Discovering Seasonal Routes

A Walk in the Park

Please note: This itinerary was created in 2021 Be sure to verify the information of every location you’re planning on visiting before heading out.

The short story: Running along the shoreline of the Saint-Lawrence River in downtown Cornwall, Lamoureux Park is bustling with activities. Locals go to hike, cycle or fish and tourists visit to enjoy the waterfront view and attractions. The city’s most popular park is gorgeous any time of the year but especially as the season switches and the leaves start changing colour. The park is packed with attractions for you and your family to enjoy.

This tourist circuit invites you to swing into a new season, to take in the fall colours on the drive to the Apples and Art Studio Tour and to get Cornwall’s unofficial dish: pizza if you feel like it.

This trip tailors to: Art lovers will rejoice with this route boasting with arts of all types. Bring your friends and family along for a nice stroll along the Lamoureux Park and enjoy the changing of seasons to maximize your outdoor exposure.

Recommended travel dates: September with some activities running into October (weather permitting).

Travel area: Cornwall Ontario and surrounding area.

Directions to Cornwall:

From Ottawa: Take the 417 East up until the 138 South all the way to Cornwall.
From Toronto: Hop on the 401 East and let it lead you to your destination.
From Montreal: Take the 20 West which then becomes the 401 West all the way to Cornwall.

Download the itinerary right into your Maps application before leaving:

Option 1: Day trip (excludes accommodation but includes all other activities).
Option 2: Weekend trip (includes accommodation).

Prefer a printed itinerary?

Download the printable PDF (includes full weekend itinerary with accommodation).

Day 1

There is now a new way to kayak on the Saint-Lawrence River. Start your day at Boatingery Adventure Trends to rent a transparent kayak from the Trillium Drive entrance of Guindon Park. On clear days, you might just be able to see remnants of the Lost Villages that were inundated during the 1950’s for the construction of the Seaway. How cool is that? The site itself also offers amazing views of the Adirondack Mountains and of the Saint-Lawrence.

Rent a glowing kayak at night to make it a whole new experience. Rentals from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. or glowing kayaks from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (reservations required). The company also rents stand up paddles and all rentals include life jackets. Call or text 514-817-6494 to book or visit the website for more information.

Has all that kayaking got you hungry? Stop by Marrow and Spice located at 812 Pitt Street, Unit 40, to grab a delicious picnic lunch to bring to Lamoureux Park. The shop prides itself on creating gourmet dishes from local foods and always keeps sustainability in mind. For the full experience, call ahead and they can cater to your wishes for the picnic. Don’t forget to also grab some quick frozen meals for busy evenings at home.

Choose from their exhaustive mouth watering menu options such as the Albuquerque Short Ribs, Caribbean Curried Chicken or the Moroccan Beef and Pumpkin Bake to name just a few. Make sure to stock up on some quality local products to bring back home from honey, chocolate, tea, ferments and spices. They are ready to welcome you from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Wednesday to Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Bring your picnic and take a stroll in Lamoureux Park located at 100 Water Street East, or go explore with the kids while enjoying a cold treat on a sunny day. Both locals and visitors love the massive park, always bustling with activities: cycling trail, miniature waterfall, fishing, picnics and more. Young families will enjoy the play structure and splash pad. Public washrooms are also accessible nearby.

While you stroll the park, you will notice a new mural at the Cornwall Clocktower commissioned by the City of Cornwall representing diversity titled “Steps in Diversity”. The mural was created by local artist Kathleen Tuck with her partner Marine Weigert. Members of the public were also invited to collaborate on the piece unveiled in July.

Would you like a challenge and a chance to win a gift card to a local restaurant while you stroll? Take a new music trivia challenge: Rock around the park. The new challenge launched by the City of Cornwall is a new way for locals and visitors alike to explore the park. The challenge is spread out over 8 stations and changes every two weeks. All you need is your phone, a QR code reader and your musical skills. Will you take the challenge?

Already known for its cycling trails, you can now enjoy Lamoureux Park in a completely different way with the new PediCab Waterfront Tours. The guided tours run through Lamoureux Park and on the waterfront. Learn historical facts and find out the best spots for photo opportunities. Take the dinner tour to discover the local food scene. The guided food tour is an opportunity to taste the best Cornwall has to offer in one evening.

Parking is available in front of the Cornwall Community Museum on Water Street or a short walk away at the Cornwall Civic Complex. The tours are available 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (weather permitting) and boarding is directly from Lamoureux Park. Reservations are required. Call Mike at 613-662-0878 to book.

Cornwall is known for its pizza pies and you can’t say you know Cornwall until you taste them. Esca Gourmet Pizza + Bar prepares every pizza with great pride. Hit Esca at 317 Pitt Street for supper. The menu is filled with unique pizza and other items too. The hip menu and patio are very popular with locals and visitors alike.

Try the Patio Pickle Pizza, charcuterie board, fried curd burger or beer battered fried curds. They host both live comedy and music all summer. Check out their website or Facebook page for more information. Reservations and walk-ins are accepted.

Accommodations

Fill up on the charm factor by staying at bicentennial Butte & Bine Farm located at 5857 Glen Brook Road in Williamstown, about 20 minutes from Cornwall. Their bed and breakfast, built on their 1832 farmhouse, filled with natural light in a relaxing setting will be sure to charm you. Enjoy a warm bath in the soaker tub and take in the views from the large windows or directly on your private porch.

Visit the farm and their installations and start your morning on the right foot with a taste of the amazing foods they create directly on and from the farm with your optional breakfast or upon a picnic board order (prior arrangements needed and at an additional fee). If you simply happen to be in the area on Thursday or Saturday, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., take advantage of the time window to stop by and get some freshly baked organic sourdough bread.

Day 2

After your delicious breakfast from Butte & Bine Farm, put on your knit cardigan and grab a pumpkin spice drink to enjoy the Apples & Art Studio Tour that takes place throughout Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry as well as Cornwall. The 30th edition is back this year on Saturday and Sunday, September 24 and 25 2022, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The increasingly popular event is an opportunity to meet local artists in their studio or to see them at work. More than 80 artists at over 30 locations will participate this year and open their doors to the public. You will discover all types of artists who work with paint, ink, clay, fine stones, wood and glass to create original pieces of art. If that wasn’t enough, you will get to witness the beautiful fall colours on your drive to each studio. The public can purchase art at every location. Visit the event’s Facebook page or website for the list of participating artists and to view the tour’s map.

Fill your afternoon with architecture and history at the Cornwall Community Museum, 160 Water Street West. The stone building was built in 1840 by the Wood family, United Empire Loyalists and one of Cornwall’s founding families. The house was inhabited by three generations of the family until 1952 after the death of Walter Wood, a bachelor.

The museum was relocated to Cornwall’s Lamoureux Park in the 2000s. You can learn more about the Wood family and other pioneers at the museum. Open Thursday to Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday) until Thanksgiving. Admission is free but cash donations are encouraged. For more information, visit their website.

Crown your day or weekend at Schnitzels European Flavours, 158 Pitt Street, for schnitzel, goulash, and perogies or Cornwall’s unofficial dish: pizza. Locals rave about the wood fired pizza and European flavours. They also have a great selection of imported craft beer and dishes are proudly made with locally sourced ingredients while in season.

The heaters on the patio will warm you up on crisp fall days. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. No reservations are possible at this time.