Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you are a veteran of many house tours or this is your first, you will likely have questions. Here are some of the frequently asked questions we have fielded to date. If you have a question that does not appear on this list, please let us know through our contact page ( on the 'more' tab)
- Where can I buy tickets? What do they look like?
- I want to bring a friend along but don't have a ticket for them and the tour is tomorrow -- can I buy tickets on the day?
- Is there a tour bus? Where do I start on the tour?
- Can I bring the kids ? Do you offer babysitting?
- Can I bring my dog or other pet with me?
- How long will it take me to do all the stops on the tour?
- Will I get a map?
- What if it rains?
- Are there places to stay?
- Where's a good place to eat?
- What should I wear on my feet?
- Can I use the washrooms at the houses? Where are the public washrooms?
- Where are there public washrooms?
- Can I go through twice?
- May I take pictures inside the home?
- Will there be refreshments served?
- What does it mean when you say 'all proceeds supports ours charities'?
Q1. Where can I buy tickets? What do they look like?
A. Ticket (with program) with inside map will be available in person for $25.00 at the Port Perry United Church, 294 Queen St. Port Perry, and at Royal Le Page Real Estate, 268 Queen St. Port Perry shortly before the tour or may be purchased on-line through this website under 'TICKETS' (program-ticket). The ticket uses letter-sized paper folded in half and looks like a brochure. Along with instructions, house descriptions, advertising, and surveys on the back page, you will find the map in the middle where the staple is. Places have street numbers and postal codes so you can enter them into your GPS or phone.
A. Ticket (with program) with inside map will be available in person for $25.00 at the Port Perry United Church, 294 Queen St. Port Perry, and at Royal Le Page Real Estate, 268 Queen St. Port Perry shortly before the tour or may be purchased on-line through this website under 'TICKETS' (program-ticket). The ticket uses letter-sized paper folded in half and looks like a brochure. Along with instructions, house descriptions, advertising, and surveys on the back page, you will find the map in the middle where the staple is. Places have street numbers and postal codes so you can enter them into your GPS or phone.
Q2. I want to bring a friend along but don't have a ticket for them and the tour is tomorrow -- can I buy tickets on the day?
A. There are a limited number of tickets available, so it's best to buy your ticket early so you won't be disappointed. If you're not able to get to Port Perry United Church before the day of the tour, you can buy your tickets on line and pick them up with your receipt on the morning of the tour at the Simcoe St. entrance.
A. There are a limited number of tickets available, so it's best to buy your ticket early so you won't be disappointed. If you're not able to get to Port Perry United Church before the day of the tour, you can buy your tickets on line and pick them up with your receipt on the morning of the tour at the Simcoe St. entrance.
Q3. Is there a tour bus? Where do I start on the tour?
A. There is no tour bus, you and your friends will need a car for the day. The tour is set up for you to start at #1 house and follow through to the last one listed or start at the last one, and proceed to the first one listed which would be the most efficient route. We hope that not everyone will start at #1 though, as it will be very crowded and you may have to wait a few minutes to get in.
A. There is no tour bus, you and your friends will need a car for the day. The tour is set up for you to start at #1 house and follow through to the last one listed or start at the last one, and proceed to the first one listed which would be the most efficient route. We hope that not everyone will start at #1 though, as it will be very crowded and you may have to wait a few minutes to get in.
Q4. Can I bring the kids? Do you offer babysitting?
A. Unfortunately this is an adult-only event, and we do not offer babysitting services. Children aged 12 and over accompanied by an adult may attend the tour.
A. Unfortunately this is an adult-only event, and we do not offer babysitting services. Children aged 12 and over accompanied by an adult may attend the tour.
Q5. Can I bring my dog or pet with me?
A. Unfortunately, this would not be fair to our homeowners, so no.
A. Unfortunately, this would not be fair to our homeowners, so no.
Q6. How long will it take me to do all the stops on the tour?
A. Good question. You should plan to allot the majority of the 6-hour day to the tour. All of our venues are either right in Port Perry/Prince Albert area or within a 10 minute drive so travel considerations between the homes are minimal. You will also want to save some time to enjoy refreshments at the House Tour Cafe.
A. Good question. You should plan to allot the majority of the 6-hour day to the tour. All of our venues are either right in Port Perry/Prince Albert area or within a 10 minute drive so travel considerations between the homes are minimal. You will also want to save some time to enjoy refreshments at the House Tour Cafe.
Q7. Will I get a map?
A. Absolutely! Your tour Program Ticket includes the address for each of the stops on the tour and a map on the middle pages and for your convenience, the postal code appears on your ticket for input into your GPS or phone. Also free Port Perry town maps will be available at our ticket desk at the Simcoe St. entrance to the church on the day of the tour. If you get lost, we're a friendly bunch. Ask someone to direct you back to the church and we can get you back on track.
