The Canadian province that's one of the world's great canoeing destinations

This month, the Canadian Canoe Museum is re-opening its doors to the public with a brand-new, two-storey waterfront museum in Ontario. Located on the site of the Williams Treaties First Nations in Peterborough, the museum has housed the world’s largest collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled water crafts for more than 25 years. 

Invented by The First Nations, the canoe has long been credited with having aided the development and evolution of Canada. As a tool for cross-cultural connection, canoeing became a way of life for Indigenous Peoples, and is representative of both their community and spirit. With the canoe remaining an important part of Canadian culture today, what better way to explore Canada’s majestic waters than from the seat of this small, narrow boat.

With more than 250,000 freshwater lakes, Canada’s second largest province, Ontario, is most suited to this. Just 30 minutes’ drive from the nation’s capital, Ottawa, lies Ontario’s Highlands; a remarkable region renowned for its small-town charm, snow trails, shorelines, lakes and waterfalls. Here, travellers can embark upon the region’s intrepid waterways to experience the untapped natural landscape of Ontario’s Highlands by canoe, kayak or even whitewater raft.

Situated on the waterfront of the Otonabee River, the Canadian Canoe Museum offer a series of immersive, padding experiences for visitors to enjoy. From watercraft rentals to voyageur canoe tours, the museum aims to teach visitors about the legacy of the Canadian canoe through the means of taking a hold of the paddle themselves. There’s also the opportunity for travellers to book an exhibition tour to gain a deeper understanding of the museum’s preserved water crafts, guided by trained docents.