Microsoft Press Conference Live Blog Recap

Here's a blow-by-blow account of the Microsoft Press Conference from our live blog of the event for anyone who missed it.
Be sure to come back later today when we do live blogs and video feeds from all of today's press conferences from our E3 Live hub.
Game Informer's Microsoft Press Conference Live Blog
Phil:
And we're live!
11:03
   
Phil:
Jeff Cork will be joining me momentarily
11:05
   
Phil:
Video is in the works. Ben Hanson's on-scene figuring that craziness out.
11:05
   
Jeff:
Hey, I'm here!
11:05
   
Phil:
HOORAY JEFF!
11:05
   
Jeff:
LET US HAVE FUN
11:05
   
Comment From Andy
W0000T! big Hello from Germany!!
11:06
   
Phil:
Thanks for staying up late with us, Andy!
11:06
   
Phil:
Microsoft's press conference should be starting in around 20 minutes.
11:06
   
   
Comment From chris
we will. Indiana signing in.
11:06
   
   
Comment From Tom
Go germany! Michigan native over here!
11:07
   
   
Comment From saghir
Good morning everyone from Stockton, Ca.
11:08
   
   
Phil:

Last chance to do Microsoft predictions. Jeff?
11:08
   
   
Jeff:
Oooh...
11:09
   
   
Comment From Ryan
Good Late Afternoon from Glasgow Scotland!
11:09
   
   
Jeff:
Skype for the 360, which will take up entirely too much stage time.
11:09
   
   
Phil:
I'm still guessing HBO Go on 360
11:09
   
   
Phil:
And Kinect. SO MUCH KINECT.
11:09
   
   
Comment From James
Xbox 720 anybody?
11:09
   
   
Phil:
I'm hoping no new hardware from Microsoft this year.
11:10
   
   
Comment From Hunter
Halo 4 Halo 4 Halo 4 Halo 4.
11:11
   
   
Comment From Ryaken
Cirque du Soleil again?
11:11
   
   
Phil:
Oh we can only hope.
11:11
   
   
Jeff:
Oh god that would be great! Light up shoulder things!
11:11
   
   
Phil:
Do you still have yours from last year, Jeff?
11:12
   
   
Phil:
And if so, why aren't you wearing it right now?
11:12
   
   
Jeff:
I threw mine in the bin on the way out. I wish I'd kept it though.
11:12
   
   
Comment From Allen
Puerto Rico checking in
11:12
   
   
Comment From Tom
I'd settle for lots of Mass Effect 3 videos. I guess I'm easy that way.
11:12
   
   
Jeff:
True Fact: Annette is Puerto Rican.
11:13
   
   
Phil:
I've heard we'll be getting some Mass Effect 3 stuff both at Microsoft and EA's press conference, so Tom should be happy.
11:13
   
   
Comment From Chris
Because jeff has dignity how ever small a shred
11:13
   
   
Phil:
Prove it.
11:13
   
   
Jeff:
You give me far too much credit, Chris.
11:14
   
   
Comment From johnny smooth
prediction on who wins the e3 war?
11:14
   
   
Phil:
Too early too tell, but there's a lot of excitement for Nintendo this year.
11:14
   
   
Comment From CodyB
Maybe we will get some talk of Insomniac's new game? One could only hope.
11:15
   
   
Phil:
I think we'll get that at EA's press conference later today as well.
11:15
   
   
Comment From Tyler
how about an announcement about a new ducktales game?
11:15
   
   
Phil:
YES PLEASE.
11:15
   
   
Jeff:
That would be weird and amazing.
11:15
   
   
Jeff:
Ben says "That would be great." I am sitting next to him. That's another True Fact.
11:16
   
   
Phil:
Sitting next to Ben Reeves sounds dangerous.
11:16
   
   
Jeff:
Patience stretched to the max already.
11:16
   
   
Comment From Bobby Blackwolf
I'm depending on you, Phil. I'm at 30000 feet and can't get video streams. Don't lie to me!
11:16
   
   
Phil:
I'll do my best!
11:16
   
   
Jeff:
Uh oh. I didn't realize Ben was reading this, too. Oops. BEN IS GREAT.
11:17
   
   
Comment From Raz Karcy
Predictions for which GI editor will have a Hangover-esque story to tell?
11:17
   
   
Phil:
Dan?
11:17
   
   
Jeff:
He will, as he'll tell the story.
11:17
   
   
Comment From Ben (the Killer) Reeves
I'm sitting next to Jeff and Phil. We're all holding hands
11:17
   
