Things to do in Carleton Place
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Top 10 attractions in Carleton Place
Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River atParliament Hill, a Gothic Revival architectural complex consisting of the Centre Block, East Block, West Block, and the Library of Parliament. Construction began in 1859 and was largely completed by 1876. A fire in 1916 destroyed the Centre Block, and the rebuilt Peace Tower was completed in 1927 to commemorate Canadians who sacrificed their lives in World War I. The towering clock tower is now a prominent landmark on the Ottawa skyline. The daily Changing of the Guard ceremony and light shows in the summer add a sense of historical depth and modern vitality to this famous Canadian landmark. The Centennial Flame, the open plaza, the towering Peace Tower, the lifelike sculptures, and the Parliament buildings, which are open to the public, attract visitors from all over the world year-round.Ottawa · 47km from Carleton Place
Saunders Farm
Ottawa · 15.6km from Carleton Place
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is located opposite Place d'Armes in Old Montreal. This Gothic Revival church was started in 1824 and completed in 1829, designed by Irish-American architect James O'Donnell. The exterior of the basilica is solemn and majestic, featuring three towering arches on the facade, with statues of Saint Joseph, the Virgin Mary, and John the Baptist standing above the doors. Two towers, each approx. 60m high, stand on either side. The west tower houses a large bronze bell named "Jean-Baptiste," which was cast in 1848. Stepping inside the church, the first thing that catches the eye is the deep blue vaulted ceiling, inlaid with thousands of golden stars. The altar area is decorated with an intricate blend of blue, purple, red, and gold, making it magnificent and solemn. Hundreds of exquisite wood carvings and religious statues are found throughout. Uniquely, the stained glass windows here do not depict biblical stories but instead showcase the local religious history of Montreal. The church also houses a Casavant pipe organ installed in 1891, containing 7,000 pipes. The interior decoration was led by architect Victor Bourgeau and was inspired by Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. In addition, the basilica features a long-running immersive light experience called "AURA," which uses the entire interior of the church as a canvas, blending the beauty and atmosphere of the architecture through sound, light, and imagery.Canada · Montreal
Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal is an artificial canal that runs through downtown Ottawa. Construction began in the 1820s to create a military supply route away from the border, and it was completed in approx. six years. It runs from Ottawa to Kingston, spanning a total length of approx. 200 km. Dozens of stone locks along the route are still in operation today, and the entire canal is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to the strategic value provided by this waterway, Ottawa was later chosen as the capital of Canada, and the canal is often regarded as one of the contributors to the capital's success. In summer, you can paddle a canoe along the canal to enjoy the beautiful city scenery. In winter, the ice surface turns into a natural skating rink, where you can skate to get around.Ottawa · 45.7km from Carleton Place
ByWard Market
ByWard Market dates back to the 1820s, when British military officer John By decided to build a market on George Street in the Lower Town, marking its beginning. This area is a well-established commercial hub along the Ottawa River, making it perfect for a stroll or leisurely shopping. Today, it has evolved beyond a simple farmers' market into a bustling, mixed-use area. During the day, it is a shopping district selling fresh produce, flowers, and handicrafts. At night, it transforms into a dining and entertainment area, with bars and restaurants brightly lit. It blends historical heritage with modern urban vitality, serving as a window into the pulse of Ottawa.Ottawa · 47.9km from Carleton Place
Old Montreal
Old Montreal is one of the best-preserved historic districts in North America. Founded in 1642 by French settlers along the banks of the St. Lawrence River, it was designated a historic district by Quebec Province in 1964. Cobblestone streets wind through stone buildings dating from the 17th to 19th centuries, where French colonial and Victorian-era architecture stand side by side, making you feel as if you have wandered into an old European city. Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, Place d'Armes, Place Jacques-Cartier, and Saint-Paul Street West form the core sightseeing axis of the old city, where churches, squares, and ancient streets appear in turn. The Old Port area along the river has been transformed into a waterfront leisure zone, where walking paths, cruise boats, and riverside views blend the historic district with modern vitality. This is also a representative district for experiencing the blend of Montreal's English and French cultures, where the architectural fabric left by the French colonial era coexists with remnants of British municipal-style architecture, creating a neighborhood with a rare combination of historical depth and vibrant local life in a North American city.Canada · Montreal
Mill of Kintail Conservation Area
Mississippi Mills · 14.4km from Carleton Place
KIDS WORLD
Carleton Place · 772m from downtown
Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall has been the workplace and residence of successive Governors General since Canada's founding in 1867. The residence still frequently hosts state ceremonial events, such as investiture ceremonies and cabinet swearing-in ceremonies, serving as a window into Canadian ceremonial traditions. The main building is a three-story gray structure with a simple and dignified style. The grounds, covering dozens of acres, are a highlight for visitors and offer something to see in every season. The grounds continue a century-old tradition of commemorative tree planting, where visiting royals and heads of state have personally planted saplings. These have now grown into a forest, and strolling through it feels like reading an open-air history of diplomacy. Former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson was the first Chinese-Canadian to reside here.Ottawa · 49.4km from Carleton Place
Thousand Islands
Thousand Islandslie at the outlet where Lake Ontario flows into the St Lawrence River, stretching dozens of km downstream from the Kingston area, with over 1,800 islands of various sizes scattered across the river, belonging to both Canada and the United States. The islands vary greatly in size: the smallest are just a few rocks that remain above water year-round, and some are even small enough to hold only a single house, while the larger ones feature villages and farmland; there is also an interesting local standard for what constitutes an island—a piece of land that remains above water year-round and can support 2 trees counts as an "island." These islands are scattered across the St Lawrence River like stars, resembling a fairytale wonderland.Leeds and Grenville United Counties · 87.5km