Home Day trips The complete guide to things to do in Almonte, Ontario

The complete guide to things to do in Almonte, Ontario

by Laura Byrne Paquet
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When it comes to cute, small Ontario towns, it’s really hard to top Almonte, Ontario. (Heck, even the folks who make those Hallmark Christmas movies agree, as I’ll explain later.)

Almonte really has it all: historic buildings, a pretty river, great restaurants, charming shops, accommodations, museums, hiking trails—even a park dedicated to geologic history! And the icing on the cake: You can drive from downtown Ottawa to Almonte in about 40 minutes, if it’s not rush hour in the city.

Intrigued? Read on for everything you need to know about things to enjoy in Almonte.

This post contains affiliate links.

Where is Almonte, Ontario?

As I mentioned earlier, Almonte is an easy drive from Ottawa. It’s just 29 kilometres southwest of the Canadian Tire Centre and 52 kilometres southwest of Parliament Hill.

Once a separate town, Almonte is now part of the Town of Mississippi Mills, along with the nearby communities of Pakenham and Ramsay. The town is located in Lanark Country, which is also home to Carleton Place and Perth.

Things to see and do in Almonte

As mentioned, for an Ontario small town, Almonte offers a surprisingly large range of attractions. Here are some of the most popular ones you might want to visit.

Dr. James Naismith sites

Bronze statue of Dr. James Naismith by American sculptor Elden Tefft at the corner of Mill and Little Bridge streets in Almonte, Ontario.
This bronze statue of Dr James Naismith was unveiled in 2011 in downtown Almonte Ontario

Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, is one of Almonte’s most famous former residents. Naismith was born in Almonte in 1861 and grew up in a Victorian house just north of town (Naismith House, 4968 County Road 29; not open to the public). Today, about 3.5 kilometres from the house, there’s a museum dedicated to him inside the Mill of Kintail (2854 Ramsay Concession 8). And in downtown Almonte, a bronze statue of Naismith by American sculptor Elden Tafft is a popular selfie spot (intersection of Mill and Little Bridge streets).

Mississippi Valley Textile Museum

Two women sitting in front of a wooden loom, weaving beige fibres.
Artisans demonstrate a looms operation at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in Almonte

Even if you don’t know tulle from tweed, you might just find the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum as interesting as I do. Almonte began as a mill town—textile mills, in particular—and one of those old mill buildings beside the fast-flowing Mississippi River is now this museum dedicated to Almonte’s industrial past. As well as illuminating the ways fabrics are made and used, the MVTM hosts all sorts of special events, including the massively popular Fibrefest each fall. 3 Rosamond Street East, Almonte, Ontario

Metcalfe Geoheritage Park

Geology buffs won’t want to miss the Metcalfe Geoheritage Park on the edge of downtown. There, 22 rocks on display illuminate the geological history of Eastern Ontario over the last, oh, 2.5 billion years or so. Roughly a billion years ago, towering mountains dominated the landscape; about 450 million years ago, the area lay below a vast, shallow sea. As Spock would say, “Fascinating.” 250 Almonte Street, Almonte, Ontario

Mill of Kintail Conservation Area

Wooden bridge leads over a dry creek, shaded by trees.
Hiking trail at the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area in Almonte

As mentioned above, the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area is home to a museum dedicated to the life and times of Dr. James Naismith. It shares space inside the heritage Mill of Kintail with a museum focused on the work of Naismith’s childhood friend, artist R. Tait McKenzie. The mill was originally built in 1830; McKenzie bought it a century later and used it as a summer home.

The 154-hectare conservation area also includes six kilometres of hiking/snowshoeing trails, a playground and a wheelchair-accessible half basketball court. 2854 Ramsay Concession 8, Almonte, Ontario

Almonte Riverwalk

Wooden bridge over water with stone mill and waterfall in background in Almonte, Ontario.
The Almonte Riverwalk runs along the Mississippi River

The Almonte Riverwalk is a scenic walkway running past a number of downtown landmarks, including Almonte Old Town Hall (see below), several historic mill buildings and a park. A combination of paved trails and boardwalk, it features lots of benches where you can enjoy the views of the Mississippi River and its waterfalls. It’s a gentle stroll, and it will eventually total three kilometres.

