'''Merrickville''' [http://www.realmerrickville.ca/] is on the Rideau Canal in eastern Ontario, Canada.
Understand
Merrickville modestly claims to be '''Canada_fs prettiest village''', a claim not without merit on a sunny summer day. The village center consists entirely of picturesque Victorian-era stone houses, and it's perched by the waters of the Rideau Canal. Its population is about 1,200, and it is otherwise a typical small town.
Get in
By car
Merrickville is an easy 45 minute drive southwest of Ottawa. It can also be reached easily from Highway 401 in the south. Take exit 705 east of Brockville. It is about a 30 minute drive straight north.
By boat
The Rideau Canal between Kingston and Ottawa passes through Merrickville. Rentals, docking, and marine service is available from Aylings Boat Yard [http://www.aylingsboatyard.com/], a short walk from down town. Docking is also available at the nearby locks.
Get around
Central Merrickville is easily covered on foot or bike. One can also explore the locks and town's shore by canoe. The nearest VIA Rail service is located either in Brockville, Smith Falls or Ottawa, depending on your direction of travel.
See
Merrickville's labeled sights are all rather low-key, the real fun is in walking around, admiring the houses and popping into shops.
'''Blockhouse Museum''', by the canal. Built in 1832, this tiny little fortress was built to house up to 50 soldiers guarding the Rideau Canal.
'''Industrial Heritage Complex'''. Covers a number of old buildings in and around the dam and the mill, one of which has been turned into a small museum on the history of industry in Merrickville. Free entry.
Do
For local information while visiting Merrickville, direct your mobile phone browser to merrickville.mobi [http://merrickville.mobi/]
Visit Merrickville-Is-Hot.com [http://merrickville-is-hot.com/]and find out whats happening today and this week in Merrickville. With a complete list of restaurants and attractions. Updated weekly.
The Rideau Trail [http://www.rideautrail.org/] passes near Merrickville, and the Tip to Tip trail [http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/driving/map-burritts-rapids.html] provides a pleasant hike in nearby Burritts Rapids.
Buy
Merrickville is chock full of arts and crafts shops.
'''Village Foundry''', next to the locks. Canada's oldest still-operating iron foundry, producing anything and everything from cast iron. [http://www.alloyfoundry.com/]
'''Kevin Robert Gray Glassblowing''' Located at 635 St. Lawrence Street. Come and see creative glass art made from recycled crystal. Studio and gallery are open daily for demonstrations. Samples of Kevin's work are here: [http://www.kevinrobertgray.com]
'''David Paterson's Glassblowing Studio''', on the main street of Merrickville. Original works in glass hand-crafted on the premises out of liquid molten glass. [http://www.david-paterson.com]
'''Down to Earth Gardens''', a few minutes east of Merrickville in Burritt's Rapids (South) has display gardens, friendly llamas and lambs to pet and kilometers of nature paths. Come discover the MON (middle-of-nowhere) Covered Bridge. [http://www.downtoearthgardens.ca/dtehome.html]
'''
'''Rideau Woodland Ramble is one of Canada's ''Top Gardening Destinations''''', also located minutes east of Merrickville on 210 Burritt's Rapids Road. Their mission is "to capture the imagination of gardeners and collectors". RWR provides "unrivaled experiences, service and quality". [http://www.rideauwoodlandramble.com]
'''Canal Gallery''', on St Lawrence Street, sells original art by local artists, canvas transfers, and operates a custom picture framing service. It is the home gallery of artist Angelina Wrona. It is in the Larkspur Lane Mall. A new addition to its product lines is the sale and rental of canoes and kayaks. [http://www.canalgallery.com]
Eat
'''The Baldachin Fine Dining Room & Harry McLean_fs Pub'''. Opens at 11 AM, 7 days a week. Relaxed casual dining, specializing in the the finest imported and domestic beer and wine. Savoury and organic daily specials including an extensive fine dining menu in the Baldachin dining room. [http://www.baldachin.com/]
'''Goose and Gridiron'''. A large selection of pub grub plus a few American favorites like burgers and clam chowder, and a good selection of beers on tap. Mains $10-20. Open every day from 11 AM.
Drink
Sleep
Merrickville has about a dozen B&Bs and two Inns.
''' Sam Jakes Inn''', 118 Main ST E, tel. 613-269-3711, [http://www.samjakesinn.com]. Victorian stone mansion built in 1861. Rooms from $99.
'''The Wolford House Bed and Breakfast,''' Hosts: Brian and Carol Carty, 826 County Road 23, Merrickville, Ontario 613-269-3112 [http://www.bbcanada.com/wolfordhouse]. We are pleased to again be acknowledged by Janette Higgins, author of _gBest Places to Bed and Breakfast in Ontario_h as a must stay place while visiting Merrickville. Janette has visited hundreds of B&Bs in Ontario and only 3-5% make it to her selected list.
'''Aincroft House Bed & Breakfast''' - Country comfort among the pines. A completely wheelchair accessible retreat on a quiet wooded acreage. Large comfortable rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Hosts: George & Sharon Atkinson, 323 Wallace Street, Merrickville, Ontario, Canada (613) 269-4497
Departure
Ottawa is 74 km (46 mi) to the North.
Kemptville is 19 km (12 mi) to the east.
Brockville is 46 km (29 mi) to the south.
Smiths Falls is 21 km (14 mi) to the west.