Vacation rentals in Peterborough County

Less than two hours’ drive from Toronto, Ontario, Peterborough County is home to several lakes, towns, and Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park, as well as the city of Peterborough. With its mix of urban and natural areas, the county offers a wide range of outdoor activities as well as a thriving arts and culture scene. In the warmer months, Peterborough County is a hotspot for cyclists, and there are all kinds of paths and trails to explore. Cycle around Little Lake in Millennium Park, or venture a little further afield for the Trans Canada Trail.

Take a wander through downtown Peterborough to experience some of its galleries and museums, including the Art Gallery of Peterborough, and enjoy an incredible view of the city from the Peterborough Museum and Archives. This city’s Trent Canal is also home to a hydraulic lift lock, or boat lift, that was built in 1904 and was once the tallest of its type in the world. The Peterborough Farmers’ Market is held all year round and offers more than 100 stalls with a wide selection of local Ontario produce, baked goods, flowers, clothing, and preserves.

There are distinct seasons in Peterborough County, each of which brings a different reason to visit. Summer is typically the busiest season, especially over the holidays, when families come to take advantage of the parks, lakes, and picnic spaces. Little Lake in the centre of Peterborough is a great spot for fishing, swimming, and boating. Fall brings beautiful copper-coloured landscapes, sunny skies, and milder weather, as well as lower humidity. Rainfall is typically at its highest in spring, though this can be an ideal time for exploring the area’s many museums, galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Winter brings cold, snowy weather: just 40 minutes north of Peterborough you’ll find a Nordic ski area that offers a huge variety of cross-country skiing trails for all levels, as well as snowshoeing and spectacular views.

Millennium Park

Created to celebrate the year 2000, Millennium Park is a beautiful and vast park set on Little Lake in downtown Peterborough, where you can rent boats, canoes, kayaks, and bikes. There are lots of wide open picnic spaces, as well as a cycle path around the lake, and sculptures and memorials representing significant moments in the history of Peterborough County.

Art Gallery of Peterborough

You won’t find yourself short of cultural or artistic inspiration in Peterborough, with several galleries, theatres, exhibits, and shows. Check out the Market Hall, Showplace, and the Venue, as well as the Art Gallery of Peterborough, a not-for-profit contemporary gallery that exhibits work by artists from the region as well as from around Canada.

Canadian Canoe Museum

With more than 600 canoes, kayaks, and other watercraft on display dating back decades, this museum showcases the culture, heritage, and spirit of paddled vessels in Canada’s history. Artefacts vary from dugouts to bark canoes, and all-wood and canvas-covered craft. Explore interactive displays, hands-on galleries, a puppet theatre for kids, and fun workshops.