Did you know that Peterborough & the Kawarthas offers unique experiences that can’t be found anywhere else in the world?
The best way to get to know a place is to explore it. We’ve curated the region’s most iconic experiences (and one’s you should plan to immerse yourselves in to truly get to know us).
Find inspiration for your travel bucket list below. Be sure to use the Trip Planner tool by clicking the heart ‘❤️️’ icon in the top right corner of your screen to create an account.
Simply click the heart ‘❤️️’ icon anywhere on the site to build your own bucket list!
Only in Peterborough & the Kawarthas…
1. Explore the World’s Largest Collection of Canoes, Kayaks and Paddled Watercraft at The Canadian Canoe Museum’s Brand New Waterfront Location
The Canadian Canoe Museum cares for more than 600 canoes, kayaks, and paddled watercraft – with vessels and stories that tell the story of Canada’s rich watercraft traditions from coast to coast to coast. The collection includes a Haida Dugout Canoe by Victor Adams, the Uqqurmiut Qajaq (built for the Canoe Museum by the Qajakkut Society in collaboration with local Elders and knowledge holders in Iqaluit), Bill Mason’s Prospector Canoe (possibly the most famous canoe in Canada), and The Orellana (which is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the World’s longest canoe journey.
2. Ascend the World’s Highest Hydraulic Lift Lock: The Peterborough Lift Lock (bonus points for taking part in the annual Lock and Paddle event with a few hundred of your closest paddling pals!)
The Peterborough Lift Lock – a national historic site of Canada located along the Trent-Severn Waterway – is a testament to Peterborough’s innovative ingenuity and prideful connection to water. Each summer, residents and visitors alike take part in the annual Lock & Paddle event – where we fill the Peterborough Lift Lock with vibrant vessels and friendly faces. In 2023, they set a new record of 403 canoes and kayaks in the Lift Lock! (This year, you could be part of the fun!)
3. Be Among the First to Traverse the Trent-Severn Waterway on a Le Boat Canal Cruiser
Our connection to water is in the spotlight this year! In addition to Le Boat’s arrival on the Trent-Severn Waterway (giving visitors the opportunity to explore a taste of self-guided cruising life with no previous experience or boating license required), the region has also been named Water Ways TV’s inaugural Destination of the Year. Discover what makes Peterborough & the Kawarthas and the 150 lakes in our region synonymous with memory making and recreational boating.
4. Check out the Largest Known Concentration of Indigenous Rock Carvings (Kinomaage-Waapkong or ‘teaching rocks’) in Canada at Petroglyphs Provincial Park
The spirit of innovation, collaboration and knowledge sharing has been at the core of communities in this region for centuries. At Petroglyphs Provincial Park, visitors can immerse themselves in reconciliatory learning with traditional knowledge from Curve Lake First Nation.
5. Hold Hands with Your Sweetheart at Adam and Eve Rocks
In geological terms, they’re known as erratics. In road trip speak, they’re a perfect roadside photo opp! The Adam and Eve Rocks located in Buckhorn, Ontario are glacial remnants of the last ice age, and a popular local geocache. Folklore legend claims that if two lovers hold hands and each touch one of the rocks, their live lives will be forever blessed.
6. Step Back in Time – and Learn About Early Innovation – at Lang Pioneer Village Museum
Lang Pioneer Village Museum, located in Keene, Ontario is home to a Jacquard loom an important piece of history in the development of computing technology. There are only two other working Jacquard looms on public display in Canada. Other innovative learnings you can glean from your visit here include the Aabnaabin Camp – which represents an 1820’s Michi Saagiig hunting or ricing camp from a period of time when settlers began to move into the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg in large numbers, forever altering the Indigenous people’s way of life. These structures are constructed using original materials and methods based on teachings from the Elders of Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation.
7. Sing Along with Waterfront Entertainment at Peterborough Musicfest
Canada’s longest-running, free admission summer concert series – Peterborough Musicfest – takes place just steps from the downtown – in Del Crary Park overlooking Little Lake. Over the years, acts including City & Colour (solo), Crash Test Dummies, Carly Rae Jepsen, Big Wreck, Tegan and Sara, Our Lady Peace, Tom Cochrane, The Reklaws, Kiefer Sutherland, Walk Off the Earth, Tyler Shaw, Randy Bachman, and Chad Brownlee (to name a few!) have graced the stage.
8. Lean into Canadian Literary Heritage at the Peterborough Museum & Archives
Peterborough Museum & Archives is home to three nationally-designated collections, including an extraordinarily rare intact 51-page herbarium album created in 1891 by settler author and naturalist Catharine Parr Trail who wrote about early life in Canada, and whose books are some of the earliest published works in national history.
9. Hit the Road on the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Classics Road Cycling Routes
Peterborough & the Kawarthas has long been a favourite destination for cyclists of all types…especially road cyclists. On the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Classics Road Cycling Routes – beginners and avids alike can enjoy combination of rolling drumlin hills, scenic lake vistas and winding rural roads make for challenging and diverse riding opportunities. They can be used for training just as easily as they can be used for a casual ride with friends and family.
10. Monkey Around at the Riverview Park & Zoo
Stop in to visit the animals! Stay for the nostalgic fun of enjoying the playground, splash pad and train ride at Riverview Park & Zoo.
11. Go Spelunking at the Warsaw Caves Conservation Area
The Warsaw Caves take its name from a series of seven caves found in the park (perfect for those who love caving and spelunking, and kind of a natural jungle gym for the kids). The caves (and kettles along the trails) were formed thousands of years ago at the end of the last ice age. Hike to the lookout for spectacular views all year round.
12. Appreciate Contemporary Art and Celebrate a Milestone Moment
The Art Gallery of Peterborough is celebrating 50 years! Join them for an exploration of contemporary art, interactive family programming, and the self-guided Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour in September.
Add Them To Your List!
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Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and Campground 
Warsaw, Ontario
K0L 3A0 -
Petroglyphs Provincial Park 
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Peterborough Museum & Archives 
P.O. Box: 143
Peterborough, Ontario
K9J 6Y5 -
Peterborough Lift Lock 
Peterborough, Ontario
K9H 7B5 -
Peterborough Musicfest 
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The Canadian Canoe Museum 
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Adam and Eve Rocks 
Buckhorn, Ontario
K0L 1J0 -
Lang Pioneer Village Museum 
What memories will you make? Share with us on Facebook & Instagram #VisitPtboKawarthas