Ottawa Summer Trips: Here are five places to visit

It’s that time of year to take a trip and explore the hidden gems around Ottawa as summer begins and the temperatures rise.

Here are five places to visit this summer:

Wakefield

One of the many villages under the umbrella of La Pêche municipality is Wakefield. Although located in the province of Quebec, it is only 35 kilometers northwest of Ottawa.

Wakefield Village is an authentic destination because it’s surrounded by nature and boarded by the Gatineau River, which offers all the vacation vibes you need, Lelia Baklemainguy, chair of the board of Outaouais Tourism, told CTV Morning Live.

She adds that it is known for its arts community, history, local shops and some cafes. Its locals are also very friendly, she says.

“Take a walk on the promenade. That’s the first thing I would do and enjoy the view. And look at the beautiful Covered Bridge. You can also walk up to the Covered Bridge, which is really a symbol important to the whole community.” she said.

The drive from Ottawa to Wakefield is approximately 30 minutes.

Cornwall

The city of Cornwall is located in eastern Ontario, where the provinces of Ontario and Quebec and the state of New York converge. It is also centrally located between Ottawa and Montreal.

Kevin Lajoie, Tourism Officer for the City of Cornwall, told CTV Morning Live that there is plenty to see and do in the city, including arts and culture, Canadian history and heritage, and natural beauty.

“We have a little bit of everything,” he said. “A mix of urban and rural activities.”

He notes that the city is located along the St. Lawrence, making it a great outdoor destination.

It is approximately 97.3 km away from the capital. The drive from Ottawa to Cornwall takes just over an hour.

Kingston

Kingston is a city located in southeastern Ontario, located at the northeastern end of Lake Ontario. It is also halfway between the cities of Toronto and Montreal.

Andre Soucy, Director of Visitor Services at Tourism Kingston, told CTV Morning Live that there is something for everyone in the Limestone City.

“Whether you like history or food or water sports or shopping, there really is something for everyone,” he said.

The city’s main attractions include the Waterfront, Fort Henry National Historic Site, Kingston Trolley Tours, the Canadian Penitentiary Museum and Wolf Islander III.

The drive from Ottawa to Kingston takes about two hours, as it is 197 km away.

Merrickville-Wolford

The Village of Merrickville Merrickville–Wolford is located in eastern Ontario in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, straddling both banks of the Rideau River.

The village is not only close to the capital, but also very walkable, Yves Grandmaitre, vice president of the Merrickville Chamber of Commerce, told CTV Morning Live.

“It’s very compact … It’s a Victorian village … And within a few blocks you can get almost anything and everything,” he said. “You can bike to it. You can walk to it. You can boat with it. You can drive to it.”

Merrickville-Wolford is a 53-minute drive from Ottawa, as it is 79 km.

Pembroke

The city of Pembroke is located in the Ottawa Valley. It offers tourists a mix of rural and urban experiences.

It’s the place to visit when you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the capital, Elijah McKeown, tourism and digital media officer for the City of Pembroke, told CTV Morning Live.

“Start at Waterfront Park, because really that’s our biggest natural attraction,” he said. “We’re right on the Ottawa River.”

During the evening, he adds, there are a number of free activities like free yoga, movies and live music all summer long.

The drive from the capital to Pembroke takes about an hour and a half. It is located 148 km northwest of Ottawa.

More information about these venues is available on the CTV Morning Live website.