Peterborough (Ontario)

The City of Peterborough is considered the hub of the Kawarthas, and is the region's major business, education, cultural, and health care centre. This is a varied community -- a retirement city, but at the same time a university and college city. It has a permanent population of approximately 81,000 (2016).

Understand

Considering that Peterborough sits between two major Canadian cities (Toronto and Ottawa), it has managed to maintain a small-town friendly feel to it. By many, Peterborough is considered a retirement community; however, during the school year there is a thriving domestic and international student population. With its relaxed atmosphere and laid-back attitude, Peterborough allows the days to go by unnoticed. There is a big arts community in the city, meaning Peterborough is the best place in Central and Southern Ontario to create a band, become an artist, or showcase your talent.

As of 2020, Peterborough is going through an opioid and housing crisis.

Get in

By car

Peterborough is well connected to the rest of Ontario by the highway network, including by the following highways:

  • Highway 7 skirts the southern edge of the city and connects Peterborough to near Kanata. This route enables travel from Ottawa (3½ hours) by taking Highway 417 westbound and then taken Highway 7 westbound. Peterborough can also be reached heading eastbound on Highway 7 from Whitby and Toronto's northern suburbs, and provide connections to Orillia and Muskoka. The portion of Highway 7 near Peterborough is part of a branch of the Trans-Canada Highway that passes through the area, traveling between Sudbury and Kanata (near Ottawa) on Highway 69 and 400, then Highway 12, then Highway 7, then Highway 417.
  • Highway 28, to the east of the city, runs north through the Kawarthas and onto Bancroft.
  • Highway 115, which heads northeast, ending at Peterborough. It is about an hour's drive from Oshawa and 1½ hours from downtown Toronto, in both case involving travel east on Highway 401 and then northeast on Highway 115.

By bus
  • GO Transit, 190 Simcoe St, ☏ +1 416-869-3200, toll-free: +1-888-438-6646, +1-800-387-3652 (TTY). Commuter bus to Oshawa's train station every couple of hours during the day, connecting in Oshawa with the Lakeshore GO Train mainline to/from downtown Toronto. About 1 hr 10 min from Oshawa to Peterborough's bus station, or 1 hr 30 min to Trent University. Tickets from Oshawa are $14.30 and are tax-exempt. There is a luggage compartment on the bus and coach style seating but no other amenities. Buses that travel to Oshawa are timed to meet with the train; the train ride to Toronto is 52-63 minutes one-way. The combined train & bus fare to Toronto is $19.10. 
  • FlixBus. Service from Toronto, Scarborough, Whitby, and Ottawa. (updated Aug 2022)
  • Rider Express. Service from Toronto and Ottawa. (updated Nov 2022)

By train

Peterborough's heritage railway station has had no passenger train service since 1990. Oshawa's station is accessible by GO commuter bus, and has service from Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston, and Montreal. Another option is the VIA Rail station in Port Hope or Cobourg, an hour's drive south.

By plane

Toronto Pearson International Airport, 150 km to the west, is the nearest major airport. Benson Airport Shuttle provides private service from $145 for one person, $170 for two (Apr 2020), by reservation. You can take the UP Express train ($9) to Toronto's Union Station, and a GO Transit bus from there to Peterborough.

Get around

By public transit

Peterborough Transit, ☏ +1 705-745-0525. (updated Sep 2022) Peterborough has a fairly inconvenient public transit system, though they have made efforts to improve it. The regular bus fare is $2.50, $22 for a 10-ride pass, or $8 for a day pass for up to 2 adults and 4 children (July 2017). Passes are available at the Transit Terminal and Landsdowne Place. Discounts for seniors, students and children are provided only on monthly passes. The buses run to and from downtown bus terminal every 40 minutes, but are often either late or early, so arrive in advance. One positive aspect about the centrally located bus terminal is that the buses wait for each other, and depart at the same time. This is the leading cause for their sporadic times, but it is convenient if you need two buses to go somewhere.

Getting from downtown to Trent University is much easier, as there is a separate bus system, Trent West, and Trent East. During the school year they run every 10-20 minutes. Trent Weekend runs every 30-60 minutes on the weekends, and the holiday schedule is similar.

By foot

Peterborough downtown is easy to walk around, and most of the attractions and parks are within walking distance. Any farther trips will require a car or the transit bus. Lots of people bike around also, which is strongly encouraged, especially in the warmer months of the year.

By bicycle

There are good bike paths leading north west out of the downtown core, through Jackson's Park, that continue for several kilometres to the outskirts of the city. There is also a bike path along the east side of the Trent River that leads up to Trent University and, beyond that, all the way north to Lakefield.

By taxi

Hailing a cab in downtown Peterborough is somewhere between difficult and impossible, so your best bet is to call in advance.