   
Phil:
That's a dirty lie.
11:17
   
   
Phil:
Also, no one has ever called Ben "the Killer"
11:17
   
   
Jeff:
That's not a hand. :(
11:18
   
   
Comment From Tom
Hang in there, Jeff... Ben should be on his medication, and safe.
11:18
   
   
Jeff:
Another True Fact: Ben is wearing two Silly Bandz.
11:19
   
   
Phil:
Ben is actually wearing Silly Bandz. I don't get this.
11:19
   
   
Phil:
I guess it's a Batman silly band, so he thinks it's cool?
11:19
   
   
Comment From owenking
my comments wont show up
11:20
   
   
Phil:
Comments don't show up unless we publish them. Otherwise this would be a flood of user comments.
11:20
   
   
Comment From Sam
I want some gameplay from the new AC game!!
11:20
   
   
Jeff:
Get out of the danged aisle you maniacs!
11:20
   
   
Phil:
We just got an announcement about not walking in the aisles, which means maybe things will get started soon?
11:20
   
   
Comment From Tom
True Fact: I have a man-crush on Ben. Is there hope for my mental health?
11:21
   
   
Phil:
You're ruined as a human being.
11:21
   
   
Jeff:
Meeting Ben in person is a sure-fire cure to that.
11:21
   
   
Comment From Justin
Does the conference start 9:30 prompt? Or a few minutes thereafter? Thanks in advance
11:21
   
   
Phil:
It's supposed to start at 9:30 Pacific, but it's pretty common for these to start late.
11:22
   
   
Jeff:
The timeframe seems to be...fluid.
11:22
   
   
Phil:
All depends on how on the ball MIcrosoft is
11:22
   
   
Comment From Matt
Ben Reeves has pretty big biceps
11:23
   
   
Jeff:
They're full of wadded-up newspaper and old hair.
11:23
   
   
Phil:
As a heads up to everyone, it sounds like we're having video problems with the livestream. Erstwhile video producer Ben Hanson will continue working on that, and in the mean time this liveblog will be running.
11:23
   
   
Phil:
We're more entertaining than stupid video anyway.
11:24
   
   
Comment From Pat
Jeff and Phil - please do not hinder Ben's street comedy
11:24
   
   
Phil:
I would never consider stopping street comedy.
11:24
   
   
Jeff:
Saying "street comedy" is Ben's equivalent to "I'm sorry."
11:26
   
   
Phil:
T-minus five minutes till Microsoft's conference begins
11:27
   
   
Jeff:
Sit down, Waldo!
11:27
   
   
RyckertGI:
Am I here? Am I in the internet?
11:27
   
   
Phil:
Oh boy! Just got the official five minute announcement. TAKE YOUR SEATS
11:27
   
   
Phil:
OH BOY DAN IS HERE
11:27
   
   
Jeff:
Dan.
11:28
   
   
RyckertGI:
Super dodgy reception here, so if I disappear you know why.
11:28
   
   
Phil:
It's because you got kicked out. Don't lie,.
11:28
   
   
RyckertGI:
There is an awful lot of Kinect on this stage.
11:28
   
   
Comment From Mike
Oh wait I probably have to mention an editor or GI-staff member to get my message posted. My mistake.
11:29
   
   
Phil:
Fact.
11:29
   
   
Jeff:
I hope we get to see people dancing around like clowns.
11:29
   
   
Comment From Justin
Which Jeff is this? The suspense is killing me.
11:29
   
   
Phil:
Jeff Cork!
11:29
   
   
RyckertGI:
Announcement says the briefing is about to begin.
11:29
   
   
Phil:
Jeff Marchiafava only liveblogs in Italian
11:29
   
   
Jeff:
The real one.
11:30
   
   
Phil:
Hooray, we're starting!
11:30
   
   
RyckertGI:
Far-too-dramatic music is playing right now here at the Galen Center.
11:30
   
   
Jeff:
I am interested in what will be shown.
11:31
   
   
Jeff:
I recognize this sound.
11:31

Phil:
Here we goooo
11:31
   
   
RyckertGI:
Starting with Modern Warfare 3.
11:31
   
   
Jeff:
I hear it a lot when my system locks up and I have to restart.
11:31
   
   
Phil:
Wonder if this is the same Modern Warfare 3 stuff I saw a couple weeks ago
11:32
   
