Hotels in Port Hope, Ontario

A little about Port Hope...

Port Hope is a municipality in Ontario, Canada, about 100 km east of Toronto and about 150 km west of Kingston. It is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario (+43° 56' 54.96", -78° 17' 36.96"), at the west end of Northumberland County, and had a 2001 census population of 15,605. Port Hope's nearest neighbour (7 km to the east) is the Town of Cobourg, Ontario, whose 2001 census population was 17,172. In 2001, the original town amalgamated with Hope Township to form the Municipality of Port Hope. The municipality's population in 2006 was 16,500.

Port Hope is celebrated as having the best preserved 19th century streetscape in Ontario. The town's local chapter of the Architectural Concervancy of Ontario and the Heritage Port Hope Advisory Committee are very active and advise on the restoration and preservation of architecturally or historically significant buildings. With over 250 heritage designated buildings throughout the municipality, Port Hope has a higher per capita rate of preservation than any other town or city in Canada. Downtown businesses are regulated by the municipality to maintain the town's unique character.

The Capitol Theatre is Canada's last functioning atmospheric theatre. The theatre's main auditorium is styled after an outdoor medieval courtyard where rolling clouds are projected onto the ceiling. The town recently spent in excess of 3 million dollars renovating and upgrading the theatre in 2004/2005.

Port Hope hosts many attractions and events throughout the year, including:
Ganaraska Forest Centre
Ganaraska Trail
Canadian Firefighters Museum
Port Hope Yacht Club
Vintage Film Festival
"Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny" (a "race" commemorating the flood of 1980)
Port Hope Festival Theatre
Port Hope & District Agricultural Fall Fair
The All Canadian Jazz Festival
Port Hope Olde Tyme Christmas (includes Festival of Trees, Candlelight Walk and Carol Singing, Candlelight Christmas in Memorial Park and the Santa Claus Parade)
Various artisan, house and garden tours

Port Hope is home to various industries. Downtown Port Hope is well-known as a shopping destination for antiques and other specialty items. The town's role in elder care (in the form of adult-lifestyle centred housing, retirement and nursing homes) may increase if it continues to grow as a retirement community.