Trent-Severn Trail Town Logo

A Trail Town Along the Trent-Severn Waterway

National Historic Site of Canada

Peterborough

Welcome to Peterborough

With urban amenities just steps away from green spaces, Peterborough has something for everyone. Discover a downtown packed with culinary delights, unique local shops, and lively arts venues. Feeling outdoorsy? Explore quiet forest trails in Jackson Park without leaving the city limits, or follow the Otonabee River on a stroll through Millennium Park’s gardens along the Trans-Canada Trail. Summer visitors may catch a show at Musicfest, Canada’s longest-running free summer concert series. The Canadian Canoe Museum, with over 600 historic watercraft, calls this city home, as does the engineering masterclass that is the Peterborough Lift Lock. Whether visiting for a cultural experience or heading outdoors, you’ll find something to love.

Discover Peterborough

Peterborough Community History

In a historical black and white photo, a photographer takes a picture of the Peterborough Lift Lock with a large camera
Before it became known as Peterborough, the area was called Nogojiwanong, Ojibwa for “place at the end of rapids.” Peterborough is the native territory of the Anishinaabeg. In 1821, European settler Adam Scott founded a sawmill and gristmill at the site, which became known as Scott’s Plains. By 1825 almost 2,000 Irish immigrants had settled there, and the area was renamed after the group’s director, Peter Robinson. The Peterborough region emerged as both a timber producer and a national hub for canoe-building. The canalization of the Otonabee River as part of the Trent Canal system provided a direct link with Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay utilizing the world’s highest hydraulic lift lock (1904). Peterborough earned the name “The Electric City” when it became the first town in Canada to use electric streetlights. It is also the home of Sir Sandford Fleming College and Trent University.

Festivals and Events around Peterborough to watch for...

Peterborough Musicfest (Wednesdays and Saturdays, June-August)

Enjoy Canada’s longest running free concert series in beautiful Del Crary Park.

Doors Open Ontario (September)

Explore the cultural heritage of Peterborough with free access to some of the city’s most significant buildings.

Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market (Wednesdays & Saturdays, May-October)

Find high-quality goods from local producers at this charming market located downtown in Quaker Foods Park.

Peterborough Farmers’ Market (Saturdays, May-October)

One of province’s oldest farmers’ markets still serves up farm-fresh produce every Saturday in the Morrow Building parking lot.

Lang Pioneer Village Special Events

This fascinating living museum delivers a range of seasonal special events, from agricultural showcases to holiday celebrations.

Peterborough Folk Fest

The climax to the summer for many Peterborough locals. Catch a weekend of free music by the Otonabee River in Nichols Oval Park.

For more information visit

www.thekawarthas.ca

Paddlers head down the Trent-Severn Waterway
A band onstage at a festival, seen from behind
Two museum volunteers performa a historical reenactment based around textiles

Trail Town Friendly Business Directory

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Phone
(705) 743-0068
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Address
165 Sherbrooke St
Peterborough, ON
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Phone
(705)750-0007
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Address
427 George St N
Peterborough, ON
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Phone
(705) 745-3029
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Address
Boater's World
190 George Street N
Peterborough, ON
K9J3G5
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Website
Phone
(705)874-1886
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Address
154 Charlotte St.
Peterborough, ON
K9J2T8
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Phone
(705) 748-2291
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Address
296 George Street North
P.O. Box 1448
Peterborough, ON
K9J 7H6
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Phone
705-775-5050
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Address
384 Water St
Peterborough, ON
K9H 3L6
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Phone
(705) 876-0255
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Address
339 George St N
Peterborough, ON
K9H 3P9
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Address
Two locations:

386 George St N, Peterborough
Lansdowne Place Mall, Peterborough
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Address
183 Charlotte St.
Peterborough, ON
K9J 2T7
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Phone
(705) 741-0016
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Address
383 George St. North
Peterborough, ON
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Phone
705-775-4545
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Address
237 George St N
Peterborough, ON
K9J 3G7
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Phone
(705) 745-3238
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Address
378 Aylmer Street North, Suite 4
Peterborough, ON
K9H 3V8
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Phone
(705) 775-3666
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Address
390 George St N
Peterborough, ON
K9H 3R3
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Phone
705-743-2631
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Address
247 Charlotte Street
Peterborough, ON
K8L 7J3
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Phone
(705) 748-5212
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Address
321 George St. N
Peterborough, On
K9H 3P9
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Address
377 Queen St
Peterborough, ON
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Phone
705-930-3557
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Address
1 King St
Peterborough, ON
K9J 3C6
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Address
181 Charlotte Street
Peterborough, ON
K9J 2T7
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Phone
705-874-3100
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Address
351A George Street N
Peterborough, ON
K9H3P9
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Phone
705-748-4774
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Address
313 Water Street, Peterborough
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Phone
705-876-6665
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Address
312 George St N
Peterborough, ON
K9J3H2
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Address
219 Hunter St W
Peterborough, ON
K9H 2L1
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Phone
(705) 741-1812
Address
131 Hunter St W
Peterborough, ON
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Phone
(705) 741-4326
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Address
384 George St N
Peterborough, ON
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Phone
705-749-0535
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Address
1 King St, Peterborough
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Phone
(705) 745-7979
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Address
379 George St N
Peterborough, ON
K9H 3R2
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Phone
(705) 775-1454
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Address
378 Water St
Peterborough ON
K9H 3L6
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Phone
(705) 768-6611
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Address
394 George St N
Peterborough, ON
K9H 3R3
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Phone
(705) 742-7529
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Address
261 George St N
Peterborough, ON
K9J 3G9
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Phone
705-775-7467
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Address
374 Water St
Peterborough, ON
K9H3L6
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Phone
(705) 749-9589
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Address
362 George St N
Peterborough ON
K9H 3R3
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Phone
705-874-5569
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Address
383 Water St.
Peterborough, Ontario
K9H 3L7
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Phone
705-745-9133
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Address
169 Charlotte Street
Peterborough, ON
K9J 2T7

Explore. Experience. Enjoy.

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