Help us celebrate our 60th anniversary on four guided and curated walks through some of the loveliest neighbourhoods of Port Hope.
Select Saturdays • 11 am – 12:30 pm
$20 plus Eventbrite fee
Past Tours
- May 4 King Street: From the Water to Ward Street Part 1
- May 11 Trains, Taverns, & Theatres
- May 25 Parade of Stately Homes
- Aug 24 King Street: From the Water to Ward Street Part 1
- Aug 31 The Secrets of Pine Street
- Sep 7 Parade of Stately Homes
- Sep 14 Trains, Taverns, & Theatres
- Sep 21 King Street: From the Water to Ward Street Part 2
- Sep 28 Parade of Stately Homes
4 programs to explore:
King Street: From the Water to Ward Street
Walk in the steps of one of the founding families of Port Hope
90 min • 1 km
Meeting Point: St Mark’s Anglican Church 51 King Street 11am
From Canada House on the edge of Lake Ontario, Elias Smith’s family legacy on King Street includes the Bluestone, the Little Bluestone, St. Mark’s Anglican Church and more.
This 90-minute (approximate) tour will take you on an easy 1km stroll past some of the most fascinating landmarks of King Street, Port Hope. Our knowledgeable guides will tell you all about the buildings you go by and the people who built, lived, or worked in, and restored them.
Trains, Taverns, & Theatres
Our knowledgeable guide will share the history of the Queen and John Streets in the historic downtown Port Hope
90 min
Meeting Point: Farini Gardens (across the street from the Waddell Hotel) 11am
Come see the change from the first buildings of 1793 made of wood timber from local cleared forests, to the three storey brick buildings now lining the main street. Port Hope is recognized as having one of the finest downtown streetscapes in Ontario.
We shall see the route of the first trains which brought businessmen and tourists to town. Hear the story of P.T. Barnum’s visit in 1852, our local tight rope walker crossing over the Ganaraska River in 1859, and enjoy the architecturally beautiful homes, friendly people and a National Historic Site of Canada – our own Capitol Theatre.
Parade of Stately Homes
Explore the stately homes of two of Port Hope’s premier streets
90 min
Meeting Point: Municipality of Port Hope 56 Queen Street 11am
Explore the stately homes of two of Port Hope’s premier streets. This tour features an eclectic mix of cottages and townhomes, the homes of sea captains and leaders of industry, the mansions of wealthy American summer residents and (at least one) European noble. Come hear their stories and appreciate the wonderful architectural heritage they have left for us.
This 90-minute (approximate) tour will take you on an easy 1km stroll past some of the most fascinating landmarks of Dorset and Augusta Streets in Port Hope, Ontario. Our knowledgeable guides will tell you all about the buildings you go by and the people who built, lived, or worked in, and restored them.
The Secrets of Pine Street
Explore churches, houses, and taverns of historic Pine Street and learn the sometimes surprising history of the town
90 min
Meeting Point: Municipality of Port Hope 56 Queen Street 11am
On this tour we see a cross-section of Port Hope’s cultural heritage and quite literally its ravine topography. Beginning at the town’s 1853 Town Hall and original farmer’s market we cross over to the base of Pine Street past two early hotels and proceed up the entire length of the street. We pass three Gothic churches, two large estates, worker row houses, two schools, and a mixture of architectural styles: Georgian, Italianate, French-empire, Tudor, two homes that when viewed together transition into what are termed Ontario Houses, and finally a transplanted “dolls house.” This tour truly does sample Port Hope.
This 90-minute (approximate) tour will take you on an easy 1km stroll past some of the most fascinating landmarks of Dorset and Augusta Streets in Port Hope, Ontario. Our knowledgeable guides will tell you all about the buildings you go by and the people who built, lived, or worked in, and restored them.