With delicious food, live music, and tons of outdoor activities, Peterborough & the Kawarthas is an exciting region to add to your Ontario bucket list!
First founded in 1825, the city of Peterborough is vibrant yet laid-back, with lots of interesting shops and restaurants that serve a diverse population of university students, young families, and long-time residents. The city is located on the Trent-Severn Waterway, a 386-kilometre-long canal route connecting Lake Ontario at Trenton to Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, at Port Severn.
The surrounding area is known as the Kawarthas, a biodiverse region rife with forests, wetlands, rivers and lakes that serves at the gateway to Ontario’s cottage country. Peterborough & the Kawarthas also includes Curve Lake First Nation, a Mississauga Ojibway First Nation located directly north of Peterborough.
Proximity map via The Kawarthas
Best of all, this region is easily accessible from Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa, Buffalo, Rochester, and more! Have we piqued your interest yet? We’ve put together three itineraries that’ll have you saying “that was fun!” and “that was delicious!” over and over:
- Itinerary #1: Pastries + Cheese + Candle Making
- Itinerary #2: Craft Beer + Alpacas + Farm-Fresh Goodies
- Itinerary #3: Baked Goods + Canoeing + Spanish Paella
Don’t forget to read all the way to the end for a bonus experience!
Itinerary #1: Pastries + Cheese + Candle Making
This itinerary will take you north of Peterborough to the town of Lakefield as well as Curve Lake First Nation.
Lakefield Bakery on Queen
Start your day at Lakefield Bakery on Queen, where Baker “T” (Theresa) takes butter tarts seriously! Her family were bakers in Holland before immigrating to Canada, where they became bakers in Whitby in the 1950s. Today, the bakery carries a range of artisan bread and pastries, including many gluten-free options.
Pro tip: Take your treats down to the picnic tables at the marina to enjoy a nice moment by the water.
The Cheesy Fromage
Continue down the street to The Cheesy Fromage, a cheese shop and wine bar located just steps from Lakefield Bakery. Sample their range of local and international cheeses, pick your favourites, and enjoy your customized charcuterie board right on site!
Pro tip: The boutique also carries a range of Ontario wine, craft beer, and delicious goodies, so you can fill your picnic basket in one go.
Indigenously Infused
Indigenously Infused is home to a candle-making workshop, but that’s just scratching the surface of this magical place. A visit to this beautiful homestead in Curve Lake includes a tour of the gardens and land where owner Robyn grows the four sacred medicines that are infused into her products. From there, you’ll learn about the meaning and purpose of each plant, choose your favourite, and make your very own candle to take home. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about Indigenous traditions and history while creating something beautiful.
Pro tip: Robyn offers an optional lunch add-on as part of her workshops. On the occasion of our visit, we were lucky to enjoy a lunch of pickerel and potatoes prepared by Robert Pierson, a chef and former Curve Lake councillor who was also the first player from Curve Lake First Nation to be drafted to the NHL.
Itinerary #2: Craft Beer + Alpacas + Farm-Fresh Goodies
This itinerary will take you north from Peterborough towards the town of Lakefield.
Bobcaygeon Brewing Co.
The team at Bobcaygeon Brewing Co. has been hard at work converting an old post office in Bobcaygeon into the new home for their brewery! That work is progressing, but in the meantime, their Innovation Lab in Peterborough is brewing up a full slate of classic beers and unique offerings that are sure to please every palate. Stop by for a flight or grab a few cans to go and follow them on Instagram to keep up with the brewery’s progress!
Pro tip: The taproom freezer is stocked with a selection of pizzas from General Assembly. Take a few home or order one to enjoy in the taproom alongside your brews!
Wanderlight Alpaca
Driving up to the farm at Wanderlight Alpaca, it’s impossible to miss the incredibly cute but slightly strange animals in the fields on either side of the road. They’re alpacas – a domesticated species of South American camelid that has been bred for thousands of years as a source of soft and luxurious fleece. The Wanderlight Alpaca experience includes a meet-and-greet with the herd followed by a guided trail walk with your chosen companion. Along the way, you’ll get to know your new alpaca friend and explore the beautiful grounds of the farm.
Pro tip: Alpacas prefer to walk in packs, so grab a few friends to enjoy this experience as a group! Also note that there are no bathrooms on site, so plan a pit stop before you arrive. One last thing – avoid wearing boots or shoes that have been at other farms or zoos within 48 hours.
Leahy’s Farm and Market
Located a short five minute drive from Wanderlight Alpaca, Leahy’s Farm and Market is a family-owned market and farmstand overflowing with fresh produce, delicious baked goods, cheese, charcuterie, prepared foods, fresh meat and more!
Pro tip: This great spot is open from May to October; stop by as the weather gets cooler for squash, pumpkins, and pies for every occasion.
Itinerary #3: Baked Goods + Canoeing + Spanish Paella
This itinerary is all about the city of Peterborough!
Hard Winter Bakery
Hard Winter Bakery is a neighbourhood sourdough bakery located in East City Peterborough. Owners Jess & Graham and their dedicated team of bakers turn out 100% sourdough loaves that have been fermented for 24 hours to develop the flavour. Their laminated pastries are made from scratch using all butter and house-made creams and fillings. Consult the bread schedule to see what’s available that day!
Pro tip: This super-popular spot is prone to selling out! Head there early to guarantee that your preferred pastry is available. If you’re looking for an afternoon snack, the ice cream sandwiches made with Hard Winter cookies and Kawartha Dairy ice cream make for an incredible pick-me-up.
Canadian Canoe Museum
The Canadian Canoe Museum stewards the world’s largest and most significant collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft – they have more than 600 items in their collection! They recently reopened the museum in a beautiful new facility on the Peterborough waterfront. Visit the museum exhibits to learn more about Indigenous traditions, Canadian history, and how paddling plays a key role in cultures around the world.
Pro tip: The grounds of the Canadian Canoe Museum are open to all, so you make use of the fully accessible paths and docks to enjoy your goodies from Hard Winter Bakery by the water. You can also rent a canoe or kayak and take a paddle on the Otonabee River, located just behind the museum!
Paella Night at Fresh Dreams
Fresh Dreams is a vibrant restaurant focused on Spanish and Mediterranean gastronomy in Peterborough. Owners Monica and Alvaro hail from Madrid, Spain, and the menu covers a range of Spanish and Galician cuisines. Make a reservation on Wednesdays or Saturdays to try their classic paella with shrimp, chicken, vegetables and rice seasoned with saffron to give the dish its signature golden hue.
Pro tip: This restaurant accepts cash only, so plan accordingly. They can also accept e-transfer if needed.
Bonus: Peterborough Musicfest
Looking for an exciting and FREE activity in Peterborough? Now in its 37th season, Peterborough Musicfest is a summer festival unlike any other! This festival offers free concerts all summer long on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Head to Del Crary Park on the shores of picturesque Little Lake to enjoy renowned musicians in a beautiful setting.
Pro tip: Peterborough Musicfest concerts and Fresh Dreams paella nights happen to fall on the same days, so it’s never been easier to plan the perfect date night in Peterborough! If burgers and beer are more your speed, check out 100 Acre Brewing Co., a local farmstead brewery that hosts weekly food pop-ups on their patio all summer long.
Plan Your Trip to Peterborough & the Kawarthas
Ready to start exploring Peterborough & the Kawarthas? Start planning today!
