--- title: "This Winter, Romance In Brockville, SDG Counties, And The 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways" date: 2022-01-20T03:00:00-05:00 author: "South Eastern Ontario / Sud-Est de l'Ontario" canonical_url: "https://www.southeasternontario.ca/itineraries/this-winter-romance-in-brockville-sdg-counties-and-the-1000-islands-rideau-canal-waterways/" section: Itineraries --- ![](https://www.southeasternontario.ca/images/transforms/_maxWidth2400px/FINAL-ITINERARY-IMAGES-1080-x-685-px-1440-x-685-px-1-1.png) # This Winter, Romance In Brockville, SDG Counties, And The 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways South Eastern Ontario / Sud-Est de l'Ontario ### The snow is falling and adventure is calling! The urge to stay indoors is strong when the temperature drops. But now is the time to get out and explore local communities in South Eastern Ontario! The [**Brockville**](https://southeasternontario.ca/destinations/brockville/), [**SDG Counties, and** ](https://southeasternontario.ca/destinations/sdg-counties/)[**Rideau Waterways region**](https://southeasternontario.ca/destinations/rideau-canal/)**,** are a winter lover’s paradise, with trails, skating rinks, tobogganing hills, ice fishing, and so much more. Get inspired with the itinerary ideas below and plan your own romantic getaway this Winter. Trip duration 3 days Stops 10 stops - Brockville - SDG Counties - North Grenville Skip section ## Day 1: Brockville Make your way over to Brockville’s very own [**Aquatarium**](https://aquatarium.ca/)**,** the one and only massive aquarium and discovery centre in South Eastern Ontario! With interactive exhibits and activities (for not just children but adults too) including displays of ships used on the St. Lawrence River, viewing local fish, and meeting some friendly otters. We guarantee you both will learn something new as [**Brockville Museum**](https://www.brockvillemuseum.com/welcome) offers a glimpse into the social and industrial history of Ontario’s first incorporated town. Through a variety of thematic and interpretive displays the Brockville Museum shares the stories of the people who have shaped this riverfront community for over 200 years. Currently offering some great online programming including downloadable activities, virtual field trips and presentations. To finish the day, saunter arm-in-arm through [**The Brock Trail**](http://brockvilletourism.com/explore-the-brock-trail/)**,** or bring your camera to the [**Mac Johnson Wildlife Area**](https://cataraquiconservation.ca/pages/mac-johnson)**.** ## Day 2: SDG Counties Day 2 is all about adventure and there’s plenty to choose from. Start your with breakfast at an iconic greasy spoon restaurant in Brockville and make your way to SDG Counties. Take the drive up to [**Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary**](https://www.stlawrenceparks.com/to-do/get-outdoors/upper-canada-migratory-bird-sanctuary/) where winter enthusiasts flock to walk, ski, snowshoe, feed the birds and experience nature. The sanctuary covers hundreds of hectares and habitats, with more than eight kilometres of self-guided nature trails weaving through it all. The seasoned birder and amateur naturalist, alike, will enjoy this unique winter experience! Just down the road, [**Hoople Creek**](https://whereontariobegan.ca/project/hoople-creek-basin/) is one of the most popular ice fishing spots in the area — and one of the area’s best-kept secrets! Hoople Creek is one of the largest natural Pickerel fish hatcheries and fishing areas in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec and most times you’ll come up with something. Drop a line and get cozy. Take it up a notch by visiting [**Countryside Adventures**](https://www.countrysideadventures.ca/) and experience the magic of Winter where you can skate through the forest hand-in-hand. Or catch some big air at [ **Big Ben Ski Centre.**](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063914535127) The hill is open from December to March. Big Ben provides a wire cable lift with a tow handle, snowmaking and grooming, a terrain park, night skiing on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, a heated chalet, a change trailer, washrooms, and a snack bar. Afterward, escape to your preferred accommodation and order in some take-out for the night. ## Day 3: North Grenville Before heading home, stop [**Kemptville**](https://southeasternontario.ca/destinations/rideau-canal/) and embrace the spirit of outdoor skating. You’ll find there three outdoor rinks here accessible to the public during the winter as weather allows: at Curry Park, at[ **Bishop’s Mills Park**](https://www.facebook.com/groups/734022597521149), and at eQuinelle subdivision. Watch in February for another special outdoor rink on the South Branch River (Kemptville Creek). Of course, no visit to Kemptville is complete without a visit to [**Grahame’s Bakery**](https://www.grahamesbakery.com/) In operation since 1885, the heritage wood-burning oven is now on its third generation of Grahame family bakers. Step in from the cold into the toasty warm bakery for some decadent treats. Grahame’s still uses the original recipes to make breads, butter tarts, apple fritters and cookies. They make everything the old way, because at Grahame’s Bakery the old ways have never changed. Please note – cash only. Have fun adventuring outdoors across [**South Eastern Ontario**](https://southeasternontario.ca/) as the snow flies! You may end up with a major crush on winter. #### **Discover delicious options for dinner and cozy accommodations in South Eastern Ontario to make the most of your getaway!** Where to stay in [**Brockville,**](https://brockvilletourism.com/stay/) [**SDG Counties,**](https://whereontariobegan.ca/stay/) [**and Cornwall,**](https://cornwalltourism.com/stay/) Where to eat in [**Brockville,**](https://brockvilletourism.com/eat-drink/) [**SDG Counties,** ](https://whereontariobegan.ca/eat-drink/)[**Cornwall,**](https://cornwalltourism.com/eat/) [**and North Grenville**](https://www.explorenorthgrenville.ca/culture-community/culinary-experience) ## Other itineraries for you [ ![](https://www.southeasternontario.ca/images/transforms/_maxWidth960px/lilys-cafe-solo-trip.png) solo A Solo-Friendly Digital Nomad Escape Through PEC & BOQ ](https://www.southeasternontario.ca/itineraries/a-solo-friendly-digital-nomad-escape-through-pec-boq/) [ ![](https://www.southeasternontario.ca/images/transforms/_maxWidth960px/22-SDG-UC-BIRD-SANCT-WINTER-55.jpg) romantic A Winter Escape: Cozy Trails and Quiet Moments in Brockville & SDG Counties ](https://www.southeasternontario.ca/itineraries/a-winter-escape-cozy-trails-and-quiet-moments-in-brockville-sdg-counties/) [ ![](https://www.southeasternontario.ca/images/transforms/_maxWidth960px/a.m.creativ-Instagram-Kingston.jpg) business A rail-y great trip to Kingston for business meets pleasure ](https://www.southeasternontario.ca/itineraries/a-rail-y-great-trip-to-kingston-for-business-meets-pleasure/) [ View all itineraries ](https://www.southeasternontario.ca/plan-your-trip/itineraries/) ## Looking for someone else to make the travel plans? Planning a meaningful romantic retreat in South Eastern Ontario is a breeze thanks to the Canadian travel company, Landsby. View their list of different experiences throughout South Eastern Ontario to fit your budget and travel style. [ Learn more ](https://landsby.ca/rail-and-roam/?utm_source=landsbyhomepage&utm_medium=homepage&utm_campaign=railandroam&utm_id=railandroan)