Local Attractions

The Collingwood Museum explores the rich history of Collingwood, with exhibits spotlighting the town’s marine heritage, shipbuilding legacy, rail transportation, local business and industry, and community stories from the 19th and 20th centuries. Displays include artifacts, archival materials, educational programs, and special exhibitions that connect visitors with Collingwood’s cultural identity.

The Coldwater Canadiana Heritage Museum is a “living” community museum focused on preserving and interpreting local history from roughly 1830 to 1950. At the heart of the museum is the original 1840s Woodrow Homestead, along with heritage buildings such as a blacksmith shop, print shop, carriage house, barn, and more, showcasing rural life and pioneer artifacts in a park‑like setting.

The Trent‑Severn Waterway National Historic Site is a historic 386 km network of canals, rivers, lakes, locks, dams and engineering marvels operated by Parks Canada that links Lake Ontario with Georgian Bay. Visitors can explore the waterway by boat, paddle, or car and visit many lockstations and scenic communities along the route while experiencing nearly a century of Canadian engineering and waterfront heritage.

The Horseless Carriage Museum is a unique, privately owned museum showcasing early transportation and mechanical antiquities, including some of the oldest running vehicles in Canada—such as an 1899 Stanley Steam Car and an 1895 steam traction engine. It also features bicycles, mechanical music machines, and a recreated 1890s general store with local products and handcrafted gifts.

Kawartha Settlers’ Village is a living history museum on a former family farm featuring more than 20 restored heritage buildings and artifacts that immerse visitors in pioneer life in the Kawarthas from the early 1800s to the 1930s, with a peaceful Discovery Trail and community‑focused programming offered by the Kawartha Region Arts & Heritage Society.

St. Edmunds Bruce Peninsula Museum is a local heritage museum housed in a restored 1898 one‑room schoolhouse that showcases the pioneer and maritime history of the Tobermory and St. Edmunds area, with exhibits on settler life, shipwreck artifacts, early tools and domestic objects, and a furnished 1875 log cabin on the grounds that illustrates 19th‑century frontier living.

The Meaford Museum showcases the local history of the Municipality of Meaford through engaging exhibits of artifacts, photographs, and stories that explore community heritage including the apple industry, maritime traditions, local figures like John Muir and Beautiful Joe, and other cultural themes within a historic 1895 pump house on the waterfront.

Union Gallery is a not‑for‑profit, student‑centred contemporary art gallery presenting rotating exhibitions of student, local, regional, and national artists, and is committed to fostering creative curiosity, community engagement, and critical dialogue in visual art; admission is free to all visitors.

The Scout Museum Kingston preserves and interprets the history of Scouting in the Kingston area through a collection of uniforms, badges, photographs, and records, offering visitors insight into how Scouts have shaped youth leadership and community involvement over more than 100 years.

The Royal Military College of Canada Museum preserves and interprets the military heritage and history of Canada’s oldest military college and the strategic Point Frederick site, with a collection of over 7,000 artifacts including arms, uniforms, flags, and memorabilia that reflect the experiences of cadets and the evolution of the College since 1876.

The Original Hockey Hall of Fame is a museum dedicated to the early history of ice hockey and Kingston’s pivotal contributions to the sport, featuring rare artifacts from the 19th century to modern times and highlighting the city’s early advocates for a national hockey hall of fame after its founding in 1943.

The Canadian Museum of Health Care preserves and interprets Canada’s medical and health care history through engaging exhibits of more than 35,000 artifacts that explore the evolution of nursing, surgery, public health, and patient experiences from the 18th century to today, and includes interactive galleries and guided tours suitable for all ages.

The Miller Museum of Geology showcases extensive collections of rocks, minerals, fossils, and interactive displays including dinosaur exhibits and an augmented reality sandbox, offering visitors insight into Earth’s geological history and the ancient environments of the Kingston region.

The Military Communications & Electronics Museum features more than 20,000 square feet of exhibits tracing the development of Canadian military communications from early signal corps beginnings through both World Wars to modern technologies, with artifacts, vehicles, hands‑on displays, and immersive galleries that celebrate the people, times, and technology of the communications branches.

Fort Henry National Historic Site is one of Kingston’s most iconic heritage attractions and a major landmark in Canadian military history. Set high on Point Henry with sweeping views over the water, the fort offers visitors a memorable look at 19th-century defence, architecture, and life in a British military garrison. Originally built to protect Kingston’s naval dockyard and the entrance to the Rideau Canal, Fort Henry is part of the Kingston Fortifications and the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, it operates as a living history museum where guests can explore stone walls, barracks, parade grounds, defensive works, exhibits, and interpretive displays. One of the highlights of a visit is the Fort Henry Guard, a uniformed interpretive group that brings the site to life through military drills, music, demonstrations, marching, and special ceremonies. These performances help visitors imagine what daily life and military discipline were like for soldiers stationed at the fort. Fort Henry is especially appealing for families, history lovers, students, photographers, and travellers exploring Kingston. The site combines education and entertainment in a setting that feels both dramatic and scenic. Visitors can take guided tours, watch demonstrations, enjoy seasonal programming, and take in some of the best views in the city. Overall, Fort Henry National Historic Site offers a powerful connection to Canada’s past. Whether someone is interested in military history, architecture, UNESCO heritage, or simply enjoying a historic outing with beautiful waterfront views, Fort Henry provides a rich and memorable Kingston experience.

