Almonte Ontario: Best Things To Do On A Weekend Getaway

Almonte Ontario is a charming town filled with history, delicious eats, interesting shops, and picturesque streets. So beautiful that it is the backdrop to many cheesy holidays and Christmas movies. We call them cheesy to sound cool, knowing that we always watch a few when Christmas rolls around. 

The 19th Century mill town is surrounded by the Canadian Mississippi River (not to be confused with the Mississippi River in the United States) and is only 40 minutes from downtown Ottawa. This spot is a true gem and perfect for a weekend getaway or day trip if you’re nearby.

Exploring this quaint village town is a one-of-a-kind experience and will satisfy everyone’s travel needs.

Whether you are looking for a couples retreat, something for the whole family, or travelling solo, you can’t go wrong with Almonte. It’s the perfect weekend escape for locals and should be added to all the itineraries of travellers visiting Canada from afar. 

Check out my list of top things to do and where to eat and stay in Almonte. But be prepared; this town will steal your heart, and you may want to extend your trip by a few days. And if you do, add a stop in Ottawa to your itinerary.

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This article is now available as a mobile app. Go to GPSmyCity to download the app for GPS-assisted travel directions to the attractions featured in this article.

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The History Of Almonte Ontario

• Most notable is James Naismith. For those who don’t know, he is the man who invented basketball in 1891. While most of us know that the sport was invented in Canada, I bet you didn’t know James was born in Almonte, Ontario. 
• Almonte went through several name changes, from Shepherd’s Falls to Shipman’s Mills, Ramsayville, Victoriaville and Waterford.
• Almonte is named after a Mexican General, Juan Almonte, purely because he was in the news when the town had to choose a new name. BTW it’s pronounced “AL-mont” instead of the Spanish “al-MON-day.”
• The first European settler to Almont was David Shepherd, and after receiving a grant of land from the Crown in 19819, he began construction of a grist mill and sawmill. 
• In the later part of the 19th century, the textile industry became a very lucrative business with a national market for fine woollen goods.

Where is Almonte Ontario?

Okay, so before we dive into what you will be doing in Almonte, let’s make sure you know where it is and how to get there. Located in the Ontario highlands in Mississippi Mills’ municipality, it’s a 4-hour drive from Toronto, making it an ideal weekend getaway with the option of adding Ottawa in as a day trip. 

Plane VS Car

With limited public transport options to Almonte, it’s best to rent a car. Either a road trip from Toronto or flying into Ottawa International airport and rent a car from there (or get a taxi from the airport into town) could be pricey, though). It’ll be about a 45-minute drive to Almonte from here. Hertz Mobile

Having a car also allows you more freedom when exploring this town of Mississippi Mills, and you’ll easily be able to get around the area, doing and seeing the things you want to.

Bus

The other option would be to get a bus from Toronto to Carleton Place and then get a taxi into Almonte town, which is about a 15-minute drive.

Things to do in Almonte, Ontario: Activities & Sights

Almonte Ontario may be small, but it’s jam-packed with awesome activities and incredible scenery to check out! 

Almonte Riverwalk on Mississippi River

This boardwalk along the Canadian Mississippi River is exquisite and shouldn’t be missed when visiting Almonte. Start outside the Old Town Hall and mozy along on the riverwalk through the historic downtown area. You’ll pass the old mills renovated for commercial use and the cascading waterfalls of the river. The walk ends at the Metcalfe Geoheritage Park, and the geology is worth checking out if you have some time.

Rent a Canoe or Kayak  

If you are an adventurous soul and up for trying something different, then be sure to explore the river routes on a canoe or kayak. You can hire kayaks and check out the routes alone, or you can opt to go in a group. This is a fun activity but is only advised if you are confident in the water and have done something similar before.

Good Food Walking Tour

If you’re like me – well, more like my significant other, it’s always challenging with so many dining options to pick just one spot for her, to try out. Well, here is the solution. The Good Food walking tour will take you to all the best places, and you’ll be able to try all the different types of cuisine in the village. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the town and discover new places you wouldn’t otherwise know about. You’ll also get to meet the locals behind the tasty food you are sampling. Learning about each restaurant’s back story adds a personal element to your stay and one you won’t forget during this experience.