A. Absolutely! Your tour Program Ticket includes the address for each of the stops on the tour and a map on the middle pages and for your convenience, the postal code appears on your ticket for input into your GPS or phone. Also free Port Perry town maps will be available at our ticket desk at the Simcoe St. entrance to the church on the day of the tour. If you get lost, we're a friendly bunch. Ask someone to direct you back to the church and we can get you back on track.
Q8. What if it rains?
A. While we ordered a beautiful sunny day for the tour, there is still a slim chance that it will rain. The tour will happen rain or shine. Come prepared -- bring your umbrella and don't forget slippers. We provide water resistant bags in which to carry your shoes or you can bring your own.
A. While we ordered a beautiful sunny day for the tour, there is still a slim chance that it will rain. The tour will happen rain or shine. Come prepared -- bring your umbrella and don't forget slippers. We provide water resistant bags in which to carry your shoes or you can bring your own.
Q9. Are there places to stay in Port Perry?
A. Absolutely. Visit our Links page for a list, plus the Scugog Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Port Perry BIA are also good resources.
A. Absolutely. Visit our Links page for a list, plus the Scugog Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Port Perry BIA are also good resources.
Q10. Where's a good place to eat?
A. There are lots of great restaurants in the Port Perry area. Perhaps the best resource to find a restaurant is the Downtown Port Perry BIA website.
A. There are lots of great restaurants in the Port Perry area. Perhaps the best resource to find a restaurant is the Downtown Port Perry BIA website.
Q11. What should I wear on my feet when touring the homes?
A. As any house tour veteran knows, neither shoes, nor socks, nor bare feet are allowed inside the homes. Please bring a pair of slippers to wear on the tour and a carry bag for your slippers and shoes.
A. As any house tour veteran knows, neither shoes, nor socks, nor bare feet are allowed inside the homes. Please bring a pair of slippers to wear on the tour and a carry bag for your slippers and shoes.
Q12. Can I use the washrooms at the houses?
A. Unfortunately, home owners are not required to open their home washrooms to the 500+ people who will be touring their home. Can you blame them?
A. Unfortunately, home owners are not required to open their home washrooms to the 500+ people who will be touring their home. Can you blame them?
Q13. Where are the public washrooms?
A. There are 4 washrooms at Port Perry United Church, ( 2 lower and 2 upper), and others located downtown in the waterfront area at the Scugog Memorial Library, 231 Water St., Port Perry Marina, 215 Water St., Jo Fowler Park, 57 Water St., and at the Scugog Council for the Arts, 181 Perry St.,and at the Township of Scugog Office, 181 Perry St. in Port Perry.
A. There are 4 washrooms at Port Perry United Church, ( 2 lower and 2 upper), and others located downtown in the waterfront area at the Scugog Memorial Library, 231 Water St., Port Perry Marina, 215 Water St., Jo Fowler Park, 57 Water St., and at the Scugog Council for the Arts, 181 Perry St.,and at the Township of Scugog Office, 181 Perry St. in Port Perry.
Q14. Can I go through twice?
A. Nice idea, but no. Take your time, enjoy yourself, but remember -- you have many beautiful homes to tour in only six hours. Plus, you need to leave time to sample the yummy treats at the church.
A. Nice idea, but no. Take your time, enjoy yourself, but remember -- you have many beautiful homes to tour in only six hours. Plus, you need to leave time to sample the yummy treats at the church.
Q15. May I take pictures inside the homes?
A. No. Out of respect to our homeowners, pictures are not allowed.
A. No. Out of respect to our homeowners, pictures are not allowed.
Q16. Is lunch provided? Are there refreshments? Where will they be served?
A. Unfortunately we don't provide lunch, but do offer light refreshments at the House Tour Cafe downstairs in the auditorium at Port Perry United Church from 10 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon. Bring your House Tour program ticket to gain admission to the refreshment area.
A. Unfortunately we don't provide lunch, but do offer light refreshments at the House Tour Cafe downstairs in the auditorium at Port Perry United Church from 10 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon. Bring your House Tour program ticket to gain admission to the refreshment area.
Q17. What does it mean when you say “all proceeds support” your charities.
A. The Port Perry Town & Country House Tour is organized and staffed entirely by a large group of energetic and talented volunteers. There are some expenses incurred in running this event. The lead organizer (Port Perry United Church) absorbs some of these expenses while our generous sponsors cover the remainder. Any remaining sponsorship money and ticket sales or the proceeds are donated to our 5 charities -- Big Brothers Big sisters of North Durham, Joanne's House, Community Care Durham, North House and YWCA Durham's Second Stage Housing for Women.
A. The Port Perry Town & Country House Tour is organized and staffed entirely by a large group of energetic and talented volunteers. There are some expenses incurred in running this event. The lead organizer (Port Perry United Church) absorbs some of these expenses while our generous sponsors cover the remainder. Any remaining sponsorship money and ticket sales or the proceeds are donated to our 5 charities -- Big Brothers Big sisters of North Durham, Joanne's House, Community Care Durham, North House and YWCA Durham's Second Stage Housing for Women.