The Canadian Canoe Museum: an Excellent Stop Along the Trans Canada Trail
If you’re in and around Peterborough, Ontario, we’ve got a must-visit to add to your list: The Canadian Canoe Museum, which can be found right on the City of Peterborough section of the Trans Canada Trail! Find our museum highlights, plus other things to do on or near the Trail in the area, below.
New digs on the water in Peterborough, Ontario
The Canadian Canoe Museum officially reopened in its brand-new waterfront digs along Little Lake in spring 2024 — and it’s worth a visit! The new space is bright and airy, and brings Canada’s rich canoeing heritage to life. Plus, it’s right on the water, making it the perfect spot to head out for a paddle after you visit the museum. The museum welcomes visitors from Ontario, across Canada and beyond, including locals, paddling afficionados, arts and culture fans, and families.
Photo credit: Justen Soule
From a summer camp collection to 600-plus watercrafts
Seventy-five years ago, in 1950, a small collection of canoes started up at a summer camp. Over the decades, the collection grew – and grew – eventually leading to the creation of the museum in 1990, when it opened in Peterborough at its original location. Museum staff dreamed of bringing it to a waterfront location, and in 2024, that dream became a reality with the museum’s move to its new, 2-storey, 65,000-square-foot waterfront location on Little Lake.
The museum’s Exhibition Hall and Collection Hall are home to upwards of 600 canoes, kayaks and other watercraft, plus thousands of related artifacts. The museum’s exhibits explore the canoe’s role in hundreds of years of history in the area, from Indigenous watercraft to European exploration to modern-day recreational use, exploring the beautiful waterways of the area.
Interactive cultural activities and engaging exhibits for all ages
Visitors will love the museum’s hands-on programming. Canoe-themed day camps, school programs and paddling trips are on offer for school-age kids, while adults can dive into workshops in woodworking, canoe-tripping and much more. Workshops and classes are offered at the museum’s artisan studio and canoe-building studio on site.
Photo credit: Justen Soule
Make a day (or several days) of it!
While you’re in the area, be sure to take in all of Peterborough’s attractions. Stroll through nearby Beavermead Park, stop at the Art Gallery of Peterborough or explore downtown and grab a drink or snack at one of several cafés and restaurants. Further afield, Peterborough Petroglyphs National Historic Site of Canada is an excellent spot to view Indigenous rock carvings.
Learn more about the Canadian Canoe Museum’s history and attractions at canoemuseum.ca.
Stay tuned for more in our series about Canadian museums on or near the Trans Canada Trail!
Primary photo credit: Justen Soule
