ITINERARY INSPIRATION
Create a day or a longer stay around your visit to Theatre on the Ridge and make it multi-experiential! Here are some inspirational itinerary ideas on how to spend your time before the play and enjoy what makes Scugog Township and Port Perry a singular place to be. Including some of our esteemed local partners offering Perks to our patrons this season.
A reminder that Theatre on the Ridge summer shows take place on the grounds of the Scugog Shores Museum and your theatre ticket gives you complimentary access to the museum before the show. For more information on museum tours visit Our Summer Venue.
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Artisans & Authors
Following the footsteps of the region’s historic and contemporary creators.
Begin your day northwest of Port Perry exploring Leaskdale, the place that Lucy Maud Montgomery called home after relocating from her beloved Prince Edward Island in 1911. This is also where some of her sequels to Anne of Green Gables were written, while she raised her family alongside her minister husband Ewan MacDonald.
Arrange a tea time in the former home of the author – you can even sip out of Montgomery’s very own china tea cups! Then visit the Leaskdale Church and gardens where MacDonald led his congregation. Contact The Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario to arrange your tour.
From there carry onto Port Perry where you can enjoy lunch at the Piano Cafe on Queen St. before delving into the works of some of the various artists and artisans who call Scugog Township home at Scugog Arts. For delectable charcuterie and a glass of wine before the show, Port Cheese Co. has both terrace and indoor seating on Queen St. And a curated wine list so you can taste what you can’t likely find at the LCBO. Conclude your day of creatives at Theatre on the Ridge!
Other Tourism Resources:
York Durham Headwaters: Anne & Maud Experience
Leaskdale Loop
Meta4 Gallery
Scugog Library – Kent Farndale Gallery
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Sipping at the Source
Wines and ciders and beers, oh my!
Scugog Township is home to some of Ontario’s prime and picturesque agricultural lands. It’s no wonder so many good ingredients can be grown and crafted locally.
Spend your day before the play exploring the countryside and visiting some of the region’s outstanding producers such as Ocala Winery, Two Blokes Cider and complete your tasting journey in downtown Port Perry at Old Flame Brewing Co.
Should you prefer to be chauffeured on this adventure, contact the one and only Town Trolley to enquire about a private transfer vehicle or their vintage town trolley, including a tour of historic downtown Port Perry.
Don’t forget to experience why Scugog Township is known more and more as a hotbed for regional art at Scugog Arts. Then in the spirit of uncovering local treasures, dig your heels into another farm to table experience of the edible kind in the Foundry Kitchen & Bar, a perfect dinner prelude to your regional theatre experience.
Other Tourism Resources: in case you’d like to add some wellness into your joie de vivre:
Astoria Day Spa – Port Perry
Thermea Spa Village – Whitby
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Active Adventurer
Treetop and historic perspectives for the whole family.
Adventure awaits just ten minutes from picturesque Port Perry. Offering ziplining and beyond, explore the canopy of Treetop Eco Adventure Park through a series of ‘obstacles’ from a bird’s eye view, such as log swings, suspension bridges, cargo nets, tarzan ropes and more.
After working up an appetite, call ahead to Louies Cafe and Dessert to order lunch. Enjoy inside or out, if weather permits, by continuing a few steps away to eat lakeside at Palmer Park. Be sure to leave room for some Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream, also provided at Louies! Once you’ve refueled, it’s time to cross the causeway to Scugog Island and step back in time to explore the Scugog Shores Museum before the play.
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Earth, Water & Fire
Port Perry by shore, Scugog by boat, before visiting an Old Flame.
Perhaps you don’t own a boat but crave shaking the dust from your heels for a few hours before relishing in the earthly pleasures of experiencing live theatre. Port Perry Marina, located on Water St. is in the heart of Port Perry’s downtown district and offers rentals of canoes, kayaks, pontoon and fishing boats. Book your boat ahead to ensure availability and call ahead to Louies Cafe and Dessert to place your lunch order for pick up to bring on board.
Enjoy Lake Scugog and perspectives of Port Perry from the water, then return to terre ferme and head to Old Flame Brewing Co. for a wonderfully crafted brew. Although Old Flame does not have a menu, you’re welcome to bring food from outside locations. We suggest pre-ordering a charcuterie picnic box from Port Cheese Co. to enjoy with your pint!
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Rural Rambler
Sometimes having no agenda is the best agenda.
Take to the open road in Scugog Township and follow your senses towards locally grown and cultivated sights, flavours and sounds. The Sideroads of Scugog has plenty of ideas to inspire curiousity and satisfy taste buds en route.
After visiting a local family-run farm, winery or cidery, arrive in Port Perry for lunch or dinner of international perspectives; Marwan’s Global Bistro opens the storybook of chef Marwan’s travel and working experiences through a carefully curated menu of dishes from a variety of cultural and geographical sources. Afterwards, wander on to Palmer Park to enjoy the shoreline before heading to Scugog Island to explore the Scugog Shores Museum, followed by the play at Theatre on the Ridge.
Other Tourism Resources: to ramble by two wheels instead of four
Durham Tourism: Scugog / Uxbridge Loop (#14)
Durham Tourism: Cycling MapBarn Quilt Trails
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T-Lovers
Enjoy a good tee or tea before your theatre experience.
Golf to your heart’s content before taking in the show at Theatre on the Ridge. Downtown Port Perry has two golf courses within a ten minute drive.
Should there be someone in your party who is not of the sport, Port Perry’s charming Queen St. has a plethora of independent shops and stops all within walking distance for finding unique clothing, art, decor, or simply a spot of tea or a coffee. Reunite at The Piano Cafe to enjoy a late lunch and dessert before heading to Scugog Shores Museum and explore the grounds before the show.
Other Tourism Resources:
Sunnybrae Golf Club
Summerlea Golf Club
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General Regional Resources:
Discover Port Perry
Scugog Tourism
Scugog Chamber of Commerce
Durham Tourism
Durham Transit
