The Rustic Roamer

Lanark County is a land of sweet contrasts, where dense forests of sugar maple border lush, green fields and you’re as likely to come across a cyclist as a farmer on one of the region’s winding roads. Urban and rural unite here to create a region that’s as colourful and varied as the patchwork quilt […]

From the rushing waters of the Petawawa, Madawaska and Ottawa rivers to the unspoiled woodlands of Algonquin Park, the Ottawa Valley is a sultry enchantress, enticing us with adventure. Renowned as a world-class whitewater destination and for the challenges found in its rugged hills and lush dales, the Valley pushes us to do more, live […]

The deep lakes and meandering rivers here are ripe with life, both on land and in the water. This land is known as a region rich with minerals, and we haven’t forgotten how our communities were settled by the gold rush, where miners flocked, eager to delve into the earth to unearth its riches. Thick […]

If you never thought that a simple road could spark your curiosity, initiate historical debates AND bring out your inner geologist, then you have obviously never been introduced to Letterkenny Road. Connecting the hamlets of Brudenell and Quadeville, this fully paved settlement road winds around pristine lakes, and leads you to a prized rose-quartz quarry. […]

“Stranded at the drive-in, branded a fool What will they say Monday at school?” – Danny Zuko, Grease We could think of worse things than being stranded at the drive-in with Danny Zuko this summer! Maybe it’s because of the 1950s movie Grease, or maybe it’s just because it’s an awesome experience, but there’s something […]

You waken slowly in the early morning, the high-pitched warble of birdsong drifting lightly through the trees overhead. The sky is faintly brightening with the coming of dawn, and the natural world is gradually blossoming to life. Around you there is no trace of human activity, no murmurs of voices, clanging of dishes, or whir […]

Live the lifestyle of the rich and famous – for a week, anyway – with a Le Boat cruising staycation.

Barbecue season and maple season combine with this sweet and sticky recipe from Wintergreen Maple Syrup.

You don’t need to leave the house for a romantic and locally inspired experience. Bring date night home with these four romantic experiences.

Mazinaw Rock at Bon Echo Provincial Park made an impression on this Local Wanderer. Read her story here.

Tell Dad how much awesome he is this Father’s Day with a little local love from these places in Ontario’s Highlands.

Challenge accepted: Take on the Great Potato Abundance of 2020 and put a dent in the local potato population.

Discover these chip trucks and their classic dishes, located throughout Ontario’s Highlands.

If you’re missing your spring cocktails, the drink makers at Rhubarb Haliburton are happy to share their recipe for a delicious and fizzy cocktail.

Take a trip around Ontario’s Highlands to these micro-breweries to discover your perfect summer beer.

Experience a slice of farm life at Dwyer’s Farmhouse in the Ottawa Valley.

Make a high tea that’s fit for a queen using Tea & Cake’s secret scone recipe and how-to.

Rich, velvety chocolate, whipped ganache, creamy frosting…chocolate cake is the ultimate in old-time comfort foods. Ignite a passion for chocolate with this recipe from Hummingbird Chocolate Maker.

A frosty glass of crisp cider may be the perfect accompaniment for patio sipping, television watching, dock sitting, or just hanging out in the warm, lemony spring sunshine, but did you know it also happens to be a fantastic and versatile ingredient for cooking? For Margaret Van Helvoort and Kees Morsink there is no bad […]

Wake up lakeside with a steaming cup of coffee from a roastery in Ontario’s Highlands.

Great beer makes great food. Check out some great recipes to bake with beer with Chris Thompson from Whitewater Brewery Co.

Easter is just a bunny hop around the corner and dreams of chocolate are filling the minds of children – and adults, too. A chocolate treat is the perfect way to sweeten your spring, and when it comes to this dark delicacy, the folks at Perth Chocolate Works are the experts. Since opening their doors […]

Discover the beauty of mindfulness and allowing yourself to Just Breathe.

With maple season in full swing, try these Sugar Bush-Approved maple recipes.

From Bed & Breakfasts to manors, Ontario’s Highlands is dotted with unique accommodations options for a memorable night stay.

Discover the 7 Wonders of Lanark County in Ontario’s Highlands.

Chow down on artisan wood-fired pizza at any of these gems across Ontario’s Highlands.

Discover the charm and heritage of Wilno, Ontario.

Spring’s revival invites you to immerse yourself in your senses.

