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Thanksgiving Staycation 2019

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The kids are back home from university for the first time this school year. The family are coming to visit grandma and grandpa. It’s your turn to host the Thanksgiving dinner. Whatever the case, Thanksgiving is coming this weekend, and we have a great idea for how to spend it – have a staycation with your family in Brockville!

Staycations are great because they let you explore your city with new eyes. For residents of Brockville, we take many of our attractions for granted. Take this three day weekend to explore the Brockville area! You won’t be sorry.

Friday, October 11th

Meet Justin Beaver at the Aquatarium

If you haven’t heard yet, the Aquatarium is going to be home to Canada’s next super star – Justin Beaver! Getting to meet Brockville’s next star is a great way to begin your staycation.

Justin is the newest permanent exhibit at the Aquatarium, and there will be a grand reveal for him on Friday, October 11th at 12:30pm. We would recommend visiting the the Aquatarium in the morning, visiting the otters during their snack time (which is around 11:30am) and then head to the Aquatarium theatre around 12:15. At 12:30, the ceremony will begin, with the following people speaking:

  • Bill Montgomery
  • Michelle Osborne – Executive Director of the Aquatarium
  • Major Jason Baker
  • Thomas Harder – Director of Animal Husbandry at the Aquatarium

At 1pm, Justin will be revealed and there will be a presentation from the Animal Husbandry Team, and then there will be an educational booth on the 3rd floor pergola until 3pm.

Not able to make it to the grand reveal on Friday? Don’t worry! Your staycation can still include Justin – There will be an education centre set up on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am to 3:00pm and on the Monday from 11:00am to 2:00pm. The beaver presentation time will be 1pm daily during regular operations.

Saturday, October 12th

Pick Some Apples

It’s nearing the end of the apple picking season. Halls Apple Market will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00am to 5:30pm for all your holiday needs! You can pick your own apples from 10am to 4pm. There’s lots to do with the family around Halls Apple Market! You can take a fun wagon ride, pick your own apples, try their signature apple cider, and smell all the wonderful smells from their bakery. Use the apples you pick to to make the dessert for your Thanksgiving dinner. Or if that’s too much time, Halls Apple Market has a wide range of pies and baked goods available for purchase (We won’t tell anyone you didn’t make it! 😉)

Sunday, October 13th

Pumpkinferno

Depending on what day you decide to do your Thanksgiving dinner, Pumpkinferno is a great way to finish a day filled with turkey. Located at Upper Canada Village, you can take a tour through an outdoor art exhibit of over 7,000 handcrafted pumpkins lit up at night along a kilometre long path. With the picturesque 19th century backdrop, you’ll definitely want to bring your camera with you for this one – it’s prime Instagram content!

Pumpkinferno runs from September 27 to October 27th on Thursdays through Sundays. The gates open at 7pm and will be open until 10pm. Pumpkinferno will also be open on Thanksgiving Monday, so this event is one that will fit anywhere within your staycation schedule.

Monday, October 14th

Enjoy the Fall Colours

The weather forecast currently is currently predicted to be a mix of sun and clouds in Brockville for the entire Thanksgiving weekend. It’s the perfect time to get to experience the glorious fall colours!

Last week, we discussed all the different ways you can get to see all the fall colours here in Brockville. Saturday is going to be a great day to check out the different ways to see Brockville. If you’re not sure where to check out? We have a variety of different hikes in the area depending on your comfort level. From the Brock Trail to Rock Dunder, there’s a walk out there that will suit the entire family to wrap up this holiday weekend (and maybe burn off some of that turkey dinner!)

5 Ways to Enjoy the Fall Colours in Brockville

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Summer is officially over, and the fall has just begun. The trees are going to start turning to their fall colours soon (if they haven’t already) and the 1000 Islands region is going to look even more spectacular than normal. With that in mind, it’s a great time to spend outdoors. There are many options in and around the Brockville area to experience the autumn foliage.

Take a hike to Rock Dunder

Though not directly in Brockville, Rock Dunder has some of the most breathtaking views in the region. Part of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere, Rock Dunder looks over the Rideau Waterway Land Trust, a protected area of pristine land and water. There are three different trails that you can take, each providing their own spectacular views. Autumn is definitely the best time to visit and check out the fall colours.

The Cabin Trail

This 1.3 kilometre walk will take you past a beaver pond, through mixed forest and a white pine plantation. It is the easiest of the three hikes.

The Morton Bay Loop

The Morton Bay Loop is a 2 kilometre hike that has two moderately steep sections. It goes to and from a small peninsular outlook over Morton Bay.

The Summit Loop

Running alongside Dean’s Island, this 3.9 kilometre climb goes through a variety of forest, and offers sneak peaks over rocky cliffs. The Summit Loop trail is the hardest, and the most popular, of the trails, offering a brilliant panoramic view of the Rideau Waterway.

Rock Dunder is available to visit between May 15 to November 15, sunrise to sunset. The property is private property, and there is a $10 charge per car for a day pass. Passes can be bought through Eventbrite.

Explore Mac Johnson Park

If you want to stay a little closer to Brockville, Mac Johnson Wildlife Area is a great choice. With 11 kilometres of trails that cross over woodlands, wetlands and field areas, you will have a wide variety of views of fall colours. Famous for its Trumpeter Swans, Mac Johnson is filled with wildlife and native plants. You’ll be sure to see something interesting every time you go. There are picnic areas of the north and south sides of the park, so you can make a day trip out of the walk!

Mac Johnson is located in the north end of Brockville, 2 kilometres from Highway 29. For more information, check out the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.

Walk the Brock Trail

If you want to stay within the city limits, or want to see the fall colours close to home, the Brock Trail will take you where you need to go! The Brock Trail is a flat, 12 kilometre trail that goes throughout the city, from the downtown, along Buell’s Creek and up north from the waterfront. The Brock Trail continues to expand with a number of proposed additions, so even if you’ve taken the trail before, it’s well worth another visit. The Brock Trail begins along the St Lawrence River, along the waterfront. Explore our various parks and then wander along Buell’s Creek as you take in the fall colours.

Visit an Apple Orchard

Brockville is lucky to have apple orchards, such as Halls Apple Market, in our area. While the trees still have green leaves on their branches, the branches are also heavy with crisp, sweet apples, fresh for the picking. You can take part in this fall tradition of apple picking with the option to pick your own apples or by taking a wagon ride through the orchard. The apples are also available to buy in their store, along with baked goods, giftware and souvenirs.

Cruise Along the St Lawrence

Brockville is lucky to have easy access to many options when it comes to taking a cruise up and down the St.Lawrence River and the 1000 Islands.

Brockville 1000 Islands and Seaway Cruises

If you want to keep things local, head down to Blockhouse Island and take a cruise with Brockville’s very own 1000 Islands and Seaway Cruises. Home of the 1.5 hour “Jewels of the St.Lawrence” cruise, you can explore the east end of the 1000 Islands and take in all the beautiful fall colours while looking at all the beautiful homes as well.

Rockport Cruises

If you’re wanting to see the islands from a more central location, Rockport Cruises will take care of your viewing needs. Zigzagging across the river to see both the Canadian and America waterfronts, Rockport Cruises shows off the beauty of the St.Lawrence throughout the fall, including the famous Boldt Castle.

Gananoque Boat Line

Further west, you’ll find the Gananoque Boat Line. These cruises explore different tour topics such as landmarks, lost ships, and visits to Boldt Castle. Running until October 20th, Gananoque Boat Lines show off the Canadian and American waterfronts through much of the bright fall colours.