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“Your generous spirit was
appreciated—the quality and quantity of food, the rides to the
Rideau Hiking Trail, the comfortable bed ...”
—
L.R. & W.G.
 |
 Ontario’s Rideau
Lakes township is an enticing four-season playground that offers so
many opportunities for relaxation, recreation, and enjoyment that we
can only give you the barest taste here. The area boasts what is
possibly the greatest concentration of heritage attractions in
Canada, not to mention unparalleled opportunities for outdoor
recreation, winter or summer. And Newboro House’s central
location makes it the ideal base for a holiday that combines country
delights with city pleasures, and solitary pursuits with community
activities. Come see what our region has to offer!
Newboro Village | Parks and Conservation Areas
Golfing | Boating and Fishing | Swimming
Hiking and Cycling | Snowmobiling | Ice Skating
Historic Sites and Museums | Nearby Churches
Family Fun | Factory Tours | Shopping and Dining
Spa Services | Live Theatre | Local Event Calendars
The Village of Newboro
Sandwiched between Upper Rideau Lake and Newboro Lake,
the village of Newboro sits alongside Newboro Lock on the Rideau Canal system, which
in 2007 was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Newboro Lock
marks the watershed of the system. Newboro village, together
with the entire Township of Rideau Lakes, is a popular tourist
destination, offering opportunities for hiking, cycling, picnicking,
swimming, boating, fishing, skating, cross-country skiing,
snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Gift shops and restaurants are
conveniently located in the village, just steps from Newboro House.
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Provincial Parks and Conservation Areas
Newboro House is located just a short drive from three
beautiful provincial parks and many Ontario conservation areas, all
of which provide extensive opportunities for outdoor recreation,
summer and winter. For more details, follow the individual links:
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Golfing
Within a drive of between ten and thirty minutes, golf
enthusiasts will find a number of courses to challenge their skills.
For more information about facilities, fees, and tee times, follow
the individual links:
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Boating and Fishing
Being surrounded by clear, deep lakes, Newboro House
offers easy access to countless forms of water-based recreation. The
best known is, of course, the Rideau Canal waterway, a designated world
heritage site since fall 2007. Boaters who are making a trip along
the canal, and who plan to take a break in Newboro, are always
welcome to make Newboro House their land base for a night or two.
Sport fishers will find lots of nearby opportunities to launch
their boats and drop their hooks for species such as largemouth and
smallmouth bass, walleye, pike, and even lake trout. Check out the
maps for the lakes of Eastern Ontario and the Rideau Canal at Fish-Hawk.net for information about boat launch
locations and species fished in the various lakes. (The lakes closest
to Newboro House include Big Rideau Lake, Newboro Lake, Sand Lake,
Upper Rideau Lake, and Opinicon Lake.) But be aware that fishing is
regulated in Ontario. Here is some basic information on licenses, catch limits, seasons, and so on.
Don’t have your own boat? Consider hiring a boat and guide, or taking a guided cruise.
Or perhaps some personal instruction or a tailored-to-you
nature adventure is what you’re looking for? Then try out Adventure Agent for a paddling experience second
to none. Their mobile service will even come to you.
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Swimming
The local lakes also provide many opportunities for
cooling dips on a hot day. Some of the most popular spots for a swim
include the beach near the Welcome Centre in nearby Portland, Davis Lock off Highway 15 near Elgin, and Jones Falls off Highway 15 about 7 km
south of Elgin.
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Hiking and Cycling
Besides using the hiking trails found in the provincial
parks and conservation areas listed above, hikers can take advantage
of two nearby major trail systems:
Cyclists should check out the extensive list of self-guided and organized bicycle tours listed
at the Rideau Canal Waterway Web site. Newboro House can offer
cyclists sheltered, locked parking for their bicycles in the
carriage house.
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Snowmobiling
Newboro is situated on District 1 Ontario Federation
of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) feeder trail E105. For more information
about trails, events, permits, local clubs, and snowmobiling safety,
visit the OFSC District 1 Web site. Newboro House can
offer snowmobilers sheltered, locked parking for their machines in
the carriage house.
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Ice Skating
The nearby town of Portland hosts its annual “Skate
the Lake” event each January, with both championship races and
fun events for families. For more information, visit the Portland Outdoors Web site.
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Historic Sites and Museums
Locally, you can take a self-guided walking tour of Newboro that leads you past the
town’s architecturally and historically significant buildings,
including the blockhouse originally built to defend Newboro Lock.
