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Are you Visiting Brockville? Use the Library like a Local!

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Having fun isn’t hard, when you’ve got a library card! In partnership with the Brockville Public Library, the Brockville & 1000 Islands Tourism Office now offers library cards to our visitors! Simply stop by our visitor centre at 10 Market St. West to pick up your pass, and enjoy library card holder benefits! All you need to remember before your departure is to return your items to the Library, and your Library Card back to our visitor centre.
(Library cards are subject to availability)
We’ve put together a list of borrowing options the library offers:

  1. Borrow a great book, movie, or e-book (2 items per card)!
  2. Borrow a Library bike
  3. Hop on the internet, and have access to a printer (Black and White $0.25/page, colour $1.00/page)
  4. Borrow a Fishing Rod & Tackle Box
  5. Borrow a Geocache Kit
  6. Borrow a MAPsack!

Find out more about these library great services here!
Plus, if you are in town for a few days, try out Virtual Reality at the BPL! You will need to book a demo before giving it a shot, where more info can be found here.

Brockville by Bike with Thousand Islands Bicycle Co.

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Are you looking to see everything Brockville has to offer or aren’t visiting for long? Are you in search of eye-opening history and vibrant views? Look no further than Thousand Islands Bicycle Co. to tour Brockville’s historic and beautiful downtown. Their friendly and informative guides will take you throughout the scenic downtown area, allowing you to learn more about Brockville while enjoying fresh air and exercise.

The tour kicks off at the newly restored Brockville Railway Tunnel, which is the first railway tunnel in Canada. You will continue along the stunning waterfront, while receiving plenty of information about Brockville’s history from your guide. You follow the route until you reach Fulford Place, the former home of George Fulford, who created the infamous ‘Pink Pills for Pale People.’ This stop is full of interesting facts, so you Historians will need to listen up!  After viewing Fulford Places’ grand exterior and its gardens, you will head back through Brockville along King Street. This street is full of shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants, and we guess you will be finding your way back to these after your ride!
Next you will connect with the Brock Trail, a 7km pathway that runs along Brockville’s downtown, and follows Buell’s Creek north from the waterfront. This pathway takes you through many of the parks found in Brockville, including Hardy Park and Rotary Park. The last stop on the tour is the Brockville Museum, where you will have the ability to continue to explore Brockville’s incredible past. This stop will give you information on the history of the city, the river and even some of the rich who once resided in Brockville.  On top of these stops, even more will be made along the way, but that’s a surprise for you to find out!
Thousand Islands Bicycle Co. bicycle tours are the perfect activity if you’re interested in doing some sight-seeing, while also learning more about the rich history of Brockville. You will get to explore Brockville’s historic downtown area, allowing you to enjoy the waterfront and learn something new about the city. The tours are great for anyone, as they encourage you to be active at a relaxing pace, and they also rent bikes for those you want to do exploring on your own! Thousand Islands Bicycle Co. supplies the bikes, and helmets, so all you need to do is bring your sunscreen, water, and active clothes!
Tours are also offered in Gananoque and along the 1000 Islands Parkway.

Written by: Tourism Ambassador, Justin
Photos by: Kendra Lorimer, and Thousand Islands Bicycle Co.

Ideas for a Brockville Girls’ Getaway!

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Grab your girls and have a blast in Brockville! Whether you are here for a day, the night, or both, the options are endless for a good time. We’ve come up with a few potential itineraries to help plan your stay!
During the day…
For pampering and relaxation:
Start your morning off with a visit to one of Brockville’s spas, to de-stress, and get pampered of course! It’s sometimes hard to find time to slow down, and do something for you – so this the time to treat yourself to a treatment, mani/pedi, or even an oxygen bar session!
Choose your spa experience from one of the many fabulous spas in Brockville:
Heavenly Touch
Aquala Day Spa
Beauty Inside Spa
Genev Beauty Lounge
Mint Wellness
Afterwards, enjoy a meal together at one of Downtown Brockville’s cafes or restaurants, as many will be walking distance from your visit at the spa! For a list of eateries, click here.
Since you’re already downtown, take some time to pop into the eclectic shops in the Downtown area. You will be sure to find some treasures and good finds, whether you were looking for them or not 😉 Afterwards, why not venture uptown to find even more shopping opportunities. Located in this beautiful property is River West Co., beautiful gift shop, carrying just about everything – from clothing to furniture to home décor! To cap your afternoon off, a caffeine or treat stop may be just what you need! After shopping at River West Co., make a stop at Café Selah in the 1000 Islands Village, for great tasting coffee, and mouth-watering baked goods!
For adventure and sightseeing:
If spas aren’t you and your girls’ thing, not a problem! The outdoors are calling and Brockville’s got some great ways to experience the city out in the fresh air! Why not start your day off with a cycle tour around “the City of the 1000 Islands”, boasting historical buildings of all sorts, gleaming waterfront, and vibrant downtown core at a leisurely pace.
After working up an appetite, indulge in your pick of cuisine, perhaps something to take away and eat by the waterfront – Fish & Chips, a mouth-watering Shawarma, or a juicy burger. After lunch, it’s time to get out on the river! Sit back and relax aboard a cruise with 1000 Islands & Seaway Cruises (for the thrill seekers, hop on board the Wildcat!). If you’d like to explore the river and islands at your own pace, we recommend renting a kayak or canoe with Dive Brockville or Gilbert Marine. Glide through the water, taking in the beautiful scenery surrounding you. Stop off at one of the City Islands to take a break, take a dip, and have a few laughs with the girls!
During the evening…
The perfect night starts off with a delicious dinner (and maybe a few beverages as well!). On a beautiful summer night, you can’t beat dining el fresco, and Brockville has many restaurants that offer outdoor patios!
After your meal, it’s time to enjoy live entertainment at the Brockville Arts Centre. Along with their Summer Series and great shows in between, you will be sure to find a show to peak everyone’s interest! After the show, pop into one of Brockville’s bars/pubs for a glass of wine, or craft beer. Many will have live bands performing during the weekend, and you just might have to break out your dancing shoes!
These are just a few activities to help plan your day(s) in Brockville. If you’re looking to spend the evening, Brockville offers great options for your overnight stay – click here for a listing!
Please visit our “Things to Do” web page for even more ideas, and check out the event calendar for things to come!

The many ways how Spring has Sprung in the 1000 Islands

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Seasonal weather has finally arrived, and spring has finally sprung in the 1000 Islands region! Other than temperatures above 10 degrees, there are many other ways that indicate a new season is upon us. Through photos found on Instagram taken by talented individuals, enjoy some lovely scenes of spring!

Cold nights spent inside by the fireplace have now been replaced. Pull up your lawn chairs, grab a blanket, and cozy up by the fire pit outdoors. Although it may not be a balmy summer night just yet, the refreshing spring air mixed with campfire smoke can end a wonderful day spent in the spring sun.

The ice has cleared, and the freighters have resumed their travels along the St. Lawrence River. Keep your eye out along Brockville’s waterfront to catch a glimpse of these massive ships pass through. Blockhouse Island is a favourite spot to take some pics!

While waiting for ships to pass on Blockhouse Island, don’t miss out on a photo op in the HUGE Adirondack/Muskoka chairs! We’re looking to come up with a #hashtag for these massive chairs to use on social media – so if you have any ideas send us an email at visitorinfo@brockvillechamber.com, or a PM on Facebook.

 

Spring means the Brockville Railway Tunnel has re-opened (Canada’s First!). The tunnel’s newest additions are street signs to indicate which streets you are passing under as you make your way through the tunnel, and the depth below street level! As well, there are new information signs throughout! Every one of all ages, even the furry ones, will enjoy a walk through this magnificent spot.

In the animal kingdom, springtime means new life! At the Aquatarium in Brockville, two otter pups were recently born! At 8 weeks old, these little otters are growing fast, and you can watch them through at live feed at the Aquatarium’ s Lighthouse Theatre. Follow them on Facebook to stay updated, as they will soon be big enough to be in the pup exhibit!

As the snow melts in the warmer temperatures, garbage accumulated over the winter appears, so it’s the perfect time for a little “spring cleaning”. Thank you to everyone who participated in the various community clean ups last week, every bit helps! If you are interested in helping further, Downtown Brockville Clean-Up dates can be found here. Help us keep our city clean and beautiful 🙂
Enjoy spring and #explorebrockville!

Winter in Brockville – Through Photographs

A picture is worth a thousand words they say. With that said, this week’s blog post is going to let the pictures do the talking!

We’ve featured a few (of many) beautiful shots taken around Brockville, showcasing all of the beauty that winter brings to the City. We encourage you to use the hashtag #explorebrockville to give us permission to repost and to also help us find your photos to feature in future posts!

