July 24 news: Cumberland gardens tour, accessible boardwalk, ice cream
Also, Almonte beer fest, Merrickville arts fest, caboose rides
Bridge Street SummerFest in Carleton Place and a Caribbean celebration in Orleans. Concerts in Shawville and Taste of the Valley in Eganville. The Delta Fair and Cornwall Ribfest. A new accessible boardwalk in Kars. And the chance to win a trip to Vancouver! Read on for details.
Calendar of events: Ribs, gardens, beer and more!
Looking for something to do this weekend? My latest calendar of events features everything from a free arts festival in Merrickville and a free gardens and art tour in Cumberland to Taste of the Valley in Eganville, two concerts in Shawville, the Almonte Craft Beer Fest, the Delta Fair, Bridge Street SummerFest in Carleton Place, the Cornwall Ribfest and a Caribbean festival in Orleans. In all, you’ll find more than 37 suggestions!
This week's featured contest
The prize in this week’s contest is a two-night trip for two to Vancouver to see a Women’s National Basketball Association game. The prize package includes flights, accommodations, game tickets and more. Open to Canadian residents of legal age, with some restrictions. Enter by August 3, 2025.
Cool off with ice cream
Given this month’s sultry temperatures, I figured it was about time to update my big list of places to stop for ice cream, which stretches from Petawawa and Chelsea to Kingston and Cornwall. Enjoy!
Heads Up: Caboose rides, accessible boardwalk, gourmet Quebec
In this week’s Heads Up post, you’ll find out when you can ride in a vintage caboose, where to visit a cider museum, which Ottawa conservation area recently opened an accessible boardwalk, how you can book a new shuttle from Cornwall to nearby attractions, and more.
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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. Don’t forget my big list of concerts! And I recently updated my quick guide to daytripping in Sandy Hill.
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.