   
Phil:
Nope! It's new
11:32
   
   
RyckertGI:
Please reconnect controller error. Awesome!
11:32
   
   
Phil:
Hahaha oops
11:32
   
   
RyckertGI:
This look familiar to you, Phil?
11:32

Phil:
Nope, this is a new mission from what I saw. Lots of underwater stuff.
11:33
   
   
RyckertGI:
Some definite lag on my end, so I'll be liveblogging from 45 seconds in the past.
11:33
   
   
Jeff:
Water-based levels are the best levels.
11:34
   
   
RyckertGI:
Breaking: MW3 has checkpoints. Get that story up, Phil.
11:34
   
   
Phil:
The underwater stuff looks nice but...there's not a lot going on in this demo.
11:34
   
   
Jeff:
IT'S CALLED ATMOSPHERE!
11:34
   
   
RyckertGI:
Underwater bomb-planting mission. Reminds me of the river sequence in Black Ops.
11:35
   
   
RyckertGI:
New York City attack on the surface.
11:35
   
   
Phil:
I'm curious how much of this mission is actually the player in control of anything.
11:35
   
   
Comment From Lebrons Hairline
sorry to interrupt, but is there any way to disable that typing noise when someone posts a comment?
11:35
   
   
Jeff:
You probably hold down X to plant the explosive...
11:35
   
   
Phil:
Yes, you can mute this in the coveritlive window!
11:36
   
   
Comment From Andrew
Look exactly like MW2
11:36
   
   
Phil:
Kinda agreed.
11:36
   
   
RyckertGI:
Gunfights in the sub remind me of the Tanker in MGS2.
11:36
   
   
Comment From Lebrons Hairline
looks exactly like the opening level of MW1, and the closing level of black ops...
11:37
   
   
Jeff:
What that guy said.
11:37
   
   
Phil:
They're skipping ahead till later in the mission "in the interest of time..."
11:37
   
   
RyckertGI:
Looks like it has the same break-and-enter slowdown mechanic as previous games.
11:38
   
   
RyckertGI:
Looks like you play as "Frost," in this mission at least.
11:38
   
   
RyckertGI:
You play as "Frost," at least in this mission.
11:38
   
   
Phil:
Frost is a cool name, right? Right?
11:38
   
   
RyckertGI:
Boat chase sequence amongst huge sea and air attack on New York City.
11:38
   
   
Jeff:
I can't wait to pay for multiplayer!!!!
11:39
   
   
Phil:
A ton of planes, helicopters, and boats in this battle.
11:39
   
   
RyckertGI:
Whole lotta stuff blowin' up during this sequence. Runs smooth, though.
11:39
   
   
Jeff:
Follow.
11:39
   
   
Phil:
Switched CoverItLive so new posts are at the top. Should make it easier to watch the feed and liveblog at the same time!
11:39
   
   
RyckertGI:
Mission ends with helicopter evacuation.
11:40
   
   
RyckertGI:
Pretty impressive sequence overall. Super-scripted, but looks fun.
11:40
   
   
Jeff:
Those might be the only helicopters to survive a video game.
11:40
   
   
Phil:
Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling and Sledgehammer Games' Glen Schofield are on the stage.
11:41
   
   
RyckertGI:
Don Mattrick taking the stage.
11:42
   
   
Jeff:
I enjoy interactive entertainment!
11:43
   
   
Phil:
So who's excited about more Kinect stuff?
11:43
   
   
Jeff:
Tomb Raider!
11:43
   
   
RyckertGI:
Crystal Dynamics is up next with Tomb Raider.
11:43
   
   
RyckertGI:
Looks like we're getting a live demo.
11:43
   
   
Phil:
When I saw Tomb Raider last week, looked awesome.
11:43
   
   
RyckertGI:
Lara waking up, upside-down and bound.
11:43
   
   
Jeff:
I remember reading about this sequence in a popular video-gaming magazine.
11:44
   
   
Phil:
This is the same as the beginning of the demo I saw. Looks wonderful. Lara gets really beat up though.
11:44
   
   
RyckertGI:
Jeff, Sara from Guinness is sitting right in front of us.
11:44
   
   
Jeff:
Those Nos guys are going down. They shouldn't even bother.
11:45
   
   
Jeff:
Press X to torch!
11:45
   
   
RyckertGI:
Really nice lighting and fire effects in Tomb Raider.
11:45
   
   
RyckertGI:
Some zombie-looking goober grabbed Lara, looked like one of the guys at the end of the first Uncharted.
11:45
   
