Are you planning a trip to Peterborough & the Kawarthas and looking for the best historic and cultural sights to explore? You’re in the right place! This region is brimming with fascinating destinations that offer a glimpse into Canada’s rich heritage. And I’ve rounded up my favourite places to visit in Peterborough & the Kawarthas for history and culture buffs.
Many know the region as a hub for outdoor activities that include cycling and hiking trails. In addition, it’s a haven for paddlers thanks to its many lakes and the Trent Severn Waterway. However, at just 90 minutes east of Toronto, Peterborough makes for an ideal getaway to dig deep into the area’s history.
From the remarkable Canadian Canoe Museum, which celebrates our country’s deep connection to its waterways, to the charming Lang Pioneer Village, where history comes alive through immersive exhibits and reenactments, there’s no shortage of unique attractions in Peterborough.
After exploring countless sights in Peterborough & the Kawarthas during my latest visit I’m excited to share my experiences and guide you through the must-see attractions that make this area so special. Whether you’re a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique adventure, Peterborough & the Kawarthas has something for everyone.
Best Places to Visit in Peterborough & the Kawarthas
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Canadian Canoe Museum
Situated along the shores of Little Lake in Peterborough, the new Canadian Canoe Museum has finally opened its doors after years of anticipation! This museum celebrates Canada’s profound connection to the canoe and highlights how our waterways link us all.
Inside, visitors can explore the museum’s entire collection, which includes over 600 canoes and paddle-driven watercraft. Having spent nearly an entire day at the Canadian Canoe Museum, I think visiting the museum is one of the best things to do in Peterborough.
It’s far more than a simple exhibit of canoes; it’s a beautiful fusion of history and art. You’ll discover the evolution of canoe culture, starting with Indigenous Peoples and continuing to modern-day use. I was blown away by how immersive the exhibition hall is with the sounds of nature. Plus, the heartwarming stories you learn about each canoe, by reading the plaques or at listening stations, will captivate you and bring the craft to life.
Beyond the extensive collection, the museum offers a variety of unique experiences. Visitors can paddle aboard a Voyageur canoe or learn to craft their own paddle. The museum extends beyond its walls, encouraging both indoor and outdoor exploration.
In addition to the exhibit hall and café, the museum features a waterfront campus that welcomes visitors arriving by paddle to their picturesque waterside location.
Peterborough Lift Lock
One of the most unique attractions in Peterborough is the Peterborough Lift Lock. Also known as Lock 21 on the Trent Severn Waterway, the lock is a National Historic Site of Canada.
Construction of the lock completed in 1904 and over 100 years later is still considered an engineering marvel. Lifting boats 65 feet up, the Peterborough Lift Lock is the highest hydraulic lift lock in the world! And the cool part is that it was the first one of its kind built in North America.
The Peterborough Lift Lock is located on Otonabee River section of the Trent Canal, minutes from downtown. It’s a must see when in operation, which is May through October.
Every summer, since 2017, hundreds descend of the city to participate in the annual Lock N’ Paddle event. This year the event takes place on July 20 and is the perfect time to experience the Peterborough Lift Lock for yourself.
The free paddling event sees hundreds of canoes and kayaks take part to fill the lock. And during my visit, I got to play Lock Master and press the button to lift the paddlers up. I’m so thankful to the Parks Canada team for such a fun opportunity!
Lang Pioneer Village Museum
Step back in time at one of the best places to visit in Peterborough & the Kawarthas, Lang Pioneer Village Museum. The 25-acre site is located 20 minutes southeast of the city of Peterborough.
Lang Pioneer Village is a living history museum that’s home to over 30 buildings that make up a recreated 19th century village. Many of the buildings are heritage buildings from the area that have been brought here, restored and fully furnished to represent the time period.
One thing I love about the museum is that it’s an immersive experience with staff dressed in period attire. At each of the buildings and around the village you’ll find these costumed interpreters going about daily 19th century tasks and doing trades, like at the print shop.
A few must-visit locations in the village include the Aabnaabin Camp, where you’ll find local Indigenous storytellers, the Fife Cabin that’s nearly 200 years old, and the Menie General Store.
The Register Print Shop was such a cool space. Built in the 1840s, inside you’ll see how village newspapers and other announcements were created. I loved watching the demonstration; inking the metal backward facing type, making the impression and so on.
The museum also hosts a number of fun events and experiences throughout the summer. One of which is an afternoon tea in the old Keene Hotel. Some of the top events to check out include the Corn Roast, Spooky All Hallows’ Eve, and the Christmas Bazaar.
