Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping thrills or looking for a space of reflection in The Kawarthas, you can find it all in the Township of Cavan Monaghan, a destination nestled in the rolling hills and expansive landscapes of southwestern Peterborough County.
From car and harness racing to heartwarming outdoor theatrical performances, the township offers entertainment in all forms. But Cavan Monaghan is also celebrated for its rich agricultural roots and scenic countryside, where you can find plenty of locally grown food and sweet treats as well as places to reflect and reconnect, whether hiking on a trail or meditating in the garden of a Buddhist temple.
“One of the things that makes Cavan Monaghan so unique and special is its deep and rich agricultural history,” says Cavan Monaghan Mayor Matthew Graham. “What is now the township was first surveyed in 1817 — 50 years before Confederation — and it’s steeped in that hardworking agricultural history. There are still several buildings in the village of Millbrook and historic farmhouses throughout the municipality that date back into the mid-1800s, so it’s got a lot to offer in that historical regard, but there’s also a lot to get out and do in the township as well.”
Morning: Take flight with sweets and treats
Start your day in Cavan Monaghan with a first-class breakfast courtesy of The Good Baker YPQ. This newest location of the beloved local bakery at the Peterborough Regional Airport serves up full breakfasts as well as freshly made gluten-free baked goods, which you can enjoy while watching the planes take to the sky or the classes in session at the Seneca Polytechnic School of Aviation.
When you’re all fuelled up for your day of exploration, head south on Peterborough County Road 28 to Millbrook. After just a few minutes spent exploring the well-preserved historic downtown, you’ll understand why it has been the backdrop to many acclaimed television shows and films including, among others, Reacher, Anne with an E, and Murdoch Mysteries.
“A lot of the downtown Millbrook is more than a century old and we’re doing a lot of work in maintaining that heritage in the village,” says Mayor Graham. “You have the Needler’s Mill right next door that has different iterations dating back to 1820 with the original mill. There was a fire just at the turn of the century so different iterations have been rebuilt, but parts are still from the early 1800s, which is really unique. You can really feel that history in the downtown.”
For a sweet treat, head to King Street East to Millbrook Valley Chocolates where you’ll find gourmet cake, cookie platters, peanut butter cups, and lots of ice cream. If you’ve ever wanted to make your own chocolates, call ahead to book a private class and learn to make anything from chocolate bars and truffles to a smooth ganache!
Right next door, you’ll find The Village Apothecary, your Cavan Monaghan haven for health and wellness with on-site naturopathic doctors and dietitians. Stock up on high-quality supplements and wholesome health foods, curate the ultimate gift basket, or reduce your use of single-use plastics by buying from the refillery.
For a taste of what’s growing in The Kawarthas, drop by the Millbrook Farmers’ Market on Sundays. With farm-fresh produce as well as a variety of local vendors, makers and artisans, and entertainment, this weekly farmers’ market is just another way to immerse yourself in Cavan Monaghan’s rich agricultural roots.
Spend some time in nature by enjoying a trail walk along one of the nearby Millbrook Valley Trails. Winding through valleys, forests, wetlands, and meads, the network includes over 13 kilometres of trails that follow the shoreline of Baxter Creek, a cold-water stream that’s a tributary of the Otonabee River and provides habitat for a variety of species.
“The Millbrook Valley Trails take you around the hidden, wooded area of undeveloped natural beauty throughout the township,” says Mayor Graham.
“It can bring you right through into the village of Millbrook and take you all the way out to the Ganaraska Forest. Depending how much of a hike you’re into and where you’d like to get, it’s a really interesting way to see the natural beauty of the township.”
Prefer a more urban landscape as you walk? Learn all about the architectural and historical significance of some of the properties that contribute to Millbrook being home to the greatest number of historically designated buildings per capita in Canada.
On a self-guided tour with Millbrook’s interactive Walking Tour Map, you can step into the town’s past by exploring everything from Victorian farmhouses to gothic churches.
Don’t forget to visit The Millbrook Mercantile, a one-stop shop and deli where you can browse curated home décor, fashion, and wellness products, as well as 100 cheeses from around the world and more than 20 cured meats. Dine on homemade soups, salads, and boutique wines on a streetside patio, or order a charcuterie board to-go to create your own picnic on your afternoon adventure.
Afternoon: Speed, sightseeing, and so much more
After you’ve explored Millbrook, head north on Peterborough County Road 28 to the Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden, a unique destination in The Kawarthas. Residing on 535 acres of land, this sacred site, when complete, will be the largest single Buddhist complex based outside of China. Spend some time exploring all the grounds have to offer from massive structures and multiple shrines to a man-made lake, a tea shop, an art gallery, and walking trails.
Just north on the Trans Canada Highway, you’ll find even more entertainment at the Peterborough Speedway, Canada’s fastest 1/3-mile paved oval and one of the busiest racing venues in Canada. Did you know you can even get behind the wheel with the Peterborough Speedway Driving Experience? That’s sure to get your heart pounding!
