Modern Travel: A One Tank Trip to Peterborough

PRESENTED IN PAID PARTNERSHIP WITH PETERBOROUGH TOURISM.

Local travel continues to be a driving factor in how Canadians are investing their vacation time and after a weekend in Peterborough, it should be on your must-visit list. 

This vibrant, artistic and culture-filled city is good for a day trip but better appreciated over a few days. 

The round-trip distance is approximately 350-ish km from northwest Mississauga, and tack on another, let’s say, 100 km on the high side, for driving within Peterborough, and you’ve got a one tank trip from Mississauga.
Timing-wise, it could be 90 minutes or up to 2.5 hours depending on how horrid the 401 is. There’s also the 407 as an option…

Once you’re there, Peterborough blends a delicious dining, an astounding arts and culture scene, and a spectacular small business community.

What to do in Peterborough

Get your steps in and visit the Riverview Park and Zoo, Canada’s only free and accredited zoo!
Only a 10 minute drive from downtown, learn and admire over 150 animals and 40 species ranging from mammals to birds to reptiles and more.
Families will enjoy live music in the summer the educational side, while kiddos will have a ball in the massive playground and splash pad. Plus, there’s a scenic Riverview walking trail as well.

Peterborough’s commitment to the arts, culture and inclusiveness is admirable and other cities can follow their lead. 

Their First Friday Art Crawl initiative occurs  on the first Friday of each month. From 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.,  discover and appreciate a range of art galleries, shops, cafes and studios and mingle with locals and visitors. 

I was fortunate to spend time with two astounding local artists, Kim Beavis Sanderson and John Climenhage, both heavily contributing to the arts scene inside and beyond the city. 

Every city has a plethora of small businesses, which together, create a large community.
There’s something for nearly everyone, including vintage shops,  books, modern clothing, record shops,  fashion, pottery to health and wellness and more.
The unmistakeable vivacious vibe is vivid here surrounding Peterborough’s small business community.

Along your small business exploration, perhaps you’ll stumble upon a new favourite shop, find the perfect gift for yourself or others and you just might find new friends.

The all-new Canadian Canoe Museum, which made a sizeable splash when it opened in 2024, is truly a national treasure. This colossal collection of canoes and its diverse history and heritage is a must and one of the most unique attractions in Canada.
Across the 65,000 square-foot building on the Trent-Severn Waterway, you’ll see hundreds of canoes and read hundreds of stories about why it’s an integral piece of Canada’s history.

During warmer months, you can rent a canoe or kayak to explore and paddle the Otonabee River and neighbouring Little Lake.
Also, the popular Little Bean Cafe is on the main floor for hot drinks and snacks.

A 10 minute walk from the Holiday Inn brings you to the Art Gallery of Peterborough. They’ve got free admission and donations are encouraged. The walls are adorned with creativity and stories are shared by artistic visions across various mediums.
Visit their website for a current list of existing and upcoming exhibitions.

Where to eat in Peterborough

All of the restaurants I dined at are Celiac-friendly and no, it’s not just an iceberg lettuce salad with vinegar. The gluten-free options are delicious and plentiful.
Also, I’m a big fan of chicken wings, so there’ll be a few mentions of them here.

Love You, Mean It served up my favourite chicken wings in Peterborough and yes, I sincerely do mean it.
The menu is elevated yet approachable and uncluttered. It features an abundance of local producers and the dining room is upscale, warm and minimalistic.
Celebrating one delicious year in business in July 2025, the menu features shareable items, excellent entrees and divine desserts, paired with splendid service levels.

The locally-owned Hanoi House gives you authentic Vietnamese dishes in a spacious dining room. I can say the noodles are excellent from my visit and other menu items include rice, wok and Banh Mi offerings. Definitely one of the better Vietnamese restaurants I’ve been to.

Ashburnham Ale House’s chicken wings are also quite good and their menu includes salads, burgers, soups, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, brunch and more.
Enjoy their patio if the weather allows as somehow, everything tastes a bit better outside.

The Silver Bean Cafe welcomes you with an large patio on the water. This hot-spot serves breakfasts that are made-to-order, light lunches and various drinks. The food is great and dining outdoors by the water makes it that much better.

Sushi fans are in for a treat at Tora Sushi. Place your orders through a tablet and remember to keep scrolling  as there are plenty of offerings.
The generous-sized portions taste terrific and be sure to admire the cat decor.

In the community for a decade, One Eighty on Hunter also servers up some good chicken wings. Save some money by going on a Thursday for cheap wing night!
The rest of the menu offers a good variety from burgers to steaks to sandwiches to salads and more.

Where to Stay in Peterborough

The Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront is centrally located and to enhance your stay, book a riverside view room facing the Otonabee River. You’ll thank me once you see the dawn and dusk views.
I stayed in a spacious King suite, enjoyed the fast wi-fi and recharged in a very comfortable bed.
Ample parking and amenities, including a swimming pool, make this an excellent lodging choice in Peterborough.