10 Ways to #FallforPtbo
1. Fall for Fairs & Fests
Fall back in time at Lang Pioneer Village Museum as they host great events for foodies and families including Keene Pumpkin Festival and Historic All Hallows Eve, Circa 1800. Take part in our Thanksgiving tradition and head out to the Norwood Fall Fair. Click here for more Must See Fall Events in Peterborough & the Kawarthas.
If you’re an Art Lover
Art is all around us during the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour & the Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour. Spoil your senses visiting studios tucked away in pristine scenic locations with beautiful works of art and breathtaking views.
If you’re a Culture & History Buff
Step back in time at Lang Pioneer Village Museum during Historic All Hallows Eve – Circa 1800. Put a little spook in your step during a Downtown Ghost Walk. Find your treasure at the Thanksgiving Art Show at Whetung Ojibwa Centre, where you will experience a touch of the past & gain insight into the present.
If you’re looking for Family Fun
Nothing screams family fun like fall fairs & festivals. Pick the perfect pumpkin during the Buckhorn Pumpkin Festival or put on your cozies and head out to the Norwood Fall Fair – a Thanksgiving tradition since 1868!
If you’re a Food Fanatic
The Purple Onion Festival is not only delicious but informative. Local chefs will be serving cuisine made with ingredients born and raised in Peterborough & the Kawarthas. Create your own local masterpiece by picking up ingredients at the local Farmers’ Markets which continue throughout the fall season, including the Peterborough Market which runs year-round.
2. Drench Yourself in Colour
If “leaf peeping” is your thing, hit the road – the county road that is. We have designed a few Fall Driving Tours to help you enjoy all the incredible colours of the changing leaves:
Harvest Season in Harbour Town
Prefer to step out rather than roll through? Check out the fall colour on the Robert Johnston Eco Forest Trail in Douro-Dummer, which offers a great shady area to hike through, with a gorgeous canopy of turning leaves overhead and the crunch of fallen leaves beneath your feet.
3. Roadtrip. Shop. Savour.
The harvest season is upon us and Peterborough & the Kawarthas offers a feast for all the senses.
Roadtrip along our winding country roads and stop at area farm stands. Shop for fresh produce and local goods at farmers’ markets. Savour a meal at a local restaurant where the food was offered up from the earth at a farm that is mere minutes away
4. Draw in a Breath of Fresh Air – Autumn Studio Tours
Drawing inspiration from the beautiful landscapes and streetscapes in Peterborough County is as easy as drawing in a breath of fresh air here.
Explore studios of renowned and hidden artists that call Peterborough “home”. Artists here work in a variety of media including metal, glass, textiles, pottery, and watercolours. Explore for yourself at Apsley Autumn Studio Tour and the Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour.
5. Do you believe in Ghosts?
Embark upon a guided journey of Peterborough’s spellbinding past with Trent Valley Archives.
Whether you’re a new Trent University student or visiting the area for the weekend – if you love a good story, their city tours will be right up your alley.
October’s Downtown Ghost Walks (October 19, 20, 23-26) will leave you guessing, and the Little Lake Cemetery Twilight Pageant (September 30 & October 1) will introduce you to some of Peterborough’s famous and infamous residents – telling tales from their graveside.
6. Quest for the Best Pumpkin
There is something about Peterborough that brings about a feeling of genuine love for our hometown.
And with love comes affectionate nicknames – Ptbo, The Electric City and of course Peterpatch. We’re not really sure where the last originated from, but it has a nice ring to it. And on an October weekend, you may think it has something to do with a trip to the pumpkin patch.
Visit roadside stands and farmers’ markets to find that perfect pumpkin to carve into a jack o’lantern or bake into a pie. Attend two of our fall Pumpkin Festivals Keene Pumpkin Festival (October 14th) & Buckhorn Pumpkinfest. Take in the car show, great live entertainment and much more.
7. Coasting on Air – Hikes & Bikes
Pedalling in Peterborough is a cyclist’s dream – why you might ask when you can ride a bike almost anywhere? t has to do with the fresh air, the colourful scenery, the joy of being part of the breeze, coasting ever so slightly above the ground.
Riding a bike is about discovering hidden cafes in turn-of-the-century farm towns. It is about uncovering the secret beautiful sites and sounds along the way. And in fall, it is about experiencing the beautiful fall colours and local fall specialties. Reconnect with nature.
8. Become a Fall foodie
Manomin, commonly known as wild rice is an annual plant that grows in the Kawartha Lakes.
James Whetung’s Black Duck Wild Rice is harvested each September using traditional methods passed down from the elders. The local culinary delight is celebrated for its history, value and rhythms, and savoured for its unique taste and texture.
Sweet tooth? Take the self-guided Buttertart Tour.
Don’t forget to quench your thirst at one of these local breweries and winery.
9. Leaf it all behind
Get out the cozies – sneakers, jeans and hoodies.
Feet up. Beverage of choice in hand. Nothing but the shining waters of Peterborough & the Kawarthas in front of you. Now #ThisisLiving.
10. A Little City with Your Country
Trying to decide between a great urban escape filled with theatre and a great selection of local dining opportunities, or a country escape filled with driving tours, beautiful scenery and quaint country towns?
Why? When you visit Peterborough & the Kawarthas you can have the best of both worlds. By day, enjoy great fall hikes and drives. Explore a winding river road or pedal through rolling country hills. Stop and explore tiny towns, bursting with character. By night, bring it back downtown – choose a restaurant based on your favourite type of cuisine (there are so many great choices). Take in a great live band or play at our downtown pubs and theatres that attract big names familiar to Toronto concertgoers.