Peterborough 
Credit: Destination Ontario
Crystal clear lakes, awe-inspiring landscapes, outdoor adventures, family fun activities, summer theatre, finger-licking good food — you will find all this and more in the Kawarthas Region.
Go on a Canadian Signature Experience
Enjoy a 15-minute sightseeing flight in a floatplane and dine overlooking Rice Lake with Locavore Luncheon featuring fresh ingredients produced on Elmhirst Resort farm or from local providers. This is a designated Signature Experience by the Canadian Tourism Commission. Details
PTBOLive Summer Concert Series
Join for PTBOLive Summer Concert Series at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Artists include The Reklaws, THe Trews, Chad Brownlee, Scott Helman and many more!
Dates: Fridays, select Saturdays and Sundays in summer, 2021
Go on a road trip
Drive along Trent-Severn Waterway and explore all the towns along with Canada’s engineering marvel.
Go paddling on one of the Kawarthas’ rivers or lakes
With many impressive paddling routes, a trip on one of the 10 signature paddling routes is a must-do in the area. Each offer a different difficulty level and distance, and of course, dramatic sceneries of wetland and other wildlife habitats.
Have Scottish Tea
Visit Hutchison House Museum and enjoy Scottish Tea, served on the terrace in the period garden, includes fresh baked scones, preserves, whipped cream, oatcakes, and tea, lemonade, or ice tea. Beginning Saturday, July 3rd until Saturday September 4, 2021. Sittings are at 1pm, 2pm or 3pm.
Paddle or hike at the Eels Creek Canoe Park
Located on Northey’s Bay Road, this popular park offers hiking trails and a canoe launch spot into Eels Creek. After a challenging one-hour hike or upstream paddle, you can reach the High Falls of the creek, a wild, sliding falls surrounded by a rocky slope.
Bobcaygeon Craft Beer & Food Festival
Try cold beers from craft breweries and cideries serving various types of beer/ciders at the annual Bobcaygeon Craft Beer & Food Festival. August 14th, 2021 Details
Explore Kawartha Settlers’ Village
What was once a thriving family farm, Kawartha Settlers’ Village is now home to a fascinating collection of over 20 historic homes and buildings. Experience what life was like for pioneers in the Kawartha’s as you stroll leisurely through the Village and discover artifacts from 1830 – 1935. Details
Visit the animals at the Riverview Park & Zoo
Having attracted over a quarter of a million visitors per year for decades, the Riverview Park and Zoo continues to expand and diversify – featuring more than 25 exhibits with over 48 species, including the Emu, the Squirrel Monkey, and the Two-Toed Sloth.
Join for Gravelocity Cycling Tour
Ride through Peterborough & the Kawarthas’ scenic countryside on gravel roads and rail trails, with stops for tasty treats during Gravelocity’s guided three-day gravel tours.
Go on an apiary tour
Join for Beekeeping Tour at Hunnabees Honey Co. and learn about honeybee biology + lifecycles, colony jobs, honey production, pollination, challenges within an apiary, and more! Details
Step back in time
Visit Lang Pioneer Village Museum to explore the original 1800’s buildings like David Fife’s 1820’s log cabin, fully-operational Lang Grist Mill, and the S. W. Lowry Weaver Shop & Jacquard Loom Interpretive Centre which houses one of only a handful of authentic Jacquard looms on display in North America.
Explore the Peterborough Lift Lock
Photo Credit: Canadian Canoe Museum
Situated on the Otanabee River area of the Trent Canal, this big structure is made to lift boats up to nearly 20 meters in the air. This greatly engineered piece of history is a fantastic way to learn about a significant attraction – the highest hydraulic lift lock in the world. Details
You can join for Voyageur Canoe Tour organized by the Canadian Canoe Museum. This is a fantastic educational experience for all.
If you rather like a boat tour, then book Liftlock Cruises.
Watch a play at the outdoor 4th Line Theatre
Staging their plays on the Winslow Farm, the 4th Line Theatre aims to bring history to life. Head out and sit in the barnyard and prepare for an amazing line-up of plays as you bask in the beautiful Canadian summer.
Visit the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre
Protecting and conserving Ontario’s native turtles and their habitats is what the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre aims to do; operating a turtle hospital and encouraging visitors to participate in their education and outreach program.
See Fenelon Falls
Take Hydro Dam Trail to see the falls that are partly obscured from above by a bridge, so you can enjoy the sight and sound of the water. Details
Get a cup of pick me up!
Visit Kawartha Coffee Co. at Bobcaygeon to enjoy fantastic local grub!
Explore Stoney Lake
Explore Stony Lake on a rented jet ski from the Kawartha Adventure Rentals – an outdoor sports rental serving Peterborough and the Kawartha that will guarantee you with lasting summer memories on the lake.
