Have you ever passed through a community that pulled you in without much effort? You stop for a coffee, stretch your legs with a short walk, and before you know it the day has flown by and you are booking a hotel room and planning which café you will have breakfast in the next morning.

Here, the river is the centrepiece, with the wild waters of the Mississippi River running through the centre of town, literally shaping the community around it. Everything seems to gather around the riverfront - from iconic Bridge Street to the cafés and shops that pull you along without thinking too much about where to go next. 

This is a place that fits smoothly into a day or two — and can just as easily become more than that.

Come wander Carleton Place.

3 Days, 2 Nights in Carleton Place
3 Days

Morning

  • Visit the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers and learn more about Carleton Place’s woolly history. The co-operative processes approximately 3 million pounds of wool each year and has been operating for more than 100 years. 
  • Check out the Real Wool Shoppe and pick out a takeaway from your visit to the museum. Find high end wool blankets, sweaters, and more here.
  • Stop and pick up lunch fare from Waterfront Gastropub, right on the Mississippi River.
  • Riverside Park is made for picnics! Cop a squat under one of the towering maple trees here and watch the boats float past on Mississippi River.  Plan a head and bring your bathing suit and take a dip in the river to cool off.

Afternoon

  • Do you have a secret fascination with parrots? Parrot Partners is a charitable organization that runs a public education, parrot training, and adoption aviary for parrots. You can book one of their private aviary tours to explore their facility and learn more about the amazing world of parrots!
  • Sample craft brews with a German twist at Braumeister Brewery, and order one of their German pretzels to enhance the experience.
  • Sharpen your strategy skills by heading to Town Hall to play chess on a giant sized chess board made for Instagramming.
  • Rent a kayak from Kayakomat in Centennial Park and get out on the water to explore the river and shoreline. You can take the kayak right into downtown Carleton Place and get out at the public dock behind the Carleton Place Visitor & Information Centre.

Evening

  • Check into your accommodation early so you can hit the town before the sun sets. Some good options are The Carriage House, The Comfort Inn, Tri-Century Mill, or just a short drive from town, Almonte Old Mill Manor.
  • The bowling alley is the place to be when the sun sets, and Chasin’ Turkeys offers the full old-fashioned bowling experience. 
  • If fine dining is on your agenda for this trip, then The Black Tartan Kitchen is a must. Make your reservation well in advance because this award-winning eatery is almost always fully booked. If the weather is fine, the artscape on their patio is a phenomenal backdrop for photos or just to enhance the setting.
  • If you didn’t kayak or take a swim during the afternoon, now is your chance to really savour what it’s like to visit a waterfront town. Watch the sun set from multiple waterfront locations in town, including Riverside Park.
  • Looking for an authentic ethnic dining experience? Sagar Indian Cuisine is located in the downtown core and offers some of the best dining around. 

Morning

  • Start your day at Foundry Coffee Bar, where locals gather before the day really begins. The coffee is strong, the breakfast sandwiches are made to linger over, and the atmosphere is an invitation to ease into the morning at your own pace.
  • Drop by Little German Bakery, a small and cozy spot specializing in German-inspired baked goods. Think fresh pretzels, German Brotchen, and delicious breads that are worth taking with you for later. 
  • Swing by the Carleton Place Visitor & Information Centre and rent a bike for a ride along the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (OVRT). This former rail line stretches through forests, fields, and crisscrossing the Mississippi River, offering a completely different perspective of the region. You can stick around town or bike as far as Almonte, a roughly 15-kilometre ride, one-way.
  • Take a step back in time at the Carleton Place and Carleton Place & Beckwith Heritage Museum to get a deeper sense of how the town of Carleton Place came to be. Once you’ve learned all you can, wander the outdoor labyrinth located behind the museum to slow down and reflect.

Afternoon

  • Break for lunch at The Copper Still Social Houseand sit on their large patio overlooking the turbulent Mississippi River and rapids for a stunning view while you dine. 
  • Pedal or walk to Stalwart Brewing Company, a local hotspot for chilling over a pint or two. Try their Dr. Feedlgood IPA and ask for the back story about how they had to change the name a few years ago. 
  • Do some shopping downtown to discover the pleasure of shopping in a small town shop. Some notables include The Dress Shop, Burns Jewellers, or The Floral Boutique. If you have little ones in tow, Carousel is the perfect spot to browse and buy. 
  • Try an unusual donut from Holey Confections, whose 140-layer flaky donuts are so unique you will want to order a dozen to take with you. 
  • If the river is calling again — and it probably is — answer it with a paddle or fishing experience. Rent your kayak from Kayakomat at Centennial Park or rent fishing gear from the Carleton Place Visitor & Information Centre – the calm waters of the Mississippi make this an ideal place to try something new or simply drift and take in the scenery.

Evening

  • As the day winds down, make your way to St. James Gate for dinner. This Irish-inspired pub is a local favourite and its welcoming atmosphere will have you chatting with your server about small town life.
  • Return to your accommodation — whether it’s The Carriage House, Comfort Inn & Suites Carleton Place, or a nearby Airbnb — and take a moment to reset before the final experience of the day.
  • End the evening the Carleton Place way: back on the water. An evening paddle or quiet fishing session along the Mississippi River offers a completely different perspective than the daytime. Borrow a fishing rod from the Carleton Place Visitor & Information Centre and cast your line from Riverside Park or the docks next to the visitor centre downtown.
  • Lean into creativity with a hands-on experience at Blue Spoon Atelier. Their cooking classes are intimate, welcoming, and designed for all skill levels. Whether you’re learning a new technique or simply enjoying the process, it’s a memorable way to connect with local flavours and bring a little piece of Carleton Place home with you.
  • Ease into your last day with breakfast at Freska Cafe, where their specialty is breakfast. Order a local favourite, one of their thick and sweet waffles, piled high with all the fixings. 
  • Deadly Grounds isn’t your typical coffee shop, it’s a quirky, horror-themed café where skulls line the shelves, drinks come with a playful twist, and the atmosphere is equal parts eerie and inviting. This is the kind of place that makes your morning coffee feel like an experience rather than a routine stop.
  • And then, just like that, it’s time to hit the road. But Carleton Place has a way of staying with you, in the slower pace you didn’t realize you needed, and in the feeling that next time, you might just stay a little longer.
Day Trip
Spring
Summer
Fall
Date Ideas
Road Trips