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City in Ontario, Canada
Photo: (WT-shared) Shaund, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The City of Peterborough is considered the hub of the Kawarthas, and is the region's major business, education, cultural, and health care centre. This is a varied community -- a retirement city, but at the same time a university and college city. It has a permanent population of approximately 81,000 (2016).
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Has displays of watercraft from Canada and around the world, plus exhibits on the role canoes and kayaks have played in Canada.
A collection of over 20 heritage and reconstructed buildings from the 1800s. Costumed "villagers" enact and recreate what life was like in 19th-century Peterborough County, including a blacksmith shop, carpenter shop, mills and ice house. There's also a gift shop, exhibits and an interpretive center on weaving and Jacquard Looms.
Pretty spot in summer with boats, parks and the fountain in the middle of the lake. Centennial Fountain, located in the middle of Little Lake, is the biggest jet fountain in Canada shooting water 75 m into the air. Del Crary Park provides good views of the lake and fountain, and the bandshell hosts numerous concerts in the summer. Fountain usually operates 10AM-midnight from late May to early Oct.
Historic market building and Peterborough landmark since 1890, including the four-faced clock tower that looks over downtown. The ground floor is mostly retail while the second floor now hosts the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre. There's an exhibit in the ground floor lobby that displays the history of the building and nearby area.
Built in 1904, the lift lock is the highest hydraulic lift lock in the world, raising boats 65 m. Watch the boats and lock operate from the bank of the canal or stop by the visitor's centre, which has exhibits and explains how the lock works. It's best to go in summer (between Victoria Day and Canadian Thanksgiving) when the Trent Severn waterway is operational.
Good spot to spend a couple of hours if you want to learn about the history of Peterborough and surrounding area. The exhibits, stories and photos take you through some of the local First Nations history, European settlement and the city's early growth. There is also an archives that is accessible by appointment and a small gift shop. The museum is on top of Armour Hill, which provides views of the city and area.
Zoo and park on the banks of the Otonabee River that is great value, particularly for families with young children. Animals include camels, takins, yaks, reptiles, turtles, a river otter, birds, emus, wallabies and some farm animals. There's also a splash pad, several playground structures and a large grassy area with picnic tables. The train ride, which usually operates from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving (late May to early Oct), is also popular.
Large, mostly undeveloped park along Jackson Creek popular with walkers and cyclists. The lake and Pagoda Bridge are nice spots for a stroll or to take in the view from the bench. There is also a playground for children. The Trans-Canada Trail runs through the park, continuing north of the city.
Offers two-hour sightseeing or luncheon cruises on the Peterborough section of the Trent-Severn Waterway, including the Centennial Fountain and Peterborough Liftlock. There is also a dinner cruise option that goes downstream from Little Lake (so no Liftlock). The sightseeing cruise operates daily mid-May to mid-October (with more frequent departures in the summer).
Weekly outdoor live music running all summer long on Wednesday and Saturday nights. A great family event.
The local junior hockey team and an entertaining option if you want to catch a hockey game while in town. Games are usually 2-3 teams a week from Oct through April. Tickets can be purchased online through the Memorial Centre website or at the box office.
Small park with a beach, playground, splash pad and picnic tables with mature trees. The park provides views of Little Lake and the fountain. A short walk on a good trail at the south end of the park takes you to Lock 20 (of the Trent Severn Waterway), with additional picnic tables and views of Little Lake. The Lock is notable as one of the few remaining locks where the gates are opened manually.
In winter, the area below the Lift Lock is turned into an outdoor skating rink that can be nearly 400 m long. Family skating is closer to the Lift Lock; hockey is closer to the Maria St bridge. Operations are weather-dependent — a flag will indicate the current status (green means safe, red means unsafe).
St. Veronus
Belgian pub oozing with ambiance. Extensive selection of beers, with a focus on Belgian (and Belgian style) brews. Fantastic wood decor, good moules frites. A solid proposition for a Saturday night.
Bohemian, converted warehouse with a generous patio overlooking Jackson Creek. Fantastic during the summertime; Dortmunder Aktienbrauerei (DAB) and over twenty other beers on tap, and a pinball machine that's still just 25 cents a play. The Gordon Best theatre sits on top. Service can be slow, but the atmosphere is worth it. Brunch is served until 3PM, after that there is a small sandwich menu.
Great Irish pub - best burgers in town. Also make a great French onion soup. Twenty beers on tap, There's also a rooftop deck, fireplace lounge, billiards tables and big-screen TVs to catch the game.
A nice, traditional neighbourhood pub with an extensive beer selection on tap. Good atmosphere.
Inn on the Otonabee River with an indoor pool and whirlpool; rooms include mini-fridges, TV and coffee makers.
Indoor pool adjacent. All rooms include high-speed Internet. Eight suites have whirlpool tubs, the honeymoon suites have a fireplace and the executive suites come with a refrigerator and microwave.
Just south of downtown Peterborough on Little Lake, small fitness facility. Rooms include wi-fi, mini-fridge, TV and coffee maker.
Downtown hotel with 32 rooms; each room includes wi-fi, continental breakfast, a fireplace and jacuzzi.
On-site business centre. Pet-friendly hotel. All rooms include TV, coffee maker, high-speed Internet. Some rooms have fridges and microwaves. Two suites include a fireplace and whirlpool tub.
Exquisite chocolatier.
By bus
By train
Peterborough's heritage railway station has had no passenger train service since 1990. Oshawa's station is accessible by GO commuter bus, and has service from Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston, and Montreal.
By plane
Toronto Pearson International Airport, 150 km to the west, is the nearest major airport.
On foot
Peterborough downtown is easy to walk around, and most of the attractions and parks are within walking distance. Any farther trips will require a car or the transit bus.
By bicycle
There are good bike paths leading north west out of the downtown core, through Jackson's Park, that continue for several kilometres to the outskirts of the city.
By taxi
Hailing a cab in downtown Peterborough is somewhere between difficult and impossible, so your best bet is to call in advance.
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