Waterways, Railways and Small Town Charm: Tips for a fun Getaway to Smiths Falls
Ontario has so many amazing small towns to explore. Smiths Falls, located an hour from Ottawa and 45 minutes from Kingston, is a charming town steeped in rich history and beautiful natural beauty. With the Rideau Canal and Rideau River creating a beautiful backdrop for outdoor activities, the town is also filled with quaint shops, great restaurants, and some cool local attractions.
Paddle the Rideau Canal and Explore the Rideau Swale
Exploring Smiths Falls by boat is one of the best way to get a feel for the natural beauty of the Rideau River watershed. Rent a canoe or kayak from Smiths Falls Pedal and Paddle and explore the Lower Reach basin and the Rideau Swale; a 385-hectare class 1 wetland, teeming with wildlife and stunning natural beauty. From camouflaged great blue herons fishing amongst the reeds, to red wing blackbirds hanging from cattails, bird lovers will be in heaven.
As the Rideau Canal is a slack water system, the paddle down the canal is an easy one (with very little current), and is perfect for novices or those with less paddling experience. For more experienced paddlers or those looking for a longer paddle, opt for a trip to the Poonamalie Lockstation and stop for picnic lunch or quick bite riverside.
Stay in a Caboose and Explore the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario
Railway History and the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario
For anyone who loves trains or has an interest in railway history, Smiths Falls has a rich past dating back to the mid 1800s. In 1853 the Brockville & Ottawa Railway Company started the first phase of the railway from Brockville to Smiths Falls, with its inaugural run taking place in 1859 with a traditional wood-burning locomotive and two coaches of passengers. With the growth in the railway, the town saw the first railway building being built in 1863 with a small depot at the corner of Daniel and Winnifred Streets. The current building that stands at the museum grounds today was constructed in 1912 by the Canadian Northern Ontario Railway, and is a great way to get a peek into Smiths Falls’ railway past.
With diminishing passenger and freight traffic over the years, the station ceased operation in 1979, and the station was abandoned shortly after. In 1983 the building was set to be demolished, but a group of community-minded citizens acquired the building and in 1985 work began on renovating sections of the building.
In 1985 Parks Canada declared the station a National Historic Site and by 1993 restoration work had been completed. To this day the museum continues to rely on the generosity of its volunteers. Many volunteers from the region help to lay track, restore and repair the museum's train collection, and are also there to provide great insight and stories from their lives working on the rails.
Today the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario welcomes visitors from all over the country to tour the station and the many fascinating exhibits, giving you a cool peek into the inner workings of railway station. Some of our favourite exhibits include:
the dining car; beautifully restored to reflect the period
the dental car; which provided dental services to those in remote areas in Northern Ontario
the 1950's snow plow
fun railway pump car which guests are able to test down the museum's railway track
the operator's bay
the Batcar; a railway car commissioned and designed by a railway executive to be an exact replica of the bat mobile!
They also hold special events like Mother’s Day high tea, festive Christmas themed cars, and the Easter Egg Express, so be sure to check their website before your visit.
Stay Overnight in an Authentic Railway Caboose
For a truly authentic railways experience, the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario provides the unique opportunity to stay overnight in three authentic cabooses - a 1940's wooden CPR caboose, a 1921 Canadian National Caboose, and a 1967 steel CNR caboose. We stayed in the wooden caboose, and the experience was both exciting and surprisingly comfortable! There is a shared kitchenette for preparing your own meals, newly renovated shared washrooms with showers, and a and a common room for relaxing, with smart tv and dining table.
Access to the museum is complimentary with a stay and you’ll have the unique opportunity to walk the grounds after hours. This give you the perfect opportunity to take photos of the station at dusk or at daybreak, with no people in sight.
Enjoy a Luxury Houseboat Vacation with Le Boat Vacations
With its Canadian headquarters located in Smiths Falls, Le Boat Vacations is a luxury houseboat experience, and the number one provider of boating holidays on lakes and canals in Europe and Canada. Smiths Falls is the jumping off point for a Le Boat adventure down the Rideau Canal, and gives you the opportunity to captain your own boat down this unique UNESCO World Heritage site. Navigate through numerous locks, different natural environments, majestic lakes and quaint small towns. Opt to head south west to Kingston, or go all the way up the Rideau Canal to Ottawa and explore the nation’s capital.
Choose from a variety of sizes and styles of boats to fit your family or group; from 2 cabin boats vessels to those that can accommodate up to 12 passengers. Each boat comes with a full kitchen, bathroom with shower, sundeck, and the Horizon fleet has the additional amenities of an outdoor deck BBQ, MP3 entertainment system and indoor air conditioning. Kayaks, stand up paddle boards and bikes can be rented at an additional cost, and grocery service can be provided for those arriving with little time to spare.
Shop Local
Arts Hub
Smiths Falls has some amazing local shops run by passionate and friendly locals. Arts Hub, now rebranded as “The Hub; Music and Art”, is a funky local store specializing in locally made products and featuring the work of local artisans. Started by two old friends (who unbeknownst to each other moved to Smiths Falls at the same time), shop owners Ambre and Rosalyn are proud of their community and of Arts Hub - their "one day" dream project. Both with musical backgrounds, they offer music lesson for families and children, and also host a small gallery featuring local artists. Shop some cool, artsy and unique items, browse through vintage fashion and help support local artisans.
