Madawaska Fall Studio Tour Weekend Itinerary

Hello friends! Here is the second edition of the Ottawa Valley community itineraries curated by Time in the Valley in collaboration with the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association. This blog post itinerary will focus on the townships of Madawaska Valley, Bonnechere Valley, North Algona Wilberforce, and Killaloe-Hagarty-Richards Township.

This blog post itinerary is near and dear to my heart because this is where I call home. It is where I spend the majority of my time and I will always be biased towards these townships. With that said, buckle up because we are in for a jam-packed weekend itinerary. That’s right, this itinerary is for a full weekend! My only concern is that I have packed too much stuff in, but either way it is sure to be a great time. Let’s go make some memories.

The Madawaska Valley Fall Studio Tour is an excellent way and reason to explore these beautiful townships. What exactly is the Madawaska Valley Fall Studio Tour? From October 1-3 you can “visit artists in their studios, view and purchase unique art and fine craft. Delight in the opportunity to watch demonstrations and discover how wood, clay, metal, fabric, glass and canvas transform in the makers’ hands.” (Source: madawaskastudiotour.com). Basically, this is a chance to witness first-hand the rich art scene that the Madawaska Valley has to offer.

Where to Stay

Let’s start with accommodations – As of the beginning of September, all of the accommodations listed below in this itinerary have some sort of availability between October 1-3, 2021.

The Egan Inn – Bonnechere Suite – This is a gorgeously restored hotel room that tastefully gives a nod to the past. Think Chateau Laurier or the Royal York Hotel-style decor – classic and elegant. It is right in the heart of Eganville with views of the Bonnechere River. The Egan Inn has a variety of rooms, all of which are super charming and meticulously maintained. The Egan Inn is within walking distance to The Axe & Paddle, Fifth Chute, The Rusty Lantern Barn Boutique and The Granary Schnitzel Haus Restaurant.

Sands on Golden Lake – Located on Golden Lake on Highway 60, this Inn boasts a restaurant and spa. The restaurant’s food is mouth-watering and on the menu is everything from pub fare, to pickerel, to salads and so much in between. Sands on Golden Lake is also located very close to ATV trails and in close proximity to some of the studios that are participating in the Madawaska Valley Fall Studio Tour.

Barry’s Bay Cottages – Located on the outskirts of Barry’s Bay on Carson Lake, this cottage resort has several cottages available for rent. October 1-3 is considered low season, which means that you’ll be paying low season prices. There are a variety of activities that are also included, like kayaking; nature trail usage; and enjoying the fire pits. These cottages are gorgeous and look like the quintessential cottage experience. If you’re looking to relax in your own private cabin while reconnecting with nature, this place is for you.

Ash Grove Inn – This charming motel and restaurant are located in Barry’s Bay. It is situated on Kamaniskeg Lake and boasts that every room comes with a view. The motel has two different room options, but I’m definitely partial to the luxury suites. These suites have amenities like a gas fireplace and a jacuzzi bubble jet tub – need I say any more? The perfect place to stay for a weekend getaway, especially in the fall!

Where to Eat and Drink

The Axe & Paddle – nestled in the heart of Eganville, actually right below the Egan Inn. This restaurant is fit for a big city. They have weekly specials and when the tacos are on the menu, jump at them! The tacos I ate at the Axe & Paddle were the best ones I’ve had since moving to the Ottawa Valley over three years ago.

Fifth Chute – a true gem of the Ottawa Valley. This coffee shop is located next door to The Axe & Paddle. They make the most delicious sourdough bread, which pairs exceedingly well with their chai lattes. Fifth Chute usually has some sort of pop-up art exhibit inside the shop, which is always neat to check out. There was one that they had which was about sharing a cup of coffee with your ancestors or descendants and what would you say. There were paper cups that represented the cups of coffee with messages written on them. Some had simple, yet impactful messages like “I hope you’re proud of me dad.” It definitely got me thinking about my legacy and sent me down a rabbit hole.

The Granary Schnitzel Haus Restaurant – Before moving to the Ottawa Valley I lived and worked in Downtown Ottawa. I remember when I told some colleagues that I was moving to the Ottawa Valley. Their faces lit up and told me that I absolutely had to go eat at The Granary. The Granary Schnitzel Haus Restaurant just oozes nostalgia. With schnitzel in their name, of course, the schnitzel is amazing. My personal favourite is the combination schnitzel, which is a creamy mushroom on half and tomato sauce on the other half – the best of both worlds and why should you have to choose between either of them?!

The Cottage Cup – what I would consider one of the heartbeats of the Ottawa Valley. Home to the Boathouse BBQ & Fries. The boathouse has the most delicious black bean burger (trust me, it’s great for vegetarians and carnivores alike!). If you are just in the mood for something sweet, this is also an excellent place to grab a scoop or three of ice cream. I should also mention that the Cottage Cup is also home to the famous lake wear line, which you have likely seen people rocking throughout the Ottawa Valley. They carry apparel for seven lakes/rivers, with my personal favourite being Lake Dore.

Wilno Tavern Restaurant – The tavern is historic and a staple in the Ottawa Valley for over 100 years, yes for over 100 years. Located in the historic Polish settlement of Wilno, the tavern serves up Polish-Kashub cuisine. One of my favourite menu items is their massive pierogies – so big and so darn good. The tavern occasionally hosts live music, which pairs well with their massive pierogies. Fun fact about the Township of Wilno, it is the first and oldest Polish-Kashubian settlement in Canada. In 2012, the then Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, visited Wilno and toured the catholic cemetery. The original settlement was established in 1864, which is kind of neat to think that it is older than Canada.

BeaverTails – Did you know that Killaloe is the birthplace of the BeaverTail? Of course, I am referring to the tasty deep-fried pastry and not the animal. The fall hours of the Killaloe location are Wednesday to Saturday and open 11 am to 7 pm, which is also dependent on weather. My favourite beavertail is the Killaloe Sunrise, which was also just turned into a beer through a tasty collaboration between Whitewater Brewing Company and BeaverTails.

Madawaska Coffee Co – One of my favourite spots in Barry’s Bay is Madawaska Coffee Co. There is something to be said about coffee that was artfully roasted on-site in small batches. Even if you don’t like coffee, the cafe smells amazing. I am super lame and usually go for their dark roast (fun fact, generally the darker the roast the lower the caffeine).

Heartwood Restaurant – In Combermere, there is a delightful restaurant called Heartwood Restaurant. Their food is a “wide variety of classic family food, from hearty burgers, poutine and wings, to fresh salads and buddha bowls.” Seriously though, their burgers are made with love and feed the soul. When I travel anywhere, my itinerary focuses on food. Heartwood Restaurant is the perfect combination of hearty dishes that are packed with big flavour.

Bent Pizza Pie – Also located in Combermere, Bent Pizza Pie serves up delicious New York-style pizza. As they say “at Bent Pizza Pie, we aren’t trying to reinvent pizza. We just want to share our love for it.” This sounds like a recipe for success if you ask me. Not only do they make their own pizza sauce (which makes the world of difference), they also have signature pizza dough. It shows when a restaurant uses quality ingredients in its food.

Things to do

Of course, the ultimate thing to do during the weekend of October 1-3 is to go venture out to the Madawaska Valley Fall Studio Tour. Want to know more about who the artists are that are opening their studios during this weekend? You can find more information here. I think I am most excited about seeing all of the visual artists. I have tried so many times to be artistic and have failed miserably every single time. Now I have this unparalleled appreciation for visual artists and their craft. It is such a neat experience being able to witness an artist in their element and making stunning creations that I could not even conceptualize making myself.

I love that there is such a variety of artisans that participate in the fall studio tour. There are actually several artisans that only showcase their studios during the fall edition of the studio tours. There are also artisans/makers who showcase their creations as a guest at another studio. The Madawaska Valley Studio Tour website states where each artist is located and where the guests will be appearing.

The fall studio tour runs from October 1-3 and takes place from 10 am to 5 pm on these days. It is also worth noting that not all studios take credit cards.

Shopping itinerary

As mentioned above in this itinerary, the Cottage Cup is not only an excellent spot to grab a bite to eat, it is also a great place to pick up some lake wear to strut around in proudly.

