Southampton Vacation Rentals

Most travellers go to Southampton — a small town located in Bruce County, Canada — in search of uncrowded beaches and beautiful nature, and are surprised to discover that the destination offers so much more. Sand dunes, the historical Chantry Island Lighthouse, and Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre will keep you busy for days. When you are done exploring Southampton, you can explore the surrounding area with a day boat tour along the Bruce County coast. Cottage rentals abound in town, and often offer sea views, a nice terrace, and a homely feel.

Top sights in Southampton, from idyllic beaches to museums

Life in Southampton revolves around its main beach: clean, quiet, with clear water, and stretching for several miles. You’ll notice impressive coastal dunes at the back of the beach. Interpretive signs explain the dunes' flora and fauna. For a memorable moment, at sunset take a stroll along the well-maintained boardwalk.

Southampton’s cultural highlight is the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, an informative museum about the history of the Bruce County, from its First Nations people, to the importance of the fishing industry, and life during WWI. For some art, head to the Southampton Art Gallery, where works by contemporary artists are showcased.

Southampton’s beaches and cultural activities for children

South Street Beach, with its shallow water and soft bottom, is the most suitable beach for children. An alternative idea for an afternoon is to walk all around the perimeter of Fairy Lake. Here, children can feed swans, ducks, and geese with the corn provided on-site. Watch out for frogs, turtles, and giant carps. For a picnic, go to Pioneer Park, scenically located at the mouth of the Saugeen River.

Kids can easily spend a few hours at the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, to marvel at its baby mammoth and enjoy the interactive technology lab. Little artists will love the Southampton Art School, which organizes single and multiple day art workshops for children. What’s best is that most children’s attractions are located a short walk from most accommodations.

The best day trips from Southampton: lighthouses and boat tours

The most popular day trip from Southampton is the Chantry Island Lighthouse Tour. A short boat ride away, this small island is home to a 1903 lighthouse with spectacular views, the cottage where the lighthouse keeper's family used to live, and a bird sanctuary.

A few hours drive north, Flowerpot Island is perfect for a hiking day trip. Located at the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula, it features massive flowerpot-shaped rocks, caves, and historic light stations. To get a first glance of the Bruce Peninsula, it might be a good idea to join a boat tour. The Bruce Coast Lighthouse Tour, for example, focuses on the marine heritage of the area.

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