Play a round of golf on the Woodview Golf Course
Housed by the scenic North Kawarthas, the design and architecture of the Woodview Golf Course compliments the natural features of the land and a great summer day out on the course. A food truck is available to keep you going on the 9-hole, par 35 course.
Plan a weekend Getaway at Rice Lake
Photo Credit: Rice Lake Tourism
If you are looking for a getaway to the water, you should consider Rice Lake. It is a beautiful lake, ideal for camping and boating and there are several small towns surrounding the lake that offer sightseeing, shops, restaurants and other amenities.
Make friends with a horse at The Mane Intent
The Mane Intent stands by the saying that “Horses are nature’s best coaches.” Whether a beginner or a horse veteran, spending a day with one of these majestic creatures will guide you through a day out in nature to truly connect with your senses.
Tour the Harley Farms
The Harley Farms offers farm-fresh products at their farm store, including free-range eggs, homemade BBQ sauces and salad dressings, and assorted pork, beef, and lamb. When the weather permits, visitors can take a full tour around the farms and see how the animals live on-site in these well-groomed natural environments.
Shop at Whetung Ojibwa Centre
Get Indigenous art, moccasins, jewelry, jams and jellies from the Whetung Ojibwa Centre located on the Curve Lake First Nation. Details
Have a cold one!
Visit Belmont Lake Brewery located on the north east end of Belmont Lake, just south of Deer Bay in Havelok to try craft beers inspired by local places and experiences.
Grab a cone at the Kawartha Dairy Limited
Proudly Canadian, and running for over 80 years, the Kawartha Dairy Company has been passed down generations and offers a taste of the past and the future in their ice cream to the Kawartha region and beyond.
Play a unique escape game on a 130-acre farm at Escape Maze
As the concept of the escape room continues to become popular, Escape Maze offers something a little bit different – 4 escape rooms, a haunted adventure, and 4 outdoor adventure games.
Grab a butter tart at Buttertarts ‘N More
Selling around 8 varieties of gooey butter tarts, pick up a sweet treat at this cute country bakery in Lindsey to compliment a picnic in the park, for a snack on a road trip, or just because. Details
Visit the Indian River Reptile Zoo
This non-profit reptile zoo focuses its efforts on reptile conservation, displaying species from various continents, as well as those indigenous to Canada. Featuring boas, tortoises, lizards, crocodiles, and more, stop by and check out these rare reptiles. Details
Or Take a Drive Where The Dinosaurs Roar!
Indian River Reptile Zoo also has a drive-thru Dinosaur Park. Take the kids and go back to a place in time when these creatures roamed the earth, without having to leave your car! Details
Go climbing at the Rock and Rope Climbing Centre
At the core of Peterborough, the Rock and Rope Climbing Centre is the perfect place for quality indoor climbing. Several routes and bouldering problems will challenge visitors on all difficulty levels – body and mind.
Bike Victoria Rail Trail
The Victoria Rail Trail is an 85-kilometer rail trail in Kawartha Lakes with corridors linking Kinmount to Bethany, through Fenelon Falls and Lindsay. Details
See “the teaching rocks”
Visit Petroglyphs Provincial Park and see the largest concentration of Indigenous rock carvings in Canada , depicting turtles, snakes, birds, humans and more. The park is also home to bright blue/green McGinnis Lake – one of only a handful of meromictic lakes in Canada. Details
Visit the ZimArt outdoor gallery
The ZimArt Gallery is a serendipitous hidden gem located on a five-acre property overlooking Rice Lake. Art displayed outside on the field is all imported directly from artists from Zimbabwe and helps to raise funds to support vulnerable children in Zimbabwe.
Pick up something sweet and play some board games at Sweet Competition
Sweet Competition’s combination of board games and sweet treats captures the hearts of the young and curious and the older and more reminiscent. Old fashioned sodas, candy, and fudge, along with a puzzle or a card game will keep you entertained for hours. 3347 Lakefield Rd, Lakefield.
