Here are the most popular “must-see” attractions in the Oshawa-Durham & Kawartha area (in alphabetical order):
Beasdell Boulder
(Trenton)
292 Glenn Miller Rd
From Highway 401, Exit 525 at Hwy 33 (Trenton) and drive north for 2.5 km. Watch for sign
The boulder is believed to be the largest glacial erratic in Ontario. It is 44 feet long, 24 feet wide, and 19 – 22 feet high and weighs and estimated 2 million pounds (1000 tonnes). This metamorphic rock originated from northeastern Ontario about 20,000 years ago. The earliest known study of the boulder was made in 1862 by Reverend William Bleasdell, first rector of St. George’s Anglican Church in Trenton. The rock has been variously called, the “Bleasdell Boulder,” “The Big Boulder,” or “Glen Miller Rock”. This Boulder is located in Glen Miller just north of the 401 on Highway 33. A well-groomed (wheelchair accessible) hiking trail 50 metres west of the Glen Miller Bridge, takes you on a 15 minute hike to the boulder. Accessible year round. Donations accepted at the site.
Canadian Automotive Museum
(Oshawa)
99 Simcoe Street South
Oshawa, ON L1H 4G7
905-576-1222 Fax: 905-576-1223
Housed in a 1920’s car dealership, this museum has been open since 1961 to showcase the development of the automobile. There are 65 vehicles from 1898 to 1981 and other historical items relating to the periods of the cars.
Canadian Canoe Museum
(Peterborough)
910 Monaghan Road
Peterborough, Ontario K9J 5K4
(705) 748-9153 Fax: (705) 748-0616 1-866-34-CANOE (22663)
This unique national heritage centre is housed in the former Outboard Marine Company, built in 1913, and explores the canoe’s enduring significance to the peoples of Canada. Exhibits include Inuit kayaks, birch bark and wooden canoes, West Coast cedar dugouts, as well as paddled craft from around the world. Self-guided, with guided group tours available. Open: Monday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm; Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm . Admission $. Allow 90 minutes.
Lake on the Mountain
(Quinte)
on County Road 7 off Highway 33 near Glenora
from Highway 401, take Highway 49 south to Picton
This lake, with no visible water source, is nearly 62 metres (200 feet) above Lake Ontario, only a short distance away. Take in the outstanding view high above the Bay of Quinte as you enjoy a quiet picnic overlooking the lake and surrounding countryside
Loyalist Parkway
(Trenton-Quinte-Belleville)
Loyalist Parkway Association can be reached at:
289 Main Street, Bloomfield, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1G0
(613) 393-3215
Opened in 1984 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Parkway runs along Highway # 33 between Kingston and Trenton to promote the preservation and enhancement of the nationally significant Heritage of the area. The parkway commemorates those American colonists loyal to the Crown who fled their homes after the American Revolution, as well as soldiers who fought in the War, and were given land grants on the north shore of Lake Ontario.
Mariners’ Park Museum
(Quinte)
at Mariners’ Lighthouse Park overlooking South Bay
613-476-8392
is at the junction of County Roads 10 and 13 in the County of Prince Edward (half way between Milford and Black River)
A significant marine museum in the Province of Ontario. Its mandate is the preservation and interpretation of the significant maritime history of Prince Edward County to help visitors rediscover their rich maritime heritage of early commerce. See False Duck Lighthouse, built in 1828 and is the second lighthouse ever to be built on the Great Lakes. Open 9 am to 5 pm. Daily from Canada Day to Labour Day, weekends from Victoria Day to Canada Day and weekends Labour Day to Thanksgiving
National Air Force Museum of Canada (formerly RCAF Memorial Museum)
(Trenton)
220 RCAF Road, Trenton, ON
Exit 526 south from 401 and follow signs or take Hwy 2 to RCAF Rd. at CFB Trenton.
Mailing: PO Box 1000, Stn Forces, Astra ON, K0K 3W0
Front Desk: 613-965-RCAF (7223) Fax: 613-965-7352
Base Info: (613)392-2811 1-866-701-RCAF (7223)
At Canada’s largest military transport base, for the 8th Wing, visit RCAF memorial museum to learn more about Canada’s military history through World War I and II. Watch the Halifax Bomber being restored after years under water, off the coast of Norway.
