Adventure Aplenty in Peterborough & the Kawarthas
Published July 29th, 2024
Photography by Jay Kana unless otherwise noted.
Only 90 minutes east of Toronto is where you’ll find adventure aplenty via Peterborough & the Kawarthas.
Whether you’re setting out on a day trip or making it a weekend or even a week long getaway, this majestic area of Canada is truly a shining gem.
We spent a few days here in the splendour of summer and are excited to share ideas of things to do, where to go, what to eat and where to stay.
We were joined by Steph Wallcraft from RoadTripper.ca and encourage you to check out her website for travel adventures and advice.
With that, lets dive into how to have fun in Peterborough & the Kawarthas!
WHAT TO DO
Canadian Canoe Museum
Reopened in May of 2024 at a stunning new location on the shores of Little Lake, the Canadian Canoe Museum is a remarkable destination. Swimming in history, the museum is home to over 700 canoes, each with its own unique story. From a private collection to a public display, you’ll see canoes from iconic Canadians including Farley Mowat, Gordon Lightfoot, Pierre Trudeau and more.
Importantly, the museum is taking an active approach to becoming trilingual, with signs in English, French and Anishinabemowin, to acknowledge, understand and show ongoing respect to the Indigenous People.
There are interactive exhibits, films and after spending a couple of hours there, I’ll certainly return multiple times.
Outside, there are canoe and kayak rentals, plus Voyageur tours, maximizing their new waterfront location.
Focussing on inclusion and accessibility, there’s an adaptive canoe and kayak launch station on the dock behind the building.
Up front, there’s a Gathering Circle, access to the Trans Canada Trail and in the lobby, you’ll find the famous Silver Bean Cafe.Regardless of your level of interest in canoes, the Canadian Canoe Museum is a destination that proudly shares important pieces of Canadian history.
Lovesick Kayaking
With an abundance of lakes, rivers and lock systems, Peterborough & the Kawarthas is a paddlers paradise. Owned by the very experienced, knowledgeable and friendly Alex Grant, Lovesick Kayaking is your go-to resource to explore this magical part of the world by water.
Named after one of the 44 locks along the Trent-Severn Waterway, Alex offers a variety of tours, including the full-day one we experienced.
He also offers lessons and is adaptive to any level of experience kayak-wise.
Our experience included Burleigh Falls, moving through two locks, with Lovesick Lock only being accessible by water, and the Burleigh Falls Lock.
Peterborough Musicfest
Approaching 40 years of entertaining the community, Peterborough Musicfest is Canada’s longest running free admission summer concert series.
Each summer since 1987, locals and visitors are entertained over eight weeks of stellar Canadian talent twice a week. Past performers include Big Wreck, I Mother Earth, Metric, Sam Roberts, Kim Mitchell, Tom Cochrane and oh-so many more.
This year, local champion of the arts, Beau Dixon, performed at Musicfest for the first time in 14 years. On stage, he dazzled the audience with charisma and had thousands of toes tapping as his all-star musicians filled the venue with music.
If you’re in Peterborough during the summer on a Wednesday and or Saturday, spend your morning on the water, afternoon at the Canoe Museum and enjoy the stunning waterfront at Little Lake soaking in Musicfest at Del Crary Park.
Lock & Paddle
While it’s an annual event, it’s a stunning one either a participant or spectator.
The short version is that hundreds of kayaks and canoes make their way to the Peterborough Lift Lock, enter one of the two tubs of the world’s largest hydraulic lift lock and get raised 65 feet in the air.
In 2024, there were around 400 participants across a wide span of ages with good moods and smiles aplenty. As an avid kayaker, this has been on my to-do list for years and I’m thrilled to have done it.
Organized by Parks Canada, it’s expanded from only Peterborough to now Montreal and Ottawa.
The camaraderie of strangers, the live music and overall upbeat atmosphere make it quite the sight and creates thousands of social media posts.
Even on land, watching hundreds of paddlers converge from Little Lake and head north toward the cornerstone of the event.
WHERE TO EAT
Canoe & Paddle Pub
20 minutes northeast of Peterborough in Lakefield is where you’ll find the popular and very well-named Canoe & Paddle Pub. Celebrating a decade of delicious dining and superb service in 2024, you’ll find classic comfort food and some cool modern options on the menu, complete with gluten-free options.
Focussing on the family side, the pub really does make you feel welcome, as they did with us, with a welcoming atmosphere and engaging customer service.
Impressively, each night they’ve got something going on, from trivia to food specials and live music.
Coincidentally, it was wing night during my visit, which made for an even better visit because of all the foods in the world, wings are in my top 5, with these wings being simply delectable.
Fun fact; their patio is lined with the astroturf that the Toronto Blue Jays used to win their 1993 World Series championship!
La Hacienda
In the heart of Peterborough is an authentic Mexican restaurant, La Hacienda.
They’ve been in the community since 2002 and their variety of Mexican cuisine and customer service are top notch.
While the meals themselves are generous, so is their complimentary appetizer of chips and salsa. Opt for indoor dining or patio seating when weather permits.
Note that there are gluten-free and vegetarian options.
Silver Bean Cafe
On the shores of Little Lake, Silver Bean Cafe is one of the best places to enjoy fresh made food and a cold drink on a summer day.
It was our lunch spot before embarking on the Lock & Paddle event. Their outdoor seating at Millennium Park gives you a picturesque view of the water, the sandwiches we had were 10/10 delicious and the cheerful vibe of a waterfront patio is second to none.
And yes, it’s the same Silver Bean Cafe that’s in the Canadian Canoe Museum!
WHERE TO STAY
Burleigh Falls Inn
Only 30 minutes northeast of Peterborough is the stunning Burleigh Falls Inn, a boutique lodging option with unique rooms inside the building or cottage style buildings just behind.
This year-round resort is a short walk to starting your Lovesick Kayaking adventure, has a magnificent dining room and wrap around patio and is enveloped in nearly 160 years of history.
The Burleigh Falls room on the second floor (each room has a different name) is to me, the best one as there’s a walk out patio/porch area that gives you a panoramic view of the water and a stunning sunset view if you look to the right when outside.
The room itself is spacious, the bed is comfortable (even more so after a day of kayaking! and the bathroom, the most underrated part of any lodging, was also spacious.
Note there are no elevators here; only stairs.
Food-wise, the menu offerings have just enough variety without being overwhelming.
We had delightful dinners and a hearty breakfast, all with excellent customer service through our server, Autumn.
Our two-night stay was perfect for us and we’ll certainly be returning on our next visit.
Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn
(Images via Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn)
If you’re looking for somewhere in Peterborough proper, the Best Western Plus Ontonabee Inn is where to go. A short drive away from the aforementioned Del Crary Park, here you’ll find clean, comfortable beds, plenty of amenities and impressively, a stellar Van Houtte premium coffee machine the lobby. Plus, there are two EV level 2 charging stations in the rear.
To start planning your adventure, visit thekawarthas.ca