Expand
11:46
   
   
Jeff:
Claustrophobics need not apply.
11:46
   
   
RyckertGI:
I've never been a fan of the Tomb Raider series, but this looks pretty *** good.
11:46
   
   
Jeff:
Agreed. Looking forward to this one.
11:47
   
   
Phil:
Lots of physics-based puzzles at the core of experience -- spreading flames to items, etc.
11:47
   
   
Jeff:
I wonder if we'll get to see any combat in this demo...
11:47
   
   
Phil:
There was very little combat shown in the demo I saw last week, Jeff. That's the one big question I still have about this game.
11:48
   
   
RyckertGI:
She's doing a lot of grunting, yelling, and sounding generally unexcited about her predicament.
11:48
   
   
RyckertGI:
A lot of super-cinematic camera angles here. Along the lines of Uncharted or Enslaved.
11:49
   
   
Comment From Tyler
This looks really good. The animations and graphics are top notch
11:49
   
   
Jeff:
So glad it's a reboot.
11:49

Xbox 720 Logo Spotted In Real Steel Trailer!

Hugh Jackman's new robot fighting movie Real Steel looks incredibly stupid. However, it might have provided us with one of the biggest video-game scoops of the year. In a new trailer for the game, an observant gamer spotted an Xbox 720 logo in a shot of in-arena advertising in the trailer.

Does this mean that next Microsoft console is indeed called the Xbox 720? Considering the film takes place in 2020, it's most definitely a gag. You almost caught us, though.

Nonetheless, I've blown up a still from the trailer so you can see it a big larger. You can also watch the trailer for yourself below. The logo is at the 0:46 mark.

 A TIP ABOUT JONATHAN

Nintendo Reveals The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Nintendo kicked off its E3 2010 press conference with the first showing of a brand new Zelda title for the Wii, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Shigeru Miyamoto was on hand to demonstrate the game, which uses motion control and the Wii Motion Plus peripheral for a control scheme that emulates hold a real sword and shield. Sword swinging and other motions in the game are performed with minimal button presses. At the time of this writing, no release date has been announced, but it will hit the Wii sometime in 2011.

Online Only Offer, While Supplies Last: Don't Fear the Hoodie

We recently received a shipment of boxes that had "No Fear Hoodies" stamped on them. At first, we thought it meant the there weren't any Fear hoodies in the boxes. So we put them aside, thinking it would be a waste of time to open all of those empty boxes.Later someone remembered that episode from the first season of Star Trek with the Horta, a silicon-based life form that could melt right through solid rock, as well as melt right through anyone who threatened it. After Spock performed a Vulcan mind meld with the injured Horta, it etched the phrase "No Kill I" into the rock, which could mean either "I won't kill you," or "Please don't kill me."

Eventually, Spock, Kirk and McCoy worked things out with the Horta, but we were still left with a riddle. Were the boxes trying to tell us there were no hoodies inside, or were they trying to exhort us to not fear hoodies? There was only one way to find out, but no one liked the idea of possibly being melted in a trap set by a Horta. After all, we're gamers, not bricklayers. But we confronted our fears and mustered up the courage to force the new guy, who just happened to be wearing a red shirt that day, to open one of the boxes. When he opened the box, the riddle was solved. It was filled with hoodies that had "No Fear" printed on them.

So to celebrate the conquering of our fears, we bring you the following online only offer. While supplies last, when you purchase a copy of MX vs. ATV: Reflex online, you'll get a free No Fear hoodie. Although the absence of fear is a good thing when you attempt the death-defying maneuvers in MX vs. ATV: Reflex, it never hurts to have some fear in real life. Fear is that little voice that helps us preserve life and limb. It's fear that makes you run away from a silicon-based Horta, instead of just standing there, wondering why a giant lasagna is coming at you, until it's too late. Fear is what prevents you from saying "Why yes, dear, that dress does make you look fat." Fear is what prevents you from waiting too long to order MX vs. ATV: Reflex and missing out on the free hoodie. So listen to your fear for long life and free hoodies go buy it today

Now Shipping: Two Thrillers of Apocalyptic Proportions

This week two games released that deal with the angelic realm, mostly the fallen end of the realm. But the differences end there, as one features a sexy, graceful female lead with supernatural powers, and the other features an original super of the supernatural who prefers brute force over grace and style.

