With March Break and longer days, March provides the perfect chance to connect with family. To help you plan some Northumberland fun, we've highlighted some great things to do with your family. We suggest booking as far ahead as possible when reservations are required since things will fill up. Check hours and availability for each business at the links below.
Family Treats: Maple Syrup and Big Apples
Warkworth for a Maple Syrup Festival
Check out Warkworth’s classic maple syrup festival held at Sandy Flat Sugar Bush. Take a sleigh ride, see the sap flow, drizzle fresh syrup on your pancakes, try taffy-making in the snow, and pick up some liquid gold (fresh, real maple syrup) to take home. The village of Warkworth (just minutes away) will also be celebrating all things maple-licious – welcoming you into shops, bakeries and eateries to get your early spring spirit flowing.
The Big Apple for Pies and Pics
Stop into The Big Apple in Colborne off Highway 401 where you can pose in front of the world’s biggest apple – and then go indoors to see apple pies being made through the glass windows of the bakery. Pick out sweet treats and chocolate at the old-fashioned Treat Shoppe, get a cup of apple cider, or try smokehouse ribs. The Big Apple’s events are posted as they are available.
Fresh Ideas: Theatre, Film, Music and Art
Self-Guided Walking Tours - Film & TV Editions
Are your teens fans of Ginny & Georgia on Netflix? Or maybe the IT movie series, based on the Stephen King novel? Bring them to Northumberland to experience these settings in real life. Cobourg has put together the Ginny & Georgia Self-Guided Walking Tour so you can check out all the hot spots in "Wellsbury" (the fictional town in Ginny & Georgia). Port Hope's self-guided IT Walking Tour outlines the hotspots in "Derry", the fictional setting for the hit films and the upcoming mini-series. It's a perfect day out for horror movie fans.
The Cameco Capitol Arts Centre for Theatre
Need a March muse? The Capitol Theatre in downtown Port Hope offers lots of creativity behind the scenes and on the stage. Their events listing includes upcoming live performances, classic on-screen performances, and creative workshops. They've got March Break covered with children's productions, a theatre camp for kids and a songwriting intensive day for teenagers.
The Aron Theatre Co-operative for Nostalgia
Experience how it felt going to the cinema 70 years ago. Take your family to The Aron in Campbellford, built in 1947 and lovingly restored. With fresh-popped popcorn at every show, The Aron is run as a community co-operative for films, concerts and other social events. Check out the latest movie listings.
The Art Gallery of Northumberland for Inspiration
Come explore the AGN, Northumberland’s largest collecting public art gallery, with hundreds of works of art from near and far. Check out their special events for unique ways to enjoy the gallery. The Art Gallery is located in Victoria Hall, and your kids will feel like they’ve stepped back in time. This landmark in Cobourg was built in the mid-1800s with lavish neoclassical flourishes when it was thought that the town might become the capital of Upper Canada. Find out more about the heritage of Northumberland.
Victoria Hall for Live Concerts
Be captivated at the Concert Hall at Victoria Hall – an enchanting spot to see live music, musical theatre, or maybe a sought-after magic show. With its incredible history, the Concert Hall showcases nationally-acclaimed artists from many genres, including jazz, folk and pop.
Westben for a Spring Tune Up
Westben, Northumberland's famous 400-seat barn theatre, opens up The West Schoolhouse located nearby in Campbellford to offer March Break day camps and music education. You might find an introduction to Broadway Chorus classics and fun theatre games or you could learn the art of storytelling through music, tech and nature.
Primitive Designs for a Big World View
Located on Highway 28 in Port Hope, Primitive Designs has an 8000-sq. ft. (743 sq. m) warehouse gallery of unique arts, crafts, conversation pieces, and fun collectibles from places such as Africa, Indonesia and India. The world marketplace reopens for the season in March, follow their Facebook page to stay up-to-date on their opening date. While you’re there, take a selfie in front of a huge robot or dinosaur made from recycled motor vehicle parts.
Outdoors: Fresh Air, Hiking and Farm Visits
Ganaraska Forest for Outdoor Education
How about a forest day camp for your kids? The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority has developed outdoor experiences for kids with the Nature Nuts March Break camp, delivered by its Outdoor Education teaching staff. If spaces are already filled, there’s still a lot for your kids to discover if you head out on a forest trail with them.
Northumberland County Forest for Views
Located northeast of Cobourg, Northumberland County Forest has over 45 km of hiking trails. If there’s snow, you can slip on your gear to take in some great scenery while cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Whatever route you take, you’ll discover some spectacular views in this forest managed by Northumberland County.
Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge for a Thrill
Wow your kids. Show them the stunning aerial view from the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge. You’ll find it located beside locks 11 and 12 at the south end of Campbellford. While walking across this 30 m (300 ft.) metal bridge – which is suspended 9 m (30 ft.) above the Ranney Gorge.
Farm Visits for Goats, Alpacas or Donkeys
Put on your farm boots and come and see some “floofy” creatures on farms that are open for visits in March. At Old Mill Alpacas, located between Colborne and Brighton, you can book a family tour or trek to get up close to alpacas. You can also see how alpaca fibre can be transformed into garments and works of art. Further west near Port Hope, you can book a Goat Shmurgle or Alpaca Knuffle Shuffle – two fun ways to interact with the animals at Haute Goat Farm. You can even book ahead to play a round of Disc Golf. Check out our blog post for more about this fast-growing, year-round sport from a local disc golfer. PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary is also open Thursdays and Sundays for curbside visits with volunteers available to tell you about their amazing animals. Personal tours can also be arranged for a fee by emailing primrosedonkeysanctuary@gmail.com to book in advance.
Overnight Stays: Accomodations with Indoor Pools
The Hampton Inn by Hilton Port Hope
Relax with your kids by the indoor swimming pool at Port Hope’s Hampton Inn. The guest rooms come with two queen beds or one king bed. Accessibility is also a nice focus at this modern hotel. Breakfast is included with your stay. (Make your own waffle or go for the eggs at the self-serve breakfast bar.) Breakfast is the only meal served, but each room has a microwave and mini-fridge. Located on Henderson St. at the junction of Highway 401 and County Rd. 2, the hotel is 4 km from downtown Port Hope and 30 minutes from the Ganaraska Forest.
The Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre
Dip your toe in here while your kids discover the sprinklers and overhead water buckets for an added splash. Many of the guest rooms at Cobourg’s Best Western Plus have an additional sofa bed. There are also some rooms with three queen beds. Each room has a mini fridge. Arthur's Pub is on site, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, pub fare and drinks, as well as a creative Kids’ Menu. Located on Burnham St., just off the 401, the hotel is 3.5 km from downtown Cobourg and 30 minutes to Northumberland County Forest.
Looking for More March Break Fun?
Special events for March Break 2024 in Northumberland County include the WeeFestival Weekend at Capitol Theatre, a magic show at the Concert Hall at Victoria Hall, the Warkworth Maple Syrup Festival, Waterfowl Weekend at Presqu'ile Provincial Park and artisan markets. Check out our events calendar below for all the details and more fun throughout the month.
Contact Us
