As winter fades and longer days return, many people in Ottawa start looking for a quick reset, somewhere close enough for a spontaneous trip, but far enough from the city to feel like a true getaway.
Just 90 minutes west along Highway 17, Pembroke offers exactly that: a spring destination where nature, local businesses, and small-town charm come together for an easy day trip or relaxing weekend away.
Start your day downtown
A perfect visit often begins in Pembroke’s historic downtown. Locally owned cafés and bakeries make it easy to ease into the day with good coffee and fresh baking. Visitors can grab a morning coffee at Sip Stirs, enjoy brunch at The Nook Creperie Inc., or stop by Schmecken Bakery for fresh bread and pastries.
From there, the downtown core is perfect for wandering. Boutique shops, such as dot., Pick-It-Fence, and West on Main as well as other locally owned stores line the streets, creating a relaxed atmosphere where visitors can browse, discover something unique, and experience the welcoming pace of a smaller city.
While Pembroke’s historic downtown is a great place to start exploring, visitors will quickly discover there’s much more to see throughout the city. At both the West End Plaza and the East End’s Pembroke Mall, visitors can browse a mix of national retailers and local businesses, pick up essentials, or stop for a casual bite to eat. These areas provide convenient access to shopping and services and are easily reached from downtown in just a few minutes.
Whether you’re spending the day exploring boutiques downtown or making a few stops across the city, Pembroke offers the kind of variety that makes a short getaway both easy and enjoyable.
Nature just minutes away
Spring in Pembroke is defined by its connection to nature. Located along the Ottawa River, the city offers beautiful waterfront parks and walking trails that come alive as the weather warms.
Visitors can walk along the riverfront, explore local parks, or cycle sections of the Algonquin Trail, which runs through the Ottawa Valley. Down at the waterfront, the Kiwanis Way trail offers a scenic route along the Ottawa River, making it the perfect place for a relaxing stroll and river views.
For those looking to turn a day trip into a full outdoor adventure, Pembroke is also within easy reach of some of Ontario’s most beautiful spring landscapes. The vast wilderness of Algonquin Provincial Park offers incredible opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives as the park comes back to life after winter.
Arts, culture, and local stories
Pembroke also offers a vibrant arts and cultural scene. Visitors can discover public art throughout the city, explore local galleries, and experience community performances year-round.
The Pembroke Heritage Murals © since 1989 celebrates the region’s heritage and character through large-scale paintings on an ever-increasing number of Pembroke’s downtown walls, colourfully portraying a bygone era for the enjoyment of today’s generation.
A visit to the Upper Ottawa Valley Heritage Centre offers an engaging look at the people, industries, and stories that shaped the Ottawa Valley. Through exhibits and artifacts, the museum highlights the region’s rich heritage — from early settlement and logging history to the communities that continue to define the area today.
Visitors can also catch live entertainment at Festival Hall @ L’Équinoxe, a modern performance venue that hosts concerts, theatre productions, film screenings, and community events throughout the year, bringing a lively arts scene to the heart of the city.
Upcoming events this spring
Spring also brings a number of community events that make visiting Pembroke even more worthwhile. One highlight is the Pembroke Community Expo, where local businesses, organizations, and community groups come together to showcase what the region has to offer.
Events like this give visitors the chance to meet local entrepreneurs, discover new businesses, and experience the strong sense of community that defines Pembroke.
The Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation’s Heroes Run for Healthcare is happening Sunday May 3rd. This superhero themed race brings the community together for a common goal, to support local healthcare.
Close to home, a world away
Sometimes the best travel experiences aren’t the farthest away, they’re the ones that offer a change of pace without the stress of getting there.
This spring, consider heading west for a day or weekend in Pembroke. You may discover that the perfect getaway has been just down the highway all along.
Author bio
Kathleen Barr is the Investment Attraction Officer with the City of Pembroke’s Economic Development department, which works to support local businesses, attract new investment and drive sustainable economic growth. The department takes a collaborative, community-focused approach to showcasing Pembroke as a place where businesses can grow, invest, and succeed