Bayonetta uses firepower and an assortment of special magical attacks, many involving her hair, to subdue a legion of demonic enemies. So you could say every day is a bad hair day for Bayonetta. You could say that, but don't because people around you will wonder why you're talking to yourself. The critics agree that the witchy siren provides non-stop action and fun, over-the-top combat, with Famitsu rating it a perfect 40 out of 40, and Game Informer giving it a 9 out of 10, saying, "Bayonetta's non-stop action leaves us with racing pulses."

Darksiders puts a new twist on an age-old icon, War, the first horseman of the Apocaplypse. War has one job to do, and he's been waiting to do it for a very long time. So you can imagine his chagrin when someone kicks off the end of the world prematurely, and he gets blamed for it. Needless to say, War is determined to find out who stole his Apocalyptic thunder, and the usual suspects are less than cooperative. That's when you get to see why he's called "War." Game Informer rated this one 8.5 out of 10, noting its similarities to Zelda and God of War.

It wouldn't be the end of the world if you didn't, but you owe it to yourself to check these two games out. go to gamestop today

The Key to Job Satisfaction: Get Paid for Doing What You Love

Someone wise once said that the key to being happy in your work is to figure out how to get paid doing what you love. And by "someone wise," we mean that guy in the last cubicle who only speaks by repeating what he's read in fortune cookies. But we have to agree with him on this one. Can you believe we actually get paid to work at the wonderland known as GameStop?

Salem and Rios, of Army of Two fame, recently got a taste of the action when they spent the day working at a GameStop store. Judging from the video, we think they did fairly well, but they're probably better suited for their other job: teaming up as mercenaries to inflict pain through superior firepower, on-the-spot improvisation and general awesomeness. Visit our GameStop Cinema page to compare the video of their GameStop visit with the new launch trailer for Army of Two: The 40th Day, and see if you agree.

Army of Two: The 40th Day began shipping this week, and the world's deadliest tag team is at it again, this time in downtown Shanghai when a man-made disaster throws the city into chaos. Just like in the original Army of Two game, they'll have to work together to make it out alive. It's this kind of co-op play that made the original a smash hit. This time around, they have an arsenal of new co-op moves and tactics, and an advanced weapon customization and upgrade system. Basically, you and your teammate are in for a unique experience, right down to the custom masks you can design and download online.

For a limited time, you can also save $40 on Army of Two: The 40th Day for Xbox 360 or PS3 when you trade in any two of these select games. So check out the videos, round up your games, and get it now! go to gamestop today.

Perfect Your Jet-Pack Skills for Future Use

You can fly AND shoot stuff. What's not to love?

The science-fiction action-adventure game Dark Void released this week, featuring a jet pack as your principle mode of transportation. Considering that we're 10 years into the 21st century, doesn't it seem like we should all have jet packs by now? However, current technology has brought us blankets with sleeves sewn into them and toy hamsters that act almost like real ones. So we should be grateful for what we have. Until a jet pack with fleece sleeves is available to the masses, we'll have to settle for perfecting our flying skills with the aerial combat of Dark Void.

In addition to Dark Void, here are some other recently released titles that are worthy of a flyover. buy the game to find out more about the story

Set Your Faces for Stunned: Star Trek Online Now Available

The journey into the final frontier began yesterday with the highly anticipated release of Star Trek Online. If you haven't ordered your copy yet, you need to get one now for your chance to boldly go where no man has gone before, or to boldly go where no "one" has gone before, if you're a Next Generation fan; or "to go boldly," if you're a fan of avoiding split infinitives. If you already have your copy, you're probably not even reading this because you're too busy patrolling near the Neutral Zone. We'll try to get a subspace message to you, reminding you to take a break every now and then. Here's a complete list of this week's releases, sure to appeal to Trekkies and non-Trekkies, or "Trekkers," as true fans prefer to be called. you can know buy the games

Can't the Galaxy Stay Saved for 10 Minutes?

With this week's release of Mass Effect 2 we learn that the rumors of Commander Shepard's death have been greatly exaggerated and that the galaxy needs him to save mankind from another threat. It's like Mr. Incredible from the movie The Incredibles, when he says, "No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved! You know, for a little bit? I feel like the maid. I just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for… for 10 minutes?" Order your copy of Mass Effect 2 today to see if you can keep the galaxy saved this time around.

