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The winter fun and celebrations in Brockville have started for the season! Winters in this smaller riverside city start off with the festive season, local light displays, and holiday shows or performances. By January, this part of Eastern Ontario and Leeds Grenville will become a snowy wonderland for all sorts of outdoor fun and recreation.
Credit: Brockville Tourism
Whether you prefer indoor or outdoor activities for your winter getaways and day trips, Brockville offers both. As you explore Brockville’s attractions and trails, you’ll find several spots for outdoor sightseeing, given the city’s well-preserved history, along with plenty of places to eat or grab a quick drink.
Holiday Events
The festive spirit and fun in Brockville come from the gorgeous light displays almost anywhere you go: embrace the holidays with Clow’s Christmas Trail and River of Lights, or take a walk through Downtown Brockville, fully decorated and lit for the season. The festivities and parties continue into the New Year with the annual New Year’s Eve concerts held in the historic churches of Brockville.
Explore Courthouse Avenue, where the Netflix movie Hot Frosty was filmed. The city has Hot Frosty Bingo cards and the Hot Frosty Replica Scarf Knitting Pattern on its website.
The Best of Winter Dining in Brockville
Exploring the local dining of Brockville will also have you getting to know the local history. Many of Brockville’s local establishments are located in the city’s oldest or best-preserved historic buildings and areas. There is a great variety around the waterfront, downtown, and Windsor Heights areas.
- Follow the Brockville waterfront and the sidewalks to find restaurants with river views or located in historic buildings. The Mill Restaurant, for example, is in Brockville’s oldest preserved building, the Shepherd Grist Mill. More waterfront restaurants include Moose McGuire’s at Tall Ships Landing, The Roost, or Fat Les’s Chip Stand.
- When the cooler weather hits Brockville, these local cafes have all you need for a warm-up, a fill-up, and a comfy place to rest for a bit: The Sweet Life Cafe, Richard’s Coffee House, Tait’s Fresh Start, or Cosies British Tearoom & Cafe.
- Visit Brockville’s local 1000 Islands Brewery for a delicious menu of starters, salads, mains, desserts, craft cocktails, and of course, craft brews!
- Towards the north of Brockville, and closer to the 401 or Windsor Heights, are several more local places to try: The Barley Mow Gastropub, Tata’s House of Pizza & Pasta, Mexi’s, or Luna Pizza.
Winter Recreation & Outdoor Fun
Hit the many trails around Brockville and the St. Lawrence River, or take a quick drive outside of the city to discover conservation and wildlife areas with each its own set of trails. Winter fun and recreation around Brockville could include cross-country skiing on groomed trails, snowshoeing through the trees, and scenic hiking.
- Lace up at Brockville’s local outdoor but covered rink at Rotary Park or Tunnel Bay on Blockhouse Island- the city’s natural outdoor skating surface.
- Bring the sleds and toboggans to Memorial Park, where you can experience Brockville’s most popular and exciting toboggan hill.
- The Mac Johnson Creek Conservation Area, on the northwest side of Brockville, has trails groomed for cross-country skiers, snowshoe areas, and trails for winter hikes. Along with winter recreation, this area also has a lot to offer in terms of birding and wildlife viewing.
- McIntosh Mills near Brockville features 30 kilometres of groomed and backcountry trails for classic skiing at all skill levels. Visitors can join guided snowshoe tours, participate in free children’s cross-country lessons, and enjoy a full day of truly memorable, family-friendly winter excitement.
- Some of the best winter trails in Brockville include the Hardy Park area next to the river and the Brock Trail , which follows the creek through Baker Park.
Indoor Attractions in Brockville
Escape any cold, wintry weather and find solace inside Brockville’s indoor attractions. These locations offer something for all ages and cover interests like arts, culture, history, and science.
- The live and film shows at the Brockville Arts Centre are scheduled well into the winter months with screenings of movies, new and old, and live musical performances.
- The Aquatarium at Tall Ships Landing is an indoor aquarium and marine education centre to make it a memorable place for kids of all ages and families of all sizes.
- The Brockville Museum displays both permanent and rotating exhibits. For winter 2025, experience permanent displays around the Industrial Past, People of Brockville, Art History, and many more.
Thousand Islands National Park in the Winter
A visit to Brockville this winter could certainly include a visit to the Thousand Islands National Park, with only about 17km separating the locations. The National Park is famous for its island adventures on the St. Lawrence River with paddle sports, camping, comfort camping, and hiking, all available in the warmer months. And for the winter, 1000 Islands National Park is a riverside winter wonderland.
During the winter season:
- The mainland section of Thousand Islands National Park at Mallorytown Landing and Jones Creek offers simple trails and more moderately difficult trails for winter hikes and snowshoeing.
- It is important to note that facilities are not maintained between Thanksgiving and Victoria Day. Natural hazards are present in the area.
Winter Accommodations in Brockville
Make your trip to Brockville this winter a memorable weekend or overnight getaway. The area has numerous options for cozy, comfy, and inviting accommodations.
- Stay within one of Brockville’s gorgeous historical homes through the Widows Peak B&B (built 1881), the Sir Isaac Brock B&B (1824 built) , the Noble Suites Boutique Harbour Hotel, or the 48 King West Boutique Hotel.
- One of Brockville’s most iconic attractions, Tall Ships Landing, is also a resort! The Tall Ships Landing Coastal Resort is the perfect option for families with multiple guests or anyone in search of a relaxing waterfront stay.
- Choose between a couple of the major hotel chains, like the Holiday Inn Express & Suites or the Hampton Inn by Hilton.
- There are several private rentals to choose from in the Brockville area ,including cabins, waterfront suites, or spots with hot tub access!
