Ottawa Road Trips

05/26/2026

From dinner in a vineyard and Zumba on the Hill to ribfests, psychics and wooden boats, this week has something for just about everyone. You can enjoy music on porches in Smiths Falls, see jousters in Maxville, check out two different Asian markets in Ottawa, thrill to a pow wow in Maniwaki or go to a silent disco in Plantagenet. Plus, there are plays and garage sales galore!

Dinner in a vineyard, Zumba on the Hill, ribfests, wooden boats, a porchfest, jousters, Asian markets, a pow wow, a silent disco, plays and garage sales!

05/23/2026

The Great Glebe Garage Sale isn't the only bargain destination this morning! You'll also find community-wide sales in Metcalfe and Carleton Place.

You can plan a day around these huge Eastern Ontario and Ottawa garage sales!

05/17/2026

You won't want to miss this week's Heads Up post! Find out how you can have tea in a lavender field, peek behind the doors of the French Embassy, or save money on whitewater rafting. I also have the scoop on a new(ish) bakery in Smiths Falls, opening day of a classic drive-in, bike-friendly businesses in Eastern Ontario, a new non-stop flight to London and much, much more.

How to stay overnight in a church, take a new flight to London, visit the French Embassy, go to a sock hop and save money on whitewater rafting.

05/15/2026

Did you know that the Brockville Railway Tunnel opens for the season today?

OK, I can hear some of you thinking, “Aren’t railway tunnels ALWAYS open?”

Well, this one has long since stopped serving trains.

Now I hear others thinking, “What’s the big deal with an abandoned railway tunnel?”

So here’s the deal.

First off, the Brockville Railway Tunnel is Canada’s oldest railway tunnel, constructed between 1854 and 1860.

But more importantly for tourists, it has been converted into a FREE sound-and-light attraction. Walk its 530-metre length and enjoy an immersive experience, as lights seem to travel up and down the tunnel, and music and sound effects add an extra dimension.

That’s just one of over 50 ideas for road trips near and far that I’ve rounded up in this week’s calendar of events.

Brockville Railway Tunnel opening, plant sales, folk art in Plaisance, ribs in Barrhaven, Kemptville buskers, Almonte cake picnic.

05/13/2026

This week's newsletter is out, filled with news about everything from a buskers' festival and a cake picnic to a newly reopened campground, a whitewater rafting discount and places to visit in Rideau Lakes.

If you'd like tips like these in your in-box each week, why not subscribe? The basic subscription is free! Links to the newsletter and the subscribe page are in the comments.

05/11/2026

Sad the weekend's over? Don't be! A long weekend is on its way, packed with everything from a buskers' festival in Kemptville and a celebration of folk art in Plaisance to a ribfest in Barrhaven and a cake picnic (what?!?) in Almonte. Plus, yarn spinning, monster trucks, the Brockville Railway Tunnel and more plant sales than you can shake a trowel at.

Brockville Railway Tunnel opening, plant sales, folk art in Plaisance, ribs in Barrhaven, Kemptville buskers, Almonte cake picnic.

05/08/2026

Here's a job ad you don't see every day: The Township of Rideau Lakes is looking for a town crier. Hear ye, hear ye!

The Township of Rideau Lakes is seeking a Town Crier. This is a volunteer position with potential stipends for performing at Township Events. Who and What is a Town Crier? A Town Crier acts as a public announcer, ambassador and goodwill representative for the municipality. Modern responsibilities in...

05/06/2026

This week's newsletter is out, and it's chockfull of tips—on everything from free Mother's Day fun to garage sales, art fairs, farmers' markets and a paddling race. Plus, there's a tip about travel insurance you won't want to miss (you might be surprised what insurance won't cover).

If you don't already subscribe, why not sign up? The basic subscription, which gets you the newsletter each week, is free. The link is in the comments.

05/04/2026

Wow, this week's calendar of events is packed to overflowing! Art shows, paddling and mountain bike races, Mother's Day fun, a poutine festival, birding events, book sales, a cookbook event and much, much more ... including a little event you might have heard of called the Canadian Tulip Festival.

Canadian Tulip festival, paddling and mountain bike races, poutine festival, art shows, farmers' markets, board game sale, pick-your-own-bouquet events, and more.

05/03/2026

04/29/2026

This week's newsletter is out! Don't miss it if you'd like to save money on Gatineau balloon fest camping, get tickets to dance the night away at the Canadian Museum of Nature, check out a new tartan exhibition in Almonte, discover new-to-you gardens across the region, or sign up for a scenic bike ride near Napanee.

If you don't already subscribe to the newsletter, why not sign up to get tips like these in your in-box every week? Link in comments.