Cornwall is a smaller eastern Ontario city on the banks of the St. Lawrence. Over the summer, this small city offers big fun in terms of the many events that pop up, the local attractions, and, of course, the river!
Cornwall is a short drive from the Long Sault Parkway, and all the beach, camping, or paddling fun is offered in the area. Plus, the waterfront parks of Cornwall could take your entire weekend to explore.
Beyond the parks and rivers lies a thriving music and arts scene, along with brewing and winery businesses, local eateries, and a wealth of local history to explore.
Cultural & Historical Attractions
History and art buffs alike will have a ton of fun exploring Cornwall. A great place to start with local art are the theatres and galleries, while your historical touring could begin self-guided and in the Cotton Mill District.
- Cornwall’s Historic SDG Jail is open seasonally from May to August with guided tours, spooky movie nights, and nighttime tours.
- This 6-kilometre self-guided tour explores Cornwall’s heritage through 30 plaques, highlighting the city’s history, industrial roots, and the founding of New Johnstown.
Get a wide array of artistic and cultural experiences while in Cornwall.
- Cornwall is home to three local theatres, all of which offer a variety of performances. Check the box offices of Seaway Valley Theatre, Aultsville Theatre, and the Port Theatre before heading to Cornwall.
- The Cline House Gallery is a public gallery home to rotating exhibits that change on a monthly basis.
- The Lost Villages Museum in Long Sault is also open seasonally, but from June to September. The museum offers an open-air experience as you explore the ten restored and historical buildings. More summer excitement at the museum includes paranormal tours, a Canada Day celebration, a Book Festival, Bus Tours, and a Civil War reenactment day.
Cornwall’s Best Trails
One of the best parts about visiting Cornwall is how simple it is to get around the small city by bike or on foot, as well as how simple the trails make getting to surrounding communities, attractions, and parks.
- Start at St. Lawrence College in the east or the Saunders Hydro Dam Visitor Center in the west to stroll 16km of trails along Cornwall’s waterfront. Stop at the riverside Lamoureux Park, with its own set of trails to explore, an arboretum, gardens, and picnic areas.
- Explore the trail by bike, with rentals available from the Marina Office from May to October.
- Travelling through Guindon Park by bike or hike could be a short 2-5km route or over 10km. Plus, hikers and bikers can easily access the park via the Cornwall Recreational Path.
Adventures on Water
To hit the beaches, make a day trip from Cornwall to the parks along the Long Sault Parkway. These beaches offer amenities like parking, washrooms, changerooms, and picnic tables.
- Take in Cornwall’s scenic waterfront areas and views from the, Lamoureux Park, the local Waterfront Trail that heads west from town, or the nearby Guindon Park.
- Also at Guindon Park is SeaHawk Watersports, which offers kayak rentals to use on St. Lawrence.
- Avonmore Beach is a quiet area, a bit closer to Cornwall. It is also on the River and near the Long Sault Parkway. There are no amenities but a nice, quiet enclave of water, trees, sand, and pebbles.
- Being on the St. Lawrence River means plenty of opportunities for fishing.
Summer Dining in Cornwall
Cornwall’s dining and restaurant scene overall is consistently busy, as there are places to dine in almost every neighbourhood. This includes several family restaurants and a few places perfect for a summer getaway meal.
Summer usually calls for time on the patio. Enjoy some of Cornwall’s best patios at local places like Schnitzels, Birchwood Restaurant & Bar, Esca Gourmet Pizza & Bar, or the Loose Caboose.
- Try the sweeter side of Cornwall through local cafes and shops like Old Fashioned Ice Cream, or Cowan’s Dairy.
- Or cool off in a different way. Stop by Rurban Brewing, Glengarrian Pub & Restaurant, Hops & Barley Restaurant & Lounge, or Lola’s Pub & Grub.
- Aside from Rurban Brewing in the heart of Cornwall, the surrounding areas and communities offer even more tasting opportunities with Wood Brothers Brewing Company, Stone Crop Acres, Stonehouse Vineyard, Smokey Ridge Winery, Les Vegers Villeneuve and Blueberries.
Summer Events & Festivals
No matter when you visit Cornwall over the summer, whether earlier in June or later in September, there are festivals and events almost every week. This includes free live music and a few summer-long events!
- Shop, eat, and drink locally with the help of the Cornwall Kinsmen Farmers’ Market. The market is open every Sunday from May to October on St. Lawrence Drive. Shop even more with the markets surrounding Cornwall in Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Counties.
- Arts in the Park is a second local summer-long event. These include free outdoor concerts on weekend evenings in Lamoureux Park.
- The summer schedule for the Cornwall Motor Speedway offers entertaining action for every weekend from May to October.
- Celebrate July in Cornwall with the Afro Diversity Festival, Pride Parade & Festival, the Avonmore Fair, or the Luminous Long Sault.
- Two food festivals hit the town during the summer: Cornwall Ribfest in July and Poutine Feast in August.
- Celebrate August with the Glengarry Highland Games (in Maxwell), Volksfest Ontario or Cornwall Waterfest.
- See cultural attractions in Cornwall and SDG counties for free in August during Doors Open Ontario.
Cornwall Accommodations
As a small city, Cornwall offers plenty of accommodations through the hotel chains, plus local inns and B&Bs, local motels, and local renters. Plus, a handful of nearby parks offer scenic riverside camping options.
- Stay riverside in Cornwall with options like the Monte Carlo Motel, DEV Hotel and Conference Centre, or Auberge Chesley’s Inn.
- Camp near Cornwall with the Maples RV Park, Cameron’s Point, or the Long Sault Parkway.
- The Airbnb summer rentals in Cornwall include bed and breakfasts, boutique apartments, full homes, and riverfront accommodations.