Waterways, Railways and Small Town Charm: Top Things to do on a Getaway to Smiths Falls, Ontario
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 which surrounds the city. Smiths Falls Pedal and Paddle offers hourly rentals of both canoes and kayaks, and is a great way to get on the water to explore the Lower Reach basin, and the Rideau Swale; a 385 hectare class 1 wetland, teeming with wildlife. From camouflaged great blue herons fishing amongst the reeds beside the main channel and red wing blackbirds hanging from cattails, to a wide variety of water birds feeding on insects from the tips of yellow water lilies, 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, a trip to the Poonamalie Lockstation is a great route to explore, and the lockstation itself provides a great spot for a picnic lunch or quick snack break.
Stay in a Caboose and Explore the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario
History of the Railway in Smiths Falls, 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 off the corner of Daniel and Winnifred Streets in Smiths falls being constructed. 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 the restoration work had been completed, restoring the station to its original glory. 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 facinating 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 operator's bay and the 1950's snow plow. The museum also has a fun railway pump car which guests are able to test down the museum's railway track, and if you ask about the Batcar, you'll get a glimpse at a railway car commissioned and designed by a railway executive to be an exact replica of the bat mobile! This was apparently used by the former railway owners to check the tracks, however we think it may have just been a great excuse to ride the rails like a superhero.
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 two authentic cabooses - a 1940's wooden CPR caboose, and a 1967 steel CNR caboose. We stayed in the wooden caboose, and the experience was both exciting and surprisingly comfortable! Included with a stay is a guided tour of the museum, which is provided by enthusiasts and knowledgeable museum staff. Their energy and passion for the railway are infectious, and the deep dive into each exhibit at the museum was both informative and interesting.
With the museum closing to the public in the evening, you also have the opportunity to roam the station grounds on your own. This provides you with the perfect chance to take photos of the station at dusk and at daybreak with no people in sight. Private washroom facilities for each caboose are located in the station, and coffee and tea are available at any time in the small shared pantry. Breakfast from a local restaurant is usually provided outside of COVID, and we hear it's delicious.
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, through numerous locks, different natural environments , majestic lakes and quaint towns. Opt to head south west to Kingston, or go all the way up the Rideau Canal to Ottawa and explore the nation’s captial.
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 people. 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 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 backgrounds in music, they offer music lesson for families and children in the shop (pre-covid), and also host a small gallery featuring local artists. They support local makers, hosting a variety of products in store from coffee and coasters to vintage clothing and fine art.
One artist in particular that deserves highlighting is Métis artist Colleen Gray. Colleen lives in Smiths Falls and runs Art for Aid, an amazing initiative that supports Indigenous art while giving back to 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 face in remote communities across the country. You can find a great selection of paintings, note cards and bookmarks at Arts Hub; a great souvenir that helps give back.
Pearl’s Gem
A beautiful boutique located in the Davidson Courtyard shops, Pearl's Gem has a gorgeous selection of homeware, decor, and artisan treasures. The store was named after owner Bonnie's late mother Pearl, whose life inspired her to open her dream boutique and follow her passion of refinishing furniture.
The bright, elegant boutique has a Paris-esque feel with beautifully textures fabrics contrasted against smooth curvy piece of pottery and ornate vases. She supports local artisans whenever possible, including a variety of products from Pink Soapworks - bath bombs, salves, body scrubs and goat milk soap, as well the heavenly scented candles from Sprig Candle Studio. For unique woodwork, local artist Pam Hill's abstracts and 3D-wood creations with a maritime feel are truly one of a kind, and the elaborate beeswax candles by artist Carrie of Westbeau Cottage are truly one-of-a-kind. Pearl's Gem also has a variety of elegant restyled furniture, and also carries fusion mineral paints, metallic paints and milk paint to for all your home décor projects.
