From the High Arctic to a Historic Schoolhouse: Family Learning at Doors Open Quinte West

What do Arctic wildlife, Canadian aviation, dinosaurs, a historic schoolhouse and a behind-the-scenes look at a fire station have in common? Families can experience them all during Doors Open Quinte West on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free, one-day event invites visitors inside 10 locations across Trenton, Frankford, Wooler and other parts of Quinte West, with opportunities to explore natural history, military aviation, architecture, community life and local heritage. Two sites are even taking visitors to the High Arctic from very different perspectives, while other stops offer everything from aircraft tours and fossils to farm activities and fire-safety education. Keep reading for the complete list of participating sites and our full interview with Shannon Millar, Tourism Coordinator with the City of Quinte West.

For students, the variety of participating sites makes Doors Open Quinte West an opportunity to see familiar school subjects from entirely new perspectives. At the Quinte Museum of Natural History, young visitors can explore fossils, rocks, dinosaurs and Arctic wildlife, while the National Air Force Museum of Canada connects history, geography, science and technology through Canadian aviation. Families can also learn about adaptive reuse inside a century-old schoolhouse, discover the evolution of local firefighting and explore the workings of community spaces not normally open to the public. Part of the Ontario Heritage Trust's Doors Open Ontario program, the event turns the city into a hands-on learning experience where history, science, architecture and community stories come to life.

Where Is Quinte West? Exploring the Gateway to the Trent-Severn Waterway

Located along the Bay of Quinte in southeastern Ontario, Quinte West combines urban communities such as Trenton and Frankford with rural areas including Sidney and Murray. The city is perhaps best known as home to 8 Wing/CFB Trenton, Canada's largest Royal Canadian Air Force base, while its location at the gateway to the Trent-Severn Waterway also connects the community closely with the region's natural landscape and waterways.

Quinte West is approximately 20 kilometres from Belleville, or around a 25-minute drive; approximately 95 kilometres from Kingston, or around one hour by car; and approximately 165 kilometres from Toronto, or around one hour and 40 minutes away. Peterborough is also approximately 85 kilometres away, with a drive of around one hour and 10 minutes. Travel times will vary depending on traffic, starting location and which Doors Open sites families plan to visit.

For families with school-aged children, Quinte West is primarily served by the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board and Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, with parts of the municipality also falling within the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. French-language education is available through French public and Catholic school boards serving the region. With Doors Open sites touching on science, natural history, aviation, architecture, fire safety, community studies and local heritage, the event offers students plenty of opportunities to connect classroom learning with the people and places around them.

Full List of Participating Sites at Doors Open Quinte West

This year, visitors can explore 10 sites across Quinte West:

• Brambleberry Farm — 9 Mitchell Road, Quinte West, Ontario K0K 3M0
• Centre Cinemas — 120 Dundas Street West, Trenton, Ontario K8V 3P3
• National Air Force Museum of Canada — 220 RCAF Road, Astra, Ontario K0K 3W0
• Old Wooler Schoolhouse — 62 County Road 5, Quinte West, Ontario
• Quinte Masonic Centre — 33 King Drive, Frankford, Ontario K0K 2C0
• Quinte Museum of Natural History — 99 Dufferin Avenue, Trenton, Ontario K8V 5E2
• Quinte West Fire and Emergency Services Station No. 1 — 49 Dixon Drive, Trenton, Ontario K8V 1W6
• The Landmark — 16 Marmora Street, Trenton, Ontario K8V 2H5
• Trenton Seniors Club 105 — 61 Bay Street, Trenton, Ontario K8V 1H6
• Trenton Town Hall 1861 — 55 King Street, Trenton, Ontario K8V 3V9

Visitors should review the official Doors Open Quinte West event page before setting out for the latest information about individual site hours, accessibility, parking, tours and activities.

Check Out Our Full Interview with Shannon Millar, Tourism Coordinator, City of Quinte West

Doors Open Quinte West has been running since 2012. How has it changed over the years?

Quoting Jennifer Rushlow, our Tourism Development Officer, "With only a few historically significant sites in Quinte West, we've had to be creative over the years selecting sites that may not be historic in nature but interesting and engaging to the public nonetheless. The format and the event's popularity have remained solid and have grown steadily over the years."

With 10 in-person sites this year for Doors Open Quinte West, what are some of the new or less well-known places you are most excited for people to discover?

