7 stunning small towns near Ottawa that transform into an autumn wonderland
When the air turns crisp and the trees around Ottawa burst into fiery shades of red, orange and gold, there’s no better time to plan a little road trip.
Luckily, you don’t have to venture far to see the changing leaves — just outside the city, you'll find charming small towns and communities that truly come alive in autumn.
From historic riverside villages with breathtaking nature to cozy towns with charming main streets, these spots look like they’ve been pulled straight from a fall postcard.
Whether you're chasing the best views of fall foliage, strolling through historic downtowns, or sipping cider at a local cafe, these small towns near Ottawa are the perfect excuse for a fall road trip. Here are seven towns where you can soak up the autumn splendour.
Almonte
Location: Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Almonte is a charming small town where you'll find 19th-century historic buildings, stone structures and a picturesque river setting.
The former mill town is known for being the filming site of many Hallmark Channel movies — films set in Vermont, Alaska, and even Milwaukee have been filmed here, using the town's quaint streets as their setting.
The town offers plenty of unique shopping on its historic Mill Street, which is home to boutiques, antique stores, markets and more.
For seeing fall colours, Almonte's Riverwalk is a scenic walk along the Mississippi River that offers stunning views of the water and leads to lookouts and waterfalls.
You can also visit the nearby Mill of Kintail Conservation Area, a heritage property offering 6 kilometres of trails through a beautiful forested area.
Merrickville
Location: Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Situated on the Rideau River under an hour from Ottawa, Merrickville is a small Victorian village that's full of history.
Dubbed the "Jewel of the Rideau Canal," the village is a popular tourist destination home to 19th-century stone buildings and streetscapes that will transport you back in time.
Downtown Merrickville offers cozy boutiques, galleries, cafes and eateries. Many of the storefronts also feature cute decor for the fall season, making for tons of photo ops.
For fall colours, head to the Merrickville Ruins for a taste of local history and the perfect way to take in the changing leaves.
The ruins are remnants of the village's industrial past, including old mills and factories that once powered the local economy. The site offers perfect autumn scenery, with ivy-covered stone walls, the serene waters of the Rideau River, and the colours of the changing leaves.
Perth
Location: Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Just an hour outside of Ottawa, Perth is a charming small town with historic stone buildings, charming boutiques, picturesque bridges and scenic parks.
The town was named after Perth, Scotland, and was settled by Scottish, Irish, and other European immigrants.
Its Scottish influence can still be felt today — walking through the town's streets, its stone bridges and 19th-century heritage buildings give it an old-world, European feel.
The town is known for its arts and theatre culture, but also has lots of other activities to offer, including seasonal festivals, boutique and antique shopping in its quaint downtown area, and plenty of nature and scenery.
There are many spots to take in the fall colours here, but don't miss Stewart Park, a tree-lined park with a scenic bridge overlooking the Tay River that will be full of shades of orange and red when the leaves change.
Several fun Halloween and fall events also take place in town, including the Perth Ghost Walk and Perth Pumpkin Parade.
Wakefield
Location: Quebec
Why You Need To Go: Wakefield is a quaint village in Quebec's Outaouais region known for its culture and rich history. Located less than 30 minutes from Ottawa, the village makes for a great fall day trip.
The village's famous covered bridge is a must-see during any visit, but especially so as the leaves change colour.
Framed by orange and gold leaves, the bridge is a spectacular sight to see. Covered bridges are known as "kissing bridges," so it's the perfect spot to visit with a loved one.
You can stroll along the bridge and take in the fall colours and scenic views of the water. Wakefield also has a number of other trails and parks where you can admire the fall foliage.
The village also offers an array of cafes, boutiques, art galleries, bakeries and restaurants to stop at during your visit.
On the outskirts of the village, you'll also find the Wakefield Mill Hotel & Spa, a beautiful spot surrounded by nature and located close to Gatineau Park, where you can also see the changing leaves.
Manotick
Location: Ontario
Why You Need To Go: Just 25 minutes from downtown Ottawa, Manotick is a charming riverside village that turns into a fall fairytale once the leaves start to change.
The village is known as a "living piece of history," thanks to its many heritage buildings and architectural gems.
At the heart of the village is Watson's Mill, a 19th-century stone gristmill that sits on the Rideau River. In autumn, the surrounding trees explode in fiery shades of red, orange, and gold, making it a perfect spot to admire the fall colours.
For more fall colour views, take a riverside stroll along Dickinson Square or cross the bridge near Watson’s Mill to see the foliage reflected in the water.
You can also wander through the village streets lined with heritage buildings and leafy trees, stopping into local cafes or boutiques for a cozy fall afternoon.
Don't miss One World Bazaar, a vintage barn open from September to November every year, where you can shop for handmade goods from around the world.
Carleton Place
Location: Ontario
Why You Need To Go: About 40 minutes from Ottawa, Carleton Place is a small town with big autumn charm.
Located on the shores of the Mississippi River, Carleton Place is full of old-world streets, quaint shops and cute cafes.
The town offers many trails where you can admire the changing leaves. For some of the best leaf peeping, head to Riverside Park, where the walking paths give you sweeping views of the water framed by red and gold leaves.
The Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail is another great way to see the autumn leaves. The 296-kilometre trail is a multi-use corridor stretching from near Smiths Falls to just shy of Mattawa, with several beautiful lookouts and access points throughout the Carleton Place stretch.
After soaking in the colours, you can explore the town’s historic downtown area, which is lined with 19th-century stone buildings, unique shops and cozy eateries.
Mont-Tremblant
Location: Quebec
Why You Need To Go: Located just under 2 hours from Ottawa, Mont-Tremblant is a cute town with tons to see and do.
While it's known for being a popular ski destination, Mont-Tremblant also offers plenty of reasons to visit during the fall.
The resort town is home to a wide variety of scenic hiking and biking trails where you can admire the autumn foliage.
Mont-Tremblant National Park is an especially great spot to go for a fall hike, with beautiful landscapes featuring mountains, forests and picturesque bodies of water, as well as opportunities for sighting local wildlife, like white-tailed deer, river otter and red fox.
Just 10 minutes from the heart of the town, you can also visit the Sentier des cimes Laurentides, a treetop walk that allows you to get panoramic views of the changing leaves.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
