Here’s a Great Road Trip to Take on a Fall Weekend

Photo by Thomas Lefebvre on Unsplash

This feature is Part 6 of 6 of our “Escape the City” series, presented with SAIL – your outdoor equipment store.

Part 1: Discover the Best Places to Go Camping This Summer Near Ottawa

Part 2: Fishing in Ottawa

Part 3: 5 Hikes With Amazing Views to Go On This Summer

Part 4: 5 Outdoor Adventures to Try This Summer

Part 5: The Best Places to Experience Fall Colours Near Ottawa

In case you haven’t heard, fall is a great time of year to take a drive around Ontario.

There are lots of great drives in the Ontario area, and the Rideau Canal Heritage Route is truly a driver’s paradise this time of year. Driving the winding roads while you take in the fall foliage is a truly spectacular experience.

If you’re from the Ottawa area, the Rideau Canal should be no stranger to you. But have you ever driven its entire length?

The Rideau Canal is a chain of beautiful lakes, rivers and canals winding 202 km from Ottawa all the way to the head of Lake Ontario in Kingston. The drive will take you about 5 hours, depending how many stops you make along the way. If you’re anything like this reporter from the Ottawa Citizen, you may want to make it a weekend affair to take in all the different sights the drive has to offer!

One of the highlights along the Rideau Canal are the lock stations. There are over 40 of them to see – and they still operate the same way they did when they were built back in 1832

 

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A couple of photos of my stop at the Rideau Canal in Smiths Falls on Monday. #smithsfallsontario #rideaucanal #exploreontario #ontario #easternontario #parkscanada #lanarkcounty #nationalhistoricsiteofcanada #rideaucanallocks

A post shared by @ snaphappytoo on Jul 11, 2019 at 6:47pm PDT

If taking in scenery is your thing, you’ll enjoy making stops along the way to enjoy the view. We recommend packing a lunch to eat beside the waterway!

 

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Splash of color ? ° ° ° ° ° ================================ #landscape #canada #hot_shotz #dirtygrid #explore #agameoftones #artofvisuals #moodygrams #moodytones #create #amazing_shots #gramslayers #heatercentral #all2epic #illgrammers #earthpix #ig_shotz #ig_sharepoint #ig_color #ig_myshot #ig_today #bestoftheday #ipulledoverforthis #BD ?

A post shared by Helena (@swedegirl66) on Sep 14, 2017 at 3:37pm PDT

You’ll also pass through a lot of quaint villages on your trip, like Merrickville. It’s known for its boutiques, which have one-of-a-kind items from local artisans, antiques, specialty foods, and locally made products.

 

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@monskycreations @wickwitchcandle @yellowcanoecafe MirricksLanding all at the #Historical Aaron Merrick Block c. 1856 #unique #shopping in #Merrickville #Ontario #tourism #tours #holiday #livingthedream #river #nature #travel #photography #water #summer #sunset #sunrise #naturephotography #fishing #sky #beautiful #love #adventure #picoftheday #sun #ig #instagram #Ottawa #Montreal #Toronto

A post shared by M e r r i c k v i l l e (@mymerrickville) on Jul 18, 2019 at 10:23am PDT

Once you reach Kingston, don’t miss Fort Henry. It offers a lovely view of Lake Ontario and the City of Kingston.

 

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We’re counting down the days until @forthenry1832 opens! ???????????????????????? Repost @sk1ll4xed // I took another stroll around @forthenry1832 this evening and decided to revisit this shot. Looking toward Cedar Island from one of garrisons South facing towers. Won’t be long before the air is filled once more with the song of the pipes, the thunder of cannons and the clatter of the muskets ???????? . . . . . #visitkingston #kingstonontario #kingston_on #ygk #kingstoncanada #history #spring #getaway #greatwaterway #discover #discoveron #explore #explorecanada #canada #travelgram #instatravel #bestofontario #kingston #ontario #vacation

A post shared by Visit Kingston (@visitkingston) on Apr 24, 2019 at 10:46am PDT

The Rideau Canal Heritage Route is a great road trip any time of year, but especially during the fall. Don’t wait too long or you’ll miss the spectacular colours!

Wherever your adventure takes you, make sure you’re equipped with the right gear. Visit your local SAIL store for all your outdoor needs.