About Parry Sound Downtown Business Association
Parry Sound, located on the eastern shore of beautiful Georgian Bay, is the world’s deepest natural freshwater port. The town is located on traditional land of the Anishinaabek (Ojibwe, Pottowattami and Odawa) people. The town was named by Captain Henry Bayfield after Sir William Edward Parry, the Arctic Explorer.
The Town of Parry Sound has the benefit of being on Georgian Bay as well as near many surrounding lakes, both of which represent a huge draw, specifically in the summer months. Parry Sound is the major hub for a community which is made up of seven different municipalities. Although Parry Sound only has a population of approximately 7,000 residents when you include the surrounding area that number increases to about 19,000 full time residents and more than 80,000 part time residents/cottagers, and up to 50,000 visitors during the peak of summer.
There are several provincial parks in the Parry Sound area as well as numerous provincial conservation areas. Parry Sound is part of the Georgian Bay Biosphere, one of only 13 UNESCO sites in Canada. The eastern coast of Georgian Bay where Parry Sound is located is known as the 30,000 Islands and is considered the world’s largest freshwater archipelago.
Downtown Parry Sound has direct access, to Georgian Bay at the Town Dock at bottom of Bay Street. With many attractions on the waterfront this is the hub of Parry Sound, especially during the summer months. Downtown Parry Sound is a thriving business district with many distinctive shops, services, attractions and restaurants.