You'll find Kincardine situated along Lake Huron's Shoreline, easily accessible from major south western Ontario population centres. Kincardine is known as the gateway to the Sunshine Coast, the Bruce Peninsula, as well as Cottage Country. Easy access to the shores of Lake Huron means excellent boating, fishing, and swimming. Whatever the season, Kincardine has something to offer every visitor. The town (and municipality) are filled with antique stores and quaint boutiques, festivals and events, and dazzling summer theatre, and much more.
Things to do in Kincardine
Ainsdale Golf Course
An 18-hole golf course which will test even the best golfer's skills. The entire club house is barrier free (handicapped accessible).The course covers 6,448 yards and has a pro-shop, power cart rentals, a lounge and a driving range. Best Western Kincadine lodging is nearby. Call 519-395-5555 for more information.
Black Horse Golf Course
A new 18 hole course scheduled to open in late summer 2002. It is two kilometres south of Kinloss on the east side of Bruce County Rd. 1. The course includes a driving range. Call 519-395-0009 for more information.
Bluewater Summer Playhouse
This is our professional summer theatre group that we guarantee will "Light a fire in your mind". Commencing late June and continuing through to September, the Bluewater Summer Playhouse offers a perfect dose of entertainment and talent that will keep you coming back for more! We feature cabaret seating by candlelight. The box office located at Kincardine Arts Centre. Call 877-396-5722 for more information.
Dunsmoor Park
For 38 years Sunday evening sing-a-longs at have been a Kincardine tradition held at the Dunsmoor Park. Various bands make appearances throughout the summer, with music to suit every taste. Often you will see over 100 people enjoying the music on a Sunday evening. Tourists especially enjoy the sing-a-long, which is one of the many things that make Kincardine so unique. There is no fee for attending the sing-a-long, but there is a freewill offering at the concerts with the proceeds going toward the upkeep of the park. Bring along a friend and a lawn chair or a blanket and sing along as you enjoy the balmy summer breezes on the shores of beautiful Lake Huron.
Fish Hatchery
A visit to the Kincardine Trout hatchery, which is operated by the Lake Huron Fishing Club, is sought after by many each season. Tours are available usually every evening from 7 - 8 pm. This hatchery has been called "The finest club-operated fish hatchery in the Province of Ontario."
Flea & Farmers' Market
Held every Monday 9am - 3pm at Victoria Park. We welcome all vendors; admission is free. Come and enjoy a relaxing stroll around our open air market while you shop for fresh fruits, crafts, baking, and much more! Call 519-396-2731 for more information.
Geddes Trails
Follow the Penetangore River as it winds its way through the heart of Kincardine. The river brings a wilderness that is largely unspoiled and undiscovered in the middle of town. There are trails along the river, cow paths worn down by those who have discovered Kincardine's hidden treasure. With the development of the Geddes property, that treasure is available to all people who live and visit Kincardine. This property, about 11 acres, is located at the south edge of Kincardine's downtown section, along the Penetangore River.
Harbour
The harbour at Kincardine is a hub of activity. In the early 1890's, excursion boats from Detroit travelled up Lake Huron to stop in Kincardine. Today, the beacon--which can be seen for 34 kms (21 miles) in clear weather--is still used as a navigational aid for pleasure boaters. The lightkeeper was also the Harbour Master, maintaining the harbour and collecting mooring fees.
Heritage Home Tour
The Annual Heritage Home Tour continues to be one of the summer's greatest attractions! Held in mid August annually, the tour begins from Victoria Park at noon and run every 15 minutes. For those not in town during the official walk, it has been published in the Kincardine & Area Tourist Guide.
Inverhuron Beach
A great spot for a swim or a family picnic. The bathrooms, picnic shelters and shallow water make it a great spot for children to splash, run and play. Nature walks on the trails winding throughout the provincial park are a nice way to end a day at the beach.
Inverhuron Provincial Park
The Inverhuron Provincial Park is a great place to hit the beach for the day! About 8 miles north of Kincardine, and just west of Tiverton, Inverhuron is right on the shores of Lake Huron. This day-use park has one of the best beaches in the area - great for a family picnic, outing or day of swimming; you can also see some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world. The park offers washrooms, boat launch and day-use area. Activities include fishing, boating, canoeing, swimming and biking.
Kincardine Arts Centre
Located in the downtown area, the Kincardine Arts Centre is a new addition to the cultural community. The former Kincardine Municipal offices, beside Victoria Park, were vacated last year. Local arts groups banded together to share space in the centre - opening their works to the public.
