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From Wikivoyage

Lindsay is a community of about 22,000 (2021) people in the Kawarthas region of central Ontario 43 km west of Peterborough. It began as a lumbering and farming centre, and is home to Fleming College.

Understand

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History

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Lindsay's burnt down sawmill

In 1825, settlers began to come to the region, and by 1827, the Purdys, an American family, built a dam on the Scugog River at the site of present-day Lindsay. The following year they built a sawmill, and in 1830, a grist mill was constructed. A small village grew up around the mills, and it was known as Purdy's Mills. In 1834, surveyor John Huston plotted the designated town site into streets and lots. During the survey, one of Huston's assistants, Mr. Lindsay, was accidentally shot in the leg and died of an infection. He was buried on the riverbank and his name and death were recorded on the surveyor's plan. The name Lindsay remained as the name of the town by government approval. Lindsay grew steadily and developed into a lumbering and farming centre.

In 2001, the municipal governments of the Town of Lindsay and the Village of Fenelon Falls were dissolved and merged, with Victoria County, into the new City of Kawartha Lakes.

Visitor information

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Get in

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By car

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Lindsay is 130 km from Toronto east along Highway 401 and north along Highway 35.

Highway 7 travels east-west through the area. Travelers heading east arrive from Brock and travelers heading west arrive from Peterborough. Highway 7 is part of a branch of the Trans-Canada Highway that passes through the area, traveling between Sudbury and Kanata (near Ottawa) on Highway 69 and 400, then Highway 12, then Highway 7, then Highway 417.

By boat

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A short detour along the Trent-Severn Waterway from Fenelon Falls or Bobcaygeon brings boaters into Lindsay's downtown, on the Scugog River.

Get around

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Map
Map of Lindsay

By car

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Highway 28 forms a central spine through the Kawarthas and attractions such as Petroglyphs Provincial Park and Stoney Lake are easily accessible from the highway.

Outside of Lindsay, there is little in the way of public transportation - a car is close to being a necessity.

By public transit

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By taxi

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See

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Downtown Lindsay
  • 1 Kawartha Art Gallery, 190 Kent St W (2nd Floor, Lindsay Public Library), ☏ +1 705 324-1780, . Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. free. (updated Aug 2017)
  • 2 Olde Gaol Museum, 50 Victoria Ave N. June to early October: Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. A historic jail built in 1863, it's full of fascinating stories and unique regional artifacts. Adult $5, child 6-18 $3, child under 6 free. (updated Sep 2019)
  • Lindsay Exhibition. Third weekend in September. Agricultural fair with animal shows, exhibits, midway rides, a parade, heritage agriculture equipment, demolition derbies. Adult $15, senior $10, youth 13-18 $10, child 6-12 $5, child 5 and under free, ride all day pass $42. (updated Sep 2019)

Do

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  • 1 Academy Theatre, 2 Lindsay St S, ☏ +1 705-324-9111, toll-free: +1 877-888-0038. Box office Tu Th 10AM-4PM, Sa 10AM-2PM. Theatre, concerts & shows. Historic theatre built in 1892. (updated Apr 2023)
  • 2 Ken Reid Conservation Area, 277 Kenrei Rd, ☏ +1 705-328-2271. Nature & wildlife areas, parks. Three picnic shelters washroom facilities. The family-friendly shoreline area offers a large playground structure. Howlers Corners Off-Leash Dog Park is located near the main parking lot. Several loop trails lead through forests, meadows, and wetlands. One route includes the floating boardwalk that winds through the provincially significant MacLaren Creek Wetland bordering Sturgeon Lake. During the summer months you can spot red bellied snakes, snapping turtles, and leopard frogs. Along the marsh are the Osprey on a nearby nesting platform. These and other birds living in the area make it a popular destination for birders. Deer, fox, hare, and other wildlife live in the meadows and forests of the park. Stay on the trails as poison ivy grows throughout the conservation area. Parking $4 per day. (updated Apr 2023)
  • 3 Gamiing Nature Centre, 1884 Pigeon Lake Rd. Education and hands-on demonstrations of ecologically sound practices related to water, lakes, lakeshores and upland areas. A 100-acre property with a natural shoreline, surrounded by wetlands, forests and meadows. A beautiful forest with about 7 km of trails and 30 acres of wetland. Gamiing (Q5520178) on Wikidata Gamiing Nature Centre on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2019)
  • Victoria Rail Trail. An 85-km trail that stretches 30 km from Bethany (in the south part of the Kawartha Lakes) to Lindsay, then 22 km through Cameron to Fenelon Falls, and another 33 km to Kinmount (near the Haliburton Highlands). The trail is used year-round for hiking, horseback riding, cycling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The trail follows the former CN rail line. North of Lindsay the trail travels through Ken Reid Conservation Area. In Kinmount, the trail connects to the Haliburton Rail Trail, continuing another 36 km north. (updated Sep 2019)

