New Peterborough Visitor Centre to Open at the Lift Lock

Peterborough, ON – A new chapter in welcoming visitors to Peterborough is beginning at one of the city’s most iconic locations. Peterborough Tourism is preparing to open the doors of the Peterborough Visitor Centre at the Lift Lock, 353 Hunter Street East.

Operated by Peterborough Tourism, the City of Peterborough’s tourism services and destination marketing program, the Visitor Centre location will be an information hub where visitors and locals can access information about attractions, experiences and local businesses in Peterborough.

“This new Visitor Centre at the Lift Lock represents an exciting step forward in how we welcome people to Peterborough,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “The Peterborough Lift Lock is one of our most iconic attractions and a celebrated National Historic Site of Canada. As the largest urban centre along the waterway, our connection to the water is central to both our community identity and visitor experience. This new space strengthens that connection and invites exploration year-round.”

Located at 353 Hunter Street East at the base of the Lift Lock, the Visitor Centre is uniquely positioned to welcome travellers arriving by boat, car, bike, or on foot. The space has been designed with flexibility and accessibility in mind, offering an updated visitor experience that reflects Peterborough’s evolving tourism landscape and vibrant waterfront corridor.

As of Friday, June 26, the Peterborough Visitor Centre at the Lift Lock will be open year-round. Here, visitors and residents can access the tools and inspiration to explore the city and surrounding region.

The opening of the Visitor Centre also marks a continued collaboration between the City of Peterborough and Parks Canada, grounded in a shared vision to create a welcoming, inclusive, and dynamic destination. In the coming months, programming will be developed that celebrates the area’s culture, heritage, and natural environment, including Indigenous perspectives, with opportunities to amplify diverse voices and stories.

“It’s so wonderful to see a space that makes it easier for people to connect with Peterborough and one of Canada’s most iconic landmarks,” said Emma Harrison, Member of Parliament for the riding of Peterborough. “The Visitor Centre at the Lift Lock will once again be a welcoming, accessible hub where visitors and community members can come together, explore, and experience all that our vibrant region has to offer. By reopening the doors to more inclusive and engaging ways to discover the Trent–Severn Waterway, this initiative helps bring people closer to the stories, culture, and connections that make Peterborough so special. It’s also great to see the centre being run by people who know it best, bringing local knowledge and passion to the experience.”

The Peterborough Lift Lock is an engineering marvel and one of the most visited attractions in the region. The Peterborough Visitor Centre at the Lift Lock introduces a refreshed approach to storytelling, visitor services, and community connection.

The Visitor Centre is part of the suite of services offered by Peterborough Tourism. Visitors can access information online at hellopeterborough.ca, as well as through print materials such as the regional Peterborough and The Kawarthas Visitor Map, developed in collaboration with Peterborough County, and the official destination guide, available at key locations across the city.