No visit to Algonquin Provincial Park would be complete without a stop at the Visitor Centre at Km 43, opened in 1993 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Algonquin Park and the entire Ontario provincial park system.

The Visitor Centre has world class exhibits on the Park's natural and cultural history, a relaxing restaurant, an excellent bookstore, and "The Algonquin Room" featuring ongoing exhibitions of Algonquin art.

A theatre presentation sums up the Park story and then takes you out to the viewing deck from where you can admire a breathtaking panorama of wild Algonquin landscape.

Hours of operation
The Algonquin Room

Just inside the East Gate, at Km 55, the Algonquin Logging Museum brings the story of logging to life – from the early square timber days to the last of the great river drives.

Start your visit with a video presentation that sums up the logging history of the Algonquin area. On the easy-to-walk 1.3-kilometre trail, a recreated camboose camp and a fascinating steam-powered amphibious tug called an "alligator" are among the many displays.

Take a step back in time and learn about this very colourful aspect of Algonquin's cultural history. As well, the Algonquin Logging Museum has an excellent bookstore.

Hours of operation

At Km 20, on a small hill next to Found Lake, there sits a giant, hollow sculpture made of stone. Created in 1953, this work of art was the original Park Museum. In 2005, new life was breathed into its earthly presence – as the Algonquin Art Centre!

The Framing Place and Gallery (Huntsville) has been entrusted to carry out this unique project. The central vision of this project is to act as a bridge, connecting the art world with the natural world, as well as to promote the preservation and protection of the environment, from a local to global scale.

Another Art Centre ethic is to make this facility available to everyone – it is wheelchair accessible and the entrance fee is a voluntary admission, where your contribution will be put towards the enhancement of this “open-concept” project.

The Algonquin Art Centre has an indoor gallery, consisting of three wings and a boutique; an outdoor gallery; and a "Green" Gazebo where you can treat yourself to various tasty treats, teas and coffees, or participate in one of the many scheduled art activities for both adults and children (see "This Week in Algonquin Provincial Park" for dates, times, and themes).

Dates and Hours of Operation for 2010

• June 1st to September 5th – 10 AM to 5:30 PM daily
• September 6th to October 16th – 10 AM to 5 PM daily

For more details, visit www.algonquinartcentre.com