Almonte Old Town Hall

The picturesque Almonte Old Town Hall, erected in 1885, is a sight that must be seen. Its idyllic location on the banks of the Mississippi River has featured the building in many films, most notably Christmas Scavenger Hunt. Whether you’re an ardent fan of Hallmark movies or not, visiting this quaint cinematic town may make you one.

Things to do in Almonte: Explore the Shops 

Small towns tend to have the quirkiest shops and cafes, which is no different from the Almonte shopping experience. From antiques and bookstores to clothing and decor, wander around Main Street, and you’ll find unique goodies and delicious treats in the Almonte shops.

Be sure to give yourself enough time to explore. You may be shocked at how many unique experiences/ stores you find. Another great way to get around downtown is by bike. The town is cycling friendly with great cyclists’ infrastructure, so why not rent a bike and try it out.

Things to do in Almonte: Where to Dine

When exploring, you’ll need some coffee and food to refuel. Luckily this town is filled with beautiful cafes, coffee shops, and unique eatery options. It won’t be easy to choose between them, so I have put together some of the best spots and restaurants that are not to be missed.

Healthy Food Technologies 

How about a doughnut with 50 to 70 percent less fat than a regular doughnut. But still just as tasty? This has been made possible with the owners of Healthy Food Technologies. They developed a machine that can create healthier doughnuts, and you can try one on your visit. 

While you are there, you’ll be able to learn about this incredible machine and how it’s able to bring you guilt-free doughnuts. 

Cafe Postino 

This Italian restaurant is located in the transformed space of the old post office. You’ll be treated to tasty recipes from the south of Italy. It is trendy, so be sure to book a table, as you don’t want to miss out on one of their famous pasta dishes.

Things to do in Almonte: Unique Experiences 

There are also some fun one-of-a-kind experiences in Almonte that are worth trying out. These two experiences revolve around food, and you’ll learn all about the different processes of both, having a lot of fun and sampling the tasty goods as well.

Things to do in Almonte: Learn about the Culture & History  

This old mill town is full of history, and with so many interesting museums and statues, it’s not hard to learn about this town and how it was formed. You don’t need to be a history enthusiast to be intrigued by these museums.

Mississippi Valley Textile Museum

As you know by now, this mill town was known for its textile production and this museum will teach you everything you need to know about this industry. Located within a natural, historic site, Rosamund Woollen Company, you’ll see exhibits showcasing the textile industry’s history. 

You can learn about how textiles were made and why this industry was so important for the town of Almonte.

Movies & Mill Street

If you’re a super fan of cheesy Hallmark movies, you might recognize Mill Street – the picturesque small town with a European feel. As mentioned above, it’s charming and full of cozy cafes, bakeries, art galleries, and other local shops.

You can spot Mill Street in movies like Maps and Mistletoe, Christmas Festival of Ice, and Unlocking Christmas. Spend some time in Mill Street Books and find a great read or attend an author’s book reading. Or, take a trip to the hardware store, L.G. Lee & Sons, featured in Unlocking Christmas.

Where to stay in the Town of Almonte 

Now that you have an idea of the adventures that await you in Almonte, you’ll need a comfortable place to rest your head. Since Almonte is such a small village town, there aren’t many big hotels to choose from.  

That said, it adds to the town’s charm as you can choose from local inns and B&B’s. If you are looking for a hotel, it may be best to head to Carleton Place, a town that is just 15 minutes from Almonte. The Grand Hotel is a popular spot in Carleton Place and just a quick drive into Almonte. 

Final Thoughts on Almonte Ontario, Canada

Almonte may be small, but it has so much to offer. It’s hard not to fall in love with this place, from fascinating history and cute shops to great coffee and scenic walks. You are guaranteed to experience lots of new things here, including dairy distilled spirits and low-fat doughnuts. 

You’ll leave this magical small-town feeling enriched and inspired. And if a destination can make you feel this way, then what better reason than to put it right at the top of that travel bucket list. With the town being the perfect road trip distance from Toronto, you don’t have an excuse.