Whether you like kayaking in the Thousand Islands, family outings in the Outaouais, farm-to-table dinners or Elvis tunes, this week’s Heads Up post has something for you.
Cover photo by Robert Ruggiero on Unsplash.
Photo essay showcases kayaking in the Thousand Islands
If you’ve ever kayaked among the Thousand Islands—or simply dreamed of doing so—you might enjoy this photo-packed post from Thousand Islands Life showcasing many of the most popular kayaking routes on both sides of the Canada–U.S. border.
Farms host hyperlocal dinners in Scotch Bush and Napanee
If you buy by July 26, you can get the early-bird price of $65 on tickets for this year’s dinner and magic show at Ottawa Valley Farm to Fork in Scotch Bush. At the dinner on Saturday, August 3, guest will nosh on dishes made with the farm’s own beef and vegetables, and enjoy a show by magician Chris Pilsworth. The farm is about half an hour west of Renfrew—in other words, about 90 minutes from downtown Ottawa.
Further afield, Oliver Farms near Napanee is hosting its own Saturday night farm-to-fork dinners on July 27, August 3 and August 17.
Pretty pop-up shops open in Iroquois
The small community of Iroquois, on the St. Lawrence River south of Ottawa, is now home to two beautifully painted pop-up shops. Stop by if you’re in the area to see who is selling something cool there this summer! (Tenants can rent one of the shops for $25 a day, so you never know what you’ll discover.)
Free tickets are available for moonshine festival in Perth
Top Shelf Distillers is hosting the Ontario Moonshine Festival from August 23 to 25. Admission to this beverages-and-bluegrass festival is free (except for the launch party on August 23), but tickets are required.
You can (sort of) spend Christmas with Elvis
If you can’t imagine Christmas without some tunes from the King of Rock and Roll, tickets are available now for the Elvis Christmas Special concert with Elvis tribute artist Pete Paquette at the Shenkman Arts Centre. It’s an afternoon show on Sunday, December 15.
You can golf, pick berries and more on this Outaouais route
Tourisme Outaouais has developed a nice little drive-it-yourself family itinerary through the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau region, which includes stops to play golf, pick blueberries and raspberries, hike, take a dip in a natural pool, and camp.
Act soon if you want to dine with music at the NAC
Tables for the first two weekend of The Chef’s Table at the NAC are already sold out, but if you act quickly, you might still be able to snag a spot for the third and final weekend (July 25 to 27). The evening will include a three-course meal created by NAC chefs Connor McQuay and Kenton Leier, which you’ll enjoy on the NAC terrace as musical guests Mikhail Laxton and Rebecca Noelle perform from a floating stage on the Rideau Canal.
Golf tournament raises funds for kids in care
If your business would like to join a charity golf tournament, registration is open now for the BDC | CAF Ottawa Annual Charity Golf Tournament. It’s taking place on Wednesday, September 11, at the Canadian Golf and Country Club in Ashton. The Children’s Aid Foundation (CAF) raises money to fund educational bursaries, tutoring, mental health services, extracurricular activities and more for kids in the foster care system and youth transitioning out of foster care.
Ironman Canada triathlon is moving to Ottawa
If you are a LOT fitter than I am, you may be interested to learn that the gruelling Ironman Canada triathlon is pulling up stakes from Penticton, B.C., and coming to Ottawa, according to this report from Global News. The hardy athletes will be racing in Ottawa on August 3, 2025.
Mud Lake bridge is now open
For those interested in less strenuous outdoor adventures, there’s also news: a new pedestrian bridge through the wetlands of Mud Lake in Ottawa’s Britannia neighbourhood is now open.
Western half of the Confederation Line LRT is temporarily closed
If you regularly use the LRT—oh, you lovely optimist!—don’t forget that the western half of the Confederation Line (from Tunney’s Pasture to Rideau) is closed for maintenance from July 15 to July 28. Details of the replacement bus service are available at the link above (click on the yellow box on the OC Transpo website).
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.