The base’s Memorial Gates were built in Great Britain, and presented by Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand as a recognition of Trenton’s Base being used as a WWII Commonwealth Air Training Base. Catch the Quinte International Air Show. Open daily May 1 – Sept 30 from 10 am-5 pm; and Oct 1 – Apr 30 Wed – Sun 10am – 5pm. Free Admission, donations welcomed.
Parkwood, The R.S. McLaughlin Estate, Museum & Heritage Garden
(Pickering)
270 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, ON L1G 4T5
Voice: (905) 433-4311 Fax: (905) 721-4765
Parkwood was the family home of Sam McLaughlin, founder of GM of Canada. One of Canada’s finest and last remaining grand estates, featuring architectural, landscape and interior designs of the 1920’s and 1930’s. Once home to auto baron R. Samuel McLaughlin and his family, mow a National Historic site. Open year round.
Peterborough Lift Lock
Hunter Street East, Peterborough
Mailting: P.O. Box 567
Peterborough, Ontario K9J 6Z6
(705) 750-4950 1-888-773-8888 Fax: (705) 742 9644
Opened in 1904, this is the highest (20 metres) hydraulic lift lock in the world and the first of two built in North America, both on the Trent-Severn Waterway. It operates on a balance principle, with two side-by side locks, and when water is added to the upper chamber and it gains weight, hydraulic pressure lifts the other (lower) lock. There are plenty of services within a 10-minute walk to the East City area of Peterborough. The Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Centre is located next to the lock, and has public washrooms, as well as exhibits and films. The Visitor Centre is open daily during the navigation season.
Peterborough Petroglyphs Provincial Park
General Delivery
Woodview, Ontario K0L 3E0
(705) 877-2552
Situated on an outcrop of white marble on the Canadian Shield, deep within a forest northeast of Peterborough, the Peterborough Petroglyph site is one of the largest know concentrations of prehistoric rock carvings in Canada. 900 images of realistic animal and human forms, as wells as abstract and symbolic representations show the spiritual and intellectual life of the Algonquin Indians who carved them between 900 – 1400 AD. Hiking trails meander through surrounding forests, wetlands and rocky ridges. This site is a sacred place and a monument to the artistic ability and sensitivity. Explore The Learning Place interpretive centre. The petroglyph site is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm This day use park is open 10 am- 5 pm daily from the Second Friday in May to Thanksgiving
Pickering Museum Village
(Pickering)
The Esplanade
Pickering ON L1V 6K7
905-683-8401
This 19th century historical community with costumed re-enactors demonstrating pioneer crafts in the Village of Greenwood over the summer months. Special events include Walking Through Thyme, Antique and Classic Car Show, and Pastimes of Past Times held throughout the year. Open from June to September (and special events days) Wednesday to Sunday 11 am to 5 pm
Sandbanks Provincial Park
(Quinte)
R.R.#1
Picton, Ontario K0K 2T0
613-393-3319
Giant sand dunes and golden beaches form two of the largest freshwater baymouth sandbars in the world here, on the shores of Lake Ontario. Efforts to stabilize shifting sands disturbed by farming have revived distinctive dune plants such as bluets, butterfly weed and sand spurge. Trails feature dune stairs to protect this delicate vegetation. Sandbanks features 549 campsites in five campgrounds. There are 140 campsites with electrical service, and each campsite has a picnic table and fireplace grill. Drinking water taps are close to all sites.
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
(Trenton – Peterborough-Lindsay)
Office: 2155 Ashburnham Drive
Peterborough, Ontario K9J 6Z6
705-750-4900 888-773-8888
This canal is 385 kilometres (240 miles) and connects Lake Ontario at Trenton with Georgian Bay / Lake Huron at Port Severn. From Lake Ontario (75 m) the canal climbs 181 m (600 feet) through 36 locks to its highest point on Balsam Lake at Kirkfield (248 m / 814 ft), before dropping 79 m (260 feet) through another 10 locks to Lake Huron (176 m). The waterway and connecting lakes have over 1609 km (1000 miles) of shoreline and contain 160 islands, and is traversed by 18,000 pleasure boats each summer season.
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