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Just 45 minutes from Downtown Ottawa lies the lovely, peaceful town of Arnprior. Now, you might not have heard of this town as a tourist (we hadn't either), but we ended up staying there thanks to some friends. Bree and I absolutely adored this delightful little town, and we couldn't resist sharing our experience with all of you! So, without any more delay, let's dive right in!
When to visit Arnprior?
As Arnprior is a small town they don't see to many tourists visit which is why some attractions and restaurants are closed during off season. Therefore we highly recommend visiting during the summer months of June to August when the town is bustling with activity and most places are open. It's also crucial to plan your visit for Thursday through Sunday, as these are the days when most places are open and buzzing with life. So, mark your calendar!
On the other hand, if you're more of a nature enthusiast and not too picky about dining options or activities, the fall season when the leaves are changing colours (September to November) is a fantastic time to visit. You'll get to enjoy the picturesque scenery while embracing the laid-back charm of the town. It's a win-win!
How to get to Arnprior?
Arnprior, a charming town located northwest of Ottawa, is just a 45-minute drive from Downtown Ottawa. If you're a car owner, that's the easy and convenient way to go, but for backpackers like us, taking a bus adds a pinch of adventure and affordability to the journey.
The Ontario Northland bus company, is the only one to service daily trip from Ottawa to Arnprior, and even beyond to the wonders of Northern Ontario. Although it's the only option, it simplifies your decision-making process! Plus, the bus departs from Downtown Ottawa, specifically the Via Rail train station, at the very backpacker-friendly time of 10:15am, whisking you away to Arnprior by 11:20am.
The return bus at 9:40pm gives you a generous 10 hours and 20 minutes to immerse yourself in the charm of this lovely town! For the best booking options, just click here!
Day Trip Itinerary
1st Stop - Lunch
Estimated time - 1-1.5 hours
Feeling a bit hungry after your ride into Arnprior? Well, the first thing we'd suggest is heading to the Mighty Fine Bakehouse for lunch. At the bakehouse, you'll find a delightful array of options on their menu, including sandwiches, soups, salads, coffee, tea, bread, pastries, and desserts. With such a wide variety of scrumptious foods, you're bound to discover something that tickles your taste buds here!
Opening Days - Thursday - Sunday
Opening Times:
Thursday & Friday - 8:30am - 4pm
Saturday & Sunday - 9am - 3pm
2nd Stop - Arnprior and District Museum
Estimated time: 30-45mins
Opening Days & Times: Thursday - Saturday (10am-4pm)
Cost: Free or by donation
If you're interested in the charming history of this small town, a visit to Arnprior and District Museum is a great way to dive into it. The museum, though fairly small, houses some truly fascinating exhibits about the town's history, including information on its early logging days and an exhibit on its railroad history. You can explore artefacts such as the community's first telephone booth and the Arnprior coin, offering a glimpse into the town's rich past.
3rd Stop - Ice Cream
Estimated time: 15-30 minutes
Bree and I absolutely love indulging in a delicious dessert every now and again, especially when it comes to ice cream. There's this amazing place in Arnprior that we still reminisce about to this day called Mallard's Milk Bar. They specialise in homemade ice cream and are known for their creative and unique ice cream flavours as well as using locally sourced products. What's so exciting is that they completely revamp their menu every Thursday, offering a whole new selection of flavours to try. At the time we opted to try their Basil Lemonade flavour which was super refreshing. Other creative flavours we've seen their include raspberry rice krispies, matcha strawberry and sea salt chip. It's also worth mentioning they have plenty of vegan options as well!
They also have the new flavours as well as some old ones in takeaway tubs that you can choose from as well which for us made the decision even harder! Therefore, it's really difficult to pick just one flavour to recommend because they're all so amazing, but we can assure you that you'll definitely find a flavour that you'll absolutely love!