One local artist that deserves highlighting is Métis artist Colleen Gray. Colleen runs an amazing initiative called Art for Aid which helps to support Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit and Métis art education programs in Canada. Colleen has been selling her beautiful and unique art since 2013, and uses the proceeds to ship art supplies to Indigenous schools across Canada. Colleen believes strongly in the power of art to help heal, and as a way to bring light to the isolation Indigenous youth often face in remote communities across Canada. You can find her art including paintings, note cards and bookmarks at Arts Hub.
Must-see Sights and Hidden Gems
Bascule Bridge
The Smiths Falls Bascule Bridge, a National Historic Site of Canada, is a movable concrete bridge built in the early twentieth century to carry rail traffic over the Rideau Canal. Today it stands with its roadbed span permanently raised, with its massive counterweight stretching almost perpendicular to the sky. Located at the edge of Duck Island, it's an easy walk from Centennial Park and downtown Smiths Falls, and a very cool photo opp.
Rideau Canal locks
No trip to Smiths Falls is complete without checking out the Rideau Canal, as well as the Smiths Falls Combined Lock, Detached Lock, and Old Slys locks. The Combined Lock was once a set of 3 locks, now enmeshed into 1 large lock with a lift height of 26ft. Catch boats entering the lock and watch as Parks Canada staff open and close the locks using the cast iron hand-operated winches. Head a little further down the canal and watch the swing bridge in action as boats pass through into 2 additional locks, the Detached Lock and the Old Slys Lock leading into the Rideau River.
Parks, Beaches and Family fun
A short walk from the combined locks, under the shadow of the Smiths Falls water tower, you'll find Centennial Park. This beautiful green space is the ideal spot relax, enjoy a picnic by the water, or take in a morning of summer yoga in the summer months. Watch for a pair of swans which call this stretch of water home, and head back at dusk to catch the park's fountains colourfully lit at night. For those with kids, a small beach nearby at Murphy's Park provides a great opportunity to cool off, and a giant inflatable in the water will keep the kids busy for hours. Take a stroll from Murphy's Park to Turtle Island and Duck Island, and head to the other side of the canal where you’ll find play structures for kids and the historic “Yellow Peril”, a North American RCAF Harvard Mark 4 single engine propeller airplane.
One off Smiths Falls' hidden gems, is the giant mural on the side of Tweed, the place to go in town to learn about and indulge in all things cannabis. Viewable by train or from the Tweed grounds, the Grow Good Together 400ft mural spans the entire length of the building and adds a colourful urban twist to the quaint small town.
Discover Local History on Foot or by Bike
To discover some of Smiths Falls history, we recommend embarking on the self-guided Smiths Falls Heritage Walking Tour. Pass by iconic building including the city's historic library, the old town hall (dating back to 1859) and the old Rideau Theatre constructed in 1912. If you're short on time, or love a good bike ride, we recommend renting a bike from Smiths Falls Pedal and Paddle and doing the tour on two wheels. The city is easy to cycle with the city's main thoroughfare (Beckwith St) having separated bike lanes. There are also plenty of additional biking paths along the Rideau River, giving you plenty to discover on two wheels.
Drink, Dine and Snack
Exploring a city's culinary scene is the best way to get a taste of local life, and there is plenty to keep a foodie busy in Smiths Falls.
C'est Tout Bakery and Bistro
C'est Tout Bakery is a must-visit in Smiths Falls, and is the go-to spot for locals and visitors alike. Stop by and grab some fresh scones, brownies, mini cheesecakes or decadent cupcakes to go, or dine-in and pair your sweets with a foamy cappuccino, London Fog or chai latté. If you’re visiting for Saturday brunch you’re in for a treat. Choose from brunch classics like eggs benedict, avocado toast or Huevos Rancheros, or try their banana French toast, falafel wrap of Buffalo tofu bowl.
The Lockmaster's Tap House and Patio
For a meal with a view, head over to the Lockmaster's Tap House and Patio which arguably has the best patio in town. With a stunning view overlooking the old mill spillway, this legendary restaurant serves up brunch classics like French toast, maple bacon eggs benedict and smashed avocado toast, and lunch favourites like stacked club sandwiches, loaded nachos, beef dip paninis and a variety of fresh salads. They also have a dedicated kids menu with kid-friendly options like chicken strips, grilled cheese and mac n cheese.
Bowie's
A fixture in Smiths Falls, Bowie's is the place to go for great food and great live music. Their Back Room hosts local musicians and artists, and is the perfect place to grab a bite and enjoy some live tunes. They also have a fun outdoor patio, perfect for people watching with a pint and panini.
Pickled Pig and Sweet Scoops
The Pickled Pig is a tasty local shop and deli just a short walk from downtown Smiths Falls, the Rideau Canal and Centennial Park. If you’re making your own picnic, or charcuterie board, this is the perfect place to pick up fresh meats, cheeses, pickles and various other accoutrements. Don’t miss their hard-to-resist sweet treats including decadent cupcakes, mini cheesecakes and tasty pastries. They also offer a selection of pre-prepared meals to take home including Sheppard's pie, Moroccan stew with couscous, lasagna, and mac n cheese. For those embarking on a le Boat vacation, or an Airbnb stay in town, this is a great place to pick up some last minute supplies.
Located in the same shop as the Pickled Pig, Sweet Scoops is the go-to ice cream spot in Smiths Falls. Grab a bowl filled with your favourite flavour, pile high flavourful scoops on a sugar cone, and enjoy an ice cream in the nearby park.
To find more information, or to plan your trip, visit Smiths Falls.
*Some businesses may be closed or have reduced hours or activities due to covid-19. Please check hours of operation before visiting.
Some activities in the above were provided by the town of Smiths Falls, although all recommendations are our own.