Kincardine Golf and Country
Just off West Street in Kincardine you will find this nine hole course which measures about 3,000 yards. It is the oldest golf course in the area that offers power cart rental, a pro-shop and licensed club house with a patio. Lessons are available. Call 519-396-2112 for more information.
Kincardine Theatre Guild
A local volunteer theatre group that will give you many rousing performances of some of the best known productions the world has ever seen! Murder mysteries, musicals, and comedies are sure to please even the toughest critics! The box office is located at Interiors By Mhairi. Call 519-396-9000 for more information.
Kincardine Yacht Club
The six-room keeper's house below the tower is now the Kincardine Yacht Club's clubhouse and a marine museum. Artifacts from the Bruce County Museum & Archives and vintage photos of the harbour that have been printed from glass negatives now trace the area's marine history for the public to explore and enjoy. The Kincardine Yacht Club, who are responsible for maintaining and operating the lighthouse, the range light and the fog horn.
Lighthouse & Museum
Close to downtown Kincardine, nestled on the shoreline at the inner end of the harbour at the edge of the Penetangore River, you will find this unique white wooden lighthouse was built in 1881. The Lighthouse stands one hundred and fifty feet tall with an eight-sided tower that rests on a stone foundation. The three levels of the lighthouse are joined by steep, straight, almost perpendicular staircases making a total of 69 steps. Barrels of kerosene, used to fuel the lamp, were hoisted up these stairs by the keepers. The tower is capped by a red iron lantern and balcony, painted in the familiar "lighthouse red".
Paddy Walker House
A stroll down Kincardine's popular Harbour Street which leads to the lighthouse and lakefront, will take visitors by the oldest building in Kincardine and the oldest standing hotel in Bruce and Grey counties: the Paddy Walker House. Hundreds of local residents have poured their hearts and souls into the restoration of the building with an eye to its eventually becoming a heritage centre. Visitors are encouraged to take a walk to the house and have a tour. Workers are there on a daily basis and are always more than willing to share their enthusiasm for the house with newcomers.
Pipe Band Parades
No summer visit to Kincardine would be complete without walking down Queen Street following the world famous Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band Parade on Saturday evenings. The parades begin in late June and have become a part of summer in Kincardine; just like the sunshine and sparkling water. The band starts at Victoria Park at 8pm, so do not miss this fun evening. The pipe band is one of the largest in the province, with more than 60 members. It is a charitable organization and concentrates on teaching new members to carry on the traditions of the Saturday night parades and the Phantom Piper.
Point Clark Beach
The main beach in Point Clark is overlooked by the historic Point Clark Lighthouse. This expansive beach has everything a person would need while there. Bathrooms, a small harbor for the boating enthusiasts and an 87-foot walk up the lighthouse for a gorgeous 'bird's-eye' view of the Lake Huron shoreline make a day at the beach anything but ordinary.
Rock Garden & Lover's Lane
The garden was built in 1931, using 190 tons of stone. The gardens have become a well known focal point in town for both photographers and green thumbs! They are beautifully landscaped, and the flowers used are in full bloom all season long. Take a walk just north of the Rock Garden, and you will happen upon Lovers Lane. The lane provides the setting for a peaceful, romantic stroll along the waterfront. Lovers Lane is also landscaped with stone and flowers similar to the Rock Garden. Lovers Lane follows the length of Saugeen Street to Broadway Street.
Somerhill Golf Club
A 9-hole golf course (soon to be 18 holes) The course covers 2,850 yards and features a scenic, hilly layout with water hazards on several of its holes. Somerhill also offers a pro-shop, snack bar, power car rentals and banquet facilities for groups and tournaments. Call 519-396-8450 for more information.
Station Beach
This beach is a favorite place for the young and old in Kincardine. Whether people are looking for a suntan, out to play some volleyball or going for a dip in Lake Huron, Station Beach is the place to be on a hot summer day. There is a snack booth, run by the Kincardine Rotary Club, which offers a variety of treats for the hungry swimmer.
Victoria Park Gallery and Gift Shop
Featuring the work of more than 40 artists in addition to the traditional watercolours and oils. You will also find some fabric painting, wood turning, ceramics, quilting, stained glass, glass work, pencil sketches and more. The Gallery is open Wednesday - Saturday 11am – 5pm; Sunday noon – 3pm. Call 519-396-1949 for more information.
707 Queen Street, Kincadine, ON