Almonte Old Town Hall

With its grey stone walls, soaring tower and multicoloured roof, Almonte Old Town Hall is one of the community’s most-photographed landmarks. You’ll find the local tourism office here, as well as spaces used for concerts and all sorts of other special events. 14 Bridge Street, Almonte, Ontario

Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail

The Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail is a rail-to-trail conversion that will eventually stretch almost 300 kilometres from roughly Smiths Falls to Mattawa. Large sections are already open to the public, including the route that passes right through downtown Almonte (for instance, it crosses Bridge Street between Reserve and Mill streets). All sorts of activities are permitted on the trail, including walking/hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing and, on more rural sections, horseback riding, snowmobiling and ATV riding. No motor vehicles are allowed.

Almonte Lagoons Birding Complex

OK, I know it doesn’t sound appealing, but trust me: Bring your binoculars and check out the lagoons behind the Almonte wastewater treatment plant, just west of town. The Almonte Lagoons Birding Complex attracts birds of all sorts, including significant numbers of feathered friends migrating from the Arctic to warmer climes each fall. 1933 Ramsay Concession 8, Mississippi Mills, Ontario

Almonte restaurants

After all that exploring, you’ll probably work up an appetite. Fortunately, Almonte punches above its weight when it comes to dining options—this list just includes some of the highlights! (P.S.: If you like to get a little exercise while dining out, check out the culinary walking tours of Almonte offered by the Good Food Tour. Note: The tours are on hiatus in 2022 due to significant road construction.)

The Almonte Ice Cream Shop

The Almonte Ice Cream Shop, a seasonal stand next to Almonte’s landmark waterfall, is a great place to stop for a summer treat. 27 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

The Barley Mow

An outpost of the popular Ottawa pub chain, the Almonte Barley Mow has a gorgeous patio overlooking the waterfalls on the Mississippi River. The menu includes lots of pub favourites—burgers, nachos, fish and chips, butter chicken—as well as a kids’ menu, desserts, and a good wine and beer selection. 79 Little Bridge Street, Almonte, Ontario

Café Postino

Close-up of crostini topped with cheese, pesto, tomatoes and spinach.
Even this photo of crostini at Café Postino makes me hungry

Located in the former Almonte post office, a grand Romanesque Revival building completed in 1891, Café Postino is the brainchild of Steve and Claire Falsetto. Interior designer Claire has made the most of the heritage property’s huge windows and other heritage details, while chef Steve has created a great Italian menu (the bruschetta is amazing). 73 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

Equator Coffee Roasters

If you’ve been into a coffee shop or gourmet grocery store anywhere in Eastern Ontario, chances are high you’ve come across java from Almonte-based Equator Coffee Roasters. Amber and Craig Hall started the company in 1998 to source and sell organic, fair-trade coffee. Equator’s Almonte café is located in a modest strip mall on the edge of town, but don’t be fooled: Inside, it’s trendy-cool, with blonde-wood furniture and black light fixtures. As well as coffee, you can get tea, baked goodies (including vegan and gluten-free options), wraps, sandwiches and salads. 451 Ottawa Street, Almonte, Ontario

Joe’s Italian Kitchen

Another Almonte restaurant with a fabulous patio overlooking the falls on the Mississippi River, Joe’s Italian Kitchen is located in a former woollen mill. It serves up hearty Italian specialties such as sausage panini at lunchtime, and both traditional and pinsa romana pizzas for dinner. (Pinsa dough is made with an uncommon blend of rice, wheat and soy flour, along with sourdough.) There’s also a wide range of salads, pastas, desserts, specialty coffees and more. (Joe’s also has a location in Ottawa’s Wellington West neighbourhood.) 7 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

Loom Bistro

The former Heirloom Cafe Bistro has moved into the Almonte Riverside Inn and is now the Loom Bistro. The seasonal menu features elegant treats such as yellowfin tuna in a poppyseed crust, beef short rib with bacon-onion jam, and dark chocolate pot de crème. 81 Queen Street, Almonte, Ontario

Mill Street Crepe Company

Folded crepe on a white plate with dots of maple syrup and chives, topped with fresh herbs, at Mill Street Crepes in Almonte, Ontario.

