers canoe rentals for exploring the Mattagami River, but be sure to plan ahead, as 48 hours' notice is required to reserve a canoe. Enjoy dining at the resort’s own restaurant, the Voyageur Dining Room. Return to your chalet for the night and view the meteor shower from the comfort of your chalet’s own deck, or if you’re a little more adventurous, view the shower from a spot found while exploring the area during the day.
If you’re exhausted from exploring and staying up late, don’t worry, Cedar Meadows is the perfect place to relax and pamper yourself! No need to wander far from your chalet, as the resort offers an array of spa services as well as saunas and the famed Nordic Baths. The resort also offers tours of their expansive 100-acre wildlife park, where you can get up close and personal with resident moose, elk, bison, and more! Spend your day leisurely taking advantage of these amenities and save your energy for another night of counting meteors.
If you’re looking for a little excitement before you head back home, be sure to plan a visit to NEO Laser Tag, a short 7-minute drive from Cedar Meadows.
With a landscape as beautiful and unique as this, you’re best to arrive as early as you can to maximize your trip! Your recommended accommodations are located in Mindemoya at Rockgarden Terrace Resort, but take your time getting there. If you’re entering the area via the Little Current Swing Bridge, you’ll want to travel down Highway 540 and plan to hike the well-known Cup and Saucer Trail. If you’ve arrived in South Baymouth via the Chi Cheemaun Ferry, the view at the end of the trail is certainly worth the drive! Watch the meteor shower from the docks at Rockgarden Terrace Resort, or take a drive to Ten Mile Point Lookout for a panoramic view of the night sky.
With so many options for daytime activities in all directions on Manitoulin Island, it can be hard to decide which to visit. One must-see natural wonder, however, is Bridal Veil Falls, located near Kagawong, approximately 30 minutes from the resort. Spend the rest of your day on the grounds of Rockgarden Terrace Resort, which offers no shortage of activities, including swimming, fishing, and even exploring the Fairy Tale Trail and fascinating Mindemoya Cave. Return to your perch of choice for the night’s dazzling display of meteors.
Before leaving the Island, plan a stop at Perivale Gallery, located in Spring Bay, less than 20 minutes away from the resort, where you can view amazing works of art displayed in an equally stunning gallery. Whether you have to head to South Baymouth to board the Chi Cheemaun, or whether your route takes you on Route 6, we suggest you plan a stop at Providence Bay’s gorgeous white sand beach.
Whichever trip you choose, we’re confident you’ll be planning your next night-sky adventure before you even get home! Be sure to check out our suggestions for a Northern Lights getaway as well!