This year we are excited to introduce two new sites to our Doors Open itinerary and bring back three previous sites. Centre Cinemas and The Landmark are both new this year while Brambleberry Farm, Quinte West Fire and Emergency Services Station No. 1, and Trenton Seniors Club 105 are back for viewing. The majority of these sites are not regularly open to the general public, which makes Doors Open a great chance to see them.

Some sites, like the National Air Force Museum or the Quinte Museum of Natural History, are familiar favourites. What fresh experiences are you offering this year at those familiar spots?

Both of these sites are indeed familiar favourites, and with good reason. They both offer unique exhibits thoughtfully curated, with vibrant storytelling, giving visitors a glimpse into our past whether that be of the natural world such as Arctic animals or the fossils from the Fossilized Quinte exhibit at the Quinte Museum of Natural History (QMNH), or of air force history from expeditions to our most northern outpost in Alert, to search and rescue missions and more at the National Air Force Museum of Canada (NAFMC). This year in particular, both the NAFMC and QMNH have exhibits on the Arctic, with QMNH's exhibit titled Expedition Alert: Stories from the High Arctic and the NAFMC exhibit Alert: The Station at the Top of the World.

Which Quinte West sites do you think will offer the biggest surprise or behind-the-scenes moments for people who have attended before?

One of our newer participating sites, the Old Wooler Schoolhouse, is currently undergoing a massive restoration and renovation. The building will be adaptively reused, keeping the historic structure and features while upgrading its functionality to ensure that this space can be used and appreciated by all. Additionally, they just received their designation last year as a historic site. The hope is to create a community space that can be used for events, workshops, conferences, and more. This site is sure to draw interest, especially as in its most recent history it was the former Wooler Scout Hall, with many local citizens having fond memories of attending this venue in their youth or even acting as scout leaders. It is wonderful to see the potential for what the restoration and renovation of this building will bring.

For families and younger visitors, are there interactive or hands-on features this year that they really should not miss?

Many of our sites are family-friendly. However, sites of particular note are Brambleberry Farm and the Quinte West Fire and Emergency Services Station No. 1. Each of these sites is offering interactive, hands-on activities, with Brambleberry Farm featuring a play area for children.

Quinte West includes urban and natural history, science, galleries, and more. If someone only has a few hours, which cluster of sites would you recommend they pair together for a rich experience?

I would say that if you are someone who loves nature, Brambleberry Farm and the Quinte Museum of Natural History are excellent stops. If you prefer history, the Old Wooler Schoolhouse, Trenton Town Hall 1861, The Landmark, and the National Air Force Museum of Canada are great choices. The Quinte Masonic Centre, Centre Cinemas, and Trenton Seniors Club 105 are great sites to experience if you are looking for a sense of community, as each space welcomes those who come together through art, creativity, learning, and social activities.

After spending a day exploring Quinte West for Doors Open, what local café, market, or restaurant would you point visitors to for a bite and a place to reflect on the day?

Depending on where your journey ends in Quinte West, there are many options available. The Front St. Farmer's Market (67 Front St, Trenton, ON K8V 4N4), in downtown Trenton, is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and offers a selection of local produce and artisan creations. The Old Bank Cafe (1 Mill St, Frankford, ON K0K 2C0), in downtown Frankford, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and offers an amazing selection of baked goods, sandwiches, and coffees, and is located in a historic bank. It even has a seating area inside the vault! In addition to this, Kaleido Corner (6 Dundas St W, Trenton, ON K8V 3P1) is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering homemade baked goods and a delightful array of beverages. If you are looking for dinner after your day of exploring, Tomasso's Italian Grille in downtown Trenton (35 Front St, Trenton, ON K8V 4N3), open until 8:30 p.m., is always a wonderful choice or if you are craving all-you-can-eat sushi, Trenton Sushi (263 Dundas St E, Trenton, ON K8V 1M1), open until 10 p.m., is another great option. There are so many wonderful choices, it is difficult to list them all. If visitors are looking for their guide to where to eat in Quinte West, I highly encourage them to pick up a copy of the new Quinte West Discovery Guide at one of the participating Doors Open sites, or to view the guide online at quintewest.ca/discover.

Discover Quinte West from a New Perspective

From Arctic expeditions and aviation history to dinosaurs, historic architecture and hands-on fire-safety activities, Doors Open Quinte West gives families plenty of ways to follow their curiosity. This year's mix of familiar favourites, returning locations and first-time participants also shows that learning about a community is not limited to traditional museums or historic landmarks. A farm, cinema, fire station, former schoolhouse and community gathering spaces can each tell their own stories about how Quinte West has grown and changed. Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 3, 2026, and spend the day discovering the science, history, people and places that make this community unique.