One of my favourite restaurants in Almonte, the sun-drenched Mill Street Crepe Company serves up both entrée and dessert crepes, as well as soups and salads. Try the smoked-ham crepe with caramelized onion, Boursin cheese, spinach and drizzled maple syrup. Mmmmmm….. 14 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

North Market

The seasonal menu at lively North Market ranges from breakfast tacos and fresh soups to smoked meat sandwiches and rice noodle salads, with lots of vegetarian options. Check out the bakery for cookies, crackers, muffins, scones, squares and even truffles. Wine, cider and beer are available, too. 78 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

Pizza-ria Unlimited

Two chefs in black t-shirts putting sauce on pizzas in a restaurant kitchen.

You might think pizza and Indian food would be a weird combination, but you would be wrong. Casual Pizza-ria Unlimited makes a butter chicken pizza to die for. You’ll also find a range of other pizzas, both traditional and untraditional (donair or Mexican pizza, anyone?), along with curries, wraps, subs and salads. Keto, gluten-free and whole-wheat pizza crusts are available. And if you can’t make up your mind, there’s an unlimited toppings option. 27 Bridge Street, Almonte, Ontario

Tea and Cake

Fancy a traditional English-style tea? Head to Tea and Cake, where you can unwind in a charming tea room while nibbling on sandwiches and fresh-baked treats (such as scones with lemon curd) whipped up by owner Gwendolyn Neelin. Or choose from lots of other baked goods, including cupcakes, brownies and pies. Gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian choices are available. 98 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

And MORE places to eat in Almonte!

Since I posted this, readers have been eagerly sending along suggestions of other eateries to check out the next time I go to Almonte. Thanks so much for the tips! They include four food trucks (the Cheeky Chippy, the Cuban Mix, Fabulous Fries and the Greene Mill) and the Daily Scoop (which serves soups, sandwiches, baked goodies and more, in addition to ice cream). And the doughnuts at Healthy Food Technologies garnered raves from several readers; if you can’t get to Almonte to buy them, they’re also available at many Farm Boy locations.

Almonte shopping

This isn’t a scientific measurement or anything, but I’d be willing to hazard a guess that Almonte has more “charming shops per hectare” than most other small Ontario towns. One-of-a-kind gifts, cool clothes, great accessories, yummy food—you want it, they have it. Here are just a few of the Almonte shops you might want to check out. Note that many are open by appointment and/or curbside pickup at the moment, and a number of them sell online.

Alliance Coin & Banknote

As dedicated numismatists (AKA coin collectors) know, brick-and-mortar coin shops are becoming almost as scarce as 1911 Canadian silver dollars. At Alliance Coin & Banknote, which has been catering to both local and international collectors since 2000, you can examine an extensive collection of currency for sale and chat about coins with owner Sean Isaacs. 88 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

Almonte Butcher Shop

The Almonte Butcher Shop is a relatively new addition to Almonte’s retail scene—so new that I haven’t checked it out yet! (A reader kindly brought it to my attention.) The website shows that, along with a wide range of meat (natch), it sells charcuterie platters, deli sandwiches and other goodies. 14 Industrial Drive, Almonte, Ontario

Baker Bob’s

White chalk sign on blackboard with pictures of baked goods at Baker Bob's in Almonte, Ontario.

