Sunflowers, Wine, and a Beer Spa: 24 Hours in Whitewater Region

I have driven through Whitewater Region more times than I can count. In fact, its practically in my backyard, but somehow I had never really stopped to wander. 

So when my friend and I decided to spend 24 hours exploring this little corner of the Ottawa Valley properly, I was genuinely surprised by everything that it had to offer.

This one is for the gal pals. We centered our trip around shopping, a spa, and a winery, and I must say that it delivered on every count! 

Could you do it as a couples trip? Of course. But there is something about this particular itinerary that just feels made for a girls' getaway.

Morning in Cobden

We kicked things off in Cobden with an iced chai latte from Sconed Bakeshop, which is the way I begin all of my adventures. We also picked up a couple of their scrumptious scones, which turned out to be a good move since they doubled as breakfast the next morning.

From there, we strolled along Main Street and discovered it had more to offer than we expected. Candlewick stopped us in our tracks with its beautiful selection of decor and jewellery. We both walked out with necklaces from Najja Tribe, a local maker out of Deep River whose pieces carry beautiful inspirational and spiritual messages. I chose the Dragon’s Tear for protection and safety.

We did a little thrifting at Honest 2 Goodness Thrift before ending our Main Street wander at The Silly Scoop, where we grabbed ice cream and drove down to the waterfront park to enjoy it with a view. It was the perfect way to start.

On the way out of town, we detoured through a sprawling sunflower field for a few photos. One quick note if you do the same: sunflower fields are on private land, so please be respectful, keep your distance, and never wander into the crop rows. Admire from the edges and remember to leave it as you found it.

An Afternoon in Beachburg

Our next stop was Beachburg, and this tiny town is just the cutest!

We stopped in at Hen House which is an upscale boutique with a beautifully curated selection of clothing and shoes. Pro tip: check out their Birkenstock collection. I was not expecting to find such a huge selection in such a small town! 

Just down the street, Simple Things exceeded every expectation I had going in. I had heard good things but had never actually been inside. It is full of charming decor and giftware, and make sure you visit the garden shed out back where you can sit by a little fountain pond and watch the frogs go about their day. It is so peaceful back there! 

Before leaving Beachburg, we made a quick stop at Beachburg Pond Park, which features a nice sandy beach, public washrooms, and plenty of space for kids to swim and play. If we had more time, I would have loved to have launched a kayak in the pond as well!

The Main Event: Whitewater BeerSpa

I had only heard about the Whitewater BeerSpa a few weeks before our trip, and I will admit I was not prepared for just how impressive the property would be. This brand new spa experience is set on roughly 300 acres along the Ottawa River. The beautiful Whitewater Cottage and RV Resort is home to a collection of rental cottages, a restaurant, and the newly opened BeerSpa.

We were shown around the Crash Cabins, which sit right on the spa property itself. You can literally open your door and take a few steps to the saunas, hot tubs, or pool. 

Each cabin comfortably sleeps three, includes a flatscreen TV and two-piece bathroom, and has its own private hammock and fire pit. If you are planning to spend a couple of days at the spa, this is a great way to do it!

The spa itself is unlike anything else the Valley has to offer. It is relaxed, unpretentious, and full of good vibes. No robes, no hushed tones, just good company and delicious cold beer. Whitewater Brewery owns the spa and their canned beverages are available for purchase right at the entrance hut. 

Grab your towels, a cold brew and head over to the large heated swimming pool, two hot tubs, three saunas (including my personal favourite - the eucalyptus sauna!), a fire pit with Muskoka chairs, and hammocks scattered throughout the grounds. 

We even asked to play our music and they happily obliged. The service was wonderful throughout!

We stayed overnight in one of the property's tiny homes which was a beautifully renovated mobile home with a full fridge, stovetop, pullout couch, and a full bathroom. It was super cozy and comfortable and I would love to stay there again! 

Dinner at the Riverside Brew Pub

Dinner was at the onsite Whitewater Brewing Company's Riverside Pub, and the patio alone made it worth it. You’ll find twinkling string lights, comfortable seating, and an amazing view of the Ottawa River.

