With Algonquin Park only a 45-minute drive to the east, the outdoors are the lifeblood of Barry's Bay. From here the wilds of northern Ontario reach far into the Canadian Shield and clear blue lakes dot the woods amid deep green forests. The countryside is ideal for cottagers and charming wood cabins speckle the coastlines and beaches of many lakes. Visitors looking to explore this countryside will find Barry's Bay well-equipped. Local outfitters tour Algonquin's foothills on horseback and experienced paddlers take guests down the rivers and over the lakes of the region. Barry's Bay is also the home of one of Ontario's few remaining original railway stations. Built in 1894, the town's old station is now a tourist information centre and signifies the town's early transition from a small settlement into an economically viable town. It also houses the South of 60 Arts Centre, a gallery showcasing local artists.