Can’t find me in the garden or the kitchen? I’m most likely out satisfying my wanderlust—I love travel and am a food tourist.
Here are some of my favourite side trip itineraries: day trips in the Ottawa and Rideau Valleys, and Greater Montreal. They connect foodie points of interest and stops that offer several attractions: artisan food makers, regional specialties, farmers’ market, galleries, and boutiques. For these road trips, the drive and stops along the way combine to create the destination.
I aim to have an individual blog post about each one of these side trips. For now, I’ll just list them… and add more side trips as I make new discoveries.
Ottawa Valley: Market, Galleries & Dinner on the Farm
Highlights: Carp Farmers’ Market (Saturdays only), Gallery Gift Shop, Neat Coffee Shop, Galleries in Burnstown, Castlegarth Farm
Driving: 177 km – about 2 hours 41 minutes
Route Map: Ottawa – Carp – Arnprior – Burnstown – White Lake – Ottawa
Ottawa Valley: Market on the Mississippi, Quaint Town & Quiet Garden
Highlights: Carleton Place Farmers’ Market (Saturdays only), Almonte, Herb Garden
Driving: 119 km – about 1 hour 48 minutes
Route Map: Ottawa – Carleton Place – Almonte – Ottawa
Rideau Valley: Heritage, Market & Mustard
Highlights: Perth, Perth Farmers’ Market (Saturdays only), Merrickville, Mrs. McGarrigle’s Fine Food Shop
Driving: 198 km – about 3 hours 1 minute
Route Map: Ottawa – Perth – Merrickville – Ottawa
Rideau Valley: Taste of Cottage Country
Highlights: Village of Westport (a destination in itself)
Driving: 114 km (via county road) – about 1 hour and 48 minutes
Route Map: Ottawa – Westport – Ottawa
Montérégie, Quebec: Trunk Full of Good Eats & Drink
Highlights: Fresh Bread, Sausage and Charcuterie, Apple Cidre, Apple Cidre Vinegar, Goat Cheese
Driving: 530 km – about 6 hours 26 mins
Route Map: Ottawa – Brossard – Sainte-Brigide – Rougemont – Marieville – Ottawa
Have you ever come up the valley to VanKleek Hill? We have a year round Farmers’ Market, and the best micro-brewry in Ontario, plus a good Vinyard…. market is open Sat am 9-1. I am a vendor there- selling organic baking and seasonal snack foods.
Cheers- look for me if you ever come out-
Stephanie
Fledermaus Farm
Greenfield, Ontario
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for visiting my blog. I am familiar with the Vankleek Hill! My husband especially is a huge fan of Beau’s beer, I’m aware of the farmers’ market and I know there are plenty of great farmers in the area. I have putting together an itinerary for the area on my to-do list! Next time we’re out your way, we’ll stop by to say hello.
Kim