The Canadian Canoe Museum exhibition hall

6 reasons why The Canadian Canoe Museum is a must-visit

The Canadian Canoe Museum, which opened its new state-of-the-art facility in the spring of 2024, is not just a museum—it’s a deep dive into Canada’s history and cultural identity.

Located in the heart of Peterborough, Ontario, right on the shores of Little Lake, this museum is a world-class destination for both tourists visiting the Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes area and local residents.

Whether you are a canoeing enthusiast or enjoy an intriguing history lesson, The Canadian Canoe Museum delivers an enriching experience.

Here are 6 reasons why you should visit:

1. Take in the museum’s striking architecture

The Canadian Canoe Museum’s move to its brand-new 65,000 sq. ft. building is a significant upgrade from its previous location, the former Outboard Motor Corporation of Canada’s parts and service depot.

Nestled beside Little Lake, as soon as you step into the museum you can tell its creators took their design cues from the shape and construction of a canoe.

The building is long and narrow with a curved exterior. Inside exposed timber beams and other natural materials instantly connect you to nature, the land and water, and the art of canoe construction.

2. See canoes from around the world

Canada has a rich paddling history as do many other parts of the world and The Canadian Canoe Museum has captured it all.

With over 600 watercraft in its collection, the museum holds the world’s largest assemblage of canoes, kayaks, and paddled watercraft.

These vessels represent a wide variety of cultures, histories, and regions. From Indigenous birchbark canoes and Amazon river canoes to Olympic Games vessels and 20th-century recreational kayaks, the museum’s collection spans centuries and continents, offering a truly unique exploration of the human relationship with water.

For locals, the museum offers a chance to dive deep into the region’s own rich history of canoe production. Peterborough was home to the Peterborough Canoe Company, a leader in wooden canoe manufacturing for decades, and the museum highlights this local connection in several exhibits.

3. Learn the stories behind the canoes

The Canadian Canoe Museum has been curated so that it is more than just a display of canoes and other paddle watercraft.

Like so many things in our lives, there are stories attached to each canoe and the museum takes great pride in telling them.

Take a walk through the museum and when your visit is complete you will leave with tales of voyageurs, fur traders, explorers and Olympians and how these vessels were used for trade, transportation, cultural practices and adventure over the centuries.

4. Discover ingenious Indigenous craftsmanship

At the heart of the The Canadian Canoe Museum’s mission is the recognition and celebration of Indigenous knowledge and craftsmanship.

Canoes were vital to the survival and culture of many Indigenous communities across Canada.

The museum features beautiful examples of Indigenous craftsmanship, from birchbark and dugout canoes to more modern designs. Exhibits highlight how these canoes were built using sustainable materials and techniques passed down through generations.

5. The Canadian Canoe Museum is home to canoes of the famous

Canoes once owned by some of Canada’s most notable figures call the museum home.

There’s former Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Elliot Trudeau’s birchbark canoe.

You’ll see the beloved Prospector canoe used by Bill Mason, one of Canada’s most famous canoeing advocates and filmmakers.

Plus, there’s the canoe of Farley Mowat, the celebrated Canadian author of Never Cry Wolf, and a yellow Old Town canoe once owned by Canadian singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot and the inspiration for his ditty My Canary Yellow Canoe.

6. Go for a paddle on the lake

If you like you can stroll out the back door of The Canadian Canoe Museum and go for a paddle.

As mentioned earlier, the museum is situated on Little Lake in Peterborough. Along its shoreline the museum has built two docks. Here visitors can rent a canoe or kayak from the museum or go on a guided group tour in a 25’ or 36’ Voyageur canoe.

The Canadian Canoe Museum is worth the visit

The Canadian Canoe Museum is more than just a museum—it’s a celebration of Canada’s history, culture, and connection to the natural world.

Whether you’re visiting Peterborough or have lived in the Kawartha Lakes region your whole life, the museum offers a captivating experience that brings together history, art, sport, and adventure.

With its stunning collection of watercraft, interactive exhibits, and lakeside location, The Canadian Canoe Museum is truly a must-visit attraction for anyone looking to explore the heart and soul of Canada’s paddling heritage.