Between the sparkling water and gorgeous views, it’s hard to imagine getting bored of the great outdoors in Kawartha Lakes. That said, there are times when even the most devoted nature lover wants to shake things up a bit. That’s when it’s time to put down the fishing rod, change out of your bathing suit, and see what else this incredible area has to offer.
Here are eight fun things to do in the Kawarthas this summer…
1) Shopping in Bobcaygeon
If you have a free Saturday, consider heading to Bobcaygeon to do some shopping. One of the most popular local retail destinations is Bigley Shoes and Clothing, where you’ll find fashionable women’s, men’s, and children’s apparel, along with kitchen decor, toys, and more. Currently, there are over 40,000 pairs of shoes (including plenty of sandals) and 25,000 swimsuits in stock.
2) Sample some butter tarts
The Kawarthas Northumberland Butter Tart Tour makes dozens of stops, providing plenty of flaky, gooey, sweet perfection along the way. From bakeries and cafes to fine-dining restaurants and resorts, there’s no shortage of local hotspots serving up these fundamentally Canadian treats. Pro tip: the Kawartha Buttertart Factory is the one stop that no aficionado wants to miss.
3) Go berry picking
There’s something about raspberries. They just taste like summer. While you can always grab some at the supermarket, picking them straight from the plant provides a feeling of connection with the food you’re eating. Not only that, it’s fun! If you’re looking for something to do on a summer day, grab your little ones and head to McLean Berry Farm. This local staple focuses on quality, freshness, and friendly customer services—and delivers all three!
4) Visit Kawartha Dairy
For more than 80 years, Kawartha Dairy has been churning out high-quality (and delicious) ice cream in Bobcaygeon. Today, there are also locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, and Bancroft. If you bring the kids to the location nearest you, we can pretty much guarantee you’ll be thought of as the coolest parent in the world. Devotees are particularly fond of the Moose Tracks flavour. Vanilla ice cream with peanut butter cups and fudge? Yes, please!
5) Check out the farmers’ markets
Summer is the perfect time for fresh produce. Whether you’re grilling asparagus, roasting squash, or assembling a fresh fruit salad, there’s no better place to grab the ingredients than a local farmers’ market. The one in Peterborough is well worth checking out. It operates every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. In the summer (and spring and fall), you can find this local attraction in the Memorial Centre Parking Lot. In winter, it moves into the Morrow Building.
6) Exploring the lift locks
Locks are truly fascinating, and you’ll find plenty of them on the Trent Severn Waterway. Put simply, these contraptions are designed to allow boats to travel uphill and downhill. Let’s say you’re navigating a canal and you want to move up in elevation. You approach a lift lock, and a gate opens to let you in. There’s a second gate, which remains closed. You sit in between, in a chamber. Through engineering genius, the water level rises, allowing you to travel at a higher elevation when the second gate opens.
To truly appreciate these structures, you have to see them in person. The Kawartha Region is the site of lock stations 19 through 36, so there’s no shortage of places to do that if you’re curious!
7) Go golfing
Are you the type who likes to hit the links? If so, you’ll feel right at home in the Kawarthas. There are some top-notch courses here in the area. They include Six Foot Bay Resort (which is ideal for golfers of all skill levels), Quarry Bay (an award-winning course featuring a scenic par 72 championship design), and Bellemere Winds (on Rice Lake).
8) Visit a chip truck
Whether you’re a regular visitor to cottage country or you call the area home, you’re probably very familiar with the sight of a chip truck. They provide a quick and convenient solution when you’re feeling hungry. And let’s be honest, it doesn’t get better than a mountain of perfectly golden, lightly crispy fries. If you’re making a bucket list for the summer, make sure you add at least one chip-truck visit!
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