Regional Roadtrips: Even after some tough times, Smiths Falls is still a sweet day trip

October 11, 2024

Editor's Note

Regional Roadtrips is a column prepared by local travel writer Laura Byrne Paquet of Ottawa Road Trips to inspire day trips and weekend getaways a short drive from Ottawa.

If there was ever a phrase to sum up Smiths Falls in a nutshell, “still standing” would be a prime contender.

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If there was ever a phrase to sum up Smiths Falls in a nutshell, “still standing” would be a prime contender. After all, this town an hour’s drive southwest of Ottawa has taken more hits than many communities could handle, and it just keeps bouncing back. So it’s apropos that the CBC series “Still Standing" will showcase Smiths Falls in an episode airing Oct. 22. “We are a community of hardworking, resilient people who don’t give up,” says Julia Crowder, the town’s manager of economic development and tourism. “Our community over the years has seen its ups and downs, which makes us interesting, and I think that’s why we were chosen (by CBC).” Smiths Falls has seen many companies come and go, including railways, RCA Victor, and the cannabis producer Canopy Growth. Some have even left and returned. Hershey Canada pulled up stakes in early 2009, but then bought its 700,000-square-foot facility back from Canopy in 2023. Crowder says Hershey is still working on plans to reintegrate the plant into its worldwide production network, so a re-opening date has not yet been announced. Even without Hershey and its once-beloved chocolate shop, there’s lots to see and do in Smiths Falls on a day trip. One of my favourite ways to start a visit is with brunch at C’Est Tout Bakery and Bistro (20 Beckwith St. N.). Located in a heritage building that once housed a hotel, it serves breakfast, brunch and lunch daily, Tuesday through Saturday. The excellent Rideau breakfast sandwich — bacon, egg and cheddar on a cheese scone — puts Egg McMuffins and their ilk to shame.

Try the Rideau breakfast sandwich at C’Est Tout Bakery and Bistro. (Photo by Laura Byrne Paquet)

If you love trains and history, drop into the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario (90 William St. W.). There, you can see all sorts of railway artifacts and wander through the museum’s carefully restored train carriages, which include a dining car, three cabooses and a fascinating mobile dental office. Book your spots in advance to enjoy afternoon tea in the dining car on Sunday, Oct. 20, or Halloween-themed train rides on Sunday, Oct. 27.

From spring through fall, guests can stay overnight in a vintage caboose at the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario. (Photo by Laura Byrne Paquet)

Guest Jane Finn (seated) learns about an antique dinner chime from Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario executive director Becky Allen. (Photo by Laura Byrne Paquet)

The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario serves afternoon tea in its restored dining car. (Photo by Laura Byrne Paquet)

Another great spot for history buffs is the Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum (11 Old Slys Rd.). As well as showcasing the town’s history, the museum is hosting a haunted house event on Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26. Perhaps theatre is more your style? Smiths Falls Community Theatre is staging the classic comedy Arsenic and Old Lace at the Station Theatre (53 Victoria Ave.) on select dates from Oct. 18-27, including afternoon matinees on Sundays. Smiths Falls is right on the Rideau Canal Waterway, making downtown’s Centennial Park a pleasant place to stroll along the water. For a longer walk, hike or ride, check out the Cataraqui Trail, a rail-to-trail conversion that starts on the southwestern edge of Smiths Falls (the trailhead is off Ferrara Drive) and stretches over 100 kilometres to Strathcona, near Napanee.

Heritage buildings line one side of the Rideau Canal Waterway in downtown Smiths Falls. (Photo by Laura Byrne Paquet)

The Cataraqui Trail stretches from Smiths Falls to the edge of Napanee. (Photo by Laura Byrne Paquet)

Centennial Park on the edge of the Rideau Canal Waterway is a pleasant place for a stroll or picnic. (Photo by Laura Byrne Paquet)

By this point, you’ll likely have worked up an appetite. My sisters and I had a great dinner this summer at the Vault Eatery and Pub (2 Russell St. E.). The menu of pasta, burgers, bowls and other dishes isn’t huge, but it includes vegetarian and gluten-free choices and has enough variety to appeal to a wide range of customers. Still not convinced? Smiths Falls has one more advantage over most other day trip destinations: you can get there by train, as VIA Rail offers several trips a day between Ottawa and Smiths Falls. You can travel from the main Ottawa VIA terminal or from the Fallowfield station in Barrhaven. Award-winning Ottawa travel writer Laura Byrne Paquet shares her sightseeing tips for Eastern Ontario and beyond on her website, Ottawa Road Trips.