Buy

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Eat

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Drink

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  • The Cat & The Fiddle Lindsay, 49 William St N,, ☏ +1 705-878-4312. 13 drafts on tap including Guinness, signature cocktails, Niagara on the Lake wines, gourmet appetizers, burgers and wraps, authentic homemade British fare, diverse entrees, and some traditional curries. Lunch menu and children's menu also available. Tu 11:30AM-11PM, W-Sa 11:30AM-midnight, Su M 11:30AM-10PM. (updated Sep 2019)
  • 1 Pie Eyed Monk Brewery, 8 Cambridge St N, ☏ +1 705 212-2200. M W Th Su 11:30AM-9PM, F Sa 11:30AM-11PM. Brew pub serving uniquely crafted Ontario beer and delicious food made with locally sourced ingredients. (updated Sep 2019)

Sleep

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  • Days Inn and Suites Lindsay, 134 Angeline St S, ☏ +1 705 328-0100. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 3-star hotel near Fleming College, Lindsay Exhibition Grounds, and Ross Memorial Hospital. Free hot breakfast, indoor heated saltwater pool, fitness centre, free large-vehicle parking, free WiFi, business center and laundry facilities. Each non-smoking room is equipped with a mini-refrigerator and flat-screen HDTV. From $132. (updated Sep 2019)
  • 1 Victoria Motel, 256 Lindsay Street South, ☏ +1 705 328-2111. 2-star hotel near Lindsay Golf & Country Club. 21 rooms. Fridge, microwave, TV, general kitchen, Wi-Fi available, no breakfast provided. From $70. (updated Aug 2017)
  • Kent Inn, 251 Kent St W, ☏ +1 705 324-6744, toll-free: +1-888-730-9103. All 16 suites are equipped with comfortable beds, flat screen cable TV, free wireless internet, mini fridge, coffee maker with included coffee, and three-piece bath rooms. Front desk service is available 24 hr. From $80. (updated Sep 2019)

Stay safe

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Blue-green algae is a toxic form of algae that can be an occasional problem in this region. Do not swim or wade in water where this algae is present, do not drink the water, and do not let pets in the water. Blooms most commonly occur in late summer and early fall. They thrive in areas where the water is shallow, slow moving and warm, but they may be present in deeper, cooler water. Dense blue-green algae blooms may make the water look bluish-green, or like green pea soup or turquoise paint. Very dense blooms may form solid-looking clumps. Fresh blooms often smell like newly mown grass, while older blooms may smell like rotting garbage.

Poison ivy is common in wooded areas. All parts of poison ivy, including the roots, contain a poisonous substance which causes an irritating inflammation of the skin of most people, the inflamed areas frequently developing blisters and accompanied by intense itchiness.

Go next

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Routes through Lindsay
Markham ← Brock ←  W  E  → Peterborough → Ottawa
Toronto via ← Clarington ←  S  N  → Fenelon Falls → Haliburton Highlands


This city travel guide to Lindsay is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.


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