Discover Penetanguishene

Penetanguishene brings together several distinct themes to help you plan your trip: the history of a British naval base, local heritage, and waterfront trails and parks. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay here, you can organize your activities around these themes: Discovery Harbour brings together living history and theatre, while the museum, monuments, trails, and beaches offer other ways to experience the area.

Waterfront History and Culture

Discovery Harbour is a 30-acre living history attraction about the original 19th-century British naval and military base. The base was established to defend Upper Canada after the War of 1812. For groups, Discovery Harbour offers guided or self-guided tours with knowledgeable staff in period costume. A guided audio tour is also available online, allowing you to explore at your own pace. If you’re planning a group visit, check the latest visitor information before your trip.

The King’s Wharf Theatre at Discovery Harbour has 371 seats and is flanked by majestic tall ships and historic buildings. If you’re planning to attend a performance, check the current program: operating hours and the schedule may change.

The Penetanguishene Centennial Museum & Archives showcases the history of one of Ontario’s oldest communities. The Penetanguishene Angels, located at the community boundary, are another local reminder of its history. At the 1921 tercentenary celebrations, they were called “Portals to Huronia”; as a welcome, they mark the entrance to the town. Visitors to the Angels and the small park are advised to use the separate multi-use trail to reach the site safely.

The John Graves Simcoe Monument stands on the Trans-Canada Trail in Penetanguishene. Its depiction recalls how Simcoe foresaw Penetanguishene’s strategic value as a naval base in 1793. John Graves Simcoe (1752–1806) was a British military officer and the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada. A telescope at the monument invites visitors to look through it. In Huronia Park at 250 Fox Street, a significant historic monument commemorates the capture of the American warships Tigress and Scorpion.

Trails and Parks for Planning Your Trip

The Discovery Harbour Trail is 3.0 kilometres long, paved, and runs along the waterfront. It leads from the Historic Port of Penetanguishene to Discovery Harbour. The Penetanguishene Trail, also known as the Trans Canada Trail, connects Tiny Township with Midland and passes through Rotary Champlain Wendat Park. The two routes can therefore be distinguished by their paths: one connects two named places in Penetanguishene, while the other forms part of a route between Tiny Township and Midland and passes through a park.

Rotary Champlain Wendat Park and Huronia Park each have a sandy beach, a swimming area, a playground, a pavilion, and washrooms. If you’re planning a beach visit, check seasonal beach conditions and current water advisories before swimming. Together with the monument in Huronia Park and the trail through Rotary Champlain Wendat Park, the two parks offer different ways to combine history and time by the water during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Brechin, Midland, Oro, Duntroon, Creemore, Borden, Collingwood, Barrie

For the broader travel overview: Simcoe County.