24 road trip ideas this week: Hiking near Lyndhurst, pet expo in Ottawa and home tour in Vankleek Hill

2.4K

Whether you’d rather hunt for ghosts in Rockland, take the kids to Cinderella in Ottawa, visit artists in Almonte or northern New York, hear jazz in the Outaouais or Johnny Cash tunes in Brockville, or see international French cinema in Montreal, I have a road trip suggestion for you this week. Happy road tripping!

Hike a scenic trail near Lyndhurst

Time is running out if you want to explore the scenic Rock Dunder wilderness area near Lyndhurst (about halfway between Smiths Falls and Kingston) before it closes for the season on Friday, November 15. You can check out one of three scenic trails, including the 3.9-kilometre Summit Loop, which offers panoramic views of the Rideau Lakes. You’ll need a $10 day pass, which you can buy online.

Hear francophone music in Montreal

Looking to discover some cutting-edge francophone music? Then check out Coup de coeur francophone (November 7 to 17), which features emerging and avant-garde musicians working in French, from across Canada and around the world. Shows are scheduled in cities across Canada, but the main hub is Montreal. 

Listen for ghosts in Rockland

Tucker House, a Georgian-mansion-turned-retreat-centre in Rockland, is hosting a paranormal investigation on Saturday, November 9. The family-friendly event is hosted by Bytown Paranormal and Clarence-Rockland Ghostbusters. Find out for yourself whether rumours of hauntings at the old house are true. The admission fee includes the chance to share your tales around a campfire while sipping hot apple cider.

Buy goodies for your pets in Ottawa

Are you the type of pet owner who just can’t resist buying toys, leashes and other gifts for your furry friends? Or are you looking for a groomer, a trainer or a kennel? Either way, the Ottawa Pet Expo at the EY Centre (November 9 and 10) will likely provide you with hours of endless amusement.

See artists’ studios in Almonte or upstate New York

Artist Rosemary Leach is hosting her annual open studio event this weekend in Almonte. It begins with a vernissage on Friday, November 8, from 5pm to 8pm, and continues throughout the weekend.

In northern New York state, just across the river from Prescott, the St. Lawrence County Arts Artists’ Studio Tour (November 9 and 10) takes you to more than a dozen sites in communities such as Canton, Ogdensburg and Potsdam.

Take the kids to a musical in Britannia or Pembroke

Holiday pantomimes are a cherished tradition in Britain, where young audiences are encouraged to sing along with, cheer and boo the over-the-top performances. Introduce your kids to this fun Christmas spectacle at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre in Britannia Park, where the Lakeside Players are presenting Cinderella this weekend (November 7 to 10).

Meanwhile, in Pembroke, the Streetlight Theatre Company is bringing its family-friendly production of Stephen Sondheim’s beloved fairy-tale musical, Into the Woods Jr., to the Festival Hall Centre for the Performing Arts. There will be four shows in total over the next two weeks (November 9, 10, 15 and 16).

Tour festive homes in Vankleek Hill

The Vankleek Hill Christmas Home Tour (Saturday, November 9) features six residences decorated for the holidays. This annual event is so popular that four shuttle buses (with bilingual guides) will be running all day to transport visitors between the featured homes (it will also stop at various spots to eat and drink). The photo above from 2016 gives you a taste of the decorating inspiration you can expect in the town that bills itself as the Gingerbread Capital of Ontario. Note: You must buy tickets in advance. The last day of sales is Friday, November 8, unless the event sells out earlier. 

Shop for art in Smiths Falls

The Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum is holding its 38th annual art show and sale from November 3 to December 15. You can shop for pieces by more than 25 local artists and artisans during this exhibition. Admission is by donation.

Groove to classic-style jazz in Cantley

Inspired by the rhythms of jazz master Django Reinhardt, Gypsy Muse draws on swing and Latin influences, and diverse guitar rhythms, to create catchy jazz tunes. They’re on stage at La Grange de la Gatineau in Cantley on Saturday, November 9.

Enjoy fine food and drink in Ottawa, Orleans or Pembroke

On Thursday, November 7, Outstanding in Their Fields brings a host of Ontario winemakers to Ottawa City Hall. Many of the wines showcased aren’t available at the LCBO, but visitors will be able to buy bottles to take home. There will be a cheese bar, too!

