Attractions

Smiths Falls is the Heart of the Rideau Canal and your destination to explore this wonder of 19th Century technology, commerce, and recreation. The Rideau Canal National Historic Site is a 202km water route that connects Canada’s vibrant national capital in Ottawa, with Kingston and Lake Ontario to the south. Travel the canal by boat, canoe or kayak and experience the historic lock system operated by Parks Canada.

Originally built in 1912 as a station on the Canadian Northern Ontario Railway, the museum has been restored to working order, and features some amazing examples of rolling stock, including the 1899 Dining Car & the 1913 Dental Car. Introduced in 2025, the all-new STEAM Train experience lets children learn and play in a railcar built just for them. The museum also offer a one-of-a-kind Overnight in a Caboose Air BnB stay, as well.

Built as the private residence of Joseph Bates in 1861, the Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum serves as a community museum and historic house, depicting the upper middle class life of the Bates family, circa 1865-1875. The museum also features changing displays of Smiths Falls artifacts and history, travelling exhibits and art shows. The house also has a unique mirror-image facades, an indoor brick bake oven, period rooms, exhibition galleries and the museum’s famous two-storey privy. 

The Scherzer Rolling Lift bascule bridge, at Detached Lock on the Rideau Canal, is an outstanding early example of a novel concept in movable bridges, developed by William Scherzer, an American engineer. Erected in 1912-1913 to carry the Canadian Northern Railway main line across the canal, the bridge was renowned for its ease and speed of operation. Today it stands permanently raised, its massive counterweight stretching almost perpendicular to the sky, and its adjacent bridge tender's tower unmanned - a favourite photo-op for locals and tourists alike..

The Smiths Falls Public Library, constructed in 1913, is a fine example of a Carnegie Library and holds the distinction of being the first to be visited by Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist who funded the construction of libraries throughout North America and worldwide. Town Square, occupying space that was once Daniel Street, was opened in 2023 and features a bandstand, seating and pollinator gardens.

Constructed in 1887 to replace the former facilities of the Canadian Central Railway, The Station Theatre operated as a train station until 2011. In 1999, CPR and VIA each offered $50,000 if the municipality would work to refurbish the then dilapidated structure, otherwise, it would be torn down. The idea of converting the run-down CPR station into a permanent home for community theatre quickly became a dream then a goal. In December of 1999, CPR sold the station to the town of Smiths Falls for one dollar, and contributed $50,000 towards its retrofit as did VIA. After much work and fundraising, the Theatre officially opened in 2010 and has become the home of the Smiths Falls Community Theatre group, as well as hosting film screenings, and numerous live music, comedy, and magic shows throughout the year.

Featuring numerous restaurants, shops, an arcade and a music club, Russell Street East is a destination for shopping and entertainment for tourists and locals alike. The street has also played host to many community events over the years, including markets, concerts and Pride celebrations. The street also features landmarks including the Old Post Office and the former Canadian Bank of Commerce.

Home to the Russell Street Parkette and the historic Davidson Courtyard, this street is a destination for shopping, dining, health & wellness, and also plays host to many community events throughout the year, like The Big Thrift and The Art Walk. Whether you are taking time to relax and enjoy the mural at the parkette, or enjoying the shops and restaurant at Davidson Courtyard, Russell Street West is a can't miss destination in downtown Smiths Falls.

Beckwith Street, also known as the main street in Smiths Falls, shines all summer long with some of the most gorgeous flower displays in Lanark County. The street features numerous historical landmarks, like Hotel Rideau, the Clark Building, Washburn Block and Fort Hemlock. It is also home to numerous shops, restaurants and businesses and plays host to Bike Nights on Beckwith, community parades and other events.

Originally constructed in 1841, alongside the original flight of locks we now know as Combined Lock Station, the Lockmaster's House was built to be a defensible stronghold, in the event that it was necessary to defend against an attack from the US, following the War of 1812. The building is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building, and today hosts the main offices of Le Boat, a luxury house boat operator that welcomes tourists to the Rideau Canal from all over the world.

Victoria Park, located along the southern banks of the Rideau Canal, was opened in 1897 to honour the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Featuring gardens and recreational spaces for families, the park is home to the Victoria Park Visitor Centre & Marina, and also contains a memorial walk, Evergreen Avenue, which honours veterans, peacekeepers, and community builders. The park also features the landmark memorial Yellow Peril, a North American RCAF Harvard Mark 4, built by the Canadian Car & Foundry, and erected by the 443 Wing of the RCAF in memory of those who served.

Situated along the northern banks of the Rideau Canal, alongside Confederation Drive, Centennial Park was constructed in 1967 to celebrate the Centennial of Confederation. Featuring fountains, a beautiful green space and a public beach, the park is an oasis of calm steps from downtown. Landmarks include the old dam -  that was used to flood and control the falls which gave the town its name - the original water tower, and the newly constructed wooden footbridge - Smiths Falls newest landmark. It also sits adjacent to the historical Wood's Mill Complex, now home to the offices of Parks Canada, and the Cenotaph, erected in memory of those who have served in Canada's armed forces.

Located in Centennial Park, Murphy Park Beach offers a shallow wading area with a sandy beach, and a deeper area for older swimmers. It is also the location of Duck & Turtle Islands, which contain the Healing Circle and host the annual Spirit of the Drum Pow Wow. The Murphy Park building has washrooms and showers, and contains a small canteen offering snacks and beverages in the summers.

A late-nineteenth-century industrial complex, associated with the development of the grain milling industry in eastern Ontario, Wood’s Mill Complex is an example of the evolution and adaptation of grain milling from a local service industry, to one based on the processing of imported western grain and the export of the product. A key part of the industrial development of the Smiths Falls, the mills are associated with Abel Russell Ward, one of the first permanent settlers of the area and founder of the milling complex, and Alexander Wood, an important local entrepreneur who operated several industrial firms in the area, including Frost & Wood. The complex itself sits on the northern extremity of Ward’s Island adjacent to the waste weir channel of the Rideau Waterway at Smiths Falls. The East Mill, which sits on Beckwith Street, was once home to the Rideau Canal Museum, and still contains the offices of Parks Canada.

The largest green space in Smiths Falls, Lower Reach Park is a recreational hub, having sports fields and courts, ball diamonds, docks, play structures, a splash pad and the Kinsmen Pavilion. Sitting adjacent the Rideau Canal, the park is a popular destination for walkers, families, and for numerous community events, including Canada Day.

The 296km Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail is a multi-use corridor stretching from near Smiths Falls to just shy of Mattawa, passing through Lanark County, Renfrew County and Papineau-Cameron Township. It is a popular trail with cyclists, ATV riders, and snowmobiles. The trail is accessed from Sturges or Kelly Jordan Road, off of Highway 15, just northwest of Smiths Falls.

The Cataraqui Trail is a 103-kilometer point-to-point trail with a trailhead just off Lombard Street, between Leisure Days RV Centre and Smiths Falls Kia, and is rated as moderate. This year-round, multi-use recreation trail follows the former CN line from Smiths Falls to Strathcona, and is popular with walkers and cyclists.