Looking for a quiet getaway with the charm of nature, friendly faces and of course, a mix of sweet and savoury food that pleases even the pickiest of palettes?
Look no further than Kawartha Lakes.
A Quiet Escape to Kawartha Lakes
This getaway offers a mix of urban and rural as you make your way through Lindsay and Bobcaygeon.
Friday: Lapping Up Lindsay
Day one will bring you to Lindsay, a town nestled at the crossroads of Sturgeon Lake and Lake Scugog.
Stop 1: Mariposa Dairy
Where: 201 George St. Lindsay, ON. (View Map)
Start your day at Mariposa Dairy on the outskirts of town where you can check out their farm store on-site. Shop a variety of delicious goat cheeses that will pop in your mouth with their zingy deliciousness.
Started in 1989, this large-scale cheesy operation has grown a lot over the years. Today, visitors can try everything from their creamy dill chevre to their bandaged sheep cheddar cheese. Not baaad.
Stop 2: The Pie Eyed Monk
Where: 8 Cambridge St. N. Lindsay, ON. (View Map)
Next up, lunchtime!
Grab a seat at the Pie Eyed Monk! This uber-cool spot in Lindsay is all about comfort food. Think burgers, fries and their renowned ‘za coming hot out of their wood-burning oven.
More than a restaurant, the Pie Eyed Monk is on the second floor of a historic building from 1868 and also houses a full brewery (Lindsay Brewing Company) on the first floor.
Kick back with a cold one and a delicious pizza pie and enjoy the slowed-down pace of life in Kawartha Lakes. Sigh.
Stop 3: Pick Your Play: Gamiing Nature Centre or Kawartha Art Gallery
Where: 1884 Pigeon Lake Rd. Lindsay, ON. (View Map) or in the Public Library second floor at 190 Kent St. W. Lindsay, ON. (View Map)
Pick your play: art or nature?
If you chose nature, head just outside of town to the Gamiing Nature Centre. Open seven days a week from sun up to sun down, it offers plenty of ways to get outside.
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Why not take a hike on one of their scenic hiking trails which runs along the western shores of Pigeon Lake? Into birding? There’s opportunities for that too. Plus, check out the centre’s wide array of programming throughout the year that ranges everything from wild edibles and animal tracking to dying with natural plants.
Into camping? Gamiing even offers up winter camping if that tickles your fancy!
Ok did you choose art? Fantastic! Stay right in downtown Lindsay and take in the Kawartha Art Gallery.
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Located on the second floor of the town’s public library, it is a hub for creativity in the community. With a number of permanent collection exhibits and rotating ones too, there’s always a reason to return.
Fancy a tour? You can book one by emailing or calling. They’re about sixty minutes in length and a member of the curatorial committee will take you around, talking to you about select pieces from the gallery’s permanent collection.
Stop 4: Dinner at Bistro 93
Where: 56 Kent St. W. Lindsay, ON. (View Map)
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Did somebody say dinner? We’re in!
This cozy spot with exposed brick and brimming with ambiance is exactly where you’ll want to wind down at the end of that busy day.
Under the helm of Chef Justin Gartshore, the folks at Bistro 93 prioritize a love for local produce which you’re sure to taste in each dish! From classics like charcuterie boards and croque monsieur to their vegetable pot au feu, this is a spot you don’t wnat to miss.
Saturday: Exploring Bobcaygeon
Day two will have you heading out of Lindsay and towards Bobcaygeon. About a half hour away, you’ll go further into the rural countryside on the banks of Pigeon Lake.
Stop 1: Mickael’s Café Libraire
Where: 26 King St. E. Omemee, ON. (View Map)
First thing’s first: breakfast. Before heading all the way to Bobcaygeon, make a quick detour for breakfast in Omemee (fun fact: this is where Neil Young grew up) at Mickael’s Café Libraire.
This detour may add a little bit to your travel time, but this charming, extra-small town is worth it. Grab a selection of their pretzels, freshly-baked cookies, loaves of bread and more to get your day started just right before continuing on.
Stop 2: Three Forks Farm
Where: 345 Colony Rd. Bobcaygeon, ON. (View Map)
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Next up, visit the farm store at Three Forks Farm. This family-owned farm raises animals on pasture in group settings that help with land management and sustainability.
Shop their farm store (hope you brought a cooler!) for raised on pasture, chicken, pork, lamb and turkey among other products.
Want to know more about this cool spot? Book a tour in advance and enjoy an hour with the owners as you learn about their farming practices and visit the animals.
Stop 3: The Grilled Cheese Hideaway
Where: 33 King St. E. Bobcaygeon, ON. (View Map)
In our books, you can never go wrong with grilled cheese.
For a monstrously massive, ooey-gooey grilled cheese, look no further than the Grilled Cheese Hideaway. Pair it up with a made-from-scratch soup and Bob’s your uncle.
This spot has a delicious menu of classics as well as specials that rotate through inventive combos like the Boozy Meltdown which features beer-braised onions with whisky mustard cheese, Swiss and bacon or their What the Fig with brie, bacon, spinach and homemade fig jam.
Now get that bad boy to go because it’s time for our next stop.
Stop 4: Old Dog Brewing Company
Where: 30 King St E, Bobcaygeon, ON. (View Map)
What’s better than grilled cheese you ask? Grilled cheese with craft beer, of course!
Carry that grilled cheese across the road to Old Dog Brewing Company to pair it up with some good ol’ craft beer.
With cleverly named dog-themed brews, we loved them before even tasting the beer. They even have one called Wheaten Kings after Bobcaygeon’s obvious connections to Canada’s beloved Tragically Hip.
Ranging everything from Summer Ales to American Pale Ales and Wheat beers, you’ll definitely want to try some for yourself and of course, grab some to go.
Stop 5: Dessert at Kawartha Dairy
Where: 89 Prince St W, Bobcaygeon, ON. (View Map)
You can’t go to the Kawartha Lakes without stopping into Kawartha Dairy for some ice cream or a milkshake! This family-owned, Canadian-owned operation has been around for over EIGHTY years.
Top off your day in the sweetest way possible when you grab a cone (no matter the season). While there are several Kawartha Dairy’s throughout the province now, this operation started in Bobcaygeon.
Take a run at classic flavours like moosetracks and French vanilla or try a flavour that’s only available at Kawartha stores like Sugar Shack Maple and Key Lime Pie. It’s really up to you!
On the Road Again
So there you have it, a relaxing and tasty road trip through Kawartha Lakes. Don’t forget to download the Kawartha Lakes Great Taste of Ontario passport and check in at each location you visit so you can receive a $25 voucher to a participating Feast On-certified restaurant when you check into 5 stops.
