The Ultimate Girls’ Weekend in Carleton Place: The Perfect Small-Town Escape

Sometimes the best girls’ weekends aren’t about hopping on a plane or spending a fortune; they’re about slowing down, laughing until your cheeks hurt, and discovering somewhere that completely surprises you. That’s exactly what happened when we planned a weekend getaway to Carleton Place, Ontario.

What started as a relaxing trip quickly turned into something even more special. My sister had recently been married in a simple City Hall ceremony, she’s not one for a fuss, so we decided to turn our weekend away into a surprise bachelorette celebration. 

Our home base was The Carriage House, and I can’t imagine a better place to stay. Tucked right in the heart of downtown, it felt luxurious while still being incredibly cozy. 

Every little detail had been thought of, from the beautifully stocked kitchen to the comfortable living spaces and the private hot tub. Even better, everything downtown was within walking distance, so once we parked the car, we barely needed it again. 

The Carriage House even includes complimentary paddleboards, making it easy to enjoy the nearby water without any extra costs or planning.

Our first evening was all about settling in. Instead of heading out for dinner, we stayed in and enjoyed a beautiful home-cooked meal at the Airbnb. Our group’s matriarch took charge in the kitchen, effortlessly preparing a delicious dinner while the rest of us… focused on providing the evening’s entertainment. 

Between sharing stories, jokes, playing music (read: Celine Dion karaoke ad nauseam, thank you sis-in-law lol), we kept the energy high. And the kitchen quickly became the heart of the house. 

The accommodation had absolutely everything we needed; from making a gourmet dinner, to enjoying the hot tub with fresh slippers and robes for all, it was so easy to enjoy a special night in together. It was also obvious that our hosts had really put their heart and souls into this place; we were in awe of every last detail.

The next morning two of us grabbed the paddleboards (already inflated for us of course because our hosts were on top of everything) and we made our way down to the Mississippi River.

Floating along the river on a warm summer morning was a fantastic way to start the day. The water was calm, the scenery was beautiful, and it gave us the chance to simply relax and enjoy a slow start to the morning. There’s always something incredibly peaceful about drifting along while chatting, laughing, and soaking up the sunshine.

The next thing we did was snag the last tour available at one of the most unexpected highlights of the trip: Parrot Partners. We didn’t quite know what to expect, but we left with an entirely new appreciation for these incredibly intelligent and unique birds. 

Learning about their personalities, behaviour, and the work being done to care for them was fascinating. It’s such a unique experience that you simply wouldn’t expect to find during a weekend getaway, and it added something completely different to our itinerary. 

All of us now well into our late thirties and forties, we have certainly taken the running joke about ‘everyone in their mid-life is now into birdwatching’ to heart, and to be honest it’s one of the best things I’ve decided to take up in life. Meeting and interacting with the parrots and their caretakers was so incredibly cool, this stop is a must for any bird lovers.

That evening, we headed to The Copper Still for dinner, literally steps from the Airbnb, and it was the perfect way to wrap up our day. We sat on the patio, perched on the edge of the Mississippi River, overlooking a dam and waterfall. 

The food was excellent, but what really stood out was our waitress. She was less like a server and more like a friend joining in on the fun. She added so much to the experience there and made the evening feel that much more special, we love some good banter and the fact she got in on the jokes and maybe even a little therapy session with us was hilarious.

Sharing great food and drinks made for an unforgettable night filled with laughter, tears (the laugh until you cry kind), and maybe some video evidence of us being our true authentic selves.

The next morning started with breakfast at Freska Café and Eatery, and it did not disappoint. Fresh (iced!) coffee on the patio, delicious breakfast dishes, and a welcoming atmosphere made it the perfect way to fuel up before a busy day exploring. It’s exactly the kind of local café you hope to stumble upon when visiting a small town.

One of my favourite parts of the weekend was simply wandering through downtown. Carleton Place has managed to preserve that charming small-town feel while offering a variety of locally owned businesses. We spent hours popping into boutiques, thrift stores, consignment shops, and stores featuring locally made products. Every shop had its own personality, and it was impossible not to find something unique.

We also checked out the local bike rentals at the Moore House (Carleton Place information centre), making a mental note that next time we’ll have to explore even more of the trails and waterfront by bicycle. It’s refreshing to visit a town where everything feels connected and walkable, allowing you to truly slow down instead of rushing from place to place.

Of course, no shopping day is complete without a coffee break. North & Rose quickly became one of our favourite stops. 

We picked up the most delectably refreshing iced drinks while browsing their thoughtfully curated selection of in-house made products. It’s definitely the kind of place where you go in for a drink, need to look at every last thing in there, and then somehow leave with gifts for yourself and everyone else. 

I settled on a roll on fragrance oil by the name of ‘Coconut Cloud’ (so heavenly), and we quite literally had to drag my sister-in-law out of there.

Along our travels we stumbled upon the Carp Custom Creamery, with an unassuming storefront, we popped in and were so pleasantly surprised. I felt like I was thrown back in time, you know… where things were still made to last, and I just knew the ice cream was going to be incredible.

The lemon and blueberry (excuse me, real blueberries in it?!) ice cream may have been one of the best scoops I’ve ever had. Bright, creamy, and bursting with fresh flavour, it was the perfect sweet treat, you do not want to miss this place on a hazy summer afternoon.

Late afternoon the air still warm we made our way to the local beach at Riverside Park. For anyone wanting a little more adventure, the Kayakomat makes it super easy to rent kayaks whenever you feel like getting out on the water. 

Having so many outdoor activities within walking distance makes Carleton Place an ideal destination for a summer getaway. 

I had brought my own kayak, and plopped it in the river to cast a few lines while the other gals worked on their tan-lines, I kept myself busy reeling in healthy smallmouth and largemouth bass, as well as some beautiful panfish.

By the time we packed up to head home, none of us were quite ready to leave. Carleton Place has a way of making you slow down and appreciate life’s simple pleasures; morning paddles, local cafés, friendly shop owners, beautiful waterfront views, incredible food, and meaningful time spent with people you love.

If you’re looking for the perfect Ontario girls’ getaway, Carleton Place deserves a spot at the top of your list. Whether you’re celebrating a bride, planning a weekend with friends, or simply looking to escape the pace of everyday life, you’ll find everything you need packed into one incredibly charming small town. 

Between the exceptional hospitality at The Carriage House, the walkable downtown, delicious local restaurants, and endless opportunities to relax or explore.

Our girls’ weekend was so perfect we were talking about when we’d be coming back before we had even left!