Insider Tip: The museum is open from the May long weekend through December. I highly recommend planning to spend a couple of hours here, so that you can explore all of the buildings and grab a souvenir at the gift shop on the way out.
4th Line Theatre
Set amongst the picturesque countryside is one of the most unique attractions in Peterborough & the Kawarthas, 4th Line Theatre. What makes this theatre so unique is that it takes place outdoors on the idyllic Winslow Farm in Millbrook.
For over 30 years, 4th Line Theatre has put on a host of plays that celebrate and showcase Canada. I love that they are devoted to telling stories about Canadians that are written by Canadians. This cultural gem typically puts on two plays a season.
The season starts in July and this year they have two interesting plays. Onion Skins & Peach Fuzz: The Farmerettes is the first. It offers a humorous and enlightening look at the little-known story of the teenage girls who took on the vital task of working on farms across Canada during WWII, ensuring that both the troops and Canadian citizens were well-fed.
Jim Watts: Girl Reporter is the second play is summer and one I’m keen to see delves into the compelling experiences of the pioneering youth who illegally journeyed to Spain in the mid-1930s to combat fascism and halt its spread across Europe. It transports the audience from Toronto to Madrid, and features Peterborough’s own Jim Higgins, a notable union organizer and hero, prominently in the narrative.
Kim Blackwell, the Managing Artistic Director of 4th Line Theatre, gave me a fascinating behind the scenes tour of this magical venue. The backdrop is made up of 3 connected historic barns. Inside I got to peek behind the curtain, or in this case the barn door, to see where the actors get ready and props are housed.
One fun thing that made me laugh and I thought was ingenious was that the ‘dressing rooms’ are the old milking stations. Another thing I loved was when Kim said that instead of crops on the farm, they ‘grow plays.’
Art Gallery of Peterborough
Indulge in your creative side at the Art Gallery of Peterborough. As one of the best places to visit in Peterborough for art lovers, the gallery is free to explore.
The Art Gallery is home to over 1400 pieces that range from historical paintings to sculptures. So, every medium is represented. Plus, the items are from Canadian as well as international artists.
During my visit I was intrigued by the exhibition by Stan Olthuis, a local artist, that’s titled Interconnected. At the core of the exhibit, which is located in the main hall, is a massive sculpture that represents the elements. The coolest thing about this piece is that it was part of a dance routine that was performed at the gallery. Video of the performance plays within the exhibit space. I highly recommend taking a seat to watch it.
Beyond the gallery, they also host a number of events and programing throughout the year. If you’re visiting Peterborough in the fall, you’ll want to check out the Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour. Taking place at the end of September, the tour is one of the longest continually running Studio Tours in Canada. The tour features around 40 stops that range from artist studios to shops. It’s a great way to find unique pieces for your home or one-of-a-kind gifts. Plus, it makes for an awesome fall road trip!
Insider Tip: The art gallery’s gift shop is a fabulous one that has a range of items like ceramics, jewellery, toys, and art supplies. I loved that most of the pieces are made by local artisans.
More Unique Places to Visit in Peterborough & the Kawarthas
Peterborough Museum & Archives – Another great place to visit in Peterborough is at the Peterborough Museum & Archives. The museum’s permanent exhibition showcases the history of the city. In addition to the permanent exhibit, the museum puts on a variety of temporary exhibits throughout the year. A few coming up include Chinese Languages in Canada and Ojibwe Language: The Michi Saagiig Dialect.
Fun Fact: The Peterborough Museum & Archives are home to Ontario’s second oldest museum collection.
Petroglyphs Provincial Park – One of the best provincial parks for history buffs in the Peterborough area is Petroglyphs. The park is home to a sacred site that features the largest concentration of Indigenous rock carvings in Canada. In addition to the petroglyphs, the park boasts a visitor centre, a meromictic lake and three hiking trails.
Hutchison House – In downtown Peterborough is another place to visit to step back in time. The Hutchison House was built by locals in 1837 for the first physician in the city. Now a museum, the building is set to represent life in the 1800s. It includes a doctor’s study with period medical devices, a kid’s room, and period gardens.
Best Places to Visit in Peterborough & the Kawarthas for Food
There are so many great places to eat in Peterborough & the Kawarthas! You’ll find everything from classic Canadian fare to international cuisine. But one thing I love is that many restaurants support farm to fork meals, utilizing local farmers and growers. With so many places to choose from, I’ve rounded up my favourite places to eat, covering breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Hard Winter Bakery
I was blown away by the number of awesome coffee shops in Peterborough. One of them is Hard Winter Bakery. This cute community bakery in East City Peterborough is a must for sourdough bread. Located in a renovated house, it offers a fabulous cup of coffee and a variety of baked goods.
