Things to do in Perth, Ontario—a great day trip destination!

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Probably the #1 question I get from readers is some variation on the following: “What’s a great place to go for a day trip or a weekend getaway within an hour of Ottawa?” Over and over, I find myself telling them there are tons of things to do in Perth, Ontario.

This town of about 6,000 people, an hour southwest of Canada’s capital, appeals to a wide swath of road trippers—whether they like history, theatre, outdoorsy activities, shopping, dining or festivals. Here are just a few reasons to head there on your next adventure.

Food: Michael’s Table is a popular lunch and dinner spot for small plates, sandwiches, pasta, tacos and comfort dishes like pork pies and meatloaf; there’s a kids’ menu, too. I love the sandwiches, soups, salads and genuinely kind service at Gather. In summer, the deck overlooking the Tay River at Mex & Co is a charming spot to dig into Mexican specialties; any time of year, the restaurant’s indoor space is nice, too. The Rocky River Café is known for its enormous burgers and its quiet, tree-shaded back patio. The local BIA has lots of other restaurant suggestions.

For dessert, you can pick up fabulous, not-too-sweet pie at the Perth Pie Company (I’m partial to the wild blueberry-peach). And handmade truffles are among the draws at Perth Chocolate Works, housed in a heritage mill.

Views: That heritage mill overlooks postcard-pretty Stewart Park, where the Tay River winds under a cute arched bridge and where you’ll find a life-sized statue of hometown heroes Ian Millar and his prize-winning horse, Big Ben. Every July (circumstances permitting), you can also enjoy three days of free concerts in the park during the popular Stewart Park Festival.

History: Did you know that Perth was the site of Canada’s last fatal duel? The 1833 incident involved two young men fighting over the honour of a young woman each of them fancied. You can learn more about that and other intriguing facts at the Perth Museum, housed in an 1840s mansion.

Festivals: Things to do in Perth include all sorts of festivals and events. Perthalicious (April) offers discounted special menus at a range of local restaurants. The Festival of the Maples, later in April, usually features a huge craft fair, a midway, pony rides and, of course, lots of maple products. Later in the year, you can check out the Perth Kilt Run (June) and the Perth Lions Garlic Festival (August).

Theatre, concerts and other live events: Studio Theatre Perth presents plays, concerts, film screenings and more. Other Perth concert venues include Farrell Hall and Oakfield Park. You’ll find information on lots of local events on the Tickets Please website.

Outdoor fun: Hikers can explore the Rideau Trail, which runs right through town. Roughly 20 minutes south of town, Murphy’s Point Provincial Park offers camping, boating, hiking, swimming, snowshoeing and more.

Shopping: Craving some retail therapy? Downtown Perth is stuffed with boutiques selling crafts, home décor items, clothing, accessories and more. It’s very hard for me to pick favourites, but I usually drop into Flint & Honey (women’s and children’s clothing and accessories), Strévé Design (handcrafted women’s clothing and accessories, particularly coats), Riverguild Fine Crafts (co-op of some 75 artists), Lavender & Lace (lingerie and women’s clothing), Spark Books & Curios, and the Perth Cheese Shop (cheese, of course, plus cured meats, mustards and more).

If you go to Perth, Ontario

Disclosures: I have stayed at some of the properties below for free or at a discounted rate, for review purposes. They have not reviewed or approved this post. Also, this section contains affiliate links. If you book accommodation using the links or map below, I’ll receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting this site!

Perth is located 86km southwest of Parliament Hill in Lanark County.

Want to make a weekend of it? The town is home to a range of accommodations. The largest is the Perth Parkside Hotel and Spa (Best Western Premier Collection), overlooking Stewart Park. It’s a very comfortable place to stay, with well-appointed rooms, a full-service spa, an indoor pool, a hair salon and an Italian/steakhouse restaurant called Fiume. The hotel also manages an adjacent seven-room property called The White House, suitable for groups.

For an elegant escape, you might also be interested in the Nevis Estate Boutique Hotel, located in a stone Victorian mansion surrounded by lush grounds. The property offers six ensuite guest rooms, along with a dining room and a sleek bar. In addition, the hotel manages two short-term rental apartments downtown.

You can use the map below to find these and other places to stay overnight in Perth.

For more information on things to do in Perth, Ontario, see Lanark County Tourism and the Downtown Heritage Perth BIA.

Looking for more tips on things to see and do in and around Ottawa? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide.

As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.