As the cheerful red-and-white-striped awning announces in big, bold letters, Baker Bob’s serves up “bread, coffee, pastry, chocolate, candy, cookies, smiles and more.” 75 Little Bridge Street, Almonte, Ontario

Cheerfully Made

If you’ve spent any time at all perusing local crafters’ and artisans’ markets in the Ottawa area, you’ve certainly come across the name Cheerfully Made. As well as running craft markets and promoting local makers, Emily Arbour also runs this cheery (natch!) gift shop on Almonte’s main drag selling all sorts of unique products, from bath bombs and jewellery to clothing and greeting cards. 72 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

Crooked Mile Brewing

Crooked Mile Brewing makes a range of British Isles-style ales, including a Scottish export called Highland Hillwalker and an Irish red named Druid’s Dusk. In non-pandemic times, you can nibble snacks (or enjoy your own food) in the tasting room, and take a brewery tour. 453 Ottawa Street, Almonte, Ontario

Crush Marketplace

Shoes, boots and Christmas sweaters displayed against a red brick wall with a large black-and-white clock.
See what I mean about the shoes and boots Theyre just so cool

I am not a shoe person. To me, they’re just utilitarian things to get me from point A to point B. However, the brilliant displays of eye-catching shoes at Crush Marketplace always come close to changing my mind. The shop’s women’s clothing, jewellery and accessories—many by Canadian designers—are even more enticing, with a range that stretches from unique hoodies to sequinned dresses. 14 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

Dairy Distillery

Dairy Distillery is another Almonte business that has made me a convert. To me, all vodkas tasted basically the same, until I tried Dairy’s Vodkow. Made with milk sugar—a byproduct of milk, butter and cream production that is usually just discarded—it seems thicker and richer than other vodkas, somehow. Obviously, I’m not a skilled wine and spirits writer, so just try it and see what you think. (P.S.: Dairy also gets props for being one of the first local companies to start making hand sanitizer to address shortages early in the pandemic.) 34 Industrial Drive, Almonte, Ontario

Darrell Thomas Textiles

Another reader alerted me to the fact that Darrell Thomas Textiles—a high-end fabric store that was once a popular stop in Ottawa’s Little Italy—has picked up stakes and moved to Almonte. I don’t even sew, and I loved dropping into the Ottawa shop just to admire the beautiful fabrics, buttons, lace and other items. 7 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

Don’s Meat Market

Italian sausages, bacon-wrapped chicken, beef skewers and marinated shrimp in display case at Don's Meat Market.

I discovered Don’s Meat Market during a Good Food tour and have returned many times since. Not your average butcher shop, Don’s sells everything from sausages and lamb chops to cheese and charcuterie, including lots of local products. Not sure about the best way to cook your purchase? Just ask the knowledgeable staffers; they’ll happily provide ideas and inspiration. 126 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

Doree’s Habit

Named for the owner’s grandmother, Doree’s Habit sells a carefully curated selection of clothing, shoes, purses, gifts and more. Plus, it’s in one of the cutest buildings in town, with a second-floor balcony trimmed with lashings of white architectural gingerbread. 65 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

Gilligallou Bird Inc.

Amateur ornithologists (AKA bird watchers—see how educational this post is?) will be in their element at Gilligallou Bird, which stocks just about anything you could possibly need to watch or feed birds. 14 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

Hummingbird Chocolate

After careers in international development, Erica and Drew Gilmour continued their efforts to support farmers in emerging countries. Now, at Hummingbird Chocolate, they buy sustainably, ethically farmed cocoa and use it to make all sorts of goodies. You can buy chocolate bars, drinking chocolate, cacao nibs and more—even chocolate salami! In non-pandemic times, you can also tour the award-winning company’s manufacturing facilities. 9 Houston Drive, Almonte, Ontario

Kehla Jewellery Design Studio

Always wanted a custom-made ring, necklace or other statement piece? Award-winning master goldsmith Michaela Wolfert trained extensively in Germany and gained further experience in an Ottawa jewellery company before setting up Kehla Jewellery Design Studio in Almonte, so she’d be a good person to consult. 88 Queen Street, Almonte, Ontario