See
  • 🌍 Canadian Canoe Museum, 910 Monaghan Rd, ☏ +1 705 748-9153. M-W F-Sa 10AM-5PM, Th 10AM-8PM, Su noon-5PM. Has displays of watercraft from Canada and around the world, plus exhibits on the role canoes and kayaks have played in Canada. Adult $12, seniors & students $9.50, family $30. (updated Sep 2016)
  • 🌍 Lang Pioneer Village, 104 Lang Rd, Keene (head east out of town on Lansdowne St, turn right onto Heritage Line (County Rd 34) towards Keene), ☏ +1 705 295-6694. Open mid-May to mid-Sept, plus special events at Halloween and Christmas. A collection of over 20 heritage and reconstructed buildings from the 1800s. Costumed "villagers" enact and recreate what life was like in 19th-century Peterborough County, including a blacksmith shop, carpenter shop, mills and ice house. There's also a gift shop, exhibits and an interpretive center on weaving and Jacquard Looms. Adults $8, seniors & students $7, child (5-14) $4. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 🌍 Little Lake, Centennial Fountain and Del Crary Park, George St, between Rink & Perry. Pretty spot in summer with boats, parks and the fountain in the middle of the lake. Centennial Fountain, located in the middle of Little Lake, is the biggest jet fountain in Canada shooting water 75 m into the air. Del Crary Park provides good views of the lake and fountain, and the bandshell hosts numerous concerts in the summer. Fountain usually operates 10AM-midnight from late May to early Oct. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 🌍 Market Hall, 140 Charlotte St (NE corner of George & Charlotte). Box office for the arts centre open M-F noon-5PM. Historic market building and Peterborough landmark since 1890, including the four-faced clock tower that looks over downtown. The ground floor is mostly retail while the second floor now hosts the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre. There's an exhibit in the ground floor lobby that displays the history of the building and nearby area. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 🌍 Peterborough Lift Lock, 353 Hunter St E (Hunter St at Ashburnham Dr), ☏ +1 705 750-4950. M-Th 9AM-6PM, F-Su 9AM-7PM. Built in 1904, the lift lock is the highest hydraulic lift lock in the world, raising boats 65 m. Watch the boats and lock operate from the bank of the canal or stop by the visitor's centre, which has exhibits and explains how the lock works. It's best to go in summer (between Victoria Day and Canadian Thanksgiving) when the Trent Severn waterway is operational. (updated Sep 2016)
  • 🌍 Peterborough Museum & Archives, Museum Dr at 300 Hunter St E, ☏ +1 705 743-5180. M-F 9AM-5PM; Sa-Su noon-5PM. Good spot to spend a couple of hours if you want to learn about the history of Peterborough and surrounding area. The exhibits, stories and photos take you through some of the local First Nations history, European settlement and the city's early growth. There is also an archives that is accessible by appointment and a small gift shop. The museum is on top of Armour Hill, which provides views of the city and area. Admission by donation. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 🌍 Riverview Park & Zoo, 1300 Water St (main entrance at the corner of Water & Carnegie), ☏ +1 705 748-9300. 8:30AM-dusk. Zoo and park on the banks of the Otonabee River that is great value, particularly for families with young children. Animals include camels, reindeer, yaks, monkeys, turtles, a river otter, birds, emus, wallabies and some farm animals. There's also a splash pad, several playground structures and a large grassy area with picnic tables. The train ride, which usually operates from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving (late May to early Oct), is also popular. Zoo, park and parking is free. Train ride is $2. (updated Sep 2016)
  • Visit Trent University's Lady Eaton College. One of the best examples of modern architecture in Canada.

Do
  • Walk or hike along the many trails within and outside of Peterborough. Many of the abandoned railway tracks have been converted into paved trails, including the Rotary Trial along the Otonabee River.
  • 🌍 Jackson Park, 610 Parkhill Rd (two entrances -- one at the corner of Monaghan & Parkhill, the other off of Fairbairn at the intersection of Parkhill & Fairbairn). Large, mostly undeveloped park along Jackson Creek popular with walkers and cyclists. The lake and Pagoda Bridge are nice spots for a stroll or to take in the view from the bench. There is also a playground for children. The Trans-Canada Trail runs through the park, continuing north of the city. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 🌍 Liftlock & the Riverboat Cruises, 92 George St N (office and departure dock located at the Little Lake Peterborough Marina), ☏ +1 705 742-9912, toll-free: +1-888-535-4670, . Offers two-hour sightseeing or luncheon cruises on the Peterborough section of the Trent-Severn Waterway, including the Centennial Fountain and Peterborough Liftlock. There is also a dinner cruise option that goes downstream from Little Lake (so no Liftlock). The sightseeing cruise operates daily mid-May to mid-October (with more frequent departures in the summer). Sightseeing cruise: adult $26.50, senior & youth $24.50, child 5-12 $13.50; luncheon cruise $50.50; dinner cruise $57.50 (tax included in prices). Reservations required for luncheon and dinner cruises.. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Little Lake Musicfest, Del Crary Park. Weekly outdoor live music running all summer long on Wednesday and Saturday nights. A great family event. 
  • 🌍 Peterborough Petes Hockey, Memorial Centre, 151 Lansdowne St, ☏ +1 705 743-3561 (box office). The local junior hockey team and an entertaining option if you want to catch a hockey game while in town. Games are usually 2-3 teams a week from Oct through April. Tickets can be purchased online through the Memorial Centre website or at the box office. adult $20-29, child $13-24. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 🌍 Rogers Cove, Maria St, between Mark St and Rogers St. Small park with a beach, playground, splash pad and picnic tables with mature trees. The park provides views of Little Lake and the fountain. A short walk on a good trail at the south end of the park takes you to Lock 20 (of the Trent Severn Waterway), with additional picnic tables and views of Little Lake. The Lock is notable as one of the few remaining locks where the gates are opened manually. (updated Oct 2016)

