"Barrie... close enough to it all" a Barrie Travel Page by CdnJane

My View of Barrie is changing. My parents are moving from Oro Township, the eastern neighbour to Barrie. So serene and a wonderful escape from the city.... any city! They are going to be living in a condominium apartment at the end of the bay, back into the city of Barrie. Early August and the boats, and watercraft are out in force.
Barrie's population is now about 125,000, and rapidly growing, with 1in 4 working in Toronto. It has been a mixture of light industry, and was a railway junction, with also being a market town for the rural population. It is still a big retail centre as many people to the north preferring to come down only that far, without having to go into Toronto. Barrie has been blessed with much cultural talent, The Georgian Theatre (sometimes known as the Gryphon Theatre), the high schools have all been blessed with choirs & bands (Barrie Central Collegiate Band was one of THE top school bands in Ontario, if not Canada), as well as community choirs (The King Edward Choir, amongst many), and jazz bands. Barrie has been blessed by many top performers coming through - Ballet, Orchestra, Theatre, and other forms.
Historically Barrie was on the route of the military highway from Toronto up to Fort Penetanguishene - part of the reason for Yonge Street (Highway 11) and Highway 93 being built - to get troops up to Georgian Bay without having to go via the Great Lakes and be close to the American dangers.
So, Kat, I hope that this helps you and others understand where Barrie is!

To answer my friend, Kat's (Keida84) question of where Barrie is.... Barrie is about 100 km, 60 miles north of Toronto, accessed by the main highway/freeway 400. From Toronto, you can also access Barrie via Highways 11 and 27, from the North down from Highways 69/400, and 11 or 93 (from Midland & Penetanguishene) or 26 (from Owne Sound/Collingwood/Stayner), or from Base Borden via Hwy 90. Barrie is the gateway to cottage country, to the ski resort area of Central Ontario, and in many southern Ontarians' minds, to the north! Barrie is situated on the shores of Kempenfeldt (or commonly spelled Kempenfelt) Bay which is an 10 (?) mile long, straight and deep bay sticking out from Lake Simcoe, which is a part of the Trent-Severn waterway connecting Georgian Bay (Lake Huron) with Lake Ontario.

Looking Down the North shore of Kempenfeldt Bay and downtown Barrie, from newly built apartments at the foot of Toronto Street. The sun is shining, there are lots of boats in the city marina. Looking along the Waterfront and Heritage Park, at the festival for the May long weekend.