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.

Get in
The nearest passenger rail is in Smiths Falls, about away by car, or Brockville,  away. The nearest airport is Ottawa-Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, 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 from Ottawa, or  from Kingston.



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.



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:

Spa:

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

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”.

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.

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.)



Go next

 * Ottawa (downtown), north 75 km (45 mi)
 * Kemptville, east 20 km (12 mi)
 * Brockville, south 45 km (29 mi)
 * Smiths Falls, west 22 km (14 mi)