Winter activities

With its rolling hills and many lakes and rivers, the Peterborough area is a good spot to do some traditional Canadian winter activities.

  • 🌍 Skating on the Canal, Ashburnham Dr, below the Lift Lock (across from Liftlock Golfland). In winter, the area below the Lift Lock is turned into an outdoor skating rink that can be nearly 400 m long. Family skating is closer to the Lift Lock; hockey is closer to the Maria St bridge. Operations are weather-dependent — a flag will indicate the current status (green means safe, red means unsafe). Free. (updated Oct 2016)

Learn

Trent University is a small university with faculties in Arts, Business, Education and Science and Technology. It is best known for its undergraduate studies in humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. The main campus occupies a beautiful spot spanning the Otonabee River in the far north end of the city (head out Water Street past the zoo and turn at Nassau Mills Road).

Fleming College is a College of Applied Arts and Technology. Its main campus is in the south-west corner of the city, off Brealey Drive.

Buy

Eat

Peterborough downtown presents a unique opportunity to try out various cuisines for various prices. Hunter Street, between George and Aylmer, especially now boasts a wide variety of places to eat. The downtown core has much more to offer in variety and authenticity than mall strips, like Lansdowne and Chemong.

  • 🌍 Carousel Restaurant & Tavern, 116 Lansdowne St E, ☏ +1 705 745-0060. M-W 7AM-10PM, Th-Sa 7AM-11PM, Su 8AM-10PM. Serves homestyle meals and is known for its buffet and Sunday brunch. $5-24. 
  • 🌍 Charlotte Anne's, 390 Queen St, ☏ +1 705 742-2944. M-Th 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-10PM, Sa 11AM-9PM, Su 11AM-4PM. Small restaurant in an old house, very busy at lunch. Good burgers and sandwiches, especially with the half Caesar half fries. Starters $5-14, mains $10-16. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 🌍 Dancing Blueberries, 13-360 George St N (NE corner of George & Charlotte), ☏ +1 705 536-2697. Tu-Th 11AM-7PM, F 11AM-10PM, Sa 10AM-10PM, Su 9:30AM-5PM. Café with a mix of omelettes, crepes, sandwiches, salads and waffles. The waffles are mostly sweet (heaps of fruit, ice cream, whipped cream and/or chocolate) while the crepes are mostly savoury. They also serve some decadent cupcakes. Service is sometimes inconsistent. $6-10. 
  • 🌍 Hot Belly Mamas, 378 George St N (next to The Olde Stone), ☏ +1 705 745-3544. M-W 11:30AM-10PM, Th 11:30AM-11PM, F Sa 11:30AM-midnight, Su noon-10PM. Cajun-style dining. Try the sweet potato frites. Starters $7-14, mains $14-25. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 🌍 St. Veronus Café and Tap Room (St. Veronus), 129 Hunter St W (SW corner of Hunter and Water), ☏ +1 705 743-5714. Belgian pub oozing with ambiance. Extensive selection of beers, with a focus on Belgian (and Belgian style) brews. Fantastic wood decor, good moules frites. A solid proposition for a Saturday night. (updated Oct 2016)

Drink

Peterborough's small size is not a reflection of its excellent choice of watering holes. A list:

