Experience

Getting here is half the fun. Located just a 40-minute drive along picturesque winding roads from Kingston, one hour from Ottawa, and one hour from Alexandria Bay, New York, Westport sits on the shores of Upper Rideau Lake, where you can leave the everyday behind.

Once you’re here, you’ll discover a charming lakeside village that has been a destination for day trippers for decades. Stroll through the Village, visit unique shops, stop by the museum, treat your tastebuds to an ice cream or a craft brew, have lunch at the vineyard, watch the boats going in and out of the harbour, or visit the beach — there’s plenty to do for the day.

And with so much to experience when you get here, you’ll want to make the trip again, and again.

Westport’s central location makes it an ideal gateway for nature excursions along the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Frontenac Arch Biosphere, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. From here, you can explore a bio-diverse landscape with a variety of ecologies, including marshes, rivers, lakes, and shorelines that are home to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife.

Challenge your perceptions and stimulate your mind by exploring the work of local artists and artisans featured in many of the Village boutiques, at the annual arts festival, and through art tours of the surrounding area.

Or create your next active vacation memories through endless adventures in the heart of the Rideau Lakes area, including hiking, cycling, swimming, paddling, fishing, and more.

Venture beyond Westport and you’ll find hiking and biking trails through acres of woodland, the best view of the Village from Foley Mountain’s Spy Rock, some of the most scenic country drives in the area, and dozens of small communities with unique experiences along the way. 

Whether your idea of a tour is on foot, on two wheels, or on four wheels, you’ll find a touring experience to suit your idea of getting away from it all. 

Discover the thin place between you and the wondrous splendor of a natural environment along a trail. Let your cares drift away watching golden sunsets while sipping local wine at the water’s edge. Enjoy candlelit dinners for two under patio lanterns. Take in the stars as you stroll the boardwalk at the harbour. Or experience your special day in an idyllic outdoor venue.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to reaffirm your relationship with nature, memory, and beauty, planning a quiet moment for two, or searching for the ideal spot for a destination wedding, Westport provides the ideal setting to turn your special moments into unforgettable memories.

What’s on Westport is your online guide to the events that make Westport and the surrounding area an unforgettable experience.