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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.

Theatre Along the St Lawrence – Summer 2019

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For those travelling throughout the St.Lawrence and 1000 Islands region this summer, there are many options for the theatre fan. Our region is filled with professional productions throughout the summer months, and there is something for every kind of fan.

Brockville Arts Centre

Let’s start by looking at our very on Brockville Arts Centre.  Built in 1858 as a town hall, market place and fire engine house originally, the Brockville Arts Centre is an excellent choice if you’re looking to take in a fun music experience. There are concerts happening throughout the summer, including the following:

Dreamer: The Supertramp Experience

Running from July 17-18, this Supertramp tribute show is well known for their near identical vocal similarity to Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies. Performing with an 8-piece band, this will be a true show complete with costume changes and film projection.

Green River Revival: A Tribute to CCR and John Fogery

If you find yourself in the mood to hear a little CCR, Green River Revival will definitely appeal to you! Running from July 31-August 1, this group has performed across all of North America, and are bringing their authentic sound to Brockville. The concert will be brought together by a storyline that incorporates all of the hits.

Woodstock Revival: The 50th Anniversary Concert

It has been 50 years since the legendary Woodstock concert, and it’s time to relive the classics! Hits by performers such as Santana, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix will be covered by the 9-person live band. Let your hair down on August 8 and let the vibes of peace take you back.

A Musical Tribute to the Highwaymen

On August 14-15, get to experience the music from one of the greatest country music groups in history – The Highwaymen. Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash will be emulated by Bob Gill, Jim Yorfida & Guy Mellanson as they perform hit after hit.

The Elvis Concert

The King has returned! Come see Pete Paquette show the musical career of Elvis Presley through the 1950s right to his Vegas years. Running from August 28-29, this will be an unforgettable live concert!

Brockville Arts Centre also run movies that you may have missed previously in the major theatre chains, or didn’t come to our local theatre. Examples of movies coming this July include:

  • The Dead Don’t Die (July 10-11)
  • Avengers: Endgame (July 13)
  • The Hummingbird Project (July 21)
  • Ma (July 24-25)
  • The Hustle (July 27)
  • The White Crow (July 28)
  • The Tomorrow Man (July 29-30)

Tickets can be bought through the website BAC Tickets or at the front of house. While you’re on the Brockville Arts Centre website or in the theatre, make sure you pick up your tickets to the Tall Ships Festival, happening in Brockville from August 30 – September 1!

1000 Islands Playhouse

Based in Gananoque, the 1000 Islands Playhouse is a picturesque theatre right on the water facing out into the 1000 Islands. Made up of two theatres – The Springer Theatre and the Firehall Theatre – Gananoque is able to run eight shows throughout their season, covering a wide range of interests:

Boom X:

This show ran from May 28-June 15, and was all about the iconic moments that shaped Generation X. Disco, the oil crisis, Watergate, the Cold War, punk rock and video games – everything that influenced Generation X is covered by over 100 characters.

See Anne of Green Gables in Gananoque this summer

Anne of Green Gables:

Running from June 21-July 20, “Anne of Green Gables” tells the classic story of a young, red-haired orphan sent to live in Prince Edward Island by mistake. This musical is one of the biggest shows that the 1000 Island Playhouse has covered in at least a decade, and is well worth a watch.

Made in Italy:

The first show of the Firehall Theatre season is set during 1970s Alberta, where a teenager discovers Italian cultural icons Rocky Balboa and John Travolta and decides he going to reinvent himself as a crooner. This lively show about family is best paired with a red wine.

Glory:

Taking the stage July 24-August 17, this show tells the story of four women out to change the idea that hockey is just a sport for men. Set in 1933, this true story of the Preston Rivulettes is all about overcoming the odds and forging your own path.

A doctor looks at scans in a window in The Boy in the Moon.

The Boy in the Moon:

Running from August 7-September 1, this play is based on the memoir by the same name by Globe and Mail journalist Ian Brown. This show is all about the journey of raising a child with disabilities caused by a rare genetic disorder. This striking, funny and moving story is one for anyone who has ever been a parent or caregiver.

Ring of Fire:

The Music of Johnny Cash: August 23-September 15, come experience the music of Johnny Cash and experience a musical about love, success, faith and redemption. This musical uses more than two dozen classic hits from The Man In Black, including “I Walk the Line”.

Asking For It:

This docu-play looks at sex, gender, and consent in the wake of the Ghomeshi scandal. Originally debuting in 2017, this hard hitting show took Toronto by storm and runs from September 13-29.

The New Canadian Curling Club:

The last show to run at the Springer Theatre this season is “The New Canadian Curling Club” from September 27-October 20. This show answers the question of what would happen if you organized a local Learn-to-Curl class for your new neighbours – who just happen to be refugees resettled in Canada. A truly Canadian comedy that hurries hard.

Tickets for all these shows can be bought through the 1000 Islands Playhouse website.

St Lawrence Shakespeare

Like theatre a bit more classical? Prescott has you covered with the 17th annual St Lawrence Shakespeare Festival! Prescott fills a gap in the summer theatre circuit by having all their shows outdoors at the Prescott Kinsmen Amphitheatre. Watch classics as the sun sets behind you, enjoying the warm summer evenings.

There are two shows running this year:

The Winter’s Tale

A Shakespeare play that will give you a little bit of everything: drama, comedy, music and romance. It is a story of power, redemption, love, jealousy and forgiveness. And of course, the most famous stage direction involving a bear. This show is well worth a watch, and will be filled with passion.

Cyrano

This play tells the tragic romantic story of Cyrano de Bergerac, a man cursed with the deformity of a huge nose. He is in love with Roxane, but believes no woman could ever love him and his nose. Then there is Christian, who also loves Roxane. He is handsome, but couldn’t write to save his life, and asks the gifted Cyrano to ghostwrite his love letters. The story is filled with romance, heroism, and beauty. 

Tickets can be bought through the St Lawrence Shakespeare’s website. Don’t wait to buy these tickets, as they’re going to go fast!

Upper Canada Playhouse

The furthest east on the St Lawrence is the Upper Canada Playhouse, found in Morrisburg Ontario. This theatre has been around for over three decades. You will find it located in the former Toothbrush and Argyle Sock Factory, which has been converted to a charming, intimate theatre that is climate controlled and accessible. This unique theatre is an attraction in itself, adorned with a historic mural much like the others found around the rest of Morrisburg.

The Upper Canada Playhouse runs year round, and have four shows running through the summer season. 

Where You Are

ran from June 6-30 and tells the story of Glenda and Suzanne who spend their retirement selling jam on Manitoulin Island. The play follows as they prepare for the visit of Suzanne’s daughter, Beth,  and a complicated secret that can no longer be contained comes up. But it turns out the sisters are not the only ones with a secret!

Chaos ensues during the show Don't Dress for Dinner

Don’t Dress For Dinner

is a classic comedy that runs from July 4-28. Bernard plans a weekend with his mistress while his wife is away – what could go wrong? Of course, everything.

Lunenburg

runs from August 1-25 and is by the great Canadian playwright Norm Foster. This comedy is all about Iris, who inherits a house from her husband after he passes away. Along with her friend Natalie, they head to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia to learn more about the property she never knew about, and his relationship to this small costal town. 

Same Time, Next Year

is one of the most popular romantic comedies of the century, running on Broadway for four years. Now running from September 5-29 in Morrisburg, the show follows a love affair between two people (who happen to be married to other people) who rendezvous once a year at the same time, the same place over a period of twenty-five years. It’s touching, nostalgic and hilarious.

Tickets information and sales can be found through the Upper Canada Playhouse website.