9 Best Things To Do In Cornwall, Canada

1. Long Sault Parkway

The famous Long Sault Parkway is actually a group of 11 islands situated west of the splendid city of Cornwall, Ontario. There’s no denying that this spot is a major tourist attraction within this area. All of the islands owe their unique shapes to a destructive flood back in 1958. All in all, this marvelous park houses lovely beaches as it also boasts fishing, boating and onsite camping options for all nature lovers. There are three large campgrounds within this territory, such as the well-known Mille Roches, Woodlands, and McLaren, with Mille Roches and Woodlands.

Enjoy your day: Long Sault Parkway is indeed a great choice for picnicking as well. So why not try it all out?

Long Sault Park

Address: 13740 County Road 2, K0C 1X0 Morrisburg, ON

Website: Long Sault Park

2. Ontario Power Generation: Winter Festival Of The Lights

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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As famous and cherished as it is, Ontario’s Winter Festival of Lights dated back to 1983 which was the year when this colorful dream came true. Frankly, this is the biggest illumination festival in Cornwall, Canada as it’s deeply appreciated by both newcomers and locals. As such, it’s no wonder that the powerful festival of lights gets so heavily crowded every year.

Indeed, millions of people come here to admire this unique beauty. In truth, the eminent attraction is a well-known tourist spot that offers exceptional elegance and charm. Now imagine the waterfalls being wonderfully combined with a palette of different colors, three-dimensional angels, and a light and laser show. Wouldn’t that be mind-blowing?

Feel the magic: All in all, such an extraordinary moment cannot be described with words– it must be experienced!

Ontario Power Generation

Address: 6815 Stanley Ave, L2G 3Y9 Niagara Falls, ON

Website: Ontario Power Generation

3. Lost Villages Museum

Meet the noteworthy museum named “The Lost Villages” which is one of the city’s best attractions for sure. Not only is this location pretty unique but it’s also made up of a total of 10 heritage buildings, moved and properly restored by the Lost Villages Historical Society. These buildings are actually from the lost villages of Milles Roches, Dickinson’s Landing, Moulinette, Farran’s Point, Aultsville and Wales, Hamlets of Santa Cruz, Woodlands and Maple’s Grove. Yes, we know! It’s simply unbelievable, isn’t it? With that being said, it’s kind of normal for locals to get struck by nostalgic memories of this place every now and then. After all, the sites where these buildings once stood upon lie at the bottom of Lake St. Lawrence.

Don’t miss it: Explore the unique history of the museum and its lost villages. We promise that you won’t regret it!

Lost Villages Museum

Address: 16361 Fran Laflamme Dr, K0C 1P0 Long Sault, ON

Website: Lost Villages Museum

4. St. Raphael's Ruins

St. Raphael’s House of God was actually one of the earliest Roman Catholic churches within the region of Cornwall and throughout the whole country. Unfortunately, it got completely demolished following a terrifying fire back in 1970. The entire interior was so heavily destroyed that the church was basically beyond repair. Luckily, the outer walls survived somehow no matter how deadly the fire was. Today St. Raphael’s Ruins are a famous attraction amid tourists. Indeed, the church’s eerie setting is ideal for non-professional photographers as well. Also, the stonework is simply magnificent as the beauty of the scale is beyond words.

Explore the setting: This historic landmark was declared a National Historic Site back in 1999. There’s no admission fee, but donations are warmly accepted.

St. Raphael's Ruins

Address: 19998 County Rd 18, K0C 2J0 Williamstown, ON

Website: St. Raphael’s Ruins

5. Gray's Creek Conservation Area

While being around, you should definitely stop by at the wonderful Gray’s Creek Conservation Area that will totally surprise you with the magnificent beauty of this natural habitat. Besides, it’s only minutes away from the charming city of Cornwall. The noteworthy Gray’s Creek Conservation Area’s features a pretty large area that includes a cozy network of trails, allowing visitors to enjoy the lovely nature year-round. Indeed, the marvelous conservation area is home to a great variety of songbirds, amphibians, and other exotic species as well. Additionally, tourists are invited on cycling and hiking tours throughout the entire area. Surely, you can always take a walk on your own as well.

Visit it: What’s more, there’s a picturesque family-friendly park packed with BBQ areas and playgrounds for the kids.

Gray's Creek Conservation Area

Address: 18045 Cornwall 2, ON, Canada

Website: Gray’s Creek Conservation Area

6. Historic SDG Jail

This exceptional attraction offers a tour which will totally help you imagine what is like to be a prisoner. Surely, your first experience will be in a five-by-five cell. As you’re being walked through the hallways, you will most certainly start feeling a little bit worried and desperate. But indeed, there’s nothing to worry about at all.

After all, none of it is real. It’s just a mind-blowing experience that will certainly remain locked on your mind. Also, the concrete walls and poor fluorescent illumination at the Historic SDG Jail only intensify this feeling. After all, you don’t happen to experience such a thrill every single day, right? So why not try it all out, right?

Try it out: Note that the site is open on weekends as all fees and funds are used for the operation of the facility.

Historic SDG Jail

Address: 11 Water Street West, K6J 1A1 Cornwall, ON

Website: Historic SDG Jail

7. Cornwall Community Museum

Lastly, let us present you with another splendid location that’ll absolutely make you dream of this gorgeous place tonight. Meet the beautiful stone building which houses the Cornwall Community Museum. Originally built by the prominent Wood family, the cherished museum contains a whole lot of information about Wood’s members alongside other pioneers as well. You can enjoy a genealogical research through the archives and find more curious details about Wood’s ancestors. In truth, the Cooper Marsch Conservation area still keeps the memory of its city’s directories, newspaper articles and historic photographs being wonderfully stored and protected at Cooper Marsch.

Don’t be shy, come inside: Note that the eminent museum doesn’t contain actual family trees, but it’s all worth the walk nevertheless.

Cornwall Community Museum

Address: 160 Water St, K6H Cornwall, ON, Canda

Website: Cornwall Community Museum

8. The Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Believe it or not, this is actually the only place in North America where campgrounds are situated right in the heart of a bird sanctuary. There are indeed about 69 campsites and 5 group campgrounds that the sanctuary currently provides. Surely, it allows visitors to enjoy some camping experience while unmasking the great mystery surrounding this lovely place. What’s more, the beaches alongside the self-guided hiking trails are also a great chance to explore the Migratory Bird Sanctuary at length. Besides, swimmers and fishers will be totally stunned when they find out that The Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary actually features amazing fishing opportunities at Morrison Island.

Take a leisurely walk around here: Visitors are invited to entertaining and educative interpretive programs which will help them get to know more about the Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

The Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Address: 5591 Morrisons Road, K0C 1M0 Ingleside, Ontario, Canada

Website: The Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary

9. The Cooper Marsh Conservation Area and Visitor’s Centre

Situated on the shore of St. Lawrence River, the Cooper Marsh Conservation Area is part of one of the most essential and culturally significant wetlands in Ontario – the Charlottenburgh Marsh. Here you can discover swamps and isolated ponds while taking your time to observe more than 100 bird species at the special observation decks. Also, visitors shouldn’t miss out on a leisurely visit to the gift shop that’s literally within their grip. Green Heron, American Bittern, Wood Duck and Pied-Billed Grebe are only a small but quite significant part of the wetland birds that breed here as well.

Don’t miss it: Hopefully, you’ll have enough time to come by the great Cooper Marsh Area and Visitor’s Center to enjoy unique views at the observation decks. Make the most of it!

The Cooper Marsh Conservation Area and Visitor’s Centre

Address: County Road 2, Summerstown, K0C 2E0 ON, Canada

Website: The Cooper Marsh Conservation Area and Visitor’s Centre

What to expect from Cornwall, Canada

What’s really curious about this marvelous city is that it’s actually named after the English Duchy of Cornwall. Indeed, the prominent City’s Coat of Arms is absolutely based off the dukedom with its colors reversed. You see, Cornwall is quite a unique place to explore from A to Z.