It feels like spring is finally here! Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg is opening for the season this week, as are reservations for campsites on Brockville’s islands. La Cigale ice cream shop in Chelsea has been open for a few weeks now—and that’s just one of 70 ideas for Outaouais spring fun. Perth has produced a new visitor map. I just found out about a 40-kilometre trail near Cornwall. Ottawa is getting a Dumpling Festival. And the NAC Orchestra is giving away concert tickets. Those all sound like great reasons for a spring road trip, right?
You can see the NAC Orchestra for free
Here’s a rare chance: You can see the National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) perform for free at the NAC on Tuesday, May 20. The evening will start with a performance in the lobby by OrKidstra, an Ottawa youth ensemble. Next, there will be an onstage talk in Southam Hall with NACO conductor Alexander Shelley and Canadian composer Kelly-Marie Murphy, hosted by Paul Wells. Following that, the NACO will perform Brahms’ Hungarian Dances No. 5 and 6; Murphy’s Dark Nights, Bright Stars, Vast Universe; and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Admission is free but you must reserve your ticket on the NAC’s website in advance. Tickets will be available starting Thursday, May 1.
Upper Canada Village is opening for the season
Grab the kids and get ready to travel back in time: Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg opens for the season on Saturday, May 3. The living history museum brings the Ontario of the 1860s to life with costumed interpreters, old-time activities and more.
A Dumpling Fest is coming to Ottawa
I don’t know much about Dumpling Fest, a new event coming to Ottawa on Wednesday, June 11, beyond the fact that it’s an offshoot of similar events in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. A range of Ottawa restaurants (yet to be confirmed) will be serving up their particular versions of dumplings, and participants will go from venue to venue sampling the dishes. “Ultra early-bird” tickets are available for $49 per person until Sunday, May 4. After that, the price goes up to $59 until June 1, and $69 after that.
Spring fun abounds in the Outaouais
Wondering what you can get up to in May in the Outaouais? Tourisme Outaouais has a big list of spring fun ideas, including everything from pedicures and ice cream to zip-lining and bungee jumping!
Reservations for City of Brockville island campsites open soon
Did you know that the City of Brockville operates campsites on several islands in the St. Lawrence River? Not surprisingly, the sites are popular, so they often book up quickly. Reservations for the 2025 camping season open on Thursday, May 1.
In more Brockville news…
A Golden Hawk CF-86 Sabre Jet that was installed on Brockville’s waterfront in 1968 as a memorial to local RCAF fliers is getting a long-overdue restoration. Brockville’s city council recently approved just over $40,000 for the repairs, which will be added to $49,000 collected through fundraising.
You can bike or cycle a rail trail near Cornwall
I’ve been running Ottawa Road Trips since 2014, and writing about Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais for many years before that. But every time I think I know most of what there is to know about this region, the universe tosses me a new fact that proves I’m oh-so-wrong. This week, that comeuppance came from the always-excellent Off the Hook newsletter, published by Perch Magazine. The latest issue mentions something called the “Peanut Line,” which I’d never heard of. I followed the link to discover it’s a 40-kilometre recreational trail near Cornwall that follows the bed of the old Glengarry & Stormont Railway. Who knew? I’m planning to check it out, next time I’m in the area, but in the meantime, you can find out more about it in this article in the SDG&A Cornwall Seeker.
Perth has a new visitor map
Heading to Perth? Keep your eyes out for the town’s brand-new visitor map, which highlights local businesses and attractions. The map should be available at the visitor centre (inside the Perth Museum) and at other sites across town soon.
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.