Hanging around the city when the scents of spring are tantalizingly tickling your nose is tough. This is when you yearn to get away from the slush, pack the car and head out for an almost-spring getaway to the countryside, where baby animals, maple syrup, G-rated fun, and fresh air are calling. Get out of […]

The sun is warm, the air smells like spring, and the birds are singing their special warm weather songs. It’s official; spring has sprung. After a long Canadian winter, spring getaways are a time-honoured tradition for families here in the great white north, and haven’t we earned a little fun in the sun? This is […]

Celebrate Pi Day with the best pie at these bakeries in Ontario’s Highlands.

Maple syrup isn’t just for pancakes. Celebrate Canada’s iconic sweetener in all its forms in Ontario’s Highlands.

Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian – dine with confidence at these 10 Ontario’s Highlands restaurants. Your belly will thank you.

Escape the city for a hearty meal with pure maple syrup at these top places for pancake breakfasts in Ontario’s Highlands.

This winter trek uncovers hidden treasures in Madoc, Ontario.

Discover sweet places to stay for maple adventures in Ontario this spring.

Black Tartan Kitchen’s Ian Carswell prepares for national competition.

Discover four delicious artisan chocolate destinations in Lanark County.

You slip and slide your way across the ice, your arms laden with fishing gear, excitement building at the thought of the unscripted day ahead. Tucked amidst your gear is a warm blanket, a thermos of something rich and delicious, and a carefully packed cooler with goodies to keep you cozy all day. Ice fishing […]

Discover rider-designed loops, private snowmobile trails, and places to stay along the way in Ontario’s Highlands.

Learn to climb or brush up on your skills with an epic ice climbing adventure at SOIceFest 2020 in Maynooth, ON.

Tour craft drink producers for a chance to meet the makers, and get the inside story on what inspires them to make and sell their product. Oh, and sample delicious brews, too!

Meet up with friends after a day well spent on the slopes or on the trails. Discover these top places in Ontario’s Highlands to celebrate the Apres Ski!

Only a few minutes from Highway 7 in Frontenac County sits the small waterfront community of Sharbot Lake, one of those cute-as-a-button small towns that are a pleasant surprise for visitors, and a well-loved home for residents.

Perfect brunch spots a daytrip away from Canada’s Capital.

Get into the holiday spirit this month with these mixologists and craft drink producers in Ontario’s Highlands.

Discover some of the best bakeries in Ontario’s Highlands and their tasty treats.

Top 6 places to warm up with cozy Lanark County drinks.

Snuggle down for an enchanted sleigh ride through snowy forests and pristine wilderness settings in Ontario’s Highlands.

Warm up your winter in Ontario’s Highlands with a getaway to one of these snug lodges or resorts.

Give the ultimate surprise to your loved ones this Christmas season.

If you can’t beat winter, join it with an epic dog sledding excursion through some of the most beautiful forests in Ontario.

Get hooked on the ultimate Canadian winter experience with an ice fishing getaway in Ontario’s Highlands.

Explore wild places on cross country ski or snowshoe trails in Ontario’s Highlands.

Warm up your winter with good music and good food, together, at the Sharbot Inn & Crossing Pub, in Sharbot Lake, Ontario.

An adventure junkie shares her love for the active Ottawa Valley town of Calabogie.

From riverside trails and historical tales, come discover all the charms of Carleton Place.

Today’s craft markets are full of fresh, hip products made by creative and talented makers. This holiday season, go above and beyond by picking up handmade items with a story to tell at one of these Ontario holiday markets.

Spend the night in historic accommodations to take yourself to way-back-when, and get into the spirit of the community you’re visiting. These inns have stories to tell of the people who lived and breathed inside their walls.

Discover these quaint towns, inviting restaurants, and local shops at these top destinations for day trips near Ottawa.

Discover the best of fall with these 14 scenic driving routes in North Hastings.

Freshen your fall wardrobe with these top places go shopping in Lanark County.

Bring a friend to visit these 6 rumoured ghost towns in Ontario.

Discover these six ways to experience brilliant fall colours in Lanark County, the land of maples.

Find these cideries on your next road trip through Ontario’s Highlands to discover a refreshing way to toast the apple harvest with a cold cider.

Sip & Savour your way through the best food and drink spots in Lanark County.

Discover these top ice cream stops across Ontario’s Highlands to keep cool this summer on your road trip.

Discover 10 craft breweries along with 10 delectable burger joints to indulge your taste buds near Ottawa.

Discover these spots for delicious summer eats in Hastings County.

Read about these 10 stops to visit on the way to your Bancroft area cottage.

Check out all the Farmers’ Markets across the Ottawa Valley.

