About the Region

Peterborough is in a region known as Central Ontario. It is an area rich in tradition and history. With opportunities from hiking the trails in the Georgian Bay, experiencing the sights of the Canadian Shield, participating in a “wolf howl” in Algonquin Park or just relaxing at the beach, you may have trouble picking your first destination. Living in Peterborough is ideal for visiting other parts of Ontario. The options are endless as there are sights and activities for everyone.

What is there to see and do near Peterborough?

The area immediately surrounding Peterborough is known as the Kawarthas. The region is full of lakes and rivers that are tied together by the Trent-Severn Waterway. The waterway stretches from Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay, and is travelled in summer by yachts, powerboats, and houseboats.

There are also many exciting places to visit on a day trip. You can experience life in the Kawarthas in the 19th-century at Lang Pioneer Village. Just a short drive from Peterborough you will find the Whetung Ojibwa Centre. The centre includes an art gallery that is open year round, and the Curve Lake First Nation holds the Curve Lake Pow Wow in the fall every year. At Petroglyphs Provincial Park there are over 900 rock carvings dating back hundreds of years.

For a full list of all the sights and activities in the area, visit Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism.

Ontario’s Major Cities

Take a day, or a weekend, and visit Canada’s largest city. Toronto, with its internationally recognized museums, galleries, theatres and restaurants, is only a 90-minute drive from Peterborough. Spend time exploring the different ethnic neighbourhoods, visit the Hockey Hall of Fame, climb the CN Tower, or go to one of the many theatres in the Entertainment District.

 Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, is a three hour drive east of Peterborough. Ottawa hosts many festivals and special events, including the largest Canada Day celebration in the country. Be sure to try out a beaver tail – a unique Canadian pastry – when you go to Ottawa.

Other Places to Visit

Within twenty minutes to a few hours of Peterborough you can visit:

• Village of Lakefield
• Village of Millbrook
• Algonquin Provincial Park 
• Haliburton Highlands 
• Muskoka
• Bruce Peninsula, Southern Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe