Peterborough Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by Jesse Goodrice/Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism
Photo provided by Michael Hurcomb/Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism
Photo provided by Michael Hurcomb/Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism
Photo provided by Lydia Dotto/Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism
Photo provided by Michael Hurcomb/Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism

The rich mix of heritage city, cottage country and flourishing Ontario farmlands makes living and visiting here something special.

Explore Peterborough and the Kawartha lake chain for an amazing volume and variety of experiences. With more than 600 festivals and events annually, you’ll always find fun and inspirational activities.

Enjoy free outdoor concerts all summer overlooking Little Lake in downtown Peterborough at Peterborough Musicfest. Camp at the famous Havelock Jamboree or experience rich First Nations history and culture at the Curve Lake First Nation Pow Wow. See a large concentration of aboriginal rock carvings at Petroglyphs Provincial Park. First Nations people came to the area more than 11,000 years ago and named the Kawarthas after an Ojibwa term meaning “the Land of Shining Waters.”

Enjoy some of Ontario’s best fishing, hundreds of miles of recreational trails, signature cycling and paddling routes and plenty of space for boat, snowmobile and ATV activities. Winding Ontario country roads offer stunning autumn drives by car, motorcycle or bicycle.

See the Peterborough Lift Lock, the world’s highest lift lock, along the Trent-Severn Waterway, both Canadian national historic sites. While here, visit the Canadian Canoe Museum with an amazingly large collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft.

Many of Canada’s great literary icons, including Margaret Laurence, Catharine Parr Traill, Susanna Moodie and Robertson Davies once lived in Peterborough. Learn about their time here at the Lakefield Literary Festival in July. Visit Lang Pioneer Village Museum, which has two authentic Jacquard looms.

As a leader in the local food movement, the region has more than 350 restaurants, many dedicated to serving the fruits of centuries-old farmlands. Pair that with award-winning craft beer and wine, an eclectic mix of international cuisine and a daily farmers market for a food scene that rivals Ontario’s most well-known locales.

A 90-minute drive northeast of the Greater Toronto Area, the lively city of Peterborough is in the heart of Kawarthas cottage country. Visit this regional capital and university town brimming with heritage and culture, just minutes from more than 151 lakes and charming towns and villages such as Lakefield, Millbrook and Buckhorn.

Super 8 by Wyndham Peterborough
Super 8 by Wyndham Peterborough
2 out of 5
1257 Lansdowne St W, Peterborough, ON
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹7,148 per night from 15 Jun to 16 Jun
₹7,148
₹8,400 total
includes taxes & fees
15 Jun - 16 Jun
Stay at this golf hotel in Peterborough. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,139 reviews)
"There were a couple of medium sized spiders in the room, the entry door didn’t close properly and the bathroom sink backed up from normal use and drained slowly. Other than these minor issues a good value budget hotel"

Reviewed on 25 May 2025

Super 8 by Wyndham Peterborough
Peterborough Inn & Suites Hotel
Peterborough Inn & Suites Hotel
2.5 out of 5
312 George Street N., Peterborough, ON
The price is ₹8,097 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
₹8,097
₹9,516 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Jun - 10 Jun
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Peterborough. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Only thing we did not like - was the offset parking a block away in a parking garage. Although the cost was covered by the hotel."

Reviewed on 27 May 2025

Peterborough Inn & Suites Hotel
Holiday Inn Peterborough-Waterfront, ON by IHG
Holiday Inn Peterborough-Waterfront, ON by IHG
3.5 out of 5
150 George St N, Peterborough, ON
The price is ₹8,347 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
₹8,347
₹12,362 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Jun - 10 Jun
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified hotel in Peterborough. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Good view"

Reviewed on 21 May 2025

Holiday Inn Peterborough-Waterfront, ON by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Bobcaygeon Resort
Bobcaygeon Resort
3.5 out of 5
358 Front St W, Kawartha Lakes, ON
Stay at this 3.5-star cottage in Kawartha Lakes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Popular attractions Lock 32 and Boyd Heritage Museum are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (27 reviews)
"Loved the full kitchen, bbq, outdoor seating and the beach, including kayaks and canoes. The cBin was perfect for our needs. I was surprised about bringing all my own linens , including blankets. I wish that prt had been communicated more than 2 days before the trip- including the blanket piece, ..."

Reviewed on 19 May 2025

Bobcaygeon Resort
Myriad Fins Cottage and Marina
Myriad Fins Cottage and Marina
3 out of 5
157 Snug Harbour Rd, Kawartha Lakes, ON
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Kawartha Lakes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a marina. Popular attractions Ken Reid Conservation Area and Olde Gaol Museum ...
"Wonderful area and very practical. I was charged extra for my dog that i was not aware of. Bring your own towels and coffee filters. Even though i stayed 3 nights there were only 3 coffee filters. I drink more than one coffee a day."

Reviewed on 4 Nov 2024

Myriad Fins Cottage and Marina
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit