LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Local Attractions
Go Local
A short drive to many major tourist attractions!
Throughout the year a variety of local events take place. To see more details on events please click on our events calendar. The Village Inn is located within a short drive to many major tourist attractions. The Kawarthas also has a wealth of antique shops, tearooms, pottery & art shops and art galleries for you to explore. If shopping is your thing, we have a full day and half day printed shopping excursion hand out at the front desk for your convenience.
Click the links below for more information
Lots to See and Do
Cruises
Lakefield Beverage Store
Beer Store – 102 Queen Street
Liquor Store (LCBO) – Nicholls Street
Shopping Within Walking Distance of
The Village
Lakefield offers an interesting combination of boutique shops and services right from the steps of the Village Inn. Spa services, fashion, fine dining, gourmet chocolate, cheese and cakes, are all available within a short walk from the Inn. Please visit our local Chamber of Commerce or our well stocked Brochure Rack for a list of what services are available only steps away.
Tragically Hip
Cheesy Fromage Charcuterie
Enticing Cakes
Lakefield Flowers and Gifts
Trinkets and Treasures
The Nutty Bean cafe
The Cozy Home
Cassis Bistro
Canoe and Paddle Pub
The Classy Closet
Rotter Art Gallery
The Chocolate Rabbit
Cottage Toys
Sunblockers
Stuff
Stuff’d Cafe
The Art Shoppe
Sunfish
Salon Sorella
Sunshrine Day Spa
The Stoney Lake Furniture Company
The Refillery
Lakefield Pantry
The Ida Pharmacy
Local artisans Shop (The English Potter)
Lakefield Station Bookshop
Happenstance Books and Yarn
Home Hardware
Inn Cuisine
Shakers Diner
Flanagan’s Butcher Shop
Little Market
Tompkins Jewelers
Lakefield
Things to Do
Petroglyphs Provincial Park
55 km northeast of Peterborough off Northey’s Bay Road (11 km from Hwy. 28) This 1,643 ha size park comprises the largest concentration of aboriginal rock carvings in North America. Chiseled into white marble rock face 1,200 years ago, the 900 Petroglyphs depict turtles, snakes, birds and humans. There are hiking trails trough the surrounding forests, wetlands and rocky ridges.
For more Information call: 705-877-2552
Web: www.ontarioparks.com
Warsaw Caves
On the south side, of Caves Road, off County Road 4, just north of Warsaw. Well-known for its limestone caves, this popular conservation area has a 13-kilometre trail system and family campground. A great bird-watching area. Great place for hiking, spelunking (caving), canoeing, fishing and swimming. The sand beach and shallow Indian River provide a safe swimming area for children.
For more information call: (705) 745-5791
Web: www.warsawcaves.com
Trent-Severn Waterway
Whether you are in a houseboat, outboard or canoe, your are in for some magnificent cruising on the shimmering waters of the Trent-Severn Waterway. It stretches 386 km (240 mi.) from Trenton on eastern Lake Ontario to Port Severn on Georgian Bay. The Trent-Severn winds through a myriad of islands and lakes. You will pass numerous communities, forests and fields on your way.
For more information call: (705) 742-2251
Web: www.trentsevern.com
Jackson Park in the City of Peterborough
The Jackson Creek Kiwanis Trail is a four kilometre walking/cycling trail, situated on an abandoned C.N. Rail bed that extends from Jackson Park in the City of Peterborough to Ackison Road in Smith Township. The trail is excellent for walking, jogging, and cycling in the summer months, cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing in the winter, and nature viewing all year long.
For more information call: (705) 745-5791
Greenwing trail: Walk, run or ride this paved rail trail to Peterborough and back
Trent Canal Cruises
Based in Peterborough, The Liflock Cruises have always been a favourite for guests of the Village Inn, from relaxing 2 hour excursions to full dinner cruises, explore the historic Trent Severn and Peterborough at the same time, on the water.
www.liftlockcruises.com
Further cruise options close to the Village Inn.
Kawartha Voyageur: www.ontariowaterwaycruises.com
Kawartha Lakes Boat Cruises: www.explorekawarthalakes.com
Ontario Speed Skating Oval
Located in the village of Lakefield and one of only three long-track facilities in Canada, the Oval is destined to become an important, world-class centre for the sport of speed skating, its athletes and so much more. Ongoing events in winter. Outdoor natural surface ice only to date. Skate rentals available at a nominal fee.
Driving time: 5 minutes
www.ontariospeedskatingoval.com
Garden Tours
Peterborough and Lakefield Garden Route Gardening is the most popular recreation in the world, The Village Inn knows this, which is why we suggest you explore our Garden Route of The Kawarthas. While strolling through beautiful gardens and shops, gathering expertise and great suggestions, you will be exploring the Kawarthas at the same time.
Garden Route brochure: www.gardenroute.ca
Historical Walking Tours
Come and join the Trent Valley Archives team for a historical look at the different sides of Peterborough, and it’s history. Historical walks that will illustrate the glory days and the not so glorious days of colourful Peterborough Ontario. Ghost walks, music history, pub crawls … and all of the above. Drop by Trent Valley Archives and plan on stepping back in time.
Walking Tours brochure: www.lakefieldtrail.ca
Christ Church Community Museum
Lakefield’s history, like many Ontario communities can be found in its churches. Christ Church Museum is no exception, definitely put it on your list, to take a tour when you are at The Village Inn. It’s right across the street.
Lakefield College School
Lakefield College School is a private co-ed boarding school located north of the village of Lakefield, Ontario. It was the first Canadian member of Round Square, an international affiliation of schools. Many parents from around the world stay at The Village Inn while visiting their children attending LCS. Lakefield college School is also known locally as “The Grove”.
For more information call: 705-652-3324
Web: www.lcs.on.ca
Lakefield Marina
The new Lakefield Marina is just short walk to restaurants, shops and The Village Inn.
First Nations History
Canada’s First Peoples have and still play an integral role in the fabric of the Kawarthas (a First Nations term for Shining Waters). Visualize this influence personally by enjoying an afternoon at Peteroglyphs Provincial Park. Easy walking/hiking in a pristine forest until you arrive at the 600-1000 year old native petroglyphs.
Kawartha Country Wines
Kawartha Country Wines, located in the heart of the Kawarthas, is dedicated to vinting a wide variety of fruits into elegant wines. The square beam log cabin which houses the winery and gift shop was constructed in 1866 by one of the original pioneer families.
Lang Pioneer Village Museum
Step back in time and experience personally what life was like for early European settlers in the Kawartha Lakes Disctrict. Lang Pioneer Village offers a wide range of sights and sounds that will give the visitor unique insight into our past. Visit Lang’s website, for seasonal events and programs. About 20 minutes or so from the Inn.
Peterborough Centennial Museum and Archives
300 Hunter St. East The museum presents the heritage and culture of Peterborough and area. The collection consists of over 22,000 artifacts – including an impressive collection of 19th and 20th century textiles, costumes, coverlets and quilts. The Museum has an extensive collection of furniture, military artifacts, recreational artifacts, ceramics and appliances.
For more information call: (705) 743-5180
Web: www.peterboroughmuseumandarchives.ca
Art Gallery of Peterborough
On the shore of Little Lake beside Del Crary Park Started in 1974, The Art Gallery of Peterborough presently numbers 1,004 pieces mostly of living Canadian artists. There is an emphasis on works on paper – drawings and prints. There was also given particular attention to the work of artists who live in the Peterborough region or who have had a connection with it.
For more information call: (705) 743-9179
Web: www.agp.on.ca
Canadian Canoe Museum
910 Monaghan Rd. Canoes represent thousands of years of Canadian history, which comes alive in this museum. Learn about Aboriginal, French and British cultures and how the canoe played an important role in the development of Canada.
For more information call: (705) 748-9153
Web: www.canoemuseum.ca
Whetung Ojibwa Centre
Curve Lake Indian Reserve
About 34 km north of Peterborough. Take Water Street North to Buckhorn Road to Curve Lake Road. This 400-hectare Curve Lake Indian Reserve is home to about 900 Ojibway people. Within the reserve that has been established in 1825 you will find the Whetung Ojibway Arts & Crafts Gallery. The main building houses a gift shop and art gallery where visitors find a display of authentic arts and crafts from across Canada, acknowledged as some of the finest in North America. Lunch is available. Don’t miss to sample some of the traditional Native Indian food.
For more information call: 705-657-3661
Web: www.whetung.com
Biking and Hiking Trails Abound
Link to online source/maps also maps available at Front Desk of The Village Inn. Complimentary secure bike storage on site at The Village Inn.
Kawartha history
More than a century ago, First Nations people named the region surrounding modern-day Peterborough “Kawartha” — a Mississauga word meaning “bright waters and happy lands”. It still remains a fitting description of the area today as visitors will see why Outdoor Canada Magazine recently named Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes one of Canada’s Top 10 places to live and fish.
Year round, visitors seeking a variety of unique experiences will discover that Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes offer a multitude of exciting and diverse opportunities. The Trent-Severn Waterway passes through the large hydraulic-lift lock, a major landmark in Peterborough. Learn all about how the locks work in the visitor center
In Peterborough visitors will find first-rate accommodations, restaurants for all tastes, conference facilities, unique places to shop, live music, theatre, heritage –such as the National Canadian Canoe Museum, — cultural events and a wide range of sporting and recreational opportunities. A premier event is the Peterborough Musicfest awarded Attractions Canada No. 1 Provincial Cultural Event in 2001. The festival is a series of free concerts presented every Wednesday and Saturday evenings in July and August in downtown Peterborough on the shores of Little Lake. Take the water taxi at the bottom of King Street, or rent a kayak or canoe to discover the area from the water — from downtown, go to the beach, the marina, the waterway locks, the parks, or the Festival of Lights. Or rent a bicycle and take a close-up relaxed tour of the area on cycle trails, including the Trans-Canada Trail.
Discovering the area’s many picturesque communities and lakes is an adventure with a wide variety of possibilities. Agricultural fairs and exhibitions, antique shops, artist studio tours, native galleries, rural experiences, hiking and cycling trails, wilderness wonders for canoe, kayak, and camping, boating the Trent Severn Waterway, fishing for pickerel, bass and carp for example, visiting parks such as Warsaw Caves, Serpent Mounds and Petroglyphs, skiing and snowmobiling — these are a few examples for the touring motorist or outdoors lover.
Peterborough in Figures
The Greater Peterborough Area has a population of about 130,000 people. About 74,000 people live in the City of Peterborough.
Peterborough’s most prevalent ethnic origins are English, Canadian, Irish, Scottish, German, Dutch, Italian, Polish, Aboriginal and Ukrainian.