  • 🌍 The Only Café, 216 Hunter St W (Hunter, east of Aylmer), ☏ +1 705 743-7591. M-Sa 9AM-2AM, Su 9AM-midnight. Bohemian, converted warehouse with a generous patio overlooking Jackson Creek. Fantastic during the summertime; Dortmunder Aktienbrauerei (DAB) and over twenty other beers on tap, and a pinball machine that's still just 25 cents a play. The Gordon Best theatre sits on top. Service can be slow, but the atmosphere is worth it. Brunch is served until 3PM, after that there is a small sandwich menu. Food $7-12. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 🌍 The Red Dog Tavern, 189 Hunter St W (Hunter, east of Aylmer), ☏ +1 705 750-1710. Noon-2AM. Down at heel blues joint that's actually two bars: the Red Dog and the Underdog. Good live acts. 
  • 🌍 The Olde Stone Brewing Company, 380 George St N, ☏ +1 705 745-0495. M-Th 11:30AM-midnight, F Sa 11:30AM-1AM, Su noon-midnight. Traditional pub atmosphere with good food. They brew their own beers (with several standard offerings and a seasonal) and have a large selection of beers on tap. Starters $7-16, mains $13-16; Drinks $4.50-10. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 🌍 Riley's Olde Time Pub, 251 George St N, ☏ +1 705 750-0375. 11AM-2AM. Great Irish pub - best burgers in town. Also make a great French onion soup. Twenty beers on tap, There's also a rooftop deck, fireplace lounge, billiards tables and big-screen TVs to catch the game. Starters $5-14, mains $9-30. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 🌍 The Sapphire Room, 137 Hunter St W, ☏ +1 705 749-0409. M 8PM-2AM, Tu-Sa 4PM-2AM. Bohemian, grungy martini room in the East Village vein. Not bad. Drinks $5-9. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 🌍 McThirsty's Pint, 166 Charlotte St (across from the Zoo bar on Charlotte), ☏ +1 705-749-2580. M-Tu noon-1AM, W-Sa noon-2AM, Su noon-midnight. A nice, traditional neighbourhood pub with an extensive beer selection on tap. Good atmosphere. Snacks and meals $5-10. (updated Oct 2016)

Sleep
  • 🌍 Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn, 84 Lansdowne St E, ☏ +1 705-742-3454, toll-free: +1-800-373-5843. Inn on the Otonabee River with an indoor pool and whirlpool; rooms include mini-fridges, TV and coffee makers. 
  • 🌍 Comfort Inn & Suites, 1209 Lansdowne St W, ☏ +1 705-740-7000, fax: +1 705 745-0506. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Indoor pool adjacent. All rooms include high-speed Internet. Eight suites have whirlpool tubs, the honeymoon suites have a fireplace and the executive suites come with a refrigerator and microwave. $135-185. 
  • 🌍 Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront, 150 George St N, ☏ +1 705-743-1144, fax: +1 705 740-6557. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Just south of downtown Peterborough on Little Lake, small fitness facility. Rooms include wi-fi, mini-fridge, TV and coffee maker. 
  • 🌍 Peterborough Inn & Suites, 312 George St N, ☏ +1 705-876-6665, toll-free: +1-866-446-4451, fax: +1 705-741-5033, . Downtown hotel with 32 rooms; each room includes wi-fi, continental breakfast, a fireplace and jacuzzi. $120-150. 
  • 🌍 Quality Inn, 1074 Lansdowne St W, ☏ +1 705-748-6801, fax: +1 705-748-6254. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. On-site business centre. Pet-friendly hotel. All rooms include TV, coffee maker, high-speed Internet. Some rooms have fridges and microwaves. Two suites include a fireplace and whirlpool tub. Rates start at $120. 

Stay safe

While most of Peterborough remains somewhat safe, the downtown core, with a lot of bars in close proximity, has become a little dodgy. Avoid walking Aylmer St and Stewart St after dark. There has been a marked increase in vandalism, generally to nearby shops, and sometimes to parked cars. Leave the downtown core before the bars close and drunken patrons fill the streets looking for taxis or mischief. The Galaxy Cinema is in the same general vicinity as these bars: be careful when leaving a late show.

Violent and property crime has risen in Peterborough, which has been struggling with a severe opioid crisis, and had the most overdose deaths in the province in 2019. Assaults have become more common in park areas (such as Jackson Park). Don't walk alone. Many locals consider walking downtown at night (especially alone) to be unsafe.

Nearby

Go next
  • Bobcaygeon — A cottage country town with a busy main street, popular among summer cottage country commuters and Trent-Severn boaters for shopping and snacking.
  • Buckhorn, Lakefield and Stoney Lake — Petroglyphs Provincial Park is known for impressive pre-Columbian Indigenous rock carvings.
  • Fenelon Falls — Built around waterfalls between Cameron and Sturgeon Lakes, Fenelon Falls is a popular destination for summer cottagers in the northern part of the Kawarthas.
  • Lindsay — The business and service hub for the Kawarthas, on the south end of Sturgeon Lake.
Routes through Peterborough
Markham ← Lindsay ←  W  E  → Tweed → Ottawa
Toronto via ← Clarington ←  SW  NE  → END
END ←  S  N  → Lakefield → Bancroft


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