Lindsay

Understand

History

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. It is home to Fleming College. 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 City of Kawartha Lakes Tourism - Lindsay

Getting there

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

1 Trent-Severn Waterway - Lock 33. Overnight mooring, shore power, water and washrooms available. (updated Sep 2023)

Getting around

By car 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 Lindsay Transit, ☏ +1 705 324-9411. M-Su 7AM-10PM. operates four routes in the former Town of Lindsay (updated Jun 2026)

By taxi Kawartha Lakes Taxi, 22 Peel St. (in Lindsay), ☏ +1 705 880 8800. Poppa Ed's Taxi and Limousine, 81 Albert St S, Lindsay, ☏ +1 705 878-4343.

See

1 Kawartha Art Gallery, 190 Kent St W (2nd Floor, Lindsay Public Library), ☏ +1 705 324-1780, [email protected]. 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

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. A lot of theatres, concerts & shows are played here. This historic theatre built in 1892, and you can get tickets for shows coming in the near future. There is a billboard outside the place, telling you about the movies incoming, probably as far as next year. (updated Oct 2025) 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. (updated Sep 2019) 4 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

Buy

1 Lindsay Square Mall, 401 Kent St W. There are about 37 shops and services in the Lindsay Square, including banks, fitness centers, gift shops, and stores selling clothing, books, cellular devices/electronics, medicine, luggage, sporting goods and video games, and you can get in via ten entrances. There are a few eateries here: Burger King, Habibiz Shawarma Cafe, (Mediterranean foods like shawarma, coffee, cheese cake, and ethnic food) Lucky Sushi (sushi, milk tea, slushies, smoothies, fruit tea and bubble tea) and Neabors Restaurant. (updated Oct 2025)

Eat

Durham Cafe, 102 William St S, ☏ +1 705 878-3853. M-F 6AM-3PM, Sa 7AM-2PM, Su 9AM-2PM. Breakfasts, salads, sandwiches, burgers, mains. (updated Sep 2019) Ziggy's Fish & Chips, 21 Kent St W, ☏ +1 705 328-3847. Tu-Th Sa 11AM-7:30PM, F 11AM-9PM. British-style fish and chips, and Celtic suppers. (updated Sep 2019) Jane's Kountry Kitchen, 115 Kent St W, ☏ +1 705 878-8715. M-Sa 8AM-3PM, Su 8AM-2PM. Great breakfasts. (updated Sep 2019) The Grand Experience Family Restaurant, 171 Kent St W, ☏ +1 705-324-9444. Su 9AM-9PM, M-W 11AM-9PM, Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 9AM-10PM. Pizza, wings, pub food in a historic hotel. (updated Sep 2019)

Drink & nightlife

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

Days Inn and Suites Lindsay, 134 Angeline St S (near Fleming College), ☏ +1 705 328-0100. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 3-star hotel. Free hot breakfast,