Canada’s Penitentiary Museum is an award-winning museum dedicated to the history of Canada’s federal penitentiary system. It is housed in “Cedarhedge,” the former warden’s residence of Kingston Penitentiary, built in the 1870s by inmate labour. Exhibits include artifacts such as inmate-made tools, punishment equipment, and documents illustrating the evolution of corrections in Canada.

Bellevue House National Historic Site is a preserved 19th-century villa that was briefly home to Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister, in 1848–1849. The site features exhibits and guided experiences exploring life in 1840s Kingston and Macdonald’s legacy, including multiple historical perspectives. The house is an early example of Italian-villa architecture in Canada and is operated by Parks Canada

The Sault Ste. Marie Museum is a local history hub housed in a grand heritage building that originally served as the city's main post office. Across three floors, it showcases the region’s heritage through diverse exhibits ranging from Indigenous history and the fur trade to military achievements and the Sports Hall of Fame.

The Ermatinger•Clergue National Historic Site is a museum complex featuring two of the oldest surviving stone buildings in Northern Ontario: the Ermatinger Old Stone House (built between 1814–1823) and the Clergue Blockhouse. The site includes the Heritage Discovery Centre, historic gardens, exhibits, and costumed interpreters that demonstrate daily life during the fur trade era and the early industrial development of Sault Ste. Marie.

The Agawa Canyon Tour Train is a famous 114-mile scenic rail excursion that travels from Sault Ste. Marie into the wilderness of the Canadian Shield, passing lakes, rivers, forests, and high trestles before descending into Agawa Canyon. The trip includes about 1.5 hours in Agawa Canyon Park, where visitors can explore trails, waterfalls such as Bridal Veil Falls, and scenic lookouts before returning by train.

The trailhead is located at the first fork on Dubois Road right off of Highway 71. This trail loops around a cedar bog in the boreal forest. The trail is seldom visited and is in need of a little maintenance. There are sections of mud, puddles, rocks and roots on the trail. Boardwalks and logs are there to help keep your feet dry. The trail itself is in a very good forest with nice pines.

Welcome to one of the best kept secrets of Algoma. This is a busy trail during summer, but between spring and fall, it is known to be one of the more nature-based experiences when few people are here. This loop follows a beautiful trail with outstanding views, and at Foam Lake you can camp as long as you get a backcountry permit. Hikers love to camp overnight and then to summit the next morning. This adventure is definitely hard. For the effort, the views are spectacular like other trails in the park. This loop is different from the other trail in the park, as it takes the extension to Foam Lake, where the best view is found.

Access the trail from the Park welcome center by South Otter Lake. Plenty of parking and a picnic area are located near the trailhead. The route parallels Big Salmon Lake road and passes Arab Lake. The top of the route is reached on the shore of Big Salmon Lake, with great trail options to further explore the area.

Travel along a path of history on the Omemee Rail Trail. You’ll be following the exact route where trains used to haul grain and lumber back in the day. This old railway line has been turned into a beautiful trail that connects communities just like it did in the past. As you wander, you can almost imagine the sound of the train whistle. It's a really neat way to explore the countryside and connect with the area's history.

Experience this 5.6-km out-and-back trail near Dorchester, Ontario. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 1 min to complete. This trail is great for road biking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

Take a walk through a diverse and thriving ecosystem. The Bluff Trail leads you through a mix of habitats, from the high, dry forest on top of the escarpment to the low, wet woodlands below. This variety provides a home for a wide range of plants and animals, including 32 different species of amphibians and reptiles. Keep an eye out for wildflowers in the spring and listen for the calls of the many birds that live in the park

A number of stacked loops totaling 11km meander through the forest adjacent to St. Nora Lake. This trail system offers a little bit of everything, from millennia old geological formations which give insight into the last significant ice age, to large bogs, towering cliff faces, mixed forests, challenging climbs and spectacular lookouts. Be sure to pack lunch and your camera because you can spend an entire day exploring these trails.

Tottenham Conservation Area offers something for everyone – wetlands, pond, fishing, beach, swimming, open fields, campsites, picnic areas, beautiful trees, natural grass areas, and heavy bush. It is ideal for naturalists and photographers. The park is also a wonderful location in the winter for cross-country skiing, walking and tobogganing. Tottenham C.A. is also home of the Tottenham Bluegrass Festival held annually at the end of June.

