July 17 news: High tea, classic cars, Almonte home tour
Also, Shakespeare in Prescott, Thai and Lebanese festivals, and a forest art fair
A home tour in Almonte and an escape room experience in Gatineau Park. A Thai festival at Lansdowne Park and a Lebanese festival near Mooney’s Bay. A posh tea at Laurier House. Shakespeare in Prescott. Music in Perth and Shawville. And the chance to win an Eastern Ontario getaway! Read on for details.
Calendar of events: Thai food, a forest art fair and vintage dresses
It’s another big calendar of events this week! You can admire classic cars in Westport or vintage wedding dresses in Middleville. You can nosh on Thai food at Lansdowne Park or Lebanese treats near Mooney’s Bay. Maybe a music festival in Shawville or Perth is more your style? Or would you rather be checking out a dog-friendly market in Orleans, participating in the Lock & Paddle event at Hartwells Locks or seeing Shakespeare in Prescott? You can even go to an art fair in a forest. And those are just a few of your many, many choices.
This week's featured contest
This week’s contest will appeal to folks who like to keep their travels close to home. The prize is a two-night trip in Lennox & Addington, the area just west of Kingston that includes Napanee. The $1,200 prize package includes accommodations, a boat cruise, meals, stargazing, a visit to a goat farm and lots more. Open only to Ontario residents of legal age, with some restrictions. Enter by October 15, 2025.
Take tea on the porch at Laurier House
A few weeks ago, I had the chance to enjoy High Tea on the Veranda at Laurier House National Historic Site in Sandy Hill. As you can see from the photo, it was an elegant affair with lots of tasty treats. I also had the chance to visit the house, once home to two prime ministers.
Heads Up: Almonte home tour, Lake Leamy dig, forest bathing
In this week’s Heads Up post, you’ll find out how to get tickets to a home tour in Almonte, where you can make your own flatbreads in Alexandria, when you can take a guided forest bathing walk at Frontenac Provincial Park, where you can join a local archaeological dig, and how you can sign up for an escape room-type experience at the Mackenzie King Estate.
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And before I sign off for this week
It’s prime time to check out some of the region’s many farmers’ markets or to plan ahead for upcoming artists’ studio tours. And don’t forget my big list of concerts!
Trying to find something from an earlier newsletter? You can read previous issues on the Ottawa Road Trips Substack page.
That's it from me for now. I'll be back in your in-box next week with more ideas. Until then, happy road tripping!
As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.