About Owen Sound

About Owen Sound

The beautiful City of Owen Sound is an area where we honour the history, spirituality, and culture of the Anishinaabe peoples on whose traditional territories we live and grow today and whose ancestors signed Treaties with our ancestors.

Owen Sound is located on the southern shore of Georgian Bay in a valley below the limestone cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment. It lies at the foot of the Bruce Peninsula, famous for its exceptional geography.

Known as the Scenic City, Owen Sound features an expansive harbour and bay, winding rivers, tree-lined streets, extensive parks and trails and a thriving, historic downtown. See our City of Owen Sound Map for a detailed overview of the City layout.

As the largest urban community in Grey county, it holds the seat of government in Grey, supporting regional, provincial and federal government offices, a regional hospital and a campus of Georgian College.

Key natural attractions include Inglis Falls, Harrison Park, Kelso Beach Park and several conservation areas. The Bruce Trail forms a ribbon around the city along the escarpment, connecting waterfalls and revealing a wide array of flora and fauna, including rare ferns.

Once named a Cultural Capital of Canada, the city is home to numerous festivals and events, such as the Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival, the Salmon Spectacular fishing derby, the Concours d'Elegance and the Festival of Northern Lights. Its cultural hot-spots include:

• The Tom Thomson Art Gallery
• Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library
• Roxy Theatre
• Billy Bishop Home & Museum
• Grey Roots Museum & Archives
• Community Waterfront Heritage Centre
• Artist's Co-op
• Owen Sound Farmers' Market

In Owen Sound, you'll find a downtown River District economy that is balanced and diversified. The Heritage Place Shopping Centre and Heritage Grove complex on the east side complement the vibrant, scenic downtown core and other shopping areas.

Outdoor recreation abounds here. Excellent boating and fishing are available on the bay, and during the winter residents can access thousands of kilometres of snowmobile trails, cross-country skiing areas, and downhill ski clubs. Hiking and cycling are popular pursuits and there are many golf courses nearby.

The City operates two arenas and numerous soccer and baseball complexes and is served by a modern recreation centre with pools, fitness facilities and more.

See and learn more about our beautiful area on our Tourism website.