25 Best Things to Do in Cornwall Ontario: Amazing Attractions

These are the most amazing things to do in Cornwall Ontario when you plan your visit. Have you visited the city of Cornwall yet? It’s Ontario’s easternmost city that sits on the Canada-USA border, located on the St. Lawrence River. It’s the last major stop in eastern Ontario before you enter Quebec. If you’re on a road trip of Ontario, you might consider stopping in Cornwall for a day before continuing on your way.

I’m here to convince you to stop for at least a couple of days in Cornwall before travelling any further. Or, even better, plan a getaway to Cornwall as its own trip. While Cornwall is just over an hour from Ottawa, it’s about 4.5 hours from Toronto. I visited Cornwall from the GTA and I’m already thinking about planning another trip there (yes, it’s worth the drive!).

Where to Stay in Cornwall Ontario

I spent two nights at the charming Auberge Chesley’s Inn in downtown Cornwall. This is one of the best places to stay in Cornwall if you love unique accommodations with history and character. Chesley’s Inn is a luxurious bed and breakfast in Cornwall where you’ll find a kind and accommodating owner and host, plus an adorable Scottish Terrier named Hamish.

When I arrived at Chesley’s Inn, I was immediately greeted by Hamish in the backyard. Make sure you close the gate behind you as Hamish spends time both in and out of the house. The owner of the home, Robert, is very friendly and knowledgeable of the area. He has lovingly restored this historic 1814 home to a comfortable accommodation and destination in its own right.

You’re welcome to make yourself at home in the common areas of the house. The living and dining spaces are lavishly adorned with antiques and unique finds from around the world. Original art and paintings cover every space of the walls, and beautiful embroidered curtains decorate each window.

I stayed in the Tudor room, featuring a king-size Henry VIIIth-style bed with a wooden canopy and the most comfortable mattress ever. The room showcases an antique kilim carpet from Persia and an intriguing wall hangings from Laos.

There are also many modern amenities to enjoy during your stay. The bathroom has a rainfall shower head, and the room has an iPod dockable radio/stereo. There’s also complimentary Wi-Fi, and there’s a charger for an electric vehicle in the parking lot if you own one.

Best Things to Do in Cornwall Ontario: Outdoor Activities

If you love outdoor adventures, Cornwall is the destination for you! Some of the best things to do in Cornwall Ontario include hiking, biking, and kayaking. If you’re into any of those outdoor activities, you need to visit Cornwall. Thankfully, I’m into all three of them! If you’re new to kayaking or you don’t have your own bike, don’t worry at all because you can rent them on site.

Cycling on the Waterfront Trail

Looking to go for a bike ride in Cornwall? You can rent bikes from Marina 200 (at the Marina office) on the Waterfront Trail. They have six bikes available and your rental comes with a helmet, lock, and map of the local cycling trails. All bikes and equipment are sanitized after each use. It costs $10 for one hour, $25 for a half day, and $35 for a full day, so the prices are extremely reasonable.

Cornwall has 40km of recreational trails for cycling and walking, including the Waterfront Trail. I went cycling on the Waterfront Trail from Lamoureux Park and headed west. I rode beneath the Seaway International Bridge and along the Cornwall Canal where I saw the remnants of an old paper mill. You can discover more details about this section of the Waterfront Trail (including maps) at their official website.

Explore Guindon Park (Hiking and Kayaking)

Guindon Park is a beautiful, 500 acre greenspace in Cornwall. It’s an amazing place to visit if you love spending time in the great outdoors. There are opportunities to explore Guindon Park by both land and water.

There are three entrances to the park. To access the nature trails, it’s best to enter the park at the first entrance (eastern most entrance). There’s a large parking lot and a map of the trails so you can plan your trip. I walked along the red and yellow trails, forming one big loop. The hike is relatively flat and mostly shady as you walk through the forest. In the winter, there are cross-country skiing trails, and you can also go snowshoeing or hiking.