Pretty Things on Russell
Located on Russell Street in downtown Smiths Falls, Pretty Things on Russell is a great spot for unique and eclectic items. From funky pillows and vintage inspired hats, to fun bags and quirky accessories, Pretty Things on Russell is a mixed bag of cool items. For those looking for a cool t-shirt that makes astatement, there are tons to choose from, and there are no shortage of funny (and slightly off-base) greeting cards for those looking to put a smile on someone's face. If you're looking for a Smiths Falls souvenir, they have a great selection of take homes, including burlap zip pouches, map coasters, and pencil cases.
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.
Rideau Canal locks
No trip to Smiths Falls is complete without checking out the Rideau Canal and the Smiths Falls Detached, Combined and Old Slys locks. The combined locks, once a set of 3 locks, now 1 large lock with a lift height of 26ft, is fascinating to see in action. 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 and Old Slys locks leading into the Rideau River.
Parks, Beaches and Family fun
A short walk from the combined locks, right under the giant Smiths Falls water tower, you'll find Centennial Park. A beautiful green space and a great spot relax and enjoy a picnic by the water, the park also host morning yoga on Saturday 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 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 on the other side of the canal you'll find a series of play structures for kids under the Yellow Peril, a two-place, single engine propeller-driven airplane.
Tweed Mural
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 doing the Smiths Falls Heritage Walking Tour. You'll 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 like to explore a city by bike, 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, and there are plenty of additional paths along the Rideau River to explore.
Drink, Dine and Snack
Exploring a city's culinary scene is one of our favourite aspect of discovering a new place, and there is plenty to keep a foodie busy in Smiths Falls.
PICNIC Smiths Falls
Launched in 2020, PICNIC Smiths Falls is a is a fantastic program which offers a pre-packed picnic experience for two that comes in a fun box with a free gift inside. The picnics are perfect to enjoy in the many green spaces around the city, or by the water as you watch boats pass through the locks. There are numerous different picnics to choose from, sourced from local restaurants and cafes. Select from gourmet sandwiches and wraps, fish and chips, juicy burgers, panzarotti and even butter chicken and stir fry's! Each picnic box comes with two mains, two salads or appetizers, drinks and desserts. We enjoyed a tasty picnic lunch from the Pickled Pig which included a gourmet ham and cheese sandwich (one of the best we've ever had!), a tasty broccoli salad, a mouth-watering charcuterie board, sparkling Pellegrino and some sinful carrot cake.
C'est Tout Bakery
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 delicious bakery treats, like scones, brownies, mini cheesecakes or decadent cupcakes, and pair it with a specialty coffee like a London Fog or chai latte. For those looking for a lunch to go, they have a wonderful selection of soups, sandwiches and salads. Grab a strawberry pecan salad, cubano sandwich or traditional grilled cheese and head to a nearby park to enjoy lunch on the water. C'est Tout Bakery recently moved into a new location at the Rideau Hotel on Beckwith St, and are planning a patio extension in their new space soon.
Harvest Social
Located in the Davidson Courtyard shops, Harvest Social was Founded in February 2020 by owner Erin MacDonald. The adorable café serves up delicious pastries, homemade soup, sandwiches, salads and desserts., Harvest Social has a variety of gluten free and vegetarian options and use local ingredients when possible, perfect for those with restrictive diets. Their fruit smoothies are also a hit - we saw a lot of colourful creations leaving through their doors while we dined on their charming patio.
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 musician and artist, and is the perfect place to grab a bite and enjoy some live tunes. They also recently created a fun outdoor space (that you can't miss), the perfect spot for a pint and panini on a hot summer day.
Pickled Pig and Sweet Scoops
The Pickled Pig is located right in the heart of downtown Smiths Falls just a short walk from the Rideau Canal locks and Centennial Park. They have great deli where you can choose from a wide variety of meats, cheeses, pickles and accoutrements, perfect for making your own charcuterie board. Don’t miss their hard to resist sweet treats including decadent cupcakes, mini cheesecakes and tasty pastries. They offer a selection of pre-prepared meals 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 place to go for a frosty treat on a summer day. Grab a bowl filled with your favourite flavour, or pile high different scoops on a sugar cone and enjoy an ice cream in the 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.