This weekend, the Orleans Cork & Fork Festival takes over the Shenkman Arts Centre for two days (November 8 and 9). Great cuisine, wine, beer and spirits will all be on the menu, along with cooking demonstrations and live music.

On Saturday, November 9, the Wine, Beer and Food Tasting Gala at the Germania Club in Pembroke is a fundraiser for Columbus House, a centre for youth at risk. This year’s theme is Dia de los Muertos (the Latin American festival also known as the Day of the Dead), and a wide range of local restaurateurs, caterers, and food and beverage producers will be on hand.

See Howie Mandel in Nepean

You might know him from “America’s Got Talent” or “Deal or No Deal,” but Howie Mandel is first and foremost a standup comic. He’ll be on stage at the Meridian Centrepointe Theatres in Nepean on Thursday, November 7.

Learn about wildlife photography in Ottawa

If you’d like to see breathtaking images of grizzly bears and other wild animals—and hear the stories behind the photos—check out this presentation by Canadian Geographic photographer-in-residence Michelle Valberg on Thursday, November 7. It’s taking place at the Royal Canadian Geographic Society’s headquarters on Sussex Drive.

Enjoy classic tunes in Brockville

Two tribute concerts will be lighting up the Brockville Arts Centre this week. On Thursday, November 7, The Man in Black is Shawn Barker’s tribute to the music of Johnny Cash. On Saturday, November 9, in Tapestry: The Carole King Songbook, Suzanne O Davis brings the music of the beloved folk music icon to life on stage. (In case you can’t make it to Brockville this week, the Carole King show will also be at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans on Friday, November 15.)

Light up the night in Picton

The Firelight Lantern Festival in Picton on Saturday, November 9, begins with an illuminated evening parade and wraps up at the Crystal Palace with food, dancing, music and more. Detailed information is available on the event’s Facebook page.

Pause to remember in Ottawa

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause to remember the sacrifices of those who have fought and died in wars. There are many Remembrance Day commemorations happening in Ottawa this week, including events on Parliament Hill, at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, at the Bytown Museum and elsewhere. And, as always, the stirring National Remembrance Day Ceremony will be held on the morning of Monday, November 11, at the National War Memorial on Confederation Square.

See diverse movies in Montreal, Toronto or Cooperstown

For movie lovers, the next week or so is like Christmas come early, with movies screening in just about every imaginable genre and language.

A francophone film festival called Cinemania is running at the Imperial Cinema and Outremont Theatre in Montreal from November 7 to 17. The 51 movies come from a diverse range of francophone countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, Senegal—and Canada, of course. There’s something for just about every taste, whether you like gritty urban dramas (an updated version of Les Misérables), family relationship movies (Spread Your Wings or Lola), historical tales (Portrait of a Lady on Fire) or romantic comedies (On a Magical Night). And if you’re not bilingual, don’t worry—most of the movies are subtitled in English.

Meanwhile, in Toronto, the Reel Asian International Film Festival (November 7 to 15) showcases movies made by filmmakers across Asia, as well as Asians working in other countries around the world.

South of the border, Glimmerglass Film Days in Cooperstown, New York (November 7 to 11) shows movies focusing on the connection between humans and the natural world. Visitors can also take part in discussions, guided hikes and more.

(P.S.: If you like film festivals, check out my list of 35+ movie festivals in and around Ottawa, which includes events throughout the year.)

Start your holiday shopping at a craft show

Finally, don’t forget my continuously expanding list of holiday craft shows, which features 16 sales this weekend, including events in Smiths Falls, Bryson, Manotick Perth, Merrickville and Syracuse.

Want more tips on road trips from Ottawa—including info on hotel discounts, contests, festivals and other cool news? Subscribe to my free weekly e-newsletter! I will never spam you—promise.

Are you promoting an upcoming event you’d like to see in a future weekly road trip roundup? Please email me the details at least two weeks in advance of the event, and I’ll add them to my files. If you have a horizontal photo or two I could use, even better. Thanks!