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Major city · Canada

Perth, OntarioPerth

Go for one night, two max: a walkable 1816 stone town on the Tay Canal, 1 h 15 min from Ottawa by car. Skip it if you have no car.

Perth is a small Lanark County town of about 6,000 people, settled in 1816 by War of 1812 veterans and built up by stonemasons who worked on the Rideau Canal. The downtown is a few square blocks of preserved stone buildings around the Tay Basin, so a half-day walk covers the core and one night is enough for most trips. It works as a stop on an Ottawa-Rideau loop rather than a destination on its own.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
12 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
CAD
Best months
Jun-Sep; late Apr for the maple festival; Feb for Frost & Fire
avoid Nov-Mar for walking (cold, ice, many seasonal closures)
Airport
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier (YOW)
Nights
1

About Perth, Ontario

Perth is a small town in eastern Ontario, Canada, with roughly 6,500 residents as of 2021. It lies in Lanark County, about 83 km (52 miles) west of Ottawa along Highway 7, and the Tay Canal links it to the Rideau Canal system. The town began in 1816 as a military settlement, and the stone buildings put up by Scottish, Irish and European stonemasons who worked on the Rideau Canal still stand in the downtown, which clusters around the Tay Basin. The downtown covers only a few square blocks and is easy to tour on foot. Perth is named after Perth in Scotland, one of its two sister cities, which also sits on a river called the Tay.

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Perth, Ontario: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
  • Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
  • Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices

See

What is worth your time in Perth, Ontario.

  • Perth Museum — Occupies Matheson House, a stone dwelling from about 1840, with four rooms restored to the 19th century and galleries on local history.
  • Mammoth Cheese — A full-scale replica at the Tay Basin recalls the 1893 Chicago World's Fair stunt, when twelve Lanark County cheesemakers made a cheese 8.5 metres across.
  • Last Duel Park — Marks the site of the last fatal duel in Upper Canada, fought in 1833.
  • Round Garden — Built in 1983 as a garden for the blind, with raised beds and signs in English, French and Braille.
  • Hall of Remembrance — A military veterans' museum covering two world wars, the Korean war and peacekeeping missions.

Do

  • Walk the downtown core, a few square blocks around the Tay Basin.
  • Follow the Tay River Trail markers and plaques along historic portage and walking routes.
  • Play a round at the Perth Golf Course, founded in 1890 and described as Canada's oldest continuously operating course.
  • See live theatre at the Perth Studio Theatre from April to October.

Eat and drink

Specialities of this place.

  • Maple syrup — The Festival of the Maples at the end of the sugar season features syrup, a pancake breakfast and taffy on snow.

Customs

  • The town keeps an official Town Crier, Brent McLaren, who appears at civic ceremonies and competitions.
  • The Perth Citizen's Band, established in 1852, performs Thursday evenings at the band shell behind the town hall.
  • Paintings and prints by Nostalgic Realism artist Craig Campbell, known for steam train era scenes, are sold in many downtown stores.

Events

  • Frost & Fire Winter Carnival — Held downtown over the Family Day weekend.February
  • Festival of the Maples — Marks the end of the maple sugar season with a street festival, live entertainment and a pancake breakfast.April
  • Stewart Park Festival — Three days of free music in Stewart Park behind city hall.July
Emergency numbers for Perth, Ontario911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Perth, Ontario, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeC$3-6 (≈ US$3–5)
  • Sit-down mealRestaurant main courseTax added at the till; tip 15-20%.C$18-37 (≈ US$14–30)
  • Beerdraught in a bar / can at the storeC$8-10 (≈ US$6–8)C$3-5 (≈ US$3–4)
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Local taxi, short hop in towncheckC$10-15 (≈ US$8–11)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$15-40 (≈ US$11–30)
  • Budget bedHighway 7 motel room, a night, per roomC$110 (≈ US$80)
  • Mid-range bedHighway 7 motel room, a night, per roomC$150 (≈ US$110)
  • High-end bedHighway 7 motel room, a night, per roomC$200 (≈ US$150)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$260 (≈ US$190)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

1816 stone downtown and Tay BasinPerth Museum in Matheson HouseMammoth Cheese replicaLast Duel ParkMaple syrup country
Airports
YOW Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier (Closest major airport, about 1 h 15 min by car west on Highway 7; no rail link to Perth)

Map of Perth, Ontario

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

Smiths FallsWestportCarleton PlaceMerrickvilleDelta, OntarioAlmonteCarpBattersea

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Perth, Ontario
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    −6°C (21°F)

  2. Feb

    Care

    −4°C (25°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    3°C (37°F)

  4. Apr

    Best*

    12°C (54°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    19°C (66°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    13°C (55°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    6°C (43°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    −2°C (28°F)

Best: Apr, Jun–Sep. Mixed: Feb. Avoid: Mar, Nov–Jan. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)), coolest Jan (−15°C (5°F) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.

