Peterborough, Ontario is situated in the heart of the Kawarthas on the banks of Otonabee River and surrounds beautiful Little Lake. Located only 90 minutes northeast of Toronto, Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes combine the cosmopolitan feel of urban life with eye-catching rural beauty.
More than a century ago, First Nations people named the region surrounding modern-day Peterborough "Kawartha" -- a Mississauga word meaning "bright waters and happy lands". It still remains a fitting description of the area today as visitors will see why Outdoor Canada Magazine recently named
Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes one of Canada's Top 10 places to live and fish.
Year round, visitors seeking a variety of unique experiences will discover that Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes offer a multitude of exciting and diverse opportunities. The Trent-Severn Waterway passes through the large hydraulic-lift lock, a major landmark in Peterborough. Learn all about how the locks work in the visitor center and see a working model.
In Peterborough visitors will find first-rate accommodations, restaurants for all tastes, conference facilities, unique places to shop, live music, theatre, heritage --such as the National Canadian Canoe Museum, -- cultural events and a wide range of sporting and recreational opportunities. A premier event is the Peterborough Summer Festival of Lights - awarded Attractions Canada No. 1 Provincial Cultural Event in 2001. The festival is a series of free concerts presented every Wednesday and Saturday evenings in
July and August in downtown Peterborough on the shores of Little Lake. Take the water taxi at the bottom of King Street, or rent a kayak or canoe to discover the area from the water -- from downtown, go to the beach, the marina, the waterway locks, the parks, or the Festival of Lights. Or rent a bicycle and take a close-up relaxed tour of the area on cycle trails, including the Trans-Canada Trail.
Discovering the area's many picturesque communities and lakes is an adventure with a wide variety of possibilities. Agricultural fairs and exhibitions, antique shops, artist studio tours, native galleries, rural
experiences, hiking and cycling trails, wilderness wonders for canoe, kayak, and camping, boating the Trent Severn Waterway, fishing for pickerel, bass and carp for example, visiting parks such as Warsaw Caves, Serpent Mounds and Petroglyphs, skiing and snowmobiling -- these are a few examples for the
touring motorist or outdoors lover.
Peterborough in figures
The Greater Peterborough Area has a population of about 130,000 people. About 74,000 people live in the City of Peterborough.
Peterborough's most important ethnic origins are English, Canadian, Irish, Scottish, German, Dutch, Italian, Polish, Aboriginal and Ukrainian.
Arrival
The Peterborough Municipal Airport is located about 6 km southwest of downtown Peterborough, on County Road 11. The Airport has the longest paved, lighted runway between Ottawa and Toronto with approximately 31,000 aircraft movements per year.
For more information call (705) 743-6708
Toronto International Airport is located 140 km (90 miles) southwest of Peterborough.
By car, Peterborough can be reached via the four-lane divided Highway 35/115.
Distances
Montreal 450 km (279 mi)
Ottawa 270 km (167 mi)
Stratford 265 km (164 mi)
Thunder Bay 1390 km (861 mi)
Toronto 135 km (83 mi)
Windsor 490 km (303 mi)
Winnipeg 2070 km (1283 mi)
Parks and protected areas
Petroglyphs Provincial Park 
Location: 55 km northeast of Peterborough off Northey's Bay Road (11 km from Hwy. 28)
This 1,643 ha size park comprises the largest concentration of aboriginal rock carvings in North America. Chiseled into white marble rock face 1,200 years ago, the 900 petroglyphs depict turtles, snakes, birds and humans. There are hiking trails trough the surrounding forests, wetlands and rocky ridges.
For more information call: 705-877-2552
Emily Provincial Park
Location: Northwest of Peterborough. Take Hwy 7 west and drive north on Country Road 10 for 5 km. Emily Provincial Park is on the left side of the road.
This 83 ha size park is located on the shores of Pigeon River and offers countless water recreation opportunities including fishing and paddling. The park offers access to the famous Kawartha Lakes. Walk along the elevated boardwalk and see an osprey nest or enjoy two beaches with warm shallow water. Renting equipment is available. There is a total of 299 campsites available.
For more information call: 705-799-5170
Warsaw Caves
Location: On the south side, of Caves Road, off County Road 4, just north of Warsaw.