10 Things to do in Brockville over Family Day Weekend 2018!

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The Family Day Long weekend is coming, and just in the knick of time! It’s seems like at this time of year, the February blues seem to creep in, and winter just seems to go on…and on. Thankfully mid-month, a three day weekend of family fun livens things up! There are so many awesome winter fun activities happening, it won’t be hard to fill up your weekend! Better yet, many of these events and activities are FREE! Gather your family and friends, and enjoy some quality time together. Make memories and embrace winter!
Glide Around in the Great Outdoors
Grab your skates, and head over to an outdoor rink this weekend! A few we recommend visiting include:

  • The “Back Pond”: The Mac Johnson rink is open for skating  this winter! On Saturdays there is Family Skating from 1:00pm-3:00pm, with Friends of Mac Johnson wildlife Area volunteers serving hot chocolate and coffee at the skating shelter! Check out their Facebook Page for rink updates.
  • Rotary Park: Rotary Park will be busy this weekend with all of the Winter Classic events going on, but you won’t want to miss the free RBC Family Day Skate on February 19th from 11:00am-2:00pm.
  • Memorial Park Rink: Located near the bottom of Laurier Hill, Memorial Park is great spot to skate! The rink is open from 11am-10pm on weekends, and washrooms and change rooms are available in the Rotary Field House from 12:00pm-8:00pm.

Roald Dahls Willy Wonka Live Show
Bring the family out for a fun night in the world of Willy Wonka on February 15th-17th at the Brockville Arts Centre! The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory lights up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale.
Brockville Winter Classic Weekend
From February 16th-18th, come join in on the fun during the Brockville Winter Classic Weekend! This long weekend is jam packed with family fun activities, including a family skate, New York Rangers Alumni game, Party in the Parkette live music, games and so much more! For a full weekend schedule click here.
Visit the Aquatarium
Spend part of your weekend with the family discovering the St. Lawrence and river life at the Aquatarium! Try out the high ropes course, or “walk the plank” doing the AquaDrop! This unique discovery centre is open 10:00am-5:00pm all weekend.
CRCA Family Day Fun at Mac Johnson
Looking for something outdoorsy to do for the Family Day holiday? The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority presents a program of Family Day Fun on Monday, February. 19th, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, at the Mac Johnson Wildlife Area. Try out a snowshoe and cross-country ski trail, or participate in the outdoor scavenger hunt and ride down the an ice slide at this fun event!
Front of Yonge/Mallorytown Winter Festival
Celebrate the winter season with this 2 day family-oriented festival on February 16th-17th! Jam-packed with activities for all ages, check this fun event out over family day weekend!
Wonder Movie at Brockville Public Library
The Library will be playing a free family movie on February 18 from 2:00pm-4:00pm. Wonder is  an inspiring story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters the fifth grade. Grab a seat and don’t forget to bring some snacks!
Snow Sculpting at the Brockville Museum
Let out your artistic side at the Brockville Museum with Snow Sculpting on February 19th form 10:30am-4:00pm! No experience is necessary of course! The museum will also be open on February 17th, so feel free to stop in with the family and learn about Brockville’s history – including all of the neat things that were made here!
Paintball at Stingers
Head over to Stingers Paintball this weekend for some indoor fun! February 17th is BYOP Day, so come in from the cold and shoot off all those leftover paintballs! Games will run all day long.
YMCA Family Day Open House
Interested is checking out what the Brockville YMCA has to offer? Their Family Day open house is the perfect opportunity! On February 19th from 8:00am -4:00pm you can use the facility for free. Many activities are taking place throughout the day, including an open swim, Discover Scuba, Floor hockey, basketball, face painting and more!
 

Next Up, Live Music Hits Brockville!

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Love live music? Rock, Punk, Irish, Blues, and Country shows and performances are coming to Brockville over the next few weeks!  You might agree that there is just something special about live music. Maybe it’s the raw nature of the notes, or maybe it’s the excitement and thrill to see great songs played up close and personal. Most of all, perhaps it’s the magical way music has the ability to bring everyone in a room together. Plus there’s a bonus, many of these talented musicians and bands are from the local area! It will be hard not to dance, sing a long, or at least sway to the awesome tunes, so mark one or more of these shows on your calendar!

Hometown Show! Our Forgotten Memories + Special OPS

January 20 2018, 7:30pm- 12:00am

Tickets: $10.00

Court House Lodge, 7 Court House Square

Get ready for a night of punk rock/alt, heavy metal, old skool rock and some punk because these guys are going blow the roof of this place! Brockville’s very own Our Forgotten Memories will hitting the stage with Montreals Special Op and special guests from Kingston Reckless 4 and The Beta 58’s. Cash bar 19+.

Traditional Irish Music and Song

January 21 2018

Richards Coffeehouse

Join local Irish Musicians for some lively Irish Music and Songs from Ireland.

Blues Night at the Spitfire!