Enjoy this 13.8-km loop trail near Kenora, Ontario. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. This trail is great for birding, camping, and fishing, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are April through October. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.

This is an approachable trail around Rustle Lake. Some sections are muddy and swamp-like, so wearing waterproof hiking boots is recommended. There is a floating boardwalk that is a great spot to watch for moose, great blue heron and beavers, as well as just to enjoy the view of the lake. Bringing insect repellent is recommended since there are a lot of mosquitos in the forest.

Loop access from Perth road. This route explores the area between Slide Lake, Big Salmon Lake, and Doe Lake. Follow a section of the Rideau trail to join the loop. The loop leads through various types of terrain, with regular changes in elevation. There are multiple viewpoints and several campgrounds along the trail.

The Rotary Greenway Trail is a scenic 15-kilometre multi-use path in Peterborough, Ontario, that follows a former railway line from Little Lake to the village of Lakefield. The route features a mix of paved sections and crushed limestone, offering a flat and accessible way to explore the Otonabee River shoreline by foot or bike.

The Lake St. Peter Loop, located within Lake St. Peter Provincial Park, offers a rugged trek through a landscape shaped by ancient glaciers. This area is situated within the traditional territory of the Algonquins of Ontario, who have long used these lands and waterways for hunting, fishing, and travel. The park was established in 1971 and sits just 25 minutes south of Algonquin Provincial Park. The trail is formed by connecting the Lookout Trail and the Cabin Trail into a combined loop of roughly 6.5 kilometers. You will hike through a dense forest of white pine, sugar maple, and yellow birch, passing by a rare kettle pond—a deep pool created by a massive block of ice left behind 10,000 years ago. The highlight is the scenic lookout, which provides a high-vantage view of Lake St. Peter. Along the Cabin Trail segment, hikers can search for the abandoned remains of a historic log cabin. Parking is available at the main trailhead near the Park Office off Lake St. Peter Road. A daily vehicle permit is required for entry. Facilities include washrooms, picnic areas, and two sandy beaches perfect for a post-hike swim. The trail is rated strenuous due to its steep climbs, rocky roots, and narrow paths, so sturdy hiking boots are recommende

The Collingwood Trails encompasses over 60 kilometers of recreational trails for cyclists, walkers, joggers, skiers, and snowshoers as well as adults and kids commuting to work or school. There’s a Trail leading to every major point of interest in the Town including the beaches of Sunset Point, the scenic lookout at Millennium Park, the tranquil gardens of the Arboretum, the new Labyrinth, the historic Station Museum, our Collingwood Downtown and Nature Trails off the Eleventh Line. Follow the Heather Pathway, a series of Town trails linked together from Millennium Park to The Hen & Chickens Boardwalk that gratefully acknowledges a very generous anonymous donation toward trail development. If you are looking to travel further afield, you have direct access to the Georgian Trail to Thornbury and Meaford or the Train Trail to Stayner. Crushed stone, concrete, wooden walkways and dirt-paths join street bicycle routes to help get you around town. Most surfaced trails are flat terrain and generally accessible for the physically challenged.

Tiny Marsh is Ontario’s first provincially owned and managed wetland. It is one of approximately 1,200 Important Bird Areas that are recognized in Canada. It offers the visitor year-round use of 600 hectares of marsh and 300 hectares of field and forest. There is an interpretive centre with displays and a theatre open to the public during spring and summer. Fifteen kilometres of trails feature a companion self-use trail guide, two observation towers, a marsh viewing mound, a wildlife blind and a boardwalk

Head out on this 4.0-km loop trail near Kenora, Ontario. Generally considered an easy route. This trail is great for birding, camping, and fishing, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are May through October.

Orphan Lake Trail is a favourite amongst people hiking in the Lake Superior. The trail loops around the lake, and the trail begins a little smoother with less tree roots and is more even. It takes you out to a small lake, and then you keep following the trail and you climb a hill which overlooks Orphan Lake behind you and Lake Superior on the other side. From here you walk level with the top until an eventual decline. This part of the trail comes out to a rock beach that is quite private. On the other side of the rocks is a little fresh water pond where the lake flows into. The trail then loops back to the start point. There is also a unique waterfall to see, and when the seasons are dry, water there is not very deep. There are a number of tree roots and small rocks for the rest of the trail but no other significant climbs.

Located just a few hours drive from Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, this park offers many activities and uses for the whole family. Multiple offshoot trails are possible but caution must be practiced and all signage to be followed. The Frontenac Provincial Park is open year-round making these trails great for both summer and winter use. With many lakes in the area, plants and animals thrive in this environment. For more information on the Frontenac Provincial Park and associated fees, please visit: https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/frontenac