Here's the plan: 48 hours at Casino Rama Resort

Two nights, one show, one long swim and a lake-country morning. The timings below come from the resort's published hours; we tell you where those hours are tight.

Illustration of a northbound Ontario highway at winter dusk with a coach and cars — Highway 11 north of Barrie at dusk (illustration)

Before you go: three things to lock in

A weekend at Rama works best when three things are fixed before you leave home. Everything else can stay loose.

The show. If there is a concert you want, buy the ticket first. Ticketmaster is the only authorised seller for the Entertainment Centre. Shows are 19+ unless the listing says otherwise.
The suite. Friday and Saturday nights around a big show fill first. Send the dates to our desk or book directly with the resort; either way, ask which suite type is left.
The table. ATLAS steak + fish opens Wednesday to Sunday from 4 PM. On a show night, book for 5 or 5:30 PM so you are not watching the clock.

Friday: the drive and the first night

2:30 PM, leave Toronto. An early start keeps you ahead of the Friday rush north. If you cannot get away early, an evening start is calmer than sitting in it.
4:15 PM, check in. Check-in is from 4 PM. Self-parking is free; hotel valet for registered guests costs $28 including HST.
4:45 PM, settle in. Turn on the fireplace and unpack. The Deluxe Suites have a living area, so it feels like an apartment rather than a room.
6:00 PM, dinner at MATCH. The pub is the easy first night; on Fridays and Saturdays it stays open until 1 AM.
8:00 PM onward, your choice. A Friday show usually opens doors at 8 and starts at 9. Without a ticket, the pool stays open until 10 PM.

Saturday: water, lake country and the big night

8:00 AM, breakfast at The Weirs. It is in the hotel lobby and serves until noon, so there is no rush.
9:00 AM, the pool. The horizon pool on the third floor opens at 7 AM. Mid-morning it has good light and few people.
10:30 AM, the spa. The Spa at Rama Resort opens at 10 AM daily. Book ahead, arrive 15 minutes early and bring sandals.
12:30 PM, drive into Orillia. It is about 11 km. Walk the downtown shops and cafés and look at the lake from Couchiching Beach Park. From Thursday to Saturday until mid-December, the Leacock Museum is open 10 AM to 4 PM.
3:30 PM, the fish weirs. On the way back, stop at the Atherley Narrows. Mnjikaning Fish Weirs is a national historic site, and the stakes sit under the water at the Narrows.
5:00 PM, dinner at ATLAS. Book this one. On Fridays and Saturdays there is live piano in the lounge from 6 to 9.
7:00 PM, doors. Saturday shows usually open doors at 7 and start at 8. Bring the card you bought the ticket with and photo ID.
After the show, walk to bed. This is the reason to stay. Nobody drives Highway 11 at midnight.

Sunday: slow start, home by mid-afternoon

8:30 AM, breakfast and coffee. The Weirs again, or the Tim Hortons inside the resort if you want it quick.
9:15 AM, last swim. The pool and the fitness centre both open at 7 AM.
10:45 AM, pack and check out. Checkout is 11 AM. Ask the front desk if you need a little longer, but do not count on it on a busy weekend.
11:30 AM, lunch on the way. Have lunch in Orillia, or drive straight to Barrie if you would rather beat the Sunday return traffic.
1:30 PM, home. Leaving around lunchtime usually means an easier run south than the late-Sunday cottage traffic.

If your weekend is different

Spa weekend, no show: move the spa to Saturday afternoon, swim before dinner, eat at ATLAS and finish the evening by the fireplace.
Midweek: ATLAS is closed on Monday and Tuesday, and CHOW is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Plan dinners at MATCH or in Orillia.
Winter: keep the drive in daylight if you can, and leave a buffer for squalls on Highway 11. Our winter trip note has more.
A group or a celebration: for 10 or more rooms, the resort's hotel sales team handles the block. See meetings, weddings and groups.

Want us to check the suites for your dates? The form below goes to our desk, and we reply by email.