This week’s timely tips include info on cooking classes during Italian Week Ottawa, a new video featuring the Petawawa-to-Pembroke section of the Algonquin Trail, the scoop on how you can get a free swag bag at a Barrhaven market next weekend, a link to my recent article about the Township of Rideau Lakes, and the scoop on a waterfront splash pad that opens this week. Enjoy!
Book your Italian Week culinary classes soon
This year, Italian Week Ottawa is offering three masterclasses for food lovers, focusing on Italian wines (Friday, June 7), pasta making (Tuesday, June 11) and coffee and espresso making (Wednesday, June 12). These will likely be popular, so you might want to sign up soon to avoid disappointment.
Brockville Railway Tunnel is open for the season
Long-time readers will know that I’m a fan of the sound-and-light show in the 19th-century Brockville Railway Tunnel. The attraction has had some operational hiccups, but it finally re-opened for the season on Friday, May 17. For now, the light show uses white bulbs only, instead of the usual multicoloured lights, but the tunnel’s owners hope to have things back to normal sometime this summer. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.
The Prescott and Russell Recreational Trail has been upgraded
Speaking of inventive uses for old railway infrastructure: The Prescott and Russell Recreational Trail is a 72-kilometre multi-use trail that cuts right across the United Counties of Prescott-Russell, from Hammond (just east of Ottawa) to St-Eugène (on the Quebec border). In the last year or two, the trail has undergone some major renovations. Parking has been upgraded at eight locations, there are now six sheltered pavilions with washrooms, and you can rent e-bikes at three spots along the route.
And speaking of trails…here’s a cyclist’s-eye view of the Algonquin Trail
The multi-use Algonquin Trail—the Renfrew County section of the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail—will eventually stretch across the entire county. Much of it is already finished, including the section from Petawawa to Pembroke showcased in this new video. It’s great to see municipalities stepping up to provide rest stations for trail users! The video also includes tips on where to eat and camp along that section of the trail.
Hear inspirational stories of the healing power of nature
Did you know that Canadian Geographic has a new travel podcast? It’s called Here & There, and it’s excellent. In the May 15 episode, producer Lia Grainger takes a kayaking trip on Georgian Bay with Wild Women Expeditions. She talks about the ways being off grid affects her and the other kayakers, and she also interviews Wild Women owner Jennifer Haddow, whose decision to trek to Mount Everest Base Camp years ago changed her life. You can listen to the show online, or get the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Rideau Lakes is drawing homebuyers
My recent article about Rideau Lakes for the Homes sections of the Ottawa Citizen and the Ottawa Sun is now online. Check it out to find out how—and why—stressed-out urbanites are moving to the Township of Rideau Lakes, which includes pretty villages such as Elgin, Portland and Newboro.
Splash pad in Morrisburg is set to open
Heading to Morrisburg for a beach day with the kids? Then you’ll be pleased to know that the splash pad at Earl Baker Park is set to open for the season on Friday, May 24.
Catch a shuttle and get swag at the I ❤️ Barrhaven Market
Heading to the I ❤️ Barrhaven Market next weekend—on Sunday, June 2, to be precise—and looking to avoid the congestion at the Nepean Woods Park and Ride? You can catch a free shuttle from the Strandherd Park and Ride…and the first 250 shuttle passengers will get a goodie bag of swag, gift cards, vouchers and treats.
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.
