Peterborough is located on the Otonabee River and the Trent-Severn Waterway in the heart of the Kawartha Lakes tourism region. We are in a unique position to offer our out-of-town guests a variety of family-centered entertainment and cultural experiences. Our vibrant downtown, with the marina, boardwalk, parks, art gallery, movie theatres, live theatre, shopping and restaurants galore, is just the beginning.
Any member of the Peterborough City Soccer Club would be delighted to give you some tips and point you in the right direction.
Places to Enjoy During Your Stay
Our tournament-festival matches take place on the 4 soccer fields in Eastgate Memorial Park and the 6 fields in Beavermead Park which is just across the street bordering on Little Lake. There is a sandy beach, shaded picnic tables, six beach volleyball courts and a children’s playground adjacent to the Beavermead soccer fields, providing a perfect place for the family to relax between games. You can cross over the pedestrian bridge next to the playground and follow the Rotary Greenway Trail along the shoreline, traverse Lock 20 on the Trent-Severn Waterway and discover the Rogers Cove beach, picnic area and splash pad on the north shore.
Beavermead Park is also home to a 95-site campground operated by the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, presenting a unique camp & play opportunity.
The Peterborough Ecology Park, accessible from Beavermead Park (you will have to ask where the trail begins) and from the parking lot at 1899 Ashburnham Drive to the south, is well worth a visit. This unique, award-winning centre is an ecological adventure for the whole family, with five acres of display gardens, a native plant nursery and naturalized areas. There are special theme gardens, for example, children’s, butterfly, and wildlife. It offers a fascinating look at nature and responsible land stewardship.
A short stroll north from Eastgate Park will find you at the historic, spectacular, world’s tallest Peterborough Lift Lock. This engineering marvel, which opened in 1904, towers almost 20 m (65 ft) above the Trent Canal. The most visible features are the two counter-balanced, bathtub-like chambers that can lift vessels over an elevation that once would have required several locks to conquer.
Just up the hill from the Lift Lock you will find Museum Drive which will take you to Armour Hill and the Peterborough Museum and Archives. Parking is free and admission to the museum is by donation. You can enjoy the walking trails as well as get a spectacular panoramic view of the entire city of Peterborough and the surrounding countryside from Armour Hill.
If you are looking for something distinctively Canadian, the Canadian Canoe Museum offers a unique perspective of early Canadian history. Conveniently located in a stunning new building on the waterfront directly across the street from Eastgate Park, the museum houses the world’s largest collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft numbering more than 600, as well as engaging and family friendly interactive hands-on exhibits. Following the grand reopening of the museum on May 11, it features exciting opportunities for visitors to immerse themselves in the rich histories and diverse cultures of the communities where the canoes and kayaks originate. The museum is open until 5 p.m. daily.
Riverview Park and Zoo is a fabulous place to enjoy a leisurely stroll in a peaceful and tranquil setting while experiencing the natural beauty of Peterborough. It is located on 55 acres in the north end of the city on Water Street. The zoo features 27 exhibits, with over 40 species of animals. With a splash pad, playground, frisbee golf course, scenic walking trails alongside the Otonabee River, a miniature train ride, and beautiful gardens there is something for everyone. The park is open every day from 8:30 a.m. until dusk and admission is free.
The picturesque Trent University campus straddles the Otonabee river on 1,400 acres of land just north of the zoo. Prospective students might want to take a quick drive through the campus or linger a while to enjoy the Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Area Trails.
The Art Gallery of Peterborough at 250 Crescent Street, an easy walk from downtown, houses more than 1400 works ranging from paintings, drawings and prints to sculptures, photographs and mixed media pieces. The art gallery is open until 5 p.m. on weekends and admission is free.
Entertainment
Liftlock Cruises at Little Lake Marina.
Showplace Performance Center, 290 George Street North.
Galaxy Cinemas, 320 Water Street.
What’s On (MyKawartha.com).
Parking
Ample free parking is available in the main parking lot on Ashburnham Drive (east side of street just south of Eastgate Park), in the overflow grass area directly across the street from Eastgate #1, and in the parking lot at Beavermead Park. Do not drive into the Beavermead campgrounds unless you have a camping permit. If the parking lot at Beavermead is full then please park in the bigger Ashburnham Drive lot or in one of the overflow lots.
Please check all signs before you park. In particular, please do not park on the grass verges adjacent to the Beavermead parking lot. This is the fire/ambulance access route to the campground and the playing fields and must be kept clear at all times. The City of Peterborough actively tickets this area.
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