To add more racing to your itinerary, follow County Road 28 to Kawartha Downs. The lively entertainment venue is the home of weekly free-admission harness racing, offering fun for the whole family with the option to enjoy it all while dining buffet-style at the Grandstand Dining Room.
For a special agritourism experience in The Kawarthas, head south to Hunnabees Honey & Co., a 200-colony apiary run by third-generation beekeepers. Sign up to be a beekeeper for a day, learn about the honey extraction process through scheduled workshops, or drop in to browse the farm store and purchase a range of honeys, beeswax food wraps, pollen, and more.
The Kawarthas draws golfers from near and far, and there are plenty of opportunities to hit the links in Cavan Monaghan. Tee off at Baxter Creek Golf Club, an award-winning champion course in Fraserville that boasts a unique 19th island green bonus hole.
You can also head to the fairways at Keystone Links Golf & Country Club or Heron Landing Golf Club, both located just outside the City of Peterborough.
Evening: Settle in for the night in Cavan Monaghan
End your road trip in Cavan Monaghan by heading back to downtown Millbrook for dinner and a locally roasted organic-bean coffee at The Peddler, a community staple whose location in a heritage building illuminates Millbrook’s unique history. From pierogis and scallops to ribs and fondant, there’s something for everyone on the dinner menu.
Make sure you leave in time to get to 4th Line Theatre just outside the village. Every July and August, the renowned outdoor theatre company stages two original productions focused on regional history at its barnyard stage at the Winslow Farm. Performances run from Tuesdays to Saturdays at 6 p.m. and, if you don’t have time for a sit-down dinner in Millbrook before the show, you can pre-order a charcuterie snack box to enjoy at the Winslow Farm.
Adrenaline junkies can extend their time at Kawartha Downs into the evening at Shorelines Slots, or by booking tickets to a live music, comedy, or line dancing event at the entertainment venue.
Need more time to explore Cavan Monaghan? Turn your day adventure into an overnight one by staying at Sweet Hills Farm Bunkie. This private hilltop Amish-built pine bunkie offers spectacular mile-long views and lookouts, and provides access to a campfire and private hiking trails, with seasonal produce, maple syrup, and honey available for purchase.
You can also spend the night at Field Day Art and B&B, an 1874 Gothic building that has been turned into a gallery setting where owner Kate Field displays her vivid Canadiana paintings. Open year-round, the accommodation is on a two-acre property that offers a spa-like experience with a swimming pool, children’s activities, and is within walking distance of downtown Millbrook.
For a night or more on the water, rent a houseboat at Le Boat for up to 10 days. No license or experience is required for these rentals, which you can us to explore the Otonabee River. Part of the Trent-Severn Waterway and running throughout The Kawarthas, the river is one of Mayor Graham’s must-see destinations in Cavan Monaghan.
“I think a lot of people underappreciate the natural beauty of the Otonabee River,” Mayor Graham says.
“It’s a really cool experience and it also saves you from any weather or wind that can make lake access a bit more dangerous sometimes. The river is a nice place that’s tranquil and calmer.”
For a detailed itinerary of your road trip in Cavan Monaghan, visit The Kawarthas Tourism website at thekawarthas.ca/cavan-monaghan-road-trip/.
Want to see more of Cavan Monaghan?
No matter the season, there’s always a reason to return to Cavan Monaghan.
Plan a visit back to the township during the Millbrook Fair, which is celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2026. Held by the Millbrook Agricultural Society, the fair takes place every June, bringing the community together for a wide range of events, competitions, activities, and displays that focus on the importance of agriculture. Expect to find parades, live entertainment, and classic fair treats at this small-town fair.
On your next trip, take a self-guided tour through the Cavan Monaghan Barn Quilt Trail by car or on foot to view the region’s history through dozens of hand-painted quilt blocks that transform barns and public buildings. This educational, interactive, and fun art installation is accessible year-round, inviting you to pause and connect with the history, culture, and community of the region.
Come to Cavan Monaghan in the spring for Maple Weekend, an annual province-wide celebration held on the first weekend of April by the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association, with producers across Ontario taking part, including Staples Maple Syrup near Cavan and Red Mill Maple near Millbrook. You can also visit Staples and Red Mill year round to take a tour of the sugar bush, learn about the sugaring process, partake in a maple syrup tasting, and stock up on locally made syrup until your next trip to The Kawarthas.
Road Tripping in The Kawarthas is a partnership between kawarthaNOW and the Peterborough County Tourism and Communications Division, created to showcase the unique and distinct townships of The Kawarthas.
This series supports the regional Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) campaign by inviting locals and nearby neighbours to rediscover the places, people, and businesses that make this region unforgettable. Every visit to The Kawarthas supports our local economy — and adds another chapter to your Kawarthas story.
Visit The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.