Kentfield Kids

In the same beautiful building as Doree’s Habit and near the James Naismith statue, Kentfield Kids sells a wide range of products for little ones, including clothing, decor items, toys, backpacks, lunch kits and more. 65 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

L.G. Lee & Sons

People browsing in a shop with white pressed-tin ceiling, hardwood floors, dark wood shelving and drawers, and large front windows.
LG Lee Sons has a vintage vibe

It might look exactly like an old-timey hardware store, but L.G. Lee & Sons has lots of thoroughly modern and really cool products for anyone who likes to dig in a garden, tinker in a workshop or experiment in the kitchen. Since it’s part of the venerable Lee Valley Tools company, expect to see lots of unusual, well-made gadgets that you didn’t know you needed but will soon covet desperately. 36 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

Mill Street Books

Colourful books displayed on wooden shelving units at Mill Street Books in Almonte, Ontario.

Mill Street Books is one of the most charming independent bookshops you could hope to come across! I never leave Almonte without stopping in. Longtime owners Mary and Terry retired in early 2021, but the store has changed hands and will continue supplying bibliophiles (book lovers) and dissectologists (jigsaw puzzle fans) with amusements. 52 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

Pêches & Poivre

Bottles of olive oil and vinegar on a shelf at Pêches & Poivre, a gourmet food shop.
Pêches Poivre is a great spot to pick up vinegars olive oils and other condiments

If you love cheeses, sauces, spreads and other gourmet goodies, as well as nifty kitchen gadgets, don’t miss Pêches & Poivre. The shelves are packed with foods made by Ontario and Quebec producers (as well as makers further afield), along with tea, coffee, dishes and more. You can even sign up for a monthly cheese club. 89 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

Textile Traditions of Almonte

Textile Traditions of Almonte, a hub for all things needlework-related, sells patterns and materials for knitting, embroidery, quilting and other crafts. 87 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

Tin Barn Market

Interior of Tin Barn Market shop in Almonte, an Ontario small town about 40 minutes west of Ottawa.

Even the website for Tin Barn Market looks like something out of a very peaceful Instagram feed, full of earth tones, natural materials and handcrafted items. Both there and in the store, you’ll find lots of home décor pieces, jewellery, bath products and gifts, both vintage and new. DIYers can shop for milk paint, antique furniture, hardware fittings and more. 73 Little Bridge Street, Almonte, Ontario

Vamos Outdoors

Vamos means “let’s go” in Spanish, and Vamos Outdoors sells clothing and accessories to help you do just that, including lots of Canadian brands. As well as outdoorsy gear like parkas and hiking boots, you’ll find dresses, wallets and other items. 14 Mill Street, Almonte, Ontario

Almonte festivals and events

All public gatherings are currently on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, when we can all get together again, popular events and festivals in Almonte include BusFusion (mid-June), Almonte Celtfest (early July), the Almonte Fair (mid-July), the North Lanark Highland Games (late August), Almonte Fibrefest (mid-September) and Light Up the Night (early December). Several of these events ran online activities in 2020, and a number of them have scheduled dates for 2021, so do check their websites to see what they have in store.

In addition, the Almonte Farmers Market runs on Saturday mornings from May to October, in the library parking lot. It continued to run in 2020.

Hotels, inns and B&Bs

Looking to stay overnight in Almonte? If you enjoy small, independent spots, you’re in luck! Here are some places to consider.

Almonte Artist Loft

The Almonte Artist Loft is a stylish 375-square-foot suite with a full kitchen in the renovated Thoburn woollen mill building beside the Mississippi River. The small garden offers direct access to the Riverwalk. 83 Little Bridge Street, Almonte, Ontario

Almonte Riverside Inn

Each of the six bedrooms at the Almonte Riverside Inn has a private bath, cable and wi-fi. Some also have amenities such as bar fridges and couches. The inn has a restaurant, the Loom Bistro, and overlooks the Mississippi River. 81 Queen Street, Almonte, Ontario

The Almonte Suites

The Almonte Suites are spread across two separate buildings, two blocks apart: two in The Almonte Suites I (139 Reserve Street) and another in The Almonte Suites II (51 John Street). Each suite includes its own bath and a full kitchen, and some suites also have perks such as a deck, a sunroom or laundry facilities. The entire Almonte Suites I building can be rented for large families and groups.