Walk the forest trails at the Gamiing Nature Centre
This 100-acre property is surrounded by amazing wetland, forests, and meadows, seeking to encourage people to take in the nature around them and learn about how to work towards a sustainable ecosystem. The young forest is dense, and trails are walkable and teeming with wildlife, making it a prime spot to hike to your heart’s content. Details
Take a fishing trip with the Williams Outfitters
A fishing trip with the Williams Outfitters is all you need for a summer fishing experience out on the water. 4 to 8 hours on a fully loaded tournament bass boat on a lake of your choice makes for an exciting experience on the Kawartha Lakes. Details
Go camping at the Selwyn Beach Conservation Area
The Selwyn Beach Conservation Area features 6-kilometers of hiking trail, plenty of fishing opportunities, picnic areas, and a sandy beach and swimming area on Lake Chemong. You can book a camping spot by calling in to make a reservation. Details
Try axe-throwing at the Peterborough Axe Club
Crack open a cold one and try your hand at axe throwing at the Peterborough Axe Club. If you’re looking for a bit of competition, you can compete for a leaderboard ranking against friends and other visitors of the axe club. Details
Take an alpaca for a walk
Visit Wanderlight Alpaca Experience and go on a private, guided trail walk over the rolling hills and shaded forests of the farm. Details
Go berry-picking at the Mclean Berry Farm
Get geared up for berry season and head to the McLean Berry Farm. With nearly 300 acres of land, 220 of it is covered with fruits, vegetables, and maple syrup.
Take an art workshop at Cavan Arts
Cavan Arts provides great workshops to learn from professional artists in the field. Six classes focusing on painting and the beauty of nature around us are available during the summer months.
Pick up some baked goods at Stickling’s Specialty Bakery
Family owned and operated since 1939, Stickling’s bakery has since been known for its organic and rustic sourdough breads. Now, they additionally offer sweet treats like shortbread, biscotti, and incredible grain pizza crusts. Details
Visit the Warsaw Caves
Lower yourself into the Warsaw caves and explore the depths of the caving world. Conquer your fears or go for the thrill at any of the seven caves found at the park. These very caves were formed at the end of the last ice age, thousands of years ago. Details
Take SUP classes at Peterborough SUP
For rent or instruction, stop by the Peterborough SUP, grab a paddle, and walk down to the dock below the Silver Bean Café and prepare for a fun day on the water. They carry a variety of boards for sale, including their own family manufactured brand. Details
Head to the Peterborough Farmers’ Market
Rain or shine, the Peterborough Farmers’ Market still operates at Morrow Park, giving those in the area access to fresh and local produce and goods in a friendly and lively environment. In the summer months, live musicians compliment your market shopping experience.
Take an artisan workshop at the Canadian Canoe Museum
If painting and drawing has become too commonplace for you, the Canadian Canoe Museum workshops focus on traditional skills like woodburning, weaving, bookbinding, and leather working. After participating in an innovative workshop, tour the museum and its hands-on cultural exhibits. Details
Support local art at the Avant-Garden shop
Shop for the perfect gift or trinket at the Avant-Garden shop, where you can find gardening and home items from over 75 Canadian artists in the shop, or online. Items include garden décor, gardening accessories, and backyard birding supplies.
SUP Yoga
Go on a leisurely paddle that will bring you to a quiet and secluded area on Stoney Lake, to try SUP yoga.
See giant trees
Take a leisurely walk through the provincial park that is home to some of the oldest trees in Canada. Then, come back in the fall for a dramatic fall colour hike. Details
Cycle through the Kawarthas and Peterborough
“Grab life by the handle bars” and cycle through the landscape of the Kawarthas. From city to country, on endurance trails or leisurely ones, the diversity of cycling trails entices many to ride around the area.
Snack on pub food on Riley’s Pub’s rooftop patio
Riley’s pub is a multi-faceted business – serving big portions, exceptional cocktails, and 19 pool tables, Riley’s additionally has a rooftop patio for you to enjoy your meal on.
Test your endurance at Lindsay Milk Run
Join for the 41st Annual Lindsay Milk Run and 3rd Annual KL21K Half Marathon. There are categories for all ages from 5K run to 21K.
Sip on some sangria at Kettle Drums
Kettle Drums’ large patio overlooks the Café District, allowing diners to enjoy a cold drink and the summer food menu, and bask in the summer breeze. Don’t miss their Backyard BBQ Wednesdays starting at 4pm! Details
See a show at the Lakeview Arts Barn
The Globus Theatre at the Lakeview Arts Barn offers a highly entertaining summer season of dramas, mysteries, and comedy nights. If you’re looking to laugh, get excited, and get entertained, head to this reworked cattle barn just outside the picturesque village of Bobcageon. Details
Explore Ken Reid Conservation Area
Ken Reid offers several loop trails that lead through forests, meadows, and wetlands. A favourite route includes the floating boardwalk that winds through the provincially significant MacLaren Creek Wetland bordering Sturgeon Lake. Details
Take a riverboat cruise on the Trent Severn Waterway
Are you willing to splurge? Hop onto a cruise and tour one of Ontario’s magnificent waterways – the Trent Severn. This five day tour on the “Kawartha Voyageur” includes five days of beautiful scenery and fun adventures. Details
