Things to do in Kawartha Lakes to escape winter
Need a break from winter without having to jump on a plane and head south? Here are a few things to do in the Kawartha Lakes to escape winter that will allow you to feel like you’re leaving the chilly weather without ever leaving home.
Tee it up at a golf simulator
Even though there’s probably snow on the ground at your favourite Kawartha Lakes golf course right now you can still play the links. Put together a foursome and book a time to play an indoor golf simulator. There are three golf simulator locations in the region:
- Quarry Golf Club (Ennismore)
- Lindsay Golf Simulators (Lindsay)
- Wolf Run Golf Course (Janetville)
Playing golf using an indoor golf simulator is a great way to keep your game sharp over the winter so you’re ready to go in the spring.
This thing to do in Kawartha Lakes to escape winter also makes it possible to play some of the world’s most famous and prestigious golf courses.
Plus, in most cases at indoor golf simulator locations there are multi-round discounts, leagues and tournaments, and golf lessons available too.
Contact the three providers above to confirm what they have to offer.
Enjoy the tranquility of a spa
Escape winter for a few hours, a half-day, even a full day by booking you and your bestie a session at a Kawartha Lakes day spa. Or, if you really want to give Jack Frost the cold shoulder, book a multi-day retreat at a spa resort.
Whatever you decide on, you’ll feel thoughts of icy walkways, blowing snow, and frigid temperatures melt away as you relax and rejuvenate your body, mind and soul.
Spas are located throughout the Kawartha Lakes area.
To help you find the one that provides the experience and services you’re seeking, read our article “Pamper yourself at a Kawartha Lakes spa”. It’s a quick guide to the day spas and spa resorts in the region.
Get away from winter with these Kawartha Lakes indoor water activities
Go swimming at an indoor pool
One of the most enjoyable things to do during the summer months in the Kawartha Lakes is to swim. Don’t wait for the May long weekend to don your suit. Take a break from the winter chill by going for a dip at an indoor pool.
The City of Kawartha Lakes operates two indoor swimming pools year round. They are the Lindsay Recreation Complex in Lindsay (705-324-9112) and the Forbert Memorial Pool in Bobcaygeon (705-738-5858).
Both pools have public swimming times available.
This thing to do to in the Kawartha Lakes to escape winter can be very popular. Therefore it’s best to book your swim ahead of time using their Online Program Registration website. If you would like to confirm what their public swim times are before you go online to register, call the pools directly.
If you live in the south end of Kawartha Lakes, another location for swimming is Peterborough.
Public swimming is offered at the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre. To get your front crawl on there you will need to book your time online.
Learn to scuba dive
Are you one of those people who has always been intrigued by scuba diving but have never taken the plunge? Well wintertime is the perfect time to learn how to scuba dive.
There are two scuba diving operators located in the Kawartha Lakes; Dive Kawartha and Adventure Divers.
Sitting on the fence about whether you want to commit fully to learning how to scuba dive?
Dive Kawartha, based out of Lindsay has the perfect solution. They offer a 2-hour “Discover Scuba Diving” class where you can try it out in a heated swimming pool.
If you like it, you can then sign up for a scuba diving certification course.
Adventure Divers is located on the west side of Peterborough. They teach monthly scuba diving courses in their heated indoor training pool.
For newbies, the course to sign up for would be their Open Water Scuba Diver Course. When completed you will have your first level certification and know all the basics required to safely scuba dive in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
3 more things to do in Kawartha Lakes that will help you forget about winter
Hit an indoor court
Another way to trick yourself into thinking it’s summer again is to organize your friends and meet at an indoor court for some friendly competition.
BGC Kawarthas in Lindsay offers a number of indoor sports activities for adults. They include indoor volleyball, basketball, ball hockey and pickleball.
In Lindsay at the Victoria Park Armoury you can drop in and play badminton.
At the Fenelon Falls Community Centre they have drop-in pickleball for all levels.
And at the Buckhorn Community Centre they have pickleball, badminton and volleyball running on their courts every week.
All of these court-based activities are simple but great things to do in the Kawartha Lakes to escape winter.
Head to the bowling alley
Whether you played in the past or you’ve never played before, a great way to escape the winter blahs in the Kawarthas is to book a game or two at a bowling alley.
Strike Point Bowling Centre in Lindsay has 16 five-pin lanes. Gather up the gang and play a game or two—we recommend Friday or Saturday Night when it’s Cosmic Rock & Bowl night.
Or make it a weekly thing by joining one of their winter bowling leagues. There’s something for every skill level.
Strike Point also has a fully licensed bar and their shareable food has received great reviews.
A second spot for bowling is Lakeview Bowl in Peterborough. They offer 24 lanes of five-pin bowling and 12 lanes of ten-pin bowling.
You can join a league here too, with mornings, afternoons and evening leagues available.
Or if it’s just a quick fix you need, reserve a lane for an outing with your family or friends.
Test your deduction skills at an escape room
Transport your mind to another place by booking a Kawartha Lakes escape room.
Trapped in a themed room with the clock ticking and a limited amount of time to solve a series of clues and puzzles, you and your group won’t have time to think about old man winter.
Lift Lock Escape in Peterborough offers 6 escape rooms to choose from.
Just south of Peterborough you’ll find Escape Maze which has 5 escape rooms to pit your skills of deduction against.
To learn more about the escape room challenges in the area, check out our article titled “Try to solve a Kawartha Lakes escape room”.
Enjoy these things to do in the Kawartha Lakes to escape winter
Even for someone who enjoys the frosty season and the various activities it has to offer, winter can still feel long from time to time. Participate in any of the things to do in Kawartha Lakes to escape winter that we’ve listed above and you’re sure to get the winter break you need.
Looking for another winter escape?
Go on a treasure hunt searching for a unique antique or vintage item. Read our article titled “Discover a find—Kawartha Lakes antiques stores & vintage shops”.
Photo credit: Rowand’s Reef
