Visit Almonte: what to see and do in this historic Ontario town
12 fun things to do in Almonte, Ontario
Almonte is a historic mill town located in Ontario, Canada, less than an hour from the city of Ottawa. It has a population of around 6000 people and is a great day trip destination for antique shopping and historic sites and it also hosts several festivals throughout the year.
You might even recognize the town as it has been used as a filming location for several Hallmark and Christmas time TV movies.
I have been driving through Almonte for more than twenty years to get to my cottage, and I recently stopped by for an entire afternoon to re-visit some of my favourite places and also to see what was new in town.
This article will outline twelve fun things to do in Almonte to help you get inspired and plan your own day trip to the Mississippi Mills region.
Where is Almonte ?
The town of Almonte is only about 50 kilometres or a 40 minute drive from downtown Ottawa going west on highway 417. This short driving distance makes the town a great destination for a day trip. It is easiest to reach Almonte by car, as there is no regularly scheduled public transportation from Ottawa, and the town has plenty of low cost and free parking.
Keep reading to learn about some of the attractions and activities you can enjoy on a visit to Almonte !
Read this next - 12 fun and easy day trips from Ottawa
1. Almonte Riverwalk
The Almonte Riverwalk is a signposted pathway that begins beside the Town Hall and follows the river, passing over a bridge and by a scenic lookout point to get views of the Mississippi River and the rapids. It is clearly signposted and there are quite a few benches and seating areas to take a break during the walk. The pathway and the bridges are fairly wide and even, so it should be fine for bringing a stroller or mobility device.
2. Walk down Mill Street
Most visitors to Almonte will start their experience on Mill Street, which is the main road through the downtown area. It is lined with heritage buildings which have been preserved and restored like the Old Almonte Post Office and the Victoria Woollen Mill. There are lots of options for food and shopping in this area, along with plenty of parking.
3. Shopping in Almonte
Shopping in Almonte is a lot of fun and there are lots of independent stores in the downtown area around Mill Street, which has book stores, galleries, several antique stores, women’s and children’s clothing, home décor and outdoor and sportswear retailers. You can see a full list of the shops on the town of Almonte website here. My favourite store for original gifts and locally made crafts and souvenirs is Cheerfully Made.
4. Murals and Historic Artwork
Have a look around the downtown Mill Street area for a series of murals and accompanying information plaques which depict historic figures and notable citizens from the region. These artworks add to the historic atmosphere of the town and are a fun way to learn more about the history of Almonte and the Mississippi Mills area.
5. Almonte Town Hall
The Almonte Old Town Hall is a historic building located right on the waterfront which was built in 1885 and features a distinctive decorative roof and an indoor auditorium. The Municipality of Mississippi Mills Information and Tourism Centre is located here and the building can be rented out for special events and musical performances. You will pass by the Town Hall if you follow the Riverwalk path. Learn more about the Almonte Town Hall on their website here.
6. Basketball History
The inventor of basketball, James Naismith, grew up on a farm just outside of Almonte and the town honours his contribution with a statue right in the centre of downtown on Mill Street. You can also visit the Dr. James Naismith Museum, which presents to story of his life through pictures and artifacts, at the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area, which is a ten minute drive outside of Almonte. Check out the museum website here to learn more about visiting.
7. Have a Picnic
Almonte is a great place for a picnic if you visit on a nice day since there are lots of places to sit along the riverside. Pick up something for lunch at one of the bakeries or the Almonte Farmer’s Market from May to October. We picked up some savoury pies and coffee to go and had a nice picnic along the river walk just behind the main post office. If you are looking for a sit down meal, there are some nice restaurants with patios overlooking the rapids like the Barley Mow or Joe’s Italian Kitchen.
8. Almonte Farmer's Market
The Almonte Farmer’s Market operates from May to October on Saturday mornings from 8:30am-12:30 in the Mississippi Mills Public Library Parking Lot. It is a great place to pick up some seasonal fruits or vegetables along with baked goods, flowers, honey, organic meats and handcrafted items like woodworking, sewing and knitting. Check the market website here to confirm opening dates and hours before your visit.
9. Mississippi Valley Textile Museum
This small museum is located in a historic river side building just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Almonte. It presents the history and legacy of the wool and textile industry in the Mississippi River Valley area and there is a gift shop on site. Check the museum website here for current opening times.
10. Waterfront and Geoheritage Park
The waterfront area and Geoheritage Park are located a few minutes’ walk from Mill Street or a very short drive down the hill from the rapids. This site features a short walking path and a permanent scientific display of twenty two different rock samples. There is also a nearby art installation called “Shelter Tissage” which features colourful glass, along with some benches and sitting areas. There is free parking available on site. You can learn more about the Geoheritage Park here.
11. The Dairy Distillery
The Dairy Distillery is a new and modern micro-distillery located just outside downtown Almonte. They use leftover milk sugars from Canadian dairy producers as part of an eco-friendly distilling process to make various vodka products. The on-site shop sells branded merchandise and offers samples of their signature drinks, like the Vodkow Vodka and Vodkow Cream Liquor products in different flavours. Distillery tours are typically available, check the Dairy Distillery website here for the latest updates.
12. Mill of Kintail Conservation Area
The Mill of Kintail Conservation Area is only a ten minute drive from the town of Almonte and features walking trails, historic buildings and picnic and outdoor education areas. While the museums are only open in the summer months, the site is open all year around and the walk from the main parking lot to the old mill building is less than 10 minutes or around 350 metres, and you can continue on a 2.6 km loop trail through the forest. There is a site usage fee of six dollars, which you can pay in coins or credit card from the machines in the parking lot. Check out opening times and seasonal events on the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area website here.
Extra Stop: Baker Bob’s
This bakery in Almonte is my favorite place to get ginger cookies ! My family always used to drive through Almonte to reach our cottage and every time we would stop in at Baker Bob’s and get some snacks for the car ride. It is a small, traditional style bakery, which has a well-stocked candy section and also some drinks, sandwhiches, pies, savoury pastries and pizza bread.
Read this next - 12 fun and easy day trips from Ottawa
Pin it or share it
Get inspired to plan a visit to the best small town in Muskoka with this list of 15 fun things to do in Dorset, Ontario on Lake of Bays.