The Town of Whitby was incorporated in 1855, three years after it was chosen as the seat of government for the new County of Ontario. Although settlement dates back to 1800, it was not until 1836 that a downtown business centre was established by Whitby's founder Peter Perry. It is named after the fishing village of Whitby  in North Yorkshire, England. It is officially "twinned" with Longueuil, Quebec; Feldkirch, Austria and Whitby, England.

Get around

 • Durham Region Transit  provides bus service within the Town of Whitby with connections to Go Transit  commuter bus and rail stations, and other municipalities in the Durham Region.
Several taxi services are available:
 • Circle Taxi - 128 Brock Street North - (905) 668-6666
 • Ajax Taxi - Ajax - (905) 686-8888
 • Bell Taxi - 109 Dundas Street West - (905) 668-8888

Attractions

 • Whitby Dunlops - Catch Ontario Senior Hockey League action!
 • Brooklin Redmen - Catch Ontario Major Lacrosse League action!
 • Camp X Intrepid Park - "Canada's School for Secret Agents 1941-1945". Located at Boundary Road, south of Wentworth Avenue (at Lake Ontario). Between 1941 and 1946, British Security Co-ordination under the leadership of Sir William Stephenson, known as Intrepid, trained agents who parachuted into Nazi occupied territory to not only lead the resistance movement, but to provide valuable information to invading Allied Armies. Intrepid Park is accessible by Whitby's Waterfront Trail.
 • Centennial Building - 416 Centre Street South, Whitby The Centennial Building was built in the early 1850s as the Ontario County Courthouse. Designed by prominent architects Frederick Cumberland and Wallace Storm, this building served from 1854 until 1964 as a trial court and a meeting place for County Council. In 1967, a local Centennial project turned the building into a community centre. The courthouse presently houses the Whitby Courthouse Theatre , a banquet facility, local archives and is used by community organizations. In 1979, the Centennial Building was designated as a Heritage Structure under the Ontario Heritage Act, and a Heritage Easement was registered with the Ontario Heritage Foundation in 1984, protecting the heritage value of both the property and the building.
 • Cullen Gardens & Miniature Village - 300 Taunton Road West, Whitby, L1N 5R5 Tel: 905-668-6606 or 1-800-461-1821 in Ontario or Quebec. Toronto line: 905-686-1600. Millions of visitors have enjoyed the beautiful sculptured gardens and miniature village since its opening in 1980. Flowers are intricately displayed among over 160 authentic Ontario buildings constructed to one-twelfth of their original size. Floral and animated displays enhance the trails throughout the grounds, while entertainment is provided in the valley theatre beside the covered bridge. Viewing cottage country and the beautiful surroundings only complement the exquisite Cullen Gardens Restaurant. A children's playground, water slide, splash pools, miniature golf, the Pioneer Lynde Creek ride, and the historical Lynde House Museum are located at Cullen Gardens to provide additional family enjoyment. Cullen Gardens hosts many seasonal flower festivals and special children's events throughout the year. A visit to Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village will be an occasion to remember.
 • Historic Whitby and Brooklin - Many of Whitby's significant buildings of architectural heritage exist today and are in remarkably good state of repair, serving new and useful purposes for the citizens of the town and for generations to come. Whitby has joined over 200 other Ontario cities and towns in taking steps through the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC) to ensure that the fine buildings that give character and individuality to the community are preserved for the future as practical and aesthetic evidence of the past. For further information on LACAC contact the Secretary, LACAC, Municipal Building, Town of Whitby, 575 Rossland Road East, Whitby, ON L1N 2M8 or Tel: 905-668-5803.
 • Hunter Farms - Hunter Farms in Brooklin is the largest Emu farm in Ontario. Prearranged guided tours offer an informative and educational learning experience on these unusual exotic birds, as well as a Petting Zoo of uncommon farm animals. Call regarding tour arrangements: 905-655-3393.
 • The Station Gallery - Victoria & Henry Streets, Whitby Tel: 905-668-4185. Originally the Whitby Junction Grand Trunk Railway Station, the Art Gallery has retained its historical design. This historic heritage facility, a 1903 Victorian train station, provides the public with innovative art exhibitions, informative lectures and workshops, and special events. A refurbished 1929 London Port Stanley boxcar houses a professionally equipped print making studio used by students and artists. The Station Gallery has been recognized as one of the finest art galleries in Ontario. Programs and special projects are featured throughout the year and participants, as well as the public, are welcome to visit and enjoy the exciting displays, activities and demonstrations offered at this unique art gallery.
 • Trafalgar Castle School - An independent residential and day school for girls, located on Reynolds Street in Whitby is situated on 10 acres of lovely grounds. The original castle was constructed between 1859 and 1862 as the residence of Nelson Gilbert Reynolds, Sheriff of Ontario County at that time. The impressive stature of the original castle with 73 rooms has retained its elegance through the years. An increased expansion has complemented the gothic architecture, as well as provided the ultimate in added space for educational programs. Girls from all over the world attend this academic independent school, where enrollment is kept to a maximum of 240 students to maintain the optimum teaching environment. The school is located at 401 Reynolds Street, Whitby, L1N 3W9. Tel: 905-668-3358.
 • Whitby Courthouse Theatre - The Theatre, located in the Centennial Building, provides quality community theatre to the public. For information on upcoming productions contact the Whitby Information Centre at 905-668-0552.
 • Whitby's Waterfront Trail - Whitby Shores is where you will find the Town's waterfront trail and other waterfront activities for all ages.
 • Iroquois Park Sports Complex - 500 Victoria Street West, Whitby Tel: (905) 668-7765 Fax: (905) 668-5933. The Town of Whitby owns, manages and operates the Iroquois Park Sports Centre , a multi-faceted sports and recreation complex serving the community and the surrounding region. The expanded complex was completed in November of 1997.
 • Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority - With the increasing demand for recreational lands, wherever possible, the authority incorporates compatible recreation facilities in the Conservation areas. The facilities and activities permitted are for various forms of passive recreation, such as camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, ice skating, and wildlife viewing. Some of the facilities are accessible to the physically challenged. Tel: 905-579-0411.
 • Heber Down Conservation Area - Coronation Road The quiet wooded campsite at Heber Down Conservation Area is surrounded by 633 acres of forest and valleylands. This large area has many trails to explore as well as fishing opportunities and open recreation space for hiking and cross country skiing.
 • Lynde Shores Conservation Area - Victoria Street The area is well known for its wildlife viewing opportunities. Both Lynde Creek Marsh and Cranberry Marsh provide an excellent habitat for nesting marsh birds and act as an important stopover point for migrating waterfowl and shore birds. Picnicking, fishing, canoeing and skating make this an excellent area for family outings.
 • Port Whitby Marina - located on one of the finest natural harbours on Lake Ontario. It is easily accessible from Hwy. 401 and Hwy. 12. Port Whitby Marina offers 410 berths to accommodate recreational boaters. The marina, with floating steel docks, protected harbour and easy access to Hwy. 401, has a wide range of services including full season dockage and winter storage. Port Whitby is also a customs call-in station. Tel: 905-668-1900. Several Sport Fishing Charter Boats operate from Port Whitby Marina. Commercial repair facilities are located nearby within walking distance.
 • Whitby Yacht Club - facilities serve the boating needs of over 400 members and visiting boaters. Their membership enjoy an active racing and cruising program. Tel: 905-668-1391.