The food was so tasty. We shared the Miami Beach Fish Cakes and the Baby Face Chicken Sandwich with brie and bacon, and both were delicious. Our server was fantastic and really made the night. He also offered us a sample of Whitewater’s new whiskey. I am not normally a whiskey drinker but I was converted, at least for that evening.

Morning at Whitewater O'Brien Winery

Our second chapter took us to Westmeath, which is home to one of the most beautiful wineries I have ever visited. Whitewater O'Brien Winery (WOW) sits right on the shores of the Ottawa River, and, wow! (pun intended), it is absolutely stunning!

The property has a rich and layered history. The O'Brien farm was first settled in the 1830s by Patrick O'Brien and a group of settlers from the United States who came in search of timber and fertile land. Today the 700-acre farm is run by Jason and his brother Brendan, who have been farming it for 33 years, the last two decades as a Certified Organic operation. 

They are among the earliest and largest certified organic farms in the Ottawa Valley.

The winery itself began with a discovery. Jason and Lioutsia noticed wild grapevines growing high into the trees on the property, some climbing as much as 30 feet. In 2014 they planted their first vines along the shores of lower Allumette Lake.

The vineyard stretches nearly a quarter of a kilometre and benefits from a constant westerly breeze rolling in over eight kilometres of open water, moderating temperatures in a way that mirrors some of the world's great growing regions. The riverbed soil, a mix of gravel, clay, and mineral-rich bedrock, gives the wines a distinct terroir. 

Cold-hardy varieties like Frontenac, Marquette, Petit Pearl, and Le Crescent grow here alongside others, blended with Niagara grapes to create wines that hold up beautifully against harsh Canadian winters.

Jason gave us a tour of the property and it was one of the highlights of the trip. The grounds are gorgeous, with rows of healthy vines, peaceful ponds, and sitting areas right along the water. There is an event venue on site for weddings and private events, both indoors and out. Follow the vine-lined path a little further and you will find the tasting room, the cutest little bar with tables, chairs, and fun signage covering the walls.

We sampled 3 different types of wine. My personal favourite was the “just WOW Orange”, a dry, lightly fruity wine unlike anything I have tasted before. I bought a bottle to take home and I am already looking forward to opening it.

WOW also offers a Picnic for Two experience that sounds so dreamy: pick up your picnic basket, and head out with a bottle of wine, a premium charcuterie board, a blanket, glasses, and a corkscrew and enjoy food and wines right in the vines! Sadly, I didn’t have a chance to experience this activity on this trip, but I am already planning my return visit with this wonderful experience in mind!

The Whitewater Premium Candle Co.

Our next stop was one I had been looking forward to for a while. Whitewater Premium Candle Co. is located inside a 100-year-old church, which makes for one of the most charming retail backdrops I have ever walked into. The maker was hard at work, pouring candles as we browsed through the different scents. My favourite scent is the Cool Peony, and I had to pick up a candle while I was there.

Westmeath Provincial Park (and a Word of Warning)

After the candle shop, we swapped our winery dresses for hiking gear and headed into Westmeath Provincial Park to find the sand dunes I had heard so much about. I wish I could tell you how amazing they were, but sadly, we didn’t make it. The midsummer mosquitoes were RUTHLESS, and we had to turn back after about two kilometres. I still have not seen those dunes.

My strong advice: if you want to do this hike in summer, bring serious bug spray, and consider wearing head netting. Or simply wait for fall, when the bugs settle down and the colours come out. The dunes are supposed to be stunning and I fully intend to make it there eventually. If nothing else, the walk in the woods was quite beautiful among the towering pines and meandering creek. 

A Hidden Lookout

One last thing you must experience in the Whitewater Region is the Westmeath Scenic Lookout. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Pembroke. It is a great spot for a quiet picnic, a chat with a friend, or even just a moment of solitude in a picturesque place. It was the perfect way to close out our trip, and a good reminder of just how lovely this stretch of the Valley really is.

There are a lot of quirky surprises hiding in this little corner of the Ottawa Valley. Whitewater Region does not announce itself, it does not need to. It just sits there being wonderful, waiting for the people who are curious enough to stop and take a look around.

I hope this trip inspires you to do exactly that.