January 26th, 7:00pm-10:00pm

Spitfire Café, 10 Vcitoria Ave

Blues nights are back in 2018!  Bring your instrument and your voice, and come have fun while performing live in a cozy atmosphere! This is open to all!

Winter Barn Dance

January 27, 8:30pm-1:30am

Tickets are $10 in advance (buy them online here) or $15 at the door.

Court House Lodge, 7 Court House Square

Live music with Dirty Alibi and Country Rock! Doors open at 8:30, performance starts at 9pm
Dress in your country best! +19 plus event.

Rory Taillon at Spitfire Café

February 2, 7:00pm-10:00pm

$5.00 at the door.

Spitfire Café, 10 Victoria Ave

Rory Taillon is back from his cross-Canada release tour for his new album Only Whispers. He is back in Brockville to play at SpitFire Cafe! Show starts at 7pm sharp.

Campbell Woods and Mike Kerr Live!

February 9, 7:00pm-10:00pm

Spitfire Cafe, 10 Victoria Ave

Campbell’s songs are all about attention paid and stories revealed. They are his stories and his songs, but an evening with Campbell Woods is an invitation to be reminded of your stories, our stories, and how they all echo around the room when truth is told. Mike Kerr is the hottest guitar player this side of Nashville, Tennessee. Berklee-trained and road-proven, you don’t want to miss a chance to see this phenomenon live in action.

Pat Johnson CD Launch

February 23, 7:00pm-10:00pm

Spitfire Cafe, 10 Victoria Ave

PJ has a new album coming out titled ~ Stumps. Details coming SOON, and space will be limited.

Ryan James Live!

March 2, 7:00pm-10:00pm

Spitfire Cafe, 10 Victoria Ave

Yes ladies and gentlemen, Ryan will be back to perform at the Spitfire! Save the date!

Jack de Keyzer Live!

March 3, 8:30pm-11:30pm

Purchase tickets here.

Court House Lodge, 7 Court House Square

Guitarist, Singer, Song Writer Jack de Keyzer plays the blues world wide, from Alert, Arctic Circle to Puerto Escondido, Mexico; from Athens, Greece to Hornby Island, BC and many points between. One of Canada’s most awarded and in demand live performers and session guitarists, Jack has released 10 CD’s and 1 DVD. He has also played on hundreds of recordings and live sessions with artists ranging from Etta James to Ronnie Hawkins and Bo Diddley to Blue Rodeo.

Looking Back at 2017 – Two Thumbs Up Brockville!

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Photo Credit: Andrew Kizell
It is amazing how fast a year can fly by! Looking back, it’s also pretty amazing what can happen in a year, and Brockville’s been busy! There have been countless positive accomplishments in our vibrant community, through great events, initiatives, projects, etc. Considering we’re just a few days away from 2018, we’ve listed a “few” of these accomplishments as reminders on how awesome Brockville is! Let’s keep the positive momentum going into the New Year, because 2018 is going to be a wonderful year for the City of Brockville and the 1000 Islands!

  • The re-opening of Canada’s First Railway Tunnel, with more than 25,000 people who toured the tunnel on the opening weekend
  • The Aquatarium hit 100,000 visitors
  • Virtual Reality arrived at the Brockville Public Library
  • A visit from the giant rubber duck
  • Numerous blog post features on popular sites such as Narcity.com & Blogto.com
  • Brockville welcomed many new business to the community
  • The City received a 4 Bloom rating with Communities in Bloom, and a special criteria award for “Tidiness”
  • The Brockville Museum launched Museum @ Night and Heritage workshop series, which were so wildly successful that they’ll be returning in 2018, plus a new virtual museum website
  • Resurrection of the community FAM tour “Dress Rehearsal”
  • New steps can be found at Centeen Park for divers and swimmers, built with the Dave Cooper Memorial fund and SOS 1000 Islands chapter volunteers
  • After another successful Island Breakfast, the event has raised $35,000 and work is starting on a picnic pavilion on Refugee Island
  • Various successful events and festivals throughout the year
  • Countless Canada 150 initiatives and celebrations
  • The farmers market included 73 small business owners as vendors

