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Situated 25km north of Gravenhurst, BRACEBRIDGE prides itself on being "Halfway to the North Pole" - and on that basis is allegedly the summer home of Santa Claus, who hangs out amongst the theme-park rides of Santa's Village just south of town (late June to Aug daily 10am-6pm; adults and children over five years $15.95, 2-4s $10.95, under 2s free). If that doesn't appeal, then try the Maple Orchard Farms Factory Outlet , in an industrial park at 14 Gray Rd, where they sell everything from Belgian chocolates through to maple syrup. There's not much else, though the short main drag, Manitoba Street, is lined with a pleasant ensemble of Victorian red-bricks, worth at least a few minutes' gander.

The tourist office , in the mews by the bridge at the foot of Manitoba Street (May-Aug Mon-Sat 9am-5pm & Sun 10am-4pm; Sept-April Mon-Fri 9am-5pm & Sat 10am-4pm; tel 705/645-8121), has town maps and buckets of local information.