Sip and savour under the sun on a dreamy waterfront patio at one these spectacular restaurants.

Stretch your legs and fill your belly at these easy stops along three routes headed to Algonquin Park.

Discover these top ways to enjoy the strawberry season, when you let these farm-fresh berries shine on their own or in a variety of treats.

Indulge your taste buds this summer with these 5 local finds at Farmers Markets through Ontario’s Highlands.

Check out these spots for afternoon tea at these tea rooms across Ontario’s Highlands.

Take a road trip this summer in Ontario’s Highlands and visit these key food festivals.

Schedule your next doughnut date to one of these stand-out shops in Ontario’s Highlands.

Four memorable bike adventures in Ontario’s Highlands.

Treat that special someone this Valentine’s Day to a gift of sweets at one of these top places.

Discover Vodkow, the new beverage from the Dairy Distillery causing a stir in Almonte, Ontario.

Discover Almonte Ontario, a charming town that will delight and surprise any traveller.

Discover why Ormsby Ontario is worth exploring on your next road trip.

Experiencing Pembroke, Ontario’s adventure and charm.

Meeting cider kings and discovering great things in Hastings County.

Find the best vantage points for all the brilliant fall colours this season.

In September each year, the spirit of community comes alive all across Ontario’s Highlands when the Festival of Small Halls rolls in.

Read one blogger’s guide to exploring Almonte, a 19th century mill town.

Follow along with Chris from Travelling Mitch as he wanders through Haliburton Highlands and Hastings County on the Rustic Roamer Road Trip.

Discover cabins in Ontario that allow you to get a temporary break from the online world.

Discover how four craft drink makers harness Mother Nature’s flavours to elevate their beverages in Ontario’s Highlands.

Visit Sigrid Naturals, a unique gift shop in Wilno, Ontario.

Marvel at outdoor art dotting the streets and trails across Ontario’s Highlands.

A three-day Rustic Roamer Route filled with surprising moments around each corner.

Discover Minden Hills, where you can seek both serenity and adventure with small-town charm.

Devour an Ottawa Valley tradition and feel your taste buds rejoice with Wes’ Chips in Arnprior.

Discover the history of Canada’s quintessential pastry, the Beavertail.

Discover the big things happening in the small towns along the Rideau Canal.

Top 4 summer treats that are worth the stop on your next Ontario’s Highlands road trip.

I’m a Rustic Roamer. I wander to discover authentic moments, to embrace the spirit of locals, and to understand the stories of the communities and countryside that I visit.

Explore the sweet moments and ageless beauty of Perth, Ontario.

Discover unique finds and decor on a shopping trip through Ontario’s Highlands.

Seven amazing ways to indulge your next craving with maple-inspired treats.

Fresh healthy food and local produce are summer staples in Ontario’s Highlands.

Discover one writer’s quest to discover what makes Lanark County so sweet with Maple Mania.

The unplanned moments that seem to go hand in hand with road trips in Ontario’s Highlands.

Six unique places to stay for an Ontario vacation.

Two foodies uncover the best eats in Hastings County.

Places to enjoy a meat-free meal in Lanark County.

4 Tips for getting to welcoming Ontario’s Highlands communities.

Two wanderers explore 135 kilometres of hidden gems in Hastings County.

Feast your eyes on some of the incredible flavours of the Haliburton Highlands.

Discover the ‘country’ in cottage country in Haliburton Highlands.

Three nostalgic places in Small Town Ontario.

Three ways this unique village of Tweed, Ontario stands out.

Follow your own path or just wander, allowing time to discover Ontario’s Highlands hidden gems.

Don’t wait until spring to satisfy your biggest cravings.

Restaurants with views as impressive as the menu.

Read how one writer found unforgettable beauty in Barry’s Bay, a town that still appreciates the simple things.

Booking your annual trip close to Ottawa? Make memories with a vacation in Lanark County.

Explore these three ways to escape the city, slow down, and absorb rural life in Ontario’s Highlands.

Explore Wilno’s Kashub Polish history at the Wilno Tavern.

After years of travel, read the story of why Emily returned to Haliburton to officially call it her home.

Take a journey through Ontario’s Highlands on a road trip that will satisfy your inner foodie.

Discover a unique shopping adventure in Lanark County.

Take the road less traveled through Ontario’s Highlands to these unique festivals that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

The Good Food Tour, a delectable walking tour in Almonte the showcases a story and the local flavours.

Minden is your gateway to outdoor adventure, small-town charm and more.

From limestone to theatre, Eganville is made for wandering.