I hate to mention it, but the last few mornings and evenings, I’ve felt a definite fall-like nip in the air. So if you have any summery activities left on your 2020 road trip wish list, you might want to do them soon! How about mountain biking, outdoor shopping or river tubing? Read on for tips on all that and more.
Stroll, shop and eat in Kemptville
Kemptville is closing a section of downtown Prescott Street to vehicles on Sunday, August 23, for the first-ever Sunday Downtown Promenade (10am to 3pm). You can shop at outdoor vendor tables, enjoy some takeout at picnic tables set up for the day, check out demonstrations by local businesses and enjoy a nice view of Kemptville Creek. The Kemptville Farmers’ Market runs on Sundays, too.
Go river tubing in downtown Ottawa
Did you know that you can paddle an individual inflatable raft along the Ottawa River in the middle of the capital? Ottawa City Rafting has just introduced Ottawa city tubing adventures, which allow you to enjoy some gentle rafting while maintaining your social distance. The two-hour trips start near the Champlain Bridge and finish near Parliament Hill, and run rain or shine.
Enjoy an art show and sale in Kingston
A group of Kingston artists—many of whom normally work and sell their pieces at the Tett Centre—have banded together for a pop-up show and sale on Saturday, August 22, at Glocca Morra Farms & Studio’s Big Red Barn on Kingston’s northern edge. Nine artists and artisans will be on hand for the show, which will have extensive COVID-19 measures in place. You can browse for fibre art by Lise Garnier, glass-on-glass pieces by Rhonda Evans, stone sculptures by Chaka Chakozi and many other items. The show runs from 10am to 5pm, and the Big Red Barn is located at 1624 Highway 15, a little south of Highway 401.
Admire painted silos in Prescott-Russell
Popsilos, a Canada 150 public art project, is a self-driving route that takes you past silos painted with colourful murals reflecting regional themes. The route cuts across a wide swath of the United Counties of Prescott-Russell, east of Ottawa. In this, its third year, two new silos have been added: one called At the Heart of the Field (with the theme of sowing) in Casselman, and one called Stardust (with the theme of vulnerability) in Alfred. Now there are a total of seven silos that you can see and photograph from a safe distance; the Popsilos website outlines COVID-19 protocols for visiting. The website also includes a small visitor guide listing other things you can see and do in the area.
Try your luck at the casino in Gatineau
The Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau has re-opened, with COVID-19 protocols in place. The hours have changed (it’s now closed between 4am and 9am daily), and no new visitors are allowed in after midnight. Online reservations are recommended. Also: Know your limit and play within it! (Wondering what other touristy sites in the region—including museums, parks and hotels—have re-opened? Check my long list of re-opening dates.)
Visit Ontario’s oldest jail in L’Orignal
Most of the usual activities at the L’Orignal Old Jail are currently on hold, but you can make a reservation to tour the 1825 building with your bubble group. This was Ontario’s only francophone prison, and it was the province’s oldest jail when it closed its doors in 1998. Guides do a good job of respectfully chronicling the often-tragic stories associated with the jail, rather than sensationalizing them. Ontario’s oldest courthouse continues to operate on the building’s second floor.
Go mountain biking in Quebec
Ski Montcalm in Rawdon, Quebec—north of Montreal, and about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Ottawa-Gatineau—is opening its mountain-biking trails for the season on Saturday, August 22. They’ll remain open on weekends until Thanksgiving Monday (October 12), and the lift will be running every weekend to take you and your bike to the top. New this year are an introductory trail for families and an additional expert trail. There’s also a bistro serving up local craft beers and seasonal dishes. And if you don’t have a bike, you can rent one.
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