For kayaking, enter Guindon Park at the third (Trillium Drive) entrance and drive down to the water. You can rent a fully transparent kayak from Boatingery Adventure Trends and venture out into the calm cove surrounding the park. It’s such a peaceful environment and you’ll be able to see lots of birds. I also loved that I could see right down into the water beneath the kayak, too. Be sure to reserve your kayak ahead of time to avoid disappointment. It costs $50 for two hours of fun on the water.

Hike the Trails at Gray’s Creek Conservation Area

Gray’s Creek Conservation Area is operated by the Raisin Region Conservation Authority, and it’s located just minutes from downtown Cornwall. Even though it’s relatively close to the city, you’ll feel like you’ve transported yourself to the wilderness on these hiking trails.

There are 6.4km of trails in total and the park is open all year long. In the winter, there are snowshoe rentals at the park, too. Gray’s Creek Conservation Area has a great variety of songbirds, waterfowl, animals and amphibians. I actually saw a frog when I was there!

Gray’s Creek Conservation Area also has a marina, picnic tables, a charcoal BBQ and a children’s playground. The RRCA administration office even has a game of horseshoes that you can borrow. This conservation area is perfect for those who want to go for a wander on its meandering trails, or you can also plan an outing for the whole family.

Amazing Things to Do in Cornwall Ontario: Best Attractions

There are so many great things to do in Cornwall Ontario, including some of the best attractions in the province. There are one-of-a-kind historical attractions, vast green spaces, and seasonal events. Make sure that you try to include as many of these Cornwall attractions in your travel itinerary as possible.

The Lost Villages Museum

Here’s a Canadian story that’s from recent history that I’d never heard of before. The Lost Villages are nine communities that were dismantled and moved before the region was completely flooded during the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1958. Land that belonged to many residents (and traditional lands of the Mohawk people) now lays at the bottom of the river.

No matter where we’re from in Ontario, we can usually return to our childhood homes or towns even if we moved away long ago. The citizens of these nine communities can never return home, and there’s a lot of history in these villages and hamlets. The Lost Villages Museum has 10 restored historic buildings from the villages, information about all of the buildings, and lots of memorabilia.

The Lost Villages Museum preserves the artifacts and stories of the flooded villages. You can take a self-guided tour of the general store, the church, the schoolhouse, an old train station, the blacksmith’s shed, a log home, and several other structures. Admission is free and donations are accepted.

St. Raphael’s Ruins

The Ruins of St. Raphael’s Roman Catholic Church are a national historic site in Canada. The church was constructed between 1815 and 1821, and its tower dated to the 1830s. In 1970, the church was nearly completely destroyed by fire, but its outer stone walls remained. It’s a really fascinating place to wander around, and it reminds me of visiting old church ruins in Ireland or Scotland.

It is a historically significant building because it is one of the earliest Roman Catholic monuments in English-speaking Canada. The structure itself is quite impressive and its fine stone masonry still exists. St. Raphael’s Ruins are located in Glengarry, Ontario, just outside of Cornwall. There is no charge to visit, although you may leave a donation.

Lamoureux Park

Lamoureux Park is a massive greenspace along the waterfront in downtown Cornwall. It’s named after named after Lucien Lamoureux, a former Member of Parliament for Cornwall and Speaker of the House of Commons. There are so many awesome things to do in Cornwall Ontario, and many of them centre around a trip to Lamoureux Park.

You can go walking, running, or cycling on the recreational path in the park. The Rotary Eco Gardens are a beautiful place to explore. It’s a really serene place to go for a walk, plus you might even discover a mini waterfall cascade on the way.

When it’s open, you can plan a trip to the Cornwall Community Museum, one of the main museums in town. Marina 200 has bikes for rent (as mentioned above), and it’s also the site of the Cornwall Aquatic Centre, the Cornwall Civic Complex, a splash pad, and the Cornwall Curling Centre. The Lions Club Bandshell has live performances and there are lots of benches to sit and relax during the show.