Hard Winter Bakery uses Rapids End Coffee, which is a local Peterborough roaster. As someone who drinks her coffee black, I enjoyed the coffee and flavour profile. They also sell a number of other local products like honey, tea and other food items.
Beyond the coffee, their pastries, all made from scratch, are awesome. You’ll want to grab a few items, so consider packing a cooler. I had the cheddar and herb scone and a huge cookie. Both were so tasty!
Pastry Peddler
In the charming small village of Millbrook is the adorable and cozy café the Pastry Peddler. Millbrook is 25 minutes southwest of Peterborough and the Pastry Peddler is a great spot for lunch. This place is a popular spot, there were a few reservations for tables, so I had to sit at the counter. So, if you are planning to visit with friends, I suggest calling ahead to confirm you can get a table.
Inside Pastry Peddler it has a cozy country vibe with a touch of creative flair. The walls are adorned with local artists’ works and in the windows were bundles of fresh flowers.
Their menu features a variety of lunch options including sandwiches, quiche and even a vegan bowl. I went with the chicken club that has a half sandwich option that comes with soup. Soup of the day was a Tuscan white bean and everything was so fresh and delicious.
Insider Tip: I highly recommend adding one of their desserts to your meal or grabbing a few goodies to go. Their pastry counter has everything from cookies to scones to various tarts and more. During my meal I noticed a lot of people ordering their flakies. Turns out they are a popular item and better than the boxed variety from the stores.
El. (P)
For dinner and drinks, head into downtown Peterborough to El (P). This quirky and creative space is reflected in their menu. El’s menu features a variety of dishes inspired by cuisine from around the world. At their core, they are community focused. So, it’s no surprise that while their menu is worldly inspired, their ingredients are locally sourced.
I absolutely love the artsy vibe inside! The décor is eclectic and there are so many nooks that each offer a different feel. I chose to sit in what felt like the funky country French section, with its flowered chairs, plush pillows and exposed brick wall.
The menu will make it hard to choose! If you’re dining with friends, I recommend getting a few dishes to all share. I opted to start with their Brussel sprouts and followed it up with their Chuck burger and truffle fries. That burger was one of the best I’ve had in a long while! It was beyond flavourful and comes with two stacked patties.
El (P) is also a fun spot to enjoy one of their fun hand-crafted cocktails with your meal or to meet friends for drinks after dinner.
Where to Stay in Peterborough & the Kawarthas
Holiday Inn
With an ideal location, the Holiday Inn Waterfront in Peterborough is a great place to stay when exploring the region. The hotel is located on Little Lake and is only minutes from downtown. I loved being able to walk downtown for dinner and not having to worry about parking. It’s such an ideal location as its close to many of the best places to visit in Peterborough.
Rooms at the Holiday Inn are spacious and many feature views of the water. I really enjoyed the comfortable bed and ability to work from the couch or from the desk. Plus, I always love having a coffee maker in the room for early morning fuel.
Elmhurst Resort
For those looking for a more rural place to stay then I recommend Elmhurst Resort. Located 20 minutes from Peterborough, the resort features cottage stays along the scenic Rice Lake. The resort is family run and is great for a wide range of holiday options. It’s great for a romantic escape or girls’ getaway. Plus, with 1 to 5 bedroom cottages, it’s perfect for family vacations.
Elmhurst Resort boast a lot of things to do during your stay. Enjoy outdoor activities like paddling, wagon rides and horse back riding. Or relax by the pool and take advantage of a spa service at the onsite facility. There’s also a fabulous resort restaurant with a locally focused menu.
In addition to being pet-friendly, there’s a market shop onsite that sells farm fresh goods like eggs and meat from the property.
Le Boat
For those looking for unique accommodations, check out Le Boat. The company offers houseboat rentals for exploration of Peterborough & the Kawarthas along the Trent Severn Waterways. The best part is that there’s no experience or license necessary. They have made the boats incredibly easy to use and work with you to learn how to manage the boat.
The boats are spacious and each room features an ensuite. There’s a kitchen, barbeque, as well as indoor and outdoor dining options. Le Boat will also help you plan your route. Plus, you can add bicycle or paddleboard rentals too.
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If you’re looking for a dynamic destination in Ontario that is rich with history then Peterborough & the Kawarthas is the place to go! The area has the perfect mix of popular attractions and incredible hidden gems. With so many places to visit in Peterborough & the Kawartha for history buffs, a weekend getaway is the perfect way to explore them all.
I was hosted by Peterborough & the Kawarthas during my stay but all opinions expressed are my own.
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