Shopping

Shopping Areas
 • Brock Centre - Brock St. and Gilbert St.
 • Downtown Whitby - Dundas St. and Brock St.
 • Downtown Brooklin - Baldwin St. and Winchester Rd.
 • Dryden Square Plaza- Thickson Rd. N. and Dryden Blvd.
 • Kendalwood Plaza - Dundas St. E. and Kendalwood Rd.
 • Pringle Creek Plaza - Anderson St. and Manning Rd.
 • Queen's Common - Dundas St. W. at McQuay Blvd.
 • Rossland Plaza - Rossland Rd. E. and Garden St.
 • Thickson Place - Thickson Rd. and Dundas St. E.
 • Thickson Ridge Power Centre - Victoria St. and Thickson Rd.
 • Town Plaza - Dundas St. W. and Frances St.
 • Whitby Mall - Thickson Rd. S. Dundas St. E
 • Whitby Town Square - Garden St. and Rossland Rd. E.

Get in

By Bus
 • Durham Region Transit  provides bus service within the Town of Whitby with connections to Go Transit  commuter bus and rail stations, and other municipalities in the Durham Region.

By Air
 • Pearson International Airport  is situated about 45 minutes to the west by car from Whitby and is serviced by most major international carriers.
 • Oshawa Municipal Airport provides  a full service commercial and general aviation facility for Durham Region.

By Train
Whitby is situated along a primary VIA Rail  corridor. Trains travel both east towards Montreal and westwards towards Toronto and Western Ontario. The closest Via Rail station is in Oshawa, Ontario, which borders Whitby to the east. Remember to ask for student fares if you have an ISIC card. Go Transit  offers regular commuter train and bus service to Toronto and throughout the GTA. Main train connections are at the Whitby Go Station .

By Car
Major highways leading into Toronto from Whitby are the 401, highway 7/407ETR , and highway 12. Be advised that traffic on highways can be extremely heavy, especially during rush hours.

Activities

The Town of Whitby Marketing and Economic Development Department produces yearly a Events Calendar and Visitors Guide that lists tourist attractions, special events, cultural activities, tournaments, festivals, and craft shows happening in Whitby throughout the year. For information on events or to pick up a copy of the Calendar of Events contact the Whitby Information Centre at 905-668-0552, toll free 1-800-6 WHITBY, or visit the Centre at 900 Brock Street South, Whitby. The Calendar is also available at any branch of the Whitby Public Library  or the Community and Marketing Services Department of the Town of Whitby, 575 Rossland Road East, Whitby.

Events are listed in the Tourism section of the Town of Whitby  website. The following list provides an overview of the variety of events happening in Whitby in 2001.
 •  Brooklin Spring Fair - First Saturday in June *
 • Heber Down and Lynde Shores Conservation Areas - seasonal activities
 • Cullen Gardens & Miniature Village - Festival of flowers, events and activities
 • Station Gallery - Art exhibitions, special events, workshops
 • Downtown Special Happenings
 • Crafts and Collectibles Shows
 • Music in the Park - Rotary Centennial Park
 • County Town Carnival - Late June
 • Theatre productions
 • Santa Claus Parade
 • New Years Eve Celebrations