Whitby, Ontario, is a town in Durham Region with two heritage downtowns: Downtown Whitby and Downtown Brooklin. If you’re planning things to do in Whitby Ontario, use the town centre to get oriented, then choose between historic streets, museums and conservation areas.
- Two downtowns: Downtown Whitby and Downtown Brooklin.
- Visitor information: The Whitby Visitor’s Centre is at 297 Front Street West.
- Transit: Whitby GO Station is on the Lakeshore East line.
- Outdoors: Whitby has more than 60 km of trails, 128 or more parks and 2,000 acres of parks and conservation areas.
Getting oriented in Whitby
Start by choosing which of Whitby’s two heritage downtowns fits your plans: Downtown Whitby or Downtown Brooklin. The Town’s tourism maps cover Downtown Whitby and the waterfront, as well as North Whitby and Brooklin, so you can use them to get a sense of how the town’s areas fit together.
The Whitby Visitor’s Centre, at 297 Front Street West, is a starting point for exploring town. You can pick up a map there and take in waterfront views. From Lucien Motel, the town centre is about a 3-minute walk.
The Town offers self-guided historic walking tours for Downtown Brooklin, Four Corners, Port Whitby, Perry’s Plan and Werden’s Plan. Pick a neighbourhood tour if you want to focus your walk on local history rather than covering several areas at once.
Whitby town centre and local services
Downtown Whitby brings shops, restaurants and everyday services together around its central streets. It has more than 470 shops, restaurants and businesses, and the Promenade at Brock Street, Byron Street and Mary Street has local shops and personal services.
Downtown Whitby is also home to Lynde House Museum, the main branch of Whitby Public Library and the Whitby Archives. The Whitby Courthouse Theatre is in the Centennial Building; its 160-seat venue offers four productions annually.
For a different downtown, Brooklin has restaurants, retail shops, spas, local businesses and Grass Park. Its heritage conservation district is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. The Town identifies two heritage conservation districts in Whitby: Brooklin Heritage Conservation District and Werden’s Plan Neighbourhood in Downtown Whitby.
The Whitby Farmers’ Market runs weekly from May through October. The Town’s visitor page also describes glow-in-the-dark kayak rentals at the Visitor’s Centre on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. Hours and seasonal offerings can change, so check the official Town of Whitby site before you go.
How do you get around Whitby by train, transit and car?
Whitby GO Station connects the town with Downtown Toronto and Downtown Oshawa on GO Transit’s Lakeshore East line. For local bus routes, schedules, fares and accessible transit features, use Durham Region Transit’s information; DRT fares allow transfers between DRT and GO Transit routes.
If you’re driving, Highway 401 has Whitby exits at Lakeridge Road, Brock Street South and Thickson Road South for approaches from either direction. From the north, Highway 12 South passes through Downtown Brooklin and Downtown Whitby.
What museums and outdoor stops can you visit?
Whitby’s museums, heritage routes and conservation areas give you options for mixing local history with time outdoors. Station Gallery is a public creative hub with four gallery spaces and exhibitions by emerging, mid-career and established artists. For a museum stop, the Canadian Automotive Museum visitor guide covers hours, tickets and what to see.
For local history, the Port Whitby walking tour follows the port area and its early shipping of staple goods to markets in Canada and the United States. Its listed highlights include the Old Pump House at 269 Water Street and the Nip and Tuck Rail Line at 100 Water Street.
The Town’s heritage information also identifies Camp X as a secret spy training facility established by Sir William Stephenson during World War II; the area is now known as Intrepid Park.
Heber Down Conservation Area’s main entrance is at 5000 Cochrane Street. A seasonal entrance at 500 Lyndebrook Road operates from May through October. Lynde Shores Conservation Area has a main entrance at 625 Halls Road South and a south entrance at 1225 Victoria Street West.
If Heber Down fits your plans, the guide to Heber Down’s trails and parking covers planning for a visit.
How can you plan a first day in town?
For a town-centre-focused day, begin with a map and waterfront views at the Visitor’s Centre, then walk through Downtown Whitby’s shops and services. Add a self-guided heritage tour if you want a history-focused route, or check what is on at Station Gallery before choosing your next stop.
If you have a car and want to include an outdoor visit, set aside time for a conservation area; Heber Down has both a main entrance and a seasonal entrance. To focus your day on Brooklin instead, head for its downtown businesses and Grass Park, then use the Brooklin self-guided historic walking tour.
The Ontario Regiment Museum visitor guide can help you plan a visit to that museum.
FAQs
What are Whitby’s two heritage downtowns?
They are Downtown Whitby and Downtown Brooklin. Each has its own heritage character and local businesses.
Where can you get a map of Whitby?
You can pick up a map at the Whitby Visitor’s Centre at 297 Front Street West, which also offers waterfront views.
Does Whitby have self-guided historic walking tours?
Yes. The Town offers tours for Downtown Brooklin, Four Corners, Port Whitby, Perry’s Plan and Werden’s Plan.
How much outdoor space does Whitby have?
Whitby has more than 60 km of trails, 128 or more parks and 2,000 acres of parks and conservation areas.