Port Perry Ontario – 10 Best Activities For Your Visit

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Port Perry was a random last minute addition to my recent trip to Ontario. I was looking for a nice place to add to my collection of small towns in Ontario and this one wasn’t far from where I was staying. On the map it didn’t look like much. But the town surprised me when I arrived, and turns out it was definitely a place I’m glad I didn’t miss. There were more things to do in Port Perry, Ontario than I initially realized.

Where is Port Perry, Ontario?

Port Perry is a small community along the southern shores of Lake Scugog. It’s about an hour’s drive northeast of Toronto so makes a great day trip or overnight getaway. While the majority of the shops and services are confined to the main street, Queen Street, a lot is packed into these few blocks.

The great news about Port Perry, Ontario is that parking is abundant and you can easily find parking for up to 3 hours free. To stay a little bit longer find a pay parking lot or move a little further from the main shopping street.

Best things to do in Port Perry, Ontario

Depending on what you’re looking for you can spend a few hours, or the whole day exploring the streets of Port Perry. To spend longer, there are a couple of nice Bed & Breakfasts, and The Piano Inn is very central. But what are the best things to do in Port Perry? Here are my top picks.

Look at the nice old buildings

Port Perry, Ontario has some lovely Victorian buildings and storefronts. The red brick buildings with colorful awnings and decorative embellishments could make you think you’re in England. The historic post office complete with clocktower is a pretty building. And the Piano Inn along Queen Street looks exactly the same today as it did over 100 years ago.

Antique hunting

One of the best things to do in Port Perry has to be antique hunting. There are a number of shops that sell antique looking products, but Port Perry’s Vintage Market, a short walk from the edge of Palmer Park, has the best selection. Open 7 days a week there’s bound to be a nostalgic find for you in there. A little closer to the main shopping street is Caviar and Cobwebs with an equally impressive array.

Stock up on baked goods

You can’t visit Port Perry without a trip to Hank’s Pastries. Fresh baked bread and decadent donuts are just the tip of the iceberg (or should that be icing-berg?!). It’s gonna get messy, but you’ll thank me later. A bakery has been here for over 100 years and with cakes like this they aren’t leaving any time soon. The blueberry donut is amazing!

Build your own cheese plate

The only thing better than baked goods is cheese. Great news! Port Perry has its own cheese shop. The Port Cheese Co sells the biggest selection of cheeses with some incredibly unique flavors. So make your selections and pair with some artisan preserves and mustards. Then grab some crackers and fresh bread to complete your ultimate cheese picnic, and find a nice park to enjoy it in.

Palmer Park

Gather up your pastries, cheese and a comfy blanket, and head on down to Palmer Park. The park is right by the water so you can watch the boats on Lake Scugog while enjoying a picnic in the sun. There are plenty of benches and grass to sit on, an ornate Victorian gazebo and a lovely waterfront trail. The best thing? Palmer Park is only steps away from lots of great bars and restaurants for when you’re done so you can still enjoy the view.

Go Paddleboarding

The good thing about being by a lake – water sports! Paddleboard rentals are available in Port Perry, and Lake Scugog has plenty of calm waters for beginners. Rent for around $25 for a half day, or $40 for a full day. One of the best things to do in Port Perry, because you get a completely different view of it than everyone else. And for those hot Ontario summers you can easily jump in the water to keep cool.

Old Flame Brewery

Speaking of fun summer activities (or winter), Port Perry, Ontario has it’s own craft brewery. The brick building brewery was once a local carriage manufacturing factory, and still has one of the vintage carriages in their beer garden. Inside, the brewery is full of antiques and curios, but it’s the beer that you want to know about I’m sure.

The menu, while mostly focusing on lager, still has a really great variety. I recommend trying the Raven black lager with coffee and caramel notes, or the Red Vienna amber lager for something different. Off sales are available if you don’t have time to sit in and enjoy a flight.

Visit a museum

Learn what life in Port Perry, Ontario was like back in the 1800s at the Scugog Shores Museum Village. Just a few minute drive outside downtown Port Perry, you’ll find the museum along the island peninsula. The drive out there is worth the trip alone, but the museum village has some cool heritage buildings to discover. Tickets are $5 or under and you’ll even get some nice views over the water to Port Perry historic town.

Win big at the casino

If you like to gamble, one of the most fun things to do in Port Perry might be the one that either makes or breaks your trip. Depending on how lucky you are of course. Along the island peninsula, past the Scugog Museum Village is the Great Blue Heron casino. There are slots and a variety of table games. The casino is typically open 24 hours but closed for a stretch during COVID so check that it’s open before you go.

Go to church

Whether you go to church every week or not, there are some really pretty churches out there. Growing up in the UK, visiting churches and cathedrals were a big part of all our family vacations, so I still love to check them out when I travel. The Church of the Ascension is an Anglican church in Port Perry dating back over 150 years. Take a look around the outside, enjoy a peek inside or stay for a sermon.

Port Perry, Ontario – More than a day trip

A day trip to Port Perry is a great way to see somewhere outside of the big city. But with all that the town has to offer, make sure you leave enough time to explore. Ideally an overnight trip if you want to enjoy some of the local restaurants and a few local beers.

But at the very least make sure you leave room in your belly for plenty of treats, and take advantage of the beautiful downtown area and park. Port Perry, Ontario might not be as big and exciting as Toronto, but it’s worth a visit on your Southern Ontario road trip.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you heard of (or been to) Port Perry, Ontario? What’s top of your list if you visit?