Menzies House

This large white frame house, built in 1850, has three guest rooms, each with wi-fi, air conditioning, in-room hot beverages and more. Other amenities at Menzies House include a shared library, living room with fireplace, and salt-water pool. 80 Queen Street, Almonte, Ontario

Old Mill Manor

Just south of Almonte in the tiny community of Appleton, the Old Mill Manor is a five-bedroom, nine-bath waterfront country home that you can rent in its entirety. With a salt-water pool, hot tub, gardens and concierge services, it’s popular with families and wedding groups. 104 Old Mill Lane, Mississippi Mills, Ontario

Pinehurst Manor

Pinehurst Manor is a four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom property available through Airbnb. Built in the late 1800s by the Rosamonds, a prominent mill-owning family, it is also on the Mississippi River shore. 39 Carss Street, Almonte, Ontario

Other accommodations near Almonte

If you don’t mind a short but pretty country drive, there are lots of B&Bs and hotels near Almonte, too. How about one of the following?

Almonte, Ontario: Hallmark Christmas movie set

Red-and-white Christmas serviettes and gingerbread man toy in a shop in Almonte.

Years ago, some enterprising director of one of those countless Hallmark Christmas rom-coms discovered that Almonte was (a) super cute (b) very hospitable to movie crews and (c) reliably snowy in winter. And thus, Almonte’s future as a holiday movie set was born.

It’s hard to keep track of all the “meet cutes” and “minor misunderstandings” that have been filmed in and around the picturesque Lanark County town. However, the Ottawa Film Office has done a great job of tracking them—just check out this map of holiday movie filming locations in and around Ottawa, which includes a big cluster of Almonte shops, restaurants and buildings.

Want to read more?

For more fun facts, check out 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Almonte. (You’ll know a few of them now, after reading this post.)

It’s easy to spend a full day or a weekend exploring Lanark County. If you’d like to check out some other towns and villages near Almonte, here are some posts to inspire you.

Print it out

Click the “Download” button above to download a free one-page PDF guide to Almonte, including the names and addresses of most of the places mentioned in this post.

If you enjoyed this post and are looking for more ideas for things to see and do in and around Ottawa, subscribe to my free weekly newsletter!

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13 comments

Heather January 9, 2021 - 6:54 pm

Don’t forget all our amazing food trucks in the summer
The Cuban Mix
Fabulous Fries
The Greene Mill
Cheeky Chippy

And the amazing Daily Scoop for delicious breakfast and lunch treats and a fantastic assortment of ice cream flavours ….don’t forget to as to try “bubbles” ice cream

Reply
Laura Byrne Paquet January 10, 2021 - 2:52 pm

Yum–good points, all! I didn’t know about some of these. Thanks!

Reply
Jim Robertson January 14, 2021 - 6:42 pm

Great article and summary.

The Daily Scoop ice cream cones are worth the drive even if you do nothing else.

There is a great dough nut shop close to Humming Bird Chocolates.

There are a good number of maple syrup/sugar bushes very close to Almonte. My favourite is Fortune Farms on Wolf Grove Road.

Canoeing and kayaking is also excellent on the Mississippi starting in town.

Reply
Laura Byrne Paquet January 15, 2021 - 7:54 am

Thanks, Jim! Other readers had already pointed me to the Daily Scoop and Healthy Food Technologies (the doughnut shop), and I’ve added brief mentions of them to the post. Great suggestion to add sugar bushes and canoeing/kayaking; I’ll add those ASAP!

Reply
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