Upper Canada Village, Morrisburg

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Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg, Ontario, dates back to 1961, after the intentional flooding of the “Lost Villages” to build the St. Lawrence Seaway along the St. Lawrence River. The village includes more than 40 heritage buildings—including homes, a church, a blacksmith shop and working mills—many of them moved here from the lost communities before they were flooded.

Today, Upper Canada Village recreates Canadian life in 1866, the year before Confederation, with costumed interpreters. It’s one of the country’s largest living-history sites. When you visit, you’ll probably see a blacksmith forging horseshoes or nails, a printer running off copies of a newspaper, bakers kneading dough, and farmers tending livestock. You can meander through the site on your own or, at certain times of year, take a guided tour.

Upper Canada Village offers a range of summer camps for kids aged 8 to 17. All involve dressing in 1860s garb and learning about Victorian life. Older youth will learn how to be historical interpreters, interacting with the public while carrying out old-timey activities.

Visitors can shop for books, packaged foods, clothing and items made at Upper Canada Village (such as bread, blankets and tinware) at the Village Store. There are two licensed restaurants on site, as well as a café and a BeaverTails stand. The village offers horse-drawn wagon rides, trips along a canal in a horse-drawn tow scow, and rides on a miniature train. You can also stay overnight in one of two houses on the property, each of which can sleep eight guests.

If you go to Upper Canada Village

Upper Canada Village is at 13740 County Road 2 in Morrisburg. It’s located 90km southeast of Parliament Hill. The main opening season for Upper Canada Village usually runs from early May to mid-September, but check the site’s website for the most current information. You’ll also find information on upcoming special events, such as Victoria Day celebrations and quilting weekends.

Upper Canada Village is also open for special events beyond the main spring/summer opening season. They include Pumpkinferno, when thousands of carved pumpkins are assembled into elaborate illuminated displays (fall), and Alight at Night, when the village’s heritage buildings are lit with more than a million holiday lights (late fall and early winter).

Looking for something else to see and do near Upper Canada Village? Here are a few options.

• Upper Canada Playhouse, Morrisburg
• Battle of Crysler’s Farm National Historic Site, Morrisburg
• Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Ingleside
• Long Sault Parkway, Long Sault
• Lost Villages Museum, Long Sault

You can also check the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry’s tourism 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.