As you can see, it’s really a hub of activity and a great place to go for a stroll. There are also special events and festivals at Lamoureux Park, like Canada Day celebrations and Arts in the Park. Speaking of art, there are some beautiful murals and painted containers to check out as well.

Historic SDG Jail

The historic SDG jail was built in 1833 and open until 2002, and it was both a minimum and maximum security prison when it was in use. There are guided tours of the cell blocks, the courthouse, the exercise yard, the surveillance room, the visitation area, and more. You’ll hear stories of prison life, and there’s even a paranormal tour that happens here on occasion (I love ghost stories!).

At the jail, there were hangings, escape attempts, and executions. It’s such a fascinating place. Unfortunately, the Historic SDG Jail is closed during the pandemic so I wasn’t able to visit, but I’m hoping that it reopens soon so I can go and check it out!

Upper Canada Village and Pumpkinferno

Upper Canada Village is a heritage park in nearby Morrisburg. It demonstrates what life was like back in a 19th century village in Upper Canada. You can book guided tours and travel back in time to one of Canada’s largest living-history sites.

Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village is an annual pumpkin festival that runs from the end of September to the end of October. This 19th century village is transformed into a massive pumpkin lantern festival with over 7000 pumpkins carved into intriguing and thoughtful displays.

This spectacle will get you right into the Halloween spirit with thousands of artfully carved pumpkins lining a 1km path. Walk along this glowing pumpkin trail to gaze at unique and impressive light displays. I adore lights displays and festive events. Don’t miss this impressive exhibit if you’re visiting Cornwall near Halloween.

South Lancaster Wharf

Just a short drive from Cornwall, you’ll find a row of brightly painted boathouses on a wharf. These little houses on the South Lancaster Wharf offer a bright burst of colour that will put you in a cheery mood. There are some picnic tables across from these colourful sheds, so you can enjoy the views looking out across the water, too.

As this is a small village, the parking here is pretty tight, so I can imagine that it might get busy on a weekend. I visited on a weekday afternoon and it was just me and a couple of locals. I chatted to a local resident who informed me that the colourful boathouses were inspired by Jellybean Row in St. Johns, Newfoundland.

Visit Downtown Cornwall

Basing yourself in downtown Cornwall is an excellent idea because you can walk to many of the best restaurants and shops. Pitt Street is downtown Cornwall’s main street where you will find the best shopping in town. There are also restaurants, several spas, and even some painted shipping containers that are used as pop-up shops for small businesses.

Shopping in Downtown Cornwall

Going shopping is one of the best things to do in downtown Cornwall. There are lots of wonderful shops with unique finds. Downtown Cornwall dates back to 1784, so many of the shops are located within historic buildings, making it a very picturesque place to indulge in retail therapy.

Another unique part of downtown Cornwall is Cornwall Square, an indoor shopping mall right in the heart of the downtown area. There are 70 shops and dining options located inside the mall.

Spa Treatment at Simply Wellness

Treat yourself at Simply Wellness! You can indulge in a massage or a beauty service like a manicure, pedicure or facial. I went to Simply Wellness for a manicure and was so pleased with the results. My nails looked incredible (and continue to look amazing as I write this article!). The staff at Simply Wellness are so warm and welcoming, and I wouldn’t hesitate to return for another spa treatment. It’s also the perfect activity for rainy days to bright up your spirit (and stay out of the rain!).

Public Art and Murals

Cornwall is a bright and colourful city with lots of public art and murals to enjoy. There are a few different murals at Lamoureux Park in front of the clock tower and the museum. Going for a walk and discovering all of the outdoor public art is one of the top things to do in Cornwall Ontario.

There are also many painted containers throughout Lamoureux Park and downtown Cornwall. These containers serve as pop-ups for local small businesses and artisans offering their wares. While you can admire the beautiful artwork on the outside of the container, it’s also a great opportunity to shop local.