Similar self-guided tours are available for the nearby towns of Portland, Elgin, and Delta. In Delta, the Old Stone Mill museum and
gift shop is open to visitors on Saturdays (09h00 to 16h00) and
Sundays (10h00 to 16h00).
Along the Rideau Canal, the blockhouses and lockmaster’s
houses at many of the lockstations have been restored and are open
to visitors. Some feature mini museums. Lockstations closest to
Newboro include (from north to south) Narrows Lock, Newboro Lock, and Chaffeys Lock.
Significant heritage attractions within an hour’s drive
(or less) include (from nearest to farthest) the Rideau District Museum in Westport, the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario and the Rideau Canal Museum in Smiths Falls, Matheson House (Perth Museum) in Perth, Old Fort Henry in Kingston, and Upper Canada Village near Morrisburg.
There are many more historically interesting sites nearby
than can be listed here. Some can be found by following the town
links in the “Shopping and Dining” section on this page.
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Nearby Churches
Visitors who want to keep up their religious observance
during their time in the Rideau Lakes area can worship with the local
congregations of these faiths: Anglican (St. Mary’s,
Newboro; St. Paul’s, Westport; Immanuel, Portland),
Baptist (Olivet Baptist Church, Westport), Catholic (Saint
Edward’s, Westport; Saint Columbanus, Elgin), Free Methodist
(Westport Free Methodist), Pentecostal (Elgin Pentecostal Church),
Presbyterian (Knox Presbyterian, Westport), and United (Newboro
United Church; Westport United Church; Portland United Church; Elgin
United Church).
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Family Fun
West Winds Ranch, just outside of Westport,
offers summer outdoor fun for the entire family. From trail rides to
the petting zoo, and from summer day camp to the “Get
Lost!” corn maze, you won’t be bored during a day at West
Winds. Pet boarding service is also available.
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Factory Tours
Consider making a visit to the Forfar Dairy and factory store, which is just a
ten-minute drive from Newboro. Or take in the sweet sights and
smells of the Hershey chocolate factory in Smiths Falls, just
thirty-five minutes away.
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Shopping and Dining
A short walk up the street from Newboro House,
you’ll find the Stagecoach Inn & Country Store,
Kilborn’s on the Rideau, and Loon Village.
The Stagecoach’s Country Store operates the local post
office and also sells
a selection of beautiful gift items with an emphasis on local
artisans. Winter hours are 09h00–19h00 (Tuesday through Sunday) and
09h00–17h00 (Monday). The attached Stagecoach Inn restaurant offers up a menu of
typical Canadian favourites, including burgers, soups and sandwiches, and
steak, seafood, and pasta entrées. A Saint Cinnamon bakery
is also attached to the restaurant. Winter hours are 09h00–19h00,
Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays).
Kilborn’s on the
Rideau is a favoured “destination store” for shoppers
seeking unusual and high-quality foods, clothing, artwork, and
crafts. Among other name brands, Kilborn’s stocks clothes
from Tilley Endurables, woolen goods from Woolrich, and lotions from Crabtree and Evelyn. Kilborn’s also sells
basic convenience items for boaters, fishers, and campers.
Kilborn’s is open every day of the week, 09h00–21h00 in season
(May 10 through December 24) or 10h00–18h00 in the off-season
(December 27 through May 9)
Loon Village stocks souvenir T-shirts, hoodies, throws, and
other decorative items.
Ten minutes away by car, the village of Westport has a larger selection of
restaurants located chiefly along Church and Bedford Streets.
Westport also offers many shops stocking antiques, artwork,
handcrafts, and collectibles. A grocery store, liquor store, and
gasoline station/convenience store are also situated in Westport.
Farther afield, but within less than an hour’s drive,
you’ll find larger towns, with more restaurants, shops,
services, and historic sites to explore. Follow the links below for
more information:
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Spa Services
In Westport, the Victory Spa (613-273-6245) offers
a selection of services for face, body, health, and relaxation.
For that special getaway weekend,
consider booking their “Lords and Ladies” package, which
includes hydrotherapy session, relaxation massage, and hot stone
application.
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Live Theatre
Within about an hour’s drive, several facilities
offer live performance either seasonally or year-round. Follow the
links for more information about production dates and ticket prices:
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Upcoming Local Events
Church suppers, euchre parties, Canada Day festivities,
winter carnivals, art studio tours, antique sales, sports
events — the range of community activities in rural
Ontario is almost endless. For current listings of upcoming events,
consult these event calendars:
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