Happy Monday, friends! I hope everyone is enjoying the last of their summers. As much as it pains me to say that (I mean, the official end of summer is more than a month away!) the truth is that as soon as mid-August rolls around, I start to get those end-of-summer blues. It may be the back-to-school ads, the ceramic pumpkins lining the shelves at HomeSense, or the slightly cooler temperatures… but whatever it is, it gets me every year around this time! I guess it’s all the more reason to soak up what’s left of the season, and enjoy it while we can.
In keeping with that spirit, I thought I’d dedicate a post to one of Ontario’s most beloved summer destinations: Bobcaygeon. Located on the Trent-Severn Waterway, it’s nicknamed “The Hub of the Kawarthas”. Bobcaygeon is located in prime cottage country – close to nature, yet lively, with a bustling main street – so it’s easy to see why it’s a draw for cottagers and tourists alike. While I’d visited parts of the Kawarthas before, I only went to Bobcaygeon for the first time this summer – and I’ve got to tell you, if you haven’t been before, it’s definitely worth a visit! Here are some spots I enjoyed that I thought you all might as well.
Bigley’s Sweet Treats – With its pinstriped awning, pastel palette and neon patio furniture, this retro-chic ice cream parlour is hard to miss! Tania and I shared the Lock 32 sundae, which consists of vanilla soft serve with hot fudge, whipped cream, brownies, and the must-have cherry on top. It was SO good! They also (appropriately) serve various flavours of Kawartha Dairy.
Bigley Shoes & Clothing – Bigley occupies a prime piece of real estate on Bobcaygeon’s Main Street. In addition to the ice cream parlour, they also have a large store selling everything from clothing, shoes and accessories to food, homewares and novelty gifts. I love the white shiplap walls and straw baskets everywhere; it lends the store such a chic coastal vibe.
My Favourite Things – Located just off of Main Street on King, this charming shop sells a large variety of kitchenware, home fragrance, wall art, clocks, tea towels and other chotchkes for the home.
El Patio at the Kawartha Coffee Company – This beloved local coffee shop is also home to the largest outdoor patio in the Kawarthas! Serving up Mexican favourites like tacos, burritos and churros alongside casual staples like burgers, chicken fingers and fries, there’s something here to suit every palate. With vibrant hand-painted murals adorning the patio walls, this is another spot that’s tough to miss!
Bobcaygeon Bakery – Located just off of Main Street on King (across from My Favourite Things), this cute little bake shop sells an impressive array of baked goods that’ll transport your taste buds around the world! Whether you’re looking for French croissants, Portuguese custard tarts, Greek baklava, British Chelsea buns or Canadian butter tarts, you’ll find them all (and more) right here.
Historic architecture – Bobcaygeon is a town with no shortage of historic charm. A self-guided walking tour around the town is a great way to see some beautiful historic buildings. A friendly reminder that the majority of these buildings are private homes or businesses, so please be respectful: do not trespass or loiter, and take any photos from a respectable distance.
Pigeon Lake – You can’t go to the Kawartha Lakes without experiencing the lakes themselves! Swimming and boating are popular activities among local cottagers, but if you’re just a tourist passing through (like us) you can still enjoy some lake time! Pigeon Lake is a five-minute walk from Bobcaygeon’s Main Street. We picked up a pizza from our favourite pizza chain, Godfathers, and enjoyed a peaceful lunch on a bench overlooking the lake. Godfathers has over 25 locations in Ontario, but they’re all in smaller towns, so sadly there’s not one too close to home (but maybe that’s a good thing, because otherwise I’d be ordering pizza way too often!) That said, anytime Tania and I find ourselves in a town that has a Godfathers, we have to stop and pick up a pie!
Thanks for joining me for this mini-tour of Bobcaygeon! We were only there for a day, so there’s so many things we didn’t get to do that are on my list for next time. If you have any recommendations for things to do next time we’re in Bobcaygeon, please comment below or send me an email!
3 responses to “Bobcaygeon”
Delightful photos. What a place – it looks a little like a film set!
Thank you! It’s a charming spot.
[…] Bobcaygeon, otherwise known as the “Hub of the Kawarthas”. (You can read that post here!) Today, I thought we’d head a few kilometres west to the “Jewel of the […]