If you prefer a more direct approach to your fighting, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars begins shipping today for Wii. More than 20 of your Capcom and Tatsunoko favorites will face off as 3D characters on a classic 2D fighting platform. Or if you prefer moonwalking over fighting, you can watch the late, great King of Pop in Michael Jackson's This Is It on DVD, Blu-ray or UMD for your PSP. A full list of this week's releases is below.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The city that spawned Carnival and “The Girl from Ipanema” has a buzzing beach scene throughout its 25 miles (40 kilometers) of shoreline, from Copacabana— where bronzed Cariocas clad in skimpy swimwear and Havaianas stroll the wave-patterned promenade in the shadow of Christ the Redeemer—to the more upscale Ipanema, framed by the Rio skyline and the rocky peaks of Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers).

Miami Beach, Florida

Separated from Miami by Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach is a barrier island and city unto itself fringed with nine miles (14 kilometers) of sandy Atlantic beaches, the red-hot center of which is South Beach. Once a seedy outpost, the 25 art deco-filled blocks known as SoBe has emerged as a stomping ground for the glitterati. Park your towel among the glamorous denizens at the southern tip of the beach. it a really cool place to be at the food here are really good and the beach is a good place to be at lot of fish and other things there you should go there and have a look. for your self

Nice, France

Some 35 beaches—some private, some public—stretch uninterrupted along Nice's coastline between the Rauba Capeu Quay and the airport, along the famous Promenade des Anglais, which fronts La Baie des Anges. Don't forget your flip-flops, however, as la plage is covered with small, smooth pebbles called galets. The beau monde sunbathe at private beaches, where a day's access costs about 16 euros and often includes a chaise lounge; food, towel, parasol, and chilled rosé are extra. its really cool here and there lot of stuff to see and there a lot of stuff you dont know about this place you should go there it a good place to be at

Honolulu, Hawaii

Once an idyllic retreat for 19th-century Hawaiian royalty, Honolulu’s Waikiki Beach is now chockablock with resorts, some of them historic like the 1901 Moana Surfrider Hotel. The long, rolling breaks are ideal for novice surfers, but most beachgoers here are happy basking in the temperate, turquoise blue Pacific and killer views of the Diamond Head crater. what a really cool place to be at the water is great  and its a best place to injoy with you and your kids .

Cape Town, South Africa

The African capital of cool sprawls on a peninsula that divides the icy Atlantic from the warmer Indian Ocean, putting some 20 beaches within striking distance. The Clifton beaches, known for the posh homes that overlook them and stellar sunset-viewing, are sheltered from the region’s strong trade winds by a mountainous ridge. Further north, the breeze is unleashed at surfing sweet spots Milnerton and Blouberg. Families favor the eastern False Bay coast for warmer water and tot-friendly tidal pools.  really cool place to be at go there and have some fun in the water :)

best beachs top 10

With layers of architectural wonders, cutting-edge cuisine, and buzzing nightlife, Barcelona would be a world-class city even without the eight white-sand beaches that rim its Mediterranean coastline. Accessible by metro, the nearly mile-long (1.6-kilometer-long) Barceloneta Beach—revitalized in the massive waterfront makeover for the 1992 Olympics—is one of the most popular. Hit the Beach Centre to rent a beach umbrella, chairs, or a bicycle.

the best place to be at in the summer

In Eastern Canada, “cottage country” covers any lake destination within easy driving distance for a quick weekend getaway. Central Ontario’s Muskoka district is close to Toronto—about two hours north via Highways 400 and 11—while still offering an unplugged pace that’s a world away from Canada’s largest city. The 2,500-square-mile natural playground includes 8,699 miles of shoreline; 17 historic towns and villages; and countless waterfalls and lakes bordered by the granite peaks of Algonquin Provincial Park to the east and the 30,000 islands of Georgian Bay Islands National Park to the west. Spend the day paddleboarding on Muskoka Lake or exploring the Riverwalk and shops of Canada’s waterfall capital, Bracebridge. For an old-school family vacation, head north to Peninsula Lake’s Pow-Wow Point Lodge, a 91-year-old, all-inclusive resort featuring simple summer pleasures like campfires, canoeing, and volleyball. Plan an August visit to catch Algonquin Park’s educational Thursday evening wolf howls starring—weather-permitting—the reclusive, inhabitant, four-pawed chorus.
Pictured here: Colorful deck chairs invite lingering at Kahshe Lake in Muskoka, Ontario.

best place to be go there and have a blast :)