Peterborough & The Kawarthas Tourism

Artistry Meets Inspiration

Day 1:

Begin your arts and crafts excursion at the Art Gallery of Peterborough. A guided tour of the regional and national works that are exhibited will intrigue your eyes and open your mind to arts’ possibilities. Next stop is the Kawartha Artists Gallery & Studio, an artist run centre and gallery. Lunch at Parkhill on Hunter will prove to be a culinary and artistic journey. In the afternoon enjoy a unique opportunity to see an outdoor exhibition of stone sculptures from Zimbabwe at the Rice Lake Gallery.
Italian inspiration is on the menu as you choose from the selection at Jim’s Pizzeria Restaurant, family owned and homemade fair. Take in a show at Showplace Performance Centre, Market Hall Performing Arts Centre or the Peterborough Theatre Guild before settling in for the night at your choice of accommodation.

Day 2:

Travel to Buckhorn to visit The Gallery on the Lake, one of Canada’s largest retail art galleries. Finish your morning with a stop at Bayside Boutique and then head for lunch at Main Street Landing Pub and Restaurant for a chance to rest before heading to Whetung Ojibwa Centre. Spend the afternoon browsing a spectacular collection of First Nation crafts as well as fine art, sculpture, masks, leather work, clothing, jewelry, music, and books from across Canada and locally. Your day is completed with dinner at Chemong Lodge.
For additional artistic opportunities arrange your trip to coincide with one of the many award-winning studio tours and craft shows that take place throughout the year.

Inspiration at its best!

Advance reservations required.

By Water and Land

Day 1:

Board a Liftlock & the Riverboat Cruise and enjoy the sights and sounds of our waterways and photo opportunities as you travel over the historic liftlock. After your cruise, take in the great view of Little Lake and the Centennial Fountain – Canada’s highest fountain – from the warm sunshine of The Junction’s Rooftop Patio. Head north along picturesque Hwy 28 and be sure to have your camera in hand as you journey to the Lockside Trading Company for a unique shopping experience. Burleigh Falls will follow for another photo opportunity. Check into Pine Vista Resort and enjoy the sights and services of this beautiful resort including a recently added Nature Boardwalk. A dinner cruise on Stony Lake Cruises will complete your day.

Day 2:

Start your day with breakfast on the shores of scenic Stony Lake before heading off for a morning journey to Petroglyphs Provincial Park, home to one of the most intriguing archaeological treasures in Canada. Stop for lunch at the Irwin Inn before heading off for an afternoon of light hiking at the Warsaw Caves. After your day of hiking, photo opportunities and intriguing sights, head into Peterborough to visit Roland’s; one of the area’s wonderful restaurants with a reputation for quality food and exceptional service – a great way to savour your trip to Peterborough & the Kawarthas before heading home.

The land of shining waters awaits you!

Advance reservations required.

Journeys of First Nations

Day 1:

Begin your Aboriginal tour at Viamede Resort where many activities and exceptional dining experiences are available; stay a night or two to fully enjoy the resort and your tour. Petroglyphs Provincial Park is home to the largest aboriginal rock carvings in Canada. Within the park there is a Learning Place Interpretive Centre, many photo opportunities and light hiking, your day will be filled with historic significance and adventure. Stony Lake Cruises will welcome you on board for an evening dining experience like no other.

Day 2:

At Whetung Ojibwa Centre, experience the traditions of the past reflected in the present. Located in the heart of Curve Lake First Nations Reserve, the Centre offers a spectacular collection of First Nation crafts as well as fine art, sculpture, masks, leather work, clothing, jewelry and much more from across Canada and locally. It is possible to spend hours browsing through these rooms. Then, proceed to the Curve Lake Cultural Centre where visitors can view the living history of the community. Displays include a collection of ash baskets handcrafted by local people, a wild rice gathering display, and an exhibit on the smoke tan hide method.

Beachwood Resort is your destination for lunch where you can experience fine country cuisine along with a beautiful view of Deer Bay. A final stop at the Canadian Canoe Museum completes this journey. The canoe has been named one of Canada’s seven wonders and this unique national heritage centre explores the canoe’s enduring significance to the peoples of Canada.
End your evening with dinner at the Pizza Factory, voted Peterborough’s favourite family eatery. Then make your way downtown to enjoy the nightlife and live music at one of the many pubs and lounges.

Plan your tour to include the Hiawatha First Nation’s or Curve Lake Pow Wows and the Ode’min Giizis (Strawberry Moon) Aboriginal Arts Festival in June.

AHNIIN! Welcome!

Advance reservations required.

Taste of the Kawarthas

Day 1:

Irwin Inn begins your tour, where you will enjoy lake side accommodations, and choose from a variety of activities including golf, hiking, cross-country skiing and waterfront sports including canoeing and kayaking. Serious diners will want to reserve a window table in the Dining Room overlooking the beautiful Stony Lake. The Irwin Inn is committed to the farm to fork perspective, selecting local seasonal ingredients from our regional farms through supporting our Kawartha Choice Farm Fresh program.

