About Oshawa

Welcome to Oshawa! Whether you're visiting for a few hours, a few days or longer, our amazing city will keep you entertained, relaxed and never bored.

Oshawa, named a “bicycle friendly community,” offers an extensive trail network with direct access to the Waterfront Trail. The city is home to North America’s largest contemporary peony collection located at the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens. We also are home to the Pumphouse Marsh, the Second Marsh, the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve and the Oak Ridges Moraine, which is a unique glacial landform that spans Oshawa and beyond.

Scenic Lakeview Park provides the setting for the Oshawa Community Museum's three restored nineteenth-century homes and features picnic areas, playgrounds, sports fields, waterfront pier and sandy beach.

Two of Ontario's top festivals happen in Oshawa: our annual Fiesta Week and our annual Canada Day Celebrations at Lakeview Park. We also host AutoFest, Ribfest and North America's largest contemporary Peony Festival, as well as many other community events. Durham Region's premiere entertainment centre, the General Motors Centre in downtown Oshawa, is home to the Oshawa Power NBL Team, Oshawa Generals Hockey Club and the Sports Hall of Fame. It also showcases a variety of spectacular entertainment for all ages and interests.

For those looking for a touch of culture, Oshawa offers musical performances, live theatre, art shows, museums and heritage sites. Now a National Historic Site, Parkwood Estate, the remarkable home of Colonel Sam McLaughlin, is one of Ontario's most popular filming locations (Billy Madison and X-Men to name a few!). Parkwood features characteristic architecture and magnificent gardens, restored to look as they did in the 1930's. A tour of Parkwood is a definite highlight in the Oshawa experience.

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is the largest public art gallery in Durham Region. Located in downtown Oshawa, this splendid building is much more than a place to view the permanent collection and changing exhibitions. For more information, call 905-576-3000 or visit www.rmg.on.ca.

The Canadian Automotive Museum is located in the heart of Oshawa. There, over 70 vehicles are displayed in an authentic 1920's car dealership. Don't don't forget to drop by one of our Oshawa Public Library branches, which offer unique programs for all ages.

Discover a choice of hotels where you can enjoy our hospitality in comfort. When it's time to grab a bite to eat, Oshawa has a restaurant to suit every taste. If you need a little inspiration, take a look at the Downtown Oshawa World Cuisine Guide. Downtown Oshawa offers a variety of unique specialty shops and restaurants. Come to shop and stay for lunch - you might discover a new favourite place to dine.

The Oshawa Centre is the largest shopping centre in the Durham Region and provides a well-rounded shopping experience. You will find a multitude of nationally branded stores and a variety of restaurants to enjoy a meal.

Throughout Oshawa, you will also find many convenient neighbourhood shopping malls and plazas, including big-box retailers at the Harmony/Taunton Shopping Centre and Stevenson Road interchange.

We hope you enjoy your stay in Oshawa and come back soon - you'll never run out of amazing and exciting things to discover and explore.