The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough has been named Attraction of the Year at the 2026 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence.
The award was presented Thursday night (October 22) at the Westin Ottawa during the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala, which concluded the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario’s annual two-day Ontario Tourism Summit.
The association, which represents tourism businesses and organizations across the province, presents the annual awards to recognize businesses, organizations, events, experiences, and tourism leaders for their contributions to making Ontario a destination of choice.
The Canadian Canoe Museum was selected from three finalists for Attraction of the Year, along with Niagara Parks and Rivershrike Inc., which operates the Waterfront River Pub and Terrace, and Napanee River Tours.
“This honour puts a provincial spotlight on the experience we have built together on the shores of Little Lake, where visitors explore the world’s largest collection of paddled watercraft, learn from builders sharing their skills and knowledge, and make their own memories on the water,” the museum posted on social media after receiving the award.
The museum thanked its staff, volunteers, Indigenous partners, members, supporters, and visitors for contributing to the achievement.
“There are so many people behind this achievement, and we are thrilled to share it with you,” the museum wrote. “And to our visitors, whether you have joined us once or return again and again, thank you for making us part of your adventures.”
The recognition comes after a strong first full calendar year for The Canadian Canoe Museum at its new lakefront home, which first opened to the public in May 2024.
According to the museum, it welcomed 116,493 visitors in 2025 — well above its original projection of about 87,000 annual visitors — with more than 62 per cent of those visitors coming from outside the city and county of Peterborough.
The museum estimates visitation in 2025 alone generated $10.55 million in direct spending and contributed $6.95 million to regional gross domestic product.
The Canadian Canoe Museum was one of four finalists from the greater Kawarthas region across four categories at this year’s Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence.
Brighton Applefest, presented by the Municipality of Brighton in Northumberland County, was a finalist for Tourism Event of the Year. That award went to Brockville Tourism for the Tall Ships Festival.
Kawarthas Northumberland’s Trent-Severn Trail Towns initiative was a finalist for the Tourism Marketing Campaign Award for campaigns costing less than $50,000. The award went to the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board for its Get FREE Gas & Spending Spree campaign.
Elmhirst’s Resort on Rice Lake in Peterborough County was a finalist for Sustainable Tourism Award of the Year. Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto received that award.