In spring, spend some time at one of the area’s heritage sugar bushes or visit the Lockside Trading Company, particularly its kitchen gourmet section for the culinary enthusiasts. End your day with a dining experience aboard the Chippewa II, a replica steamboat that will take you on a journey around historic Stony Lake.

Day 2:

Start your day with a visit to the Peterborough Buffalo Farm featuring a gift shop filled with local products including bison meat. Take a scenic drive to Kawartha Country Wines where the group can sample a flight of wines and browse the wide selection of gourmet items and specialty homemade vinegars. During September, you can pick your own wild rice at Black Duck Wild Rice in Curve Lake. For lunch dine at the Cody Inn before heading into the City of Peterborough for a walking culinary and shopping tour.

Enjoy Dreams of Beans for organic fair-trade coffee and Sticklings Bakery & Bistro for locally produced baking goods. On your individual travels stop in at Black Honey or the Magic Rolling Pin for some light fair to fill your cravings. Fire House Gourmet and Knock on Wood shops are a culinary browsers paradise. There are many other shopping opportunities from clothing and jewelry to pampering pets so be sure to allow extra time.

Complete the evening with a live performance at Showplace or the Market Hall performing arts centres. Or take in a locally produced play by the Peterborough Theatre Guild – always a crowd pleaser.

Bon Appetite!

Advance reservations required.

Fall Drives

The Art of Autumn

Begin your autumn art exploration at Whetung’s Ojibwa Centre, where works by Native and Non-Native crafters and visual artists illustrate the impact of our cultural heritage in this showcase of treasures from Reserves across Canada. Seasonal events include: Thanksgiving Open House and various art shows, including the Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour and the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour. Stop in at one of four weekly Farmers’ Markets, throughout Peterborough & the Kawarthas to sample selections from our local harvest, before enjoying Lunch on the Lawn at Beachwood Resort, a great way to take in the breathtaking views from a beautiful lake side setting on Lower Buckhorn Lake. The Stony Lake Cruise is a sure hit for dining and entertainment as you travel through 1,128 islands. Or enjoy a meal at Viamede Resort, considered “the Grand Lady” of Stony Lake.

Heritage Haunts

Enjoy the colours of fall by beginning your journey at the renowned Elmhirst’s Resort on Rice Lake, check-in to begin your Heritage Haunts getaway. Visit Lang Pioneer Village, an award-winning living history museum where there are numerous celebrations of the autumn season such as the Pioneer Corn Roast, Applefest and Spooky Halloween. Be sure to check out the Keene Pumpkin Festival if the timing of your tour allows. The historic Lift Lock in Peterborough is spectacular to see amongst the fall colours. Fall festivities continue at Hutchison House Museum and on the Trent Valley Archives’ Ghost Walks & Haunted Carriage Rides. This getaway is completed with a drive to Craftworks & Antiques at the Barn at Fowlers Corners. Craftworks is the largest crafters marketplace in Ontario, showcasing over 100 local and area artisans.

Advance reservations required.

The Past Meets the Present

Day 1:

Stop by the Visitor Information Centre where our travel counselors will be delighted to start your journey with a warm hello and provide you with all the information you will need for your time in Peterborough & the Kawarthas.

The first stop on this tour is Lang Pioneer Village, a recreated 19th century hamlet where costumed villagers of all ages demonstrate the daily life of an earlier settler. The Lang Grist Mill and Hope Mill are great photo opportunities in the area.

Enjoy Peterborough’s favourite buffet lunch at the Carousel Restaurant before spending the afternoon at the Mario Cortellucci O.F.A.H Heritage Centre. Look into the eyes of wildlife and study a variety of North American ecosystems and dozens of stunning actual-size dioramas including wolf, moose, caribou and polar bears. See the Shimano Sportfish Aquarium and take in a video production in the high definition amphitheatre.

End your day with a freshly prepared picnic from one of our local caterers and enjoy the best in outdoor theatre with an award winning presentation at 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook. For over 19 years, this theatre has featured homegrown, world-premiere, Canadian plays on the fifth generation Winslow Farm. Regional stories and history are unearthed every year at 4th Line Theatre.

Your accommodation will be at one of Peterborough’s fine hotels providing an array of amenities, hospitality and service, such as the Super 8 Peterborough.

Day 2:

Begin your day at the historic Peterborough Lift Lock and tour its Visitor Centre to see exhibits outlining the construction and history of the lock. Next, stop at the Peterborough Museum and Archives to learn about the rich heritage of Peterborough. For lunch stop at the Riverside Grill & Gazebo overlooking the Otonabee River. Finish the afternoon with a visit to Hutchison House Museum and the Canadian Canoe Museum.

History in the making!

Advance reservations required.