* only part of the month (early, mid or late).

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Perth, Ontario: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

−6°C (21°F)

−15°C (5°F)

12 rd

Feb

−4°C (25°F)

−14°C (7°F)

10 rd

Mar

3°C (37°F)

−7°C (19°F)

11 rd

Apr

12°C (54°F)

1°C (34°F)

11 rd

May

19°C (66°F)

7°C (45°F)

12 rd

Jun

24°C (75°F)

12°C (54°F)

11 rd

Jul

27°C (81°F)

15°C (59°F)

10 rd

Aug

26°C (79°F)

14°C (57°F)

10 rd

Sep

21°C (70°F)

10°C (50°F)

10 rd

Oct

13°C (55°F)

4°C (39°F)

12 rd

Nov

6°C (43°F)

−1°C (30°F)

12 rd

Dec

−2°C (28°F)

−10°C (14°F)

13 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The downtown core is a few square blocks and is easily walked. Parking in downtown lots is about $4/day; on-street parking is free for up to two hours in any five-hour period. The Highway 7 strip and motels are car-only. Local taxis: K+K Cab, Access Taxi and Charlie's Taxi (check numbers).

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Smiths Falls

go

Door to door: About 40 min

Highway 43 south, about 30 min by car

Rideau Canal museum and the VIA rail station for onward trips.

Merrickville

go

Door to door: About 1 h

County Road 43 east, about 45 min by car

Canal-side village with locks and shops; pair with Smiths Falls.

Almonte

go

Door to door: About 50 min

Highway 511 north then Highway 29, about 40 min by car

Mississippi River falls and a small textile museum.

Carleton Place

caution

Door to door: About 40 min

Highway 7 east, about 30 min by car

Mostly a shopping stop unless you are heading to Ottawa.

Westport

go

Door to door: About 1 h 10 min

County Road 10 south, about 1 h by car

Upper Rideau Lake village; good lunch stop on a loop.

Ottawago

Door to door: About 1 h 30 min

Highway 7 east, about 1 h 15 min by car

Too big for a half-day: give it its own stay.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Downtown / Tay Basin

Walk to the museum, Stewart Park and most restaurants; limited rooms, book ahead.

Highway 7 strip

Motels, big-box stores and fast food; you need a car for everything.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
C$90-140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
Mid
C$150-230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
High
C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Downtown inn or spa hotel room1 × 1 night × C$220C$220
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160C$320
Downtown lot parking, one day1 × C$4 · checkC$4
Museum entry (by donation)2 × C$5 · checkC$10
eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$15C$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeC$58
Trip total≈ C$321 per person per day, bed includedC$642≈ US$500

2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; car and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeC$3-6 (≈ US$3–5)
Restaurant main courseTax added at the till; tip 15-20%.C$18-37 (≈ US$14–30)
Beer: draught in a bar / can at the storeC$8-10 (≈ US$6–8) / C$3-5 (≈ US$3–4)
Downtown lot parking, per daycheckC$4 (≈ US$3)
Local taxi, short hop in towncheckC$10-15 (≈ US$8–11)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$15-40 (≈ US$11–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A low-crime small town; the real risks are winter ice, deer on Highway 7 at dusk and thin late-night transport. 911 for anything urgent.
  • No train station in town: VIA stops at Smiths Falls, then a taxi or bus onward.
  • Buses (Rider Express, FlixBus) serve Perth but schedules are thin: check before you commit.
  • Winter ice on downtown sidewalks; many attractions and the canal locks are seasonal.
  • Tay Canal locks run late May to Thanksgiving only.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Perth, OntarioPerth

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

No embassies in Perth; the US embassy and most others are in Ottawa, about 1 h 15 min east.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Taxi Smiths Falls VIA station to Perth: about C$35-45 (≈ US$30–35), 25 min (check)
  • Rider Express or FlixBus, Ottawa to Perth: about C$20-35 (≈ US$15–30), 1 h 30 min (check)
  • Downtown lot parking, per day: C$4 (≈ US$3) (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you / Merci — Thank you
  • Where is the washroom? — Where is the toilet?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • How much is it? — How much is it?

Small town: confirm seasonal hours before you drive out.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Perth, Ontario. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun-Sep; late Apr for the maple festival; Feb for Frost & Fire · avoid Nov-Mar for walking (cold, ice, many seasonal closures) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for YOW: drive time, bus fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking cluster map for the downtown core with rescue anchors (museum, Tay Basin, Stewart Park).
  3. Place pages with verified hours for the Perth Museum, Hall of Remembrance and Studio Theatre.
  4. Seasonal fixtures for the canal locks, drive-in and festival weekends.

Meanwhile

Back to Canada

Sources

Ask about Perth, Ontario

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