Summer may be petering out, but for those who haven’t binged Sterling Point, don’t pack up your swimsuit just yet. The Amazon Prime Video series, which premiered on August 5 with all eight episodes, follows 17-year-old Annie (Ella Rubin), who, along with her twin brother, Connor (Keen Ruffalo), inherits a remote lake island in Canada. There, a summer of new friends, romance, and family secrets unfolds. The show is produced by the team behind Gossip Girl and My Old Ass, and has been praised by critics for its refreshing interpretation of the YA category. As one Vogue writer puts it, Sterling Point is more reminiscent of “a coming-of-age indie movie from the early aughts than of the recent crop of teen dramas.”
Also worthy of praise: Sterling Point’s off-the-charts scenic filming location. The show takes place on a fictional island in the very real Muskoka region of Ontario, Canada, and has left viewers wondering why they spent their summer in the Balearics rather than this exquisite pocket of North America. Windswept pines! Sparkling lakes! Ridiculously charming cottages! It’s all there.
Though it isn’t technically too late to plan a trip to Muskoka for the dog days of summer, the region is equally breathtaking in autumn with the changing leaves and forested trails. Below, a guide to the distinct communities that make up Muskoka for a cinematic fall (or winter) escape.
Muskoka Lakes
The path to Hardy Lake Provincial Park.Photo: Getty Images
Miles of boating and cozy cottages as far as the eye can see: Muskoka Lakes is quintessential Sterling Point. The region is made up of various villages and hamlets, including Port Carling (where scenes from the show were filmed at locations like Mortimer’s Point Marina). Hiking and boating are two excellent ways to spend your time here, but when the weather cools down, take advantage of trails designated for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and skiing. There’s even an ice skating trail that winds through a frozen bog at Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, if that’s more your speed.
Where to Stay: Let The Oaks be your gateway to the charming area of Port Carling. There’s plenty of room to spread out, with a main cottage as well as a boathouse accommodating up to eight guests. Savor quiet mornings on the dock, then head out on a boat to glide beneath the pines.