Where to Eat and Drink in Cornwall Ontario

There are lots of excellent local restaurants and dining options in Cornwall, as well as a fantastic craft brewery, too. I even found a cute coffee shop inside a heritage building. When it comes to vegan food, there’s one 100% vegan restaurant in town (Simply Jennifer) as well as lots of vegan-friendly establishments. Another vegetarian restaurant, Carrots N Dates, is going to be opening soon in downtown Cornwall.

Simply Jennifer

Simply Jennifer is the first vegan restaurant in Cornwall, and it’s a must visit on my list. There are lots of delicious eats for lunch like bowls, wraps, and sandwiches. There’s a soup of the day, a combo of the day, and a featured grilled item. Savour your healthy meal and indulge in fresh baked goods like cookies and brownies. I ordered the T.L.T. (tempeh, lettuce, tomato) wrap and it was so yummy.

Simply Jennifer also has a coffee bar, serving iced and hot espresso beverages with plant-based milk. There are also a few different smoothies (the Purple Monkey is delicious!). Be sure to take a look at Jennifer’s Instagram before you visit to see their daily specials. That’s how I found out about their cinnamon buns!

Esca

Esca is a gourmet pizza bar that also features a variety of tantalizing appetizers and entrees. They also have a great wine selection, cocktails, and 12 beers on tap. My server was really helpful and it was easy to see which items on the menu were vegan (or could be prepared vegan).

Esca has vegan cheese, so you can make your own pizza. There’s also a vegan pizza on the menu, as well as vegetarian pizzas. I ordered the fried cauliflower (tossed in hot sauce) and the Veg pizza made vegan. The pizza is so delicious and flavourful, and I loved that mine was topped with arugula and balsamic glaze. Takes me right back to Italy!

Truffles Burger Bar

Truffles Burger Bar is a gorgeous restaurant, both indoors and outdoors. The establishment has an elegant interior, and it also features a beautiful patio filled with greenery. I was really impressed by the amount of vegetarian/vegan burgers on the menu, and it was a difficult choice.

There’s a lentil burger, a falafel burger, a Beyond Meat burger, and a nut burger. I decided to go with the Sahara Burger, which was the falafel burger topped with hummus. It really combined the best of both worlds when it comes to a burger and my favourite appetizer (hummus!). I highly recommend ordering this burger as I loved it.

Tiny Table

Tiny Table is a Vietnamese / Pho restaurant that you might not know was there unless you’re in the know. It’s located inside a small house and there’s only one tiny table out on the porch for dining (dining indoors is currently closed for the time being, but it’s only small inside, too). Most people pick up their order for takeout, and this place is very popular because the food is so tasty.

There are a couple of vegan dishes on the menu, and I highly suggest that you order the tofu and vegetable pho. It’s probably the best pho dish I’ve ever had! I would gladly order this dish again and again upon future visits to Cornwall.

Rurban Brewery

Rurban Brewery (the name comes from rural+urban) is the project of a husband and wife team who have a long history in brewing beer. They love serving the local community and intend to maintain a local small business presence in Cornwall.

I ordered a flight of beer to try a few different varieties on tap. I loved all of the beer that I sampled, especially their Cornwall Lager and the Cherry Wit Wit. There are a few picnic tables and seating areas right outside the front of the brewery, should you decide to stop by for a flight or a pint. They also have canned beer to take home with you.

Stomping Grounds

I stopped at Stomping Grounds Bistro and Cafe because I was looking for an independent coffee shop to get my midday caffeine fix. You can stop by Stomping Grounds for a gourmet coffee or espresso, and they also serve lunch and dinner. I didn’t have any food here, but the coffee was fantastic!

Stomping Grounds is located inside Cotton Mill Cornwall’s Weave Shed Building, a historic building in the Cotton Mill District of Cornwall. This is a retail space and waterfront development that transforms heritage buildings into something new.