The Rusty Lantern Barn Boutique – I love going for what my Grannie refers to as a “scran.” This is when you go for a look around with no set goal, think of it as more robust window shopping.  The Rusty Lantern Barn Boutique is the perfect plan for a good scran. I never know what I am going to find when I visit the boutique. They pride themselves on showcasing local small businesses. Their mission is a simple one: “shop local, eat local, spend local.” They sell everything from clothing & accessories; home decor & furniture; and seasonal produce and meats. Every time I check out the Rusty Lantern Barn Boutique, I find discover something new and so many unique items. They currently sell products that are from over 75 different artisans.

Bopping around Barry’s Bay – I think Barry’s Bay is such a beautiful small town. The Barry’s Bay Farmers’ Market takes place every Friday from 11:00 – 4:00 and runs until October 8, 2021. There are also so many stores and different shops to check out while you’re there so you can really make the most of your time while in Barry’s Bay. I went to Barry’s Bay Farmers’ Market and the whole town was just alive. More information about the farmers’ market can be found here.

Another excellent shopping opportunity is at the Killaloe Farmers’ Market. This market takes place every Saturday from 9 am until 1 pm until October 16, 2021. You can find the farmers’ market at the Lions Ballfield, located on Lions Lane. Each week the Killaloe Farmers’ Market has a different event. From “Killaloe Farmers’ Market Gives Thanks,” to “Hochtoberfest” and culminating with “Killaloe Christmas is Coming Farmers’ Market.” More information about the farmers’ market can be found here.

Hiking and nature appreciation itinerary

I am always going to try to include some form of nature appreciation in every itinerary. There are so many benefits to being outdoors, I would be remiss if I did not include at least some options in the itinerary.

Bonnechere Caves – one of the most unique things that you can do in the entire Ottawa Valley is to go spelunking. What is spelunking? It is the act of exploring caves. The Bonnechere Caves has such a rich history, which includes fossils in the Caves. The Bonnechere Caves also hosts special events from live music to tie-dye Tuesday, to dining in the caves (during non-pandemic times, of course). This is such a unique and interesting attraction, which is coupled with the fact that it has been family-owned & operated for over 30 years. The owners and the staff are such lovely people, they make it easy to have a great time at the Bonnechere Caves.

Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre – One of my most favourite places in the whole Ottawa Valley is Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre. Shaw Woods really pays nature the respect it deserves. Located in North Algona Wilberforce, it has trails on either side of Bulger Road. The east side features Johnny’s Lookout Trail and the Snake River. I usually frequent the east side trails in the summer & fall and utilize the west side old-growth trails in the winter. I love going for a snowshoe on the old-growth trails. Either way, Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre has something for everyone.

During the weekend of October 1-3, I highly recommend hiking Johnny’s Lookout Trail. The views of the fall foliage are incredible this time of year. The leaves look like they are dancing with all the whimsical colours. It is stunning. Even if you do not want to do a full hike, you can just hike to the lookout. The hike to the lookout is only a few hundred meters, which is absolutely worth it for the stunning views. I should also mention that I really enjoy the interactive signboards that are thought out the Snake River Trail. These have details about the region, including fun trivia. Really puts the education into Outdoor Education Centre.

Deacon Escarpment – The Deacon Escarpment is both a place to stay and a place to explore. Located in Golden Lake along Highway 60, it boasts 30kms of trails that are used for both hiking and snowshoe adventures. Deacon Escarpment also has several cabins with the most spectacular views of the Bonnechere River and Golden Lake. I love how Deacon Escarpment is all about being one with and respecting nature. They also have several packages and offer camping gear for rent, so there is no need to go wild at Atmosphere or Mountain Equipment Co-op buying things that you do not necessarily require.

The extensive trail system in the Ottawa Valley – I personally love this area of the Ottawa Valley as there are so many trails to explore, even outside Deacon Escarpment. For example, there are a plethora of multi-use trails in the area. I went on a hike from Roesler Road to Round Lake Road (30km, if you’re curious about distance). It was during that hike that I began to understand the sheer vastness of the trail system.