From a cycling fundraiser in Stittsville and an online art class to big chairs in Kemptville and a huge sale on kids’ gear, I have all sorts of ideas for fun you can enjoy in the next week or so—either online or in the real world. Happy travels!
Kayak at sunset in Gananoque
1000 Islands Kayaking is launching its Paddle and Pint guided sunset tours this week on Wednesday, June 23. On Wednesdays through Saturdays until September 4 (weather permitting), the three-hour tours will depart the Gananoque waterfront in the late afternoon/early evening. The price per person is $75 for youths and $95 for adults. See the company’s website to book.
Bike for a good cause or test your cycling trivia knowledge
Let’s Bike and the Ottawa Bike Café are holding an online cycling trivia night on Tuesday, June 22, starting at 6:30pm. There will be a prize draw at the end of the night. The event is free, but registration is required.
The Rotary Club of Ottawa-Stittsville has organized a cool cyling fundraiser: the Stittsville Staycation Rotary Ride. Between June 26 and July 4, you can cycle a 14-kilometre route around Stittsville to discover local shops, restaurants and more. Map your ride with a smartphone app and you’ll be eligible for prizes! (All the details are on the event’s website.) Money raised through registration fees ($10 per individual or $20 per family) will support the Stittsville Food Bank.
Take a virtual mixology class
Chef’s Paradise (the Ottawa kitchenware shop also known as C.A. Paradis) is offering an online cocktail class on Saturday, June 26. During A Taste of the South: Bourbon, Yvonne Langen of Taste and Tipple will walk attendees through the process of mixing up some innovative drinks. All of them will feature chai peppercorn syrup, Angostura bitters and, of course, bourbon. Tickets are $35.
Bid on a piece of Kingston history
This is bittersweet: My husband and I once had a lovely getaway weekend at the Hotel Belvedere in Kingston. This Saturday, June 26, the contents of the old Victorian mansion will be auctioned online, starting at 10am. You can preview the items online or see them in person at the hotel (for the latter, drop in on June 22, 23 or 24), and you must be able to pick up the items in person on July 28, 29 or 30.
Hit the beach
There’s more to Outaouais beaches than the lovely beaches in Gatineau Park. Tourisme Outaouais has rounded up a wide range of beaches across West Quebec—including a few you might not have heard of.
Over on the Ottawa side of the river, the City of Ottawa’s four public beaches (Britannia, Westboro, Mooney’s Bay and Petrie Island) have opened for the season.
Live further afield? Check out my great big list of beaches in Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais.
Wherever you go, please keep your distance, pack out your garbage (I know you will—you’re all responsible types!) and skip any beach that’s already crowded. As we all learned to our sorrow last year, when beaches get overcrowded, littered and out of control, the powers that be will (rightly) shut ’em down.
Shop for used children’s gear
The huge OutGROW OutPLAY sale of used babies’ and children’s toys, clothing and more (June 24 to 27) has gone virtual once again. You can buy a pre-sale pass for up to $20 to get a first shot at all the loot available, or take your chances and shop with the general public for free on the weekend. Contactless pickup of purchased items will be available on July 8 and 9.
Unwind at a drive-in movie
The Drive-In Experience Ottawa is back, with two locations this summer: Wesley Clover Parks in the west end and RCGT Park in the near east end. Every weekend (Friday through Sunday), you can catch big-screen movies. This weekend, the flicks include E.T., Furious 7 and Trolls World Tour.
This weekend at the Port Elmsley Drive-In (between Smiths Falls and Perth), you can catch F9: The Fast Saga or Nobody.
And at the Skylight Drive-In in Pembroke, you can see Nobody and Wrath of Man on Thursday, June 24, and Scoob! and Tom and Jerry from Friday through Sunday.
For all drive-in movies, you need to buy tickets online in advance.
Hunt for big chairs in North Grenville
The North Grenville Chamber of Commerce has just unveiled five decorated, oversized chairs in Kemptville, Bishop’s Mills, Oxford Station, Oxford Mills and Ferguson Forest. A Kemptville firm, the Best Adirondack Chair Company, donated the larger-than-life furniture, and local artists decorated the chairs. It’s a fun photo op, if you spot one! Here’s a Facebook map showing all the locations.
Enjoy a drive-in Indigenous concert
OK, this one isn’t until next week, but it’s early in the week and I wanted to give you time to plan. The closing event of the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival was originally scheduled for June 21, but it was postponed due to an unpromising weather forecast. It will now take place at the same venue, Wesley Clover Parks in Nepean, on Tuesday, June 29. The drive-in concert will feature a showcase of Inuit throat singing and hoop dancing, performances by Silla and Rise (see video above) and Twin Flames, and a light show created by 200 drones.
Take an online painting class
Ottawa artist Janet Beath is offering an online Tribute to Monet painting class on Facebook on Wednesday, June 23. All you need to participate are some brushes, three colours of acrylic paint (plus white), and some paper or canvas. Full details are on the link. The class is free, but tips are appreciated.
Catch a one-of-a-kind show
I know I mentioned it last week, but it’s definitely worth mentioning again! You still have time to catch a cutting-edge play, concert or comedy show online via the Ottawa Fringe Festival, which runs until Sunday, June 27.
Looking for more tips for things to see and do in Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais and beyond? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter and/or buy my guidebook, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide.