Smiths Falls offers different sides to a stay on the Rideau Canal: lock engineering, railway history, local exhibitions and trails. The Smiths Falls Combined Lock has a lift of 26 feet—the highest of all the locks on the Rideau Canal. This specific measurement gives the canal theme a technical focus; museums and cultural offerings explore other chapters in the town’s history.
On the Rideau Canal: Lock and Waterway
You can travel along the Rideau Canal in Smiths Falls by boat, canoe or kayak. This is an opportunity to experience the historic lock system operated by Parks Canada. This brings the waterway and its historical function into focus alongside the lock as a structure. The Detached Lock Station has a boat dock and parking.
With a lift of 26 feet, the Smiths Falls Combined Lock is a clearly defined topic for anyone interested in the engineering of the Rideau Canal. The canal’s other locks do not have this lift: Smiths Falls is the system’s highest point. You can combine an engineering perspective with a trip along the waterway, whether by boat, canoe or kayak.
Railway and Local History in the Museums
The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario is housed in a building built in 1912 as a station for the Canadian Northern Ontario Railway and restored to working order. The vehicles on display include a dining car from 1899 and a dental car from 1913. These two examples show how varied the uses of railway cars could be: the dining car points to onboard catering, while the dental car had a special function in the railway context.
The Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum offers another way to explore the town’s history. The community museum is housed in a historic home built in 1861 as Joseph Bates’s private residence. Here, the building’s former use meets its present role as a museum. Rotating exhibitions cover artefacts and the history of Smiths Falls, along with travelling exhibitions and art exhibitions. The museum’s offerings therefore extend beyond the history of the house itself.
The Lockmaster's House is also part of Smiths Falls’s historic heritage: the building is recognized as a federal heritage property. Those interested in distinguishing among different types of historic places will find here another designated heritage building, alongside the former railway station and the house museum.
Trails, Park and Cultural Program
In Smiths Falls, there is a trail access point near Lombard Street for the Cataraqui Trail. This 103.0-kilometre, year-round trail is a multi-use trail. It is a point-to-point route that follows the former CN railway line and is rated moderate. It is used by hikers, cyclists, ATV riders and snowmobilers. Its length, route format and difficulty rating offer a sense of the kind of trail it is; its use extends beyond hiking and cycling.
For a different kind of outdoor activity, Lower Reach Park on the Rideau Canal has sports courts and fields, ball fields, docks, play structures, a splash pad and the Kinsmen Pavilion. Its facilities include sports and ball fields, play areas and water access. This makes the park a versatile local destination, distinct from a longer point-to-point route such as the Cataraqui Trail.
The Smiths Falls Heritage Trail has sixteen pedestals offering insights into the town’s industry, culture and achievements. Its focus is on themed stops about the history of Smiths Falls. The Station Theatre complements the cultural offerings with year-round film screenings and numerous performances featuring live music, comedy and magic. If you want to plan your visit around a specific show, check the dates in the current schedule.
There are several different interests to choose from when planning: lock engineering and the waterway, railway and local history, a long multi-use trail, facilities at Lower Reach Park, and films and stage performances. To decide what suits your stay, it is worth sorting these topics according to your own interests.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Almonte, Mcdonalds Corners, Carleton Place, Perth.
Back to the regional travel overview: Lanark County.