Opening Days: Thursday - Sunday
Opening Times:
Thursday-Saturday (11am-8pm)
Sunday (11am-7:30pm)
4th Stop - Snack Time
Estimated time: 15-30 mins
Now, it's time for a delicious snack, and we recommend trying out 'Wes' Chips', known for serving some of the best homemade fries. This local establishment has been delighting customers since 1960 and has become a popular stop for those traveling north on a road trip through Ontario. When locals go out of their way to visit, it's a clear indicator that this place is definitely worth a try. We can personally attest to the quality of the fries - they are incredibly crispy and delicious!
Opening Days & Times: Monday - Sunday (10am-7pm)
Season Opening Dates: mid March - mid October
5th Stop - Water Activity
Estimated time: 2-2.5 hours
Arnprior is a lovely town situated along the Ottawa River, providing the perfect setting for enjoying outdoor water activities and soaking up the sunshine. We were fortunate enough to borrow paddle boards from a friend, allowing us to have a great time on the water at our convenience. If you're interested in paddle boarding or kayaking but don't have access to equipment, you can easily rent paddle boards or kayaks from Ottawa Valley Air Paddle in downtown Arnprior. For a convenient and cost-effective option, consider purchasing a 1-day rental pass for just $40 CAD, giving you the flexibility to use the equipment for as long as you'd like. They offer other timed rental options so be sure to visit the website to fine the one that suits you the best!
Opening Days: Wednesday - Sunday
Opening Times:
Wednesday - Friday (11am - 7pm)
Saturday (10am - 7pm)
Sunday (10am - 5pm
If you're want to enjoy the water without paying a cent then we recommend visiting Robert Simpson Park, where you can enjoy the tranquility of the water or take a refreshing swim at the beach. Additionally, the park offers stunning views of the Ottawa River at sunset, so if you wan't to head to the park later in the day then you will be rewarded with an incredible view!
6th Stop - Beer Brewery
Estimated time: 45mins-1 hour
After a fun and refreshing day out on the water, it's time to kick back and savour some ice-cold beer from a nearby brewery. And in this case, the ultimate spot to be is the Cold Bear Brewing Company. When it comes to deciding what to sample, we'd highly recommend going for the flight so you can taste all of their currently brewed beer flavours, which do change from time to time. And the best part? They even offer their locally brewed beer in convenient cans for you to purchase and take home, in case you fall in love with a certain flavour!
Opening Days: Monday - Sunday
Opening Times:
Monday - Thursday (3pm-8pm)
Friday & Saturday (12-9pm)
Sunday (12-6pm)
7th Stop - Gillies Grove Nature Reserve
Estimated time: 1-1.5 hours
Opening Days: 24/7
Afterwards, you should plan a visit to Gillies Grove Nature Reserve to immerse yourself in the breathtaking serenity of nature, surrounded by a diverse array of trees and wildlife. The grove holds the prestigious distinction of being a National Historic Site due to its uncut trees and rich history. Spread across 22-hectares of property, this reserve is home to Ontario's largest tree, a majestic 47-meter-tall white pine! It's an absolutely stunning place to experience, with four well-marked, easy, and delightful walking trails just waiting for you to explore.
We visited during Autumn and were amazed by the added beauty of the colourful leaves, making it look like something straight from a postcard. This is considered our number one thing to do here and we would label it as a stunning hidden gem that is definitely worth visiting!
8th Stop - Dinner
Before heading to the bus stop, you might be looking forward to enjoying a relaxing sit-down meal. We can't personally recommend a specific place as we were already full from enjoying some chips and ice cream :) However, a place we were interested in trying out is Krave Bistro. Based on our research and local recommendations, this restaurant is known for its delicious food, welcoming staff, and fantastic atmosphere! It's always a good idea to conduct your own research, as there are plenty of excellent restaurants to choose from in Arnprior!
Summary
So there you have it, you have now have discovered what the beautiful location of Arnprior has install and how to make the most of your time their! If our blog has inspired you to go to get out of the city of Ottawa and see it for yourself then we would really appreciate it if you left a like, comment and share our blog using the buttons below.
Until next time,
Bree & Aiden :)
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