Travel Blog

Read about the people, places, businesses, and history that make Kawarthas Northumberland special

Overhead view of Fells Meadows stone labyrinth

Unique Places to Stay in Kawarthas Northumberland

Getting away from it all doesn’t have to mean getting on airplane—finding something out of the ordinary close to home can evoke a similar sense of surprise. That’s why we chose to highlight a few of the accommodations around Kawarthas Northumberland that are off the beaten path. Whether it’s the décor, the location, or the

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Outdoor ticket booth with receptionist inside at Westben

Go Play Outside: Unique Summer Theatre and Music Venues

With the warmer weather upon us, it’s almost a shame to spend time indoors. Yet the summer is also a time for vibrant cultural events, so what’s a lover of the arts to do? In Kawarthas Northumberland, they can check out the wide range of musical and theatrical performances taking place in the lap of

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Purple spring flowers on a branch

Green Thumbs Up: The Ennismore Secret Garden and More

Ennismore Waterfront Park is a charming place. It has shady trails, a sandy beach on Chemong Lake, and a playground for the kids. This summer, keen-eyed visitors may stumble across its latest attraction—the Ennismore Secret Garden, a lovingly designed green space filled with wildflowers growing inside the foundation of an historic barn. The new garden

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Two smiling kids skate towards the camera

Things to Do on Family Day 2023

After the new year, the lights and the excitement of the holidays fade and winter doldrums can set in. But there’s hope! Family Day weekend provides a welcome pick-me-up and a reminder of the fun to be had in the colder season. In 2023, businesses and organizations throughout Kawarthas Northumberland have organized family-friendly events that

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A couple lean in together, silhouetted against the sun

9 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Kawarthas Northumberland

Love is in the air this February—have you made plans to celebrate? Throughout Kawarthas Northumberland, businesses and organizations are looking forward to Valentine’s Day and planning special events to mark the occasion. Whether you’re looking for a traditional romantic dinner for two, a Galentine’s get-together with good friends, or a bracing outdoor experience with a

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A child plays with blocks of coloured ice

Polarfest: A Selwyn Township Tradition Comes Roaring Back

Forty-three years ago, a group of brave souls jumped into Chemong Lake on a chilly February weekend. Little did they know the tradition would not only be alive and well four decades later, but their little gathering would grow into a community-wide festival featuring dozens of events and businesses in and around Selwyn Township. On

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A person bends to fix their traditional snowshoe

Where to Snowshoe in Kawarthas Northumberland

People who don’t like winter probably haven’t tried snowshoeing—there’s a quiet beauty to the woods on a snowy day that makes the season all worthwhile. If you’ve already got a pair of snowshoes, you’re ready to strike out for any one of Kawarthas Northumberland’s hiking and skiing trails. For those who want to give the

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Drag queens pose against a brick backdrop

Drag Bingo: Betty Baker and Sahira Q Hit the Jackpot

Bingo isn’t usually this rowdy. It’s a game associated with retirement homes and second-language classrooms, but tonight the crowd is hooting and hollering, laughing at bawdy jokes between each call. That energy has everything to do with Betty Baker and Sahira Q, two drag queens on stage at Farmhill Weddings outside Keene. Drag queens aren’t

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Drone view of Hastings in winter

Holiday Guide: Shopping in the TSW Trail Towns

The holiday season is here, and many of us are wondering how to find memorable, meaningful gifts for friends and loved ones. Sure, you could fill up the cart faster at an online megastore, but shopping locally offers the chance to support artisans and entrepreneurs in your area while choosing gifts that are genuinely unique.

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Three cyclists in a snowy forest

Riding the Snowscape: Fat Biking in Kawarthas Northumberland

Until last winter, I’d never been on a fat bike. I’d cycled Kawarthas Northumberland thoroughly in the warmer months—the region is crisscrossed with rail trails and backroads that make for shady, serene riding in the summer. Then I was invited to ride some Northumberland County trails on a borrowed fat bike, and my conversion into an all-season rider happened almost instantly.

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Exterior of Escape Maze, a set that looks like a Western movie

Peterborough’s Escape Maze: Gold Rushes, Games, and Zombies

“Observation is probably the biggest thing—noticing small details,” Fred Preddy says. He’s sitting in an evocatively lit parlour, wearing a waistcoat that would have been the height of fashion a century and a half ago. As one of the owner-operators of Escape Maze south of Peterborough, Fred’s used to fielding questions about how the experiences at his interactive gaming facility are designed.

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