The Muskoka town has undergone an extensive waterfront development around the area where the historic Segwun steamship now docks. Trains once off-loaded Americans and Torontonians here, who then got on steamships to travel to the lodges on the lake. Now one kilometre of boardwalk snakes across the bay, past various retail outlets constructed in faux Cape Cod style. Two six-storey condo blocks have already been completed and a Marriott hotel is scheduled to open in spring 2009. The highlight of the project is a new waterfront museum, showcasing life on the lake. The Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre (705-687-2115) includes artifacts from the days when steamers delivered vacationers to lakeside resorts, and local boat makers built enduring cedarstrip craft, some 20 of which are docked inside the museum’s boat house in the summer (it’s the largest in-water display of antique boats in North America). Fast food dining prevails in this new development, with the delightful exception of the waterfront Blue Willow Tea Shop (705-687-2597), which serves house-baked pies and hot banana cake with maple syrup on the eponymous china, perfect for warming up after a cool morning cruise. The 18-hole Doug Carrick–designed Muskoka Bay Club (1-866-361-7529) opened in 2006 and is accepting visitors until all the memberships are sold. In town, the handsome 107-year-old Gravenhurst Opera House (705-687-5550) is home to theatre groups and touring bands. In summer and fall (or in the winter months by appointment), Parks Canada opens Bethune Memorial House (705-687-4261), the lovingly preserved childhood home of Dr. Norman Bethune.