Well-known for its limestone caves, this popular conservation area has a 13-kilometre trail system and family campground. A great bird-watching area. Great place for hiking, spelunking (caving), canoeing, fishing and swimming. The sand beach and shallow Indian River provide a safe swimming area for children.
For more information call: (705) 745-5791
Trent-Severn Waterway
Whether you are in a houseboat, outboard or canoe, your are in for some magnificent cruising on the shimmering waters of the Trent-Severn Waterway. It stretches 386 km (240 mi.) from Trenton on eastern Lake Ontario to Port Severn on Georgian Bay. The Trent-Severn winds through a myriad of islands and lakes. You will pass numerous communities, forests and fields on your way.
For more information call: (705) 742-2251
Jackson Creek Kiwanis Trail
Location: Jackson Park in the City of Peterborough
The Jackson Creek Kiwanis Trail is a four kilometre walking/cycling trail, situated on an abandoned C.N. Rail bed that extends from Jackson Park in the City of Peterborough to Ackison Road in Smith Township. The trail is excellent for walking, jogging, and cycling in the summer months, cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing in the winter, and nature viewing all year long.
For more information call: (705) 745-5791
Things to do
Lang Pioneer Village Museum
Location: Township of Otonabee - South Monaghan, 10 km east of Peterborough
Twenty restored buildings and a working Grist Mill re-create 19th Century rural life in Peterborough County. Friendly costumed interpreters, demonstrations, heritage gardens and special event Sundays. Gift Shop, refreshment booth, free parking.
For more information call: (705) 295-6694
Peterborough Centennial Museum and Archives
Location: 300 Hunter St. East
The museum presents the heritage and culture of Peterborough and area. The collection consists of over 22,000 artifacts - including an impressive collection of 19th and 20th century textiles, costumes, coverlets and quilts. The Museum has an extensive collection of furniture, military artifacts, recreational artifacts, ceramics and appliances.
For more information call: (705) 743-5180
Art Gallery of Peterborough
Location: On the shore of Little Lake beside Del Crary Park
Started in 1974, The Art Gallery of Peterborough presently numbers 1,004 pieces mostly of living Canadian artists. There is an emphasis on works on paper - drawings and prints. There was also given particular attention to the work of artists who live in the Peterborough region or who have had a connection with it.
For more information call: (705) 743-9179
Canadian Canoe Museum
Location: 910 Monaghan Rd.
Canoes represent thousands of years of Canadian history, which comes alive in this museum. Learn about Aboriginal, French and British cultures and how the canoe played an important role in the development of Canada.
For more information call: (705) 748-9153
Whetung Ojibwa Centre - Curve Lake Indian Reserve
Location: About 34 km north of Peterborough. Take Water Street North to Buckhorn Road to Curve Lake Road.
This 400-hectare Curve Lake Indian Reserve is home to about 900 Ojibway people. Within the reserve that has been established in 1825 you will find the Whetung Ojibway Arts & Crafts Gallery. The main building houses a gift shop and art gallery where visitors find a display of authentic arts and crafts from across Canada, acknowledged as some of the finest in North America. Lunch is available. Don't miss to sample some of the traditional Native Indian food.
For more information call: 705-657-3661
Festivals and Events
January
Snofest - Peterborough's annual winter carnival
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July
Peterborough Summer Festival of Lights
Canada Day Fireworks
Ontario Family Fish Weekend
Lakefield Jazz, Art & Craft Festival
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February
Annual Old Fashioned Winter Games - Located in Fenelon Falls
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August
Peterborough Summer Festival of Lights
Annual Havelock Country Jamboree Music Festival
Peterborough Folk Festival
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March
Annual Oldtimers Hockey Tournament
St. Patrick's Day Parade
Annual Buckhorn Maplefest
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September
Annual Soap Box Derby
Applefest
Curve Lake Pow Wow
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May
First Day of Navigation on the Trent-Severn Waterway
Annual Lakefield Busker Festival
Annual Canadian Olde Tyme Fiddle and Step Dance Contest
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November
Sledarama - Ontario's largest single-day snowmobile show
Festival of Trees
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June
Annual Rodeo
Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival
Peterborough Summer Festival of Lights
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December
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This Travel Guide was kindley made available by Marlis of King Bethune Guest House in Peterborough.
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