Merrickville

Merrickville is a village of 1200 people on the Rideau Canal in eastern Ontario. It is a village of picturesque Victorian-era stone houses and modestly claims to be Canada’s prettiest village, a claim not without merit. (It isn't a self-granted title; the national non-profit organization "Communities in Bloom" called them that in 1998.) As Merrickville is half an hour from the edge of urban Ottawa, it is a popular destination for summer day trips.

Understand

Visitor information

Get in

The nearest passenger rail is in Smiths Falls, about 20 km (12 mi) away by car, or Brockville, 46 km (29 mi) away. The nearest airport is Ottawa-Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW IATA), at the southern edge of that city. Merrickville itself is reachable from Ottawa by car or (seasonally) by boat.

By car

From Ottawa, take Highway 416 to Kemptville, then old Highway 43 one town westward to Merrickville.

From Brockville, take Highway 401 east to Maitland (exit 705) then head about half an hour straight north.

By boat

The Rideau Canal passes through the heart of Merrickville on its way from Kingston to Ottawa. Small craft can dock at the canal locks. The lock are approximately 74 km (46 mi) from Ottawa, or 128 km (80 mi) from Kingston.

  • 🌍 Merrickville Lockstation. May-October. Mooring and overnight camping is available. Friends of the Rideau operates an information and interpretive centre in the Depot building. (updated Feb 2024)

Get around

The village is small and easily covered by bicycle or on foot; a canoe permits exploration of the local shore and the canal.

See

The best way to see Merrickville is by walking, popping into shops and admiring the heritage houses.

  • 🌍 Blockhouse Museum (Merrickville Blockhouse National Historic Site of Canada), St Lawrence & Main St, . 10AM-5PM daily (summer), weekends only in spring/fall, closed in winter. This tiny fortress, built in 1832, housed up to 50 soldiers who guarded the Canal. Restored in 1966, it now contains local artefacts and archives reflecting the history and industry of the canal and the surrounding urban and agricultural community. By donation. 
  • 🌍 Industrial Heritage Complex, Mill St, ☏ +1 613-283-5170. A group of historic buildings which serve as a museum of local Merrickville industry, Collection includes foundry tools and products, woollen mill machinery, home making products, furniture and machinery for power generation. Free. (updated Feb 2024)

Do

Paddlers may follow the Rideau Canal from Kingston to Ottawa (taking advantage of prevailing winds - going the opposite direction means paddling into the wind), either going through each lock or portaging around them.

Walking trails:

  • Rideau Trail. Kingston to Ottawa hiking trail system. Free maps of the trails can be downloaded from the website. Free, donations accepted at the website.. 
  • Tip to Tip trail, 673 River Road, Burritts Rapids. Hiking trail from the canal, 4km or about an hour's walk. 

Spa:

Buy

Merrickville is filled with small boutiques operated by local artists, artisans and craftspeople.

Artwork

Fashion
  • Rowland Leather, 159 St. Lawrence St., ☏ +1 613-269-3151, toll-free: +1-800-806-6983. These $160-260 leather handbags had been manufactured locally in a restored 1847 stone Kemptville Store building, with short-term B&B suites above the store being rented for $175/night (with continental breakfast) at www.merrickvillesuites.ca. The owner has since retired, but his merchandise is still available at the spa. 
  • Laura's Shop, 106 Colborne Street West. W-Sa 10AM-5PM. Artist who designs and sews all linen clothing. (updated Dec 2020)

Other items
  • 🌍 Alloy Foundry (Village Metalsmiths), 117 Mill St., ☏ +1 613-269-4755, toll-free: +1-800-771-8652, fax: +1 613-269-3510. Oldest operating Canadian cast-iron foundry, producing anything from signs and plaques to street fixtures. Next to the locks. 
  • 🌍 Miller's of Merrickville, 323 St. Lawrence Street, ☏ +1 613 269-2575. 10AM-5PM. Country store and outdoor “Garden Fixins’ Courtyard” with vintage candles, hardware, clocks, tin barn stars, lighting, earth rugs, wreaths, garland, linen, hand-crafted decorations, pictures and frames, signs, toys, games and whimsical garden accessories. 
  • 🌍 Mirick's Landing Country Store, 106 St Lawrence St., ☏ +1 613-269-3559. 10AM-5PM. Today's example of yesterday's country store; quilted bedding, braided rugs, framed prints and wall hangings, candles, furniture, books and decorative items. 
  • 🌍 Mrs. McGarrigle's Fine Food Shop, 311 St. Lawrence St., ☏ +1 613-269-3752, toll-free: +1 877-768-7827, fax: +1 613 269-2736. January-February: Su-Th 10AM-5PM, F Sa 10AM-6PM; March-December: Sa-Th 9:30AM-6PM, F 9:30AM-7PM. Cooking classes, Friday night take-out dinners, gourmet foods, kitchen gadgets and housewares. Mrs. McGarrigle's famous handmade Canadian mustards are manufactured on-site for export. 
  • 🌍 Rideau Woodland Ramble, 7210 Burritt's Rapids Road, ☏ +1 613-258-3797. Trees, flowers, vines, seasonal gardening supplies, open mid-April to November "to capture the imagination of gardeners and collectors". 

Eat

Drink
  • 🌍 The Goose & Gridiron, 317 St Lawrence St., ☏ +1 613-269-2094. open 11AM. Restaurant and pub, established 1856. Patio, pub fare, burgers, clam chowder, good draught beer selection on tap, large screen TV for sporting events, banquet room. $10-20/main course. 

Sleep

Merrickville has many small, charming bed and breakfast establishments. Two -- Millisle and Wolford -- are among the top 5% of Ontario B&Bs as reviewed by Janette Higgins, author of “Best Places to Bed and Breakfast in Ontario”.

  • 🌍 Baldachin Inn, 111 St. Lawrence St., ☏ +1 613-269-4223. Harry McLean’s Pub serves imported and domestic beer and wine. Baldachin Fine Dining Room offers casual dining from 11am, with savoury and organic daily specials. Wi-fi in rooms, non-smoking, pets $10/night extra. $120-230/night. 

Bed and breakfast

Camping

Stay healthy

The closest hospitals are the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital in Smiths Falls to the west and the Kemptville District Hospital in Kemptville to the east. Each is slightly over a quarter-hour drive from Merrickville at the posted speed limits.

Nearby

Kemptville

An unincorporated village of 4000 people on the Kemptville Creek, a few kilometres south of the Rideau River, Kemptville is the only town on the Highway 416 freeway between Prescott and Ottawa. (It's closer to Prescott than it is to Ottawa.)

Mountain Township

Go next
Routes through Merrickville
Perth ← Smiths Falls ←  W  E  → Kemptville → Alexandria


Routes through Kemptville
END ← Ottawa ←  N  S  → Prescott → Kingston via
Smiths Falls ← Merrickville ←  W  E  → Alexandria → END


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