Among MANY more!
Here’s to a great year in 2018! 🙂

10 Festive Ways to Begin Your Holiday Shopping in Brockville

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Are you looking for the perfect gift for a loved one, co-worker, friend, pet, and everyone in between?! Well you’re in luck! There are some fabulous holiday shopping events and opportunities happening in Brockville within the next month!
Whether you’re looking to score some deals downtown, to attend the Christmas Farmer’s Market, various Christmas bazaars and craft shows, or the Victorian Christmas at Fulford Place, Brockville’s the place to be! The best part is, most of the events are scheduled throughout the rest of the month and into December, so you can gradually make your purchases, and not feel overwhelmed as some of us shoppers tend to get!
In Brockville the holiday shopping venues are endless and surely not to be missed! Each shopping event and opportunity is listed in further detail below:
Downtown Shop Open Houses
November 17th
Hang Ups Creative Picture Framing, Heavenly Touch Spa, SAVVY, The River Lily Boutique, Echo Clothing co. & Ebb & Flo – The Art of She are all hosting open houses this Friday. Come downtown and shop local!
Maycourt Marketplace
November 17th & 18th
9:30am-5:00pm
The event will take place at 52 King Street East in Brockville. It will be a unique shopping experience, featuring handmade wooden items, quilted sewn and knitted pieces, preserves, baked goods and much more.
Victorian Christmas at Fulford Place
November 19th
10:00am-4:00pm
287 King St E.
View the Fulford’ s elegant home, visit the vendor’s hall to pick up gifts, and enjoy light refreshment. There will also be a raffle, Christmas cookies, and an opportunity to take photos with Victorian Santa ($10.00 for 4×6, $15.00 for 5×7).
Downtown Brockville Black Friday Sale
November 24
Various shops and restaurant will be offering sales and deals throughout the day.
Craft and Bake Sale hosted by the Friends of the Brockville Public Library
November 24th & 25th
9:00am-4:00pm
Brockville Public Library, 23 Buell St.
Stop by the Brockville Public Library to pick up some great handcrafted items or homemade baked goodies for the upcoming holiday season.
Yuletide Fare
November 24th & 25th
Wall St. United Church, 5 Wall St.
The Annual Yuletide Fare will feature the BLING Boutique, new and returning vendors, crafts, holiday baking, a silent auction, and much more!
Christmas Craft Show
November 25th
10:00am-4:00pm
Court House Lodge, 7 Court House Square
Come meet the artisans, stay for a hot apple cider, get ready to attend the downtown tree being light and the Christmas parade!
Christmas Brockville Farmers Market
December 2nd, 9th, 16th
9:00am-2:00pm
Wall Street Untied Church, 5 Wall Street
Whether it is something for under your tree, for your dinner table, or for your home. Brockville Farmers’ Market has your local Holiday needs covered.
Downtown Shop Local Week
December 3-9
Find the perfect holiday gifts while supporting your community! More details to come.
Christmas Craft Sale at the 1000 Islands Mall
December 9th (9:30pm-6:00pm) & 10th (12:00pm-5:00pm)
2399 Parkdale Ave.
Check out the 1000 Islands Mall for all your gift giving needs! There will be  a huge selection of vendors and crafters, a raffle draw, and silent auction!
 
Happy Shopping!

Brockville Memories: Blockhouse Island Edition

It’s safe to finally say that the extended summer weather has finally come to an end now. It’s a hard realization for some that winter is coming, and the time change this past weekend was a reminder of the short days and long nights to follow. For a second, let’s look back on the warmer days, and reminisce of the memories made on those summer days. Local writer Craig W. Armstrong has looked back on some memories he’s made at Blockhouse Island, and has even won a writer’s prize sponsored by Rosedale, Recorder & Times, and Writer’s Ink for his stories!
Here’s a sneak peak of his writing titled “MEMORIES of BLOCKHOUSE ISLAND”
“His Name is Oliver”
You can be certain that the first warm days of March will bring out the Blockhouse strollers…seniors escaping the winter confines of home, teenagers shedding their jeans for shorts and bare legs – much too early for many parents. Such was the day I met the young mother walking around the island with her son and daughter plus a black Labrador Retriever pup.
“That’s quite a dog,” I smiled and said, holding the dog by both paws as he jumped up on my waist to say ‘Hello.’
“His name is Oliver,” said the boy. “Dad got him for us at Christmas at the shelter. This summer we’re taking him to Halifax to visit Grandma.”
Both kids got in the action and conversation as I continued to pat and play with Oliver.  Then I asked, “Would you sell me Oliver?” The boy quickly swung behind his mother’s leg, held on and sent me a defiant look mixed with fear.
The little girl stepped forward, grabbed Oliver and firmly stated, “Oliver’s not for sale.”
Now on that day I happened to have several bills in my wallet.  Taking them out so the children could see, I began to peel off a couple $50s, five or six $20s and when I was about halfway through flashing the $10s, the boy looked up to his mother and whispered, “We do need a car.”

Do you have a Brockville story to tell? Share it with Brockville Tourism and it could be featured right here! Contact us at visitorinfo@brockvilletourism.com, or message us on Facebook.

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