If you have ever visited Port Hope for vacation or on a day trip, you know that the town is full of history, has strong community ties, and sure isn’t lacking in picturesque views.
If you’re wondering if Port Hope is a dreary vacation town, it’s far from it. Wendy Tancock says “There’s a buzz there, it’s not just a sleepy little town”. With all that there is to do in Port Hope, it has an active community – not your typical cottage town.
Port Hope doesn’t rank as Ontario’s favourite small town for nothing, so see for yourself why we think you should visit and stay awhile.
Trails
Port Hope is home to endless trails, most famously the Ganaraska Forest. If you’re looking for a hike that involves beautiful scenery, then this forest is for you. The forest is full of many trails of varying difficulty levels, which you can take advantage of by walking, running, horseback riding, and ATVing. Bonus if you’re a horse lover – the Ganaraska forest offers pens and water hookups for your horses.
The Ganaraska Forest is an excellent place to bring friends and family members with varying interests and everyone will certainly leave tired from the day’s activities.
Salmon Runs
Visit the Port Hope Conservation Area and you’ll receive much more than your average trail. You’ll get to take in the sight of many salmon about to jump upstream. If you’ve never seen anything like this, it’s breathtaking and peaceful all at the same time.
This is a great attraction to bring your family, especially any children who perhaps have never seen anything like it before. Now, imagine having this amazing piece of nature right in your backyard.
Beaches and Lakes
Did you know that Port Hope has two beaches? They fall on the east and west ends of the harbour. They’re located close to downtown Port Hope, so you don’t have to travel far for a day out of shopping and enjoying the sun and water. The beaches are located on Lake Ontario, which is safe to swim in, so you can bring your whole family for a day of fun in the sun.
If you’re not much of a beach person, Port Hope lakes offer a great playground for fishing – boasting fish such as Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Pacific Salmon. Catch-and-release fishing is always welcome, but if you’re looking for dinner, check out Port Hope’s fishing regulations.
Location
Port Hope is located between Toronto, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Prince Edward County, which makes it the perfect spot for those who want to be equally close to a big city as they do a quiet getaway.
Aside from its proximity to other areas, the shoreline offers a remarkable living opportunity. The location itself will leave you never wanting to visit other places, no matter how close.
Entertainment
If you have wondered if there is much entertainment in a small town, you don’t have to worry about Port Hope.
From many galleries, antique shops, restaurants, and festivals, there is so much to do there. Port Hope has many places to search for vintage goods and more, as the town has “a preserved 19th-century district, which is the perfect backdrop for a day or treasure hunting”.
Port Hope is also home to the Capitol Theatre. The Cameco Capitol Arts Centre is a regional theatre to come and enjoy concerts, movies, operas, and musical productions. The Capitol Theatre is a widely popular Ontario attraction that you can’t miss – grab some dinner at one of the local restaurants and catch a show for the perfect night on the town in Port Hope.
Want to build a cottage in Port Hope?
Interested in building a cottage getaway or looking for cottage builders in Port Hope? It’s worth thinking about our prefabricated homes and how they can make house building easier for you. Have a look at some of our prefab cottages that could be the perfect fit for you, inside and out.
Port Hope isn’t Ontario’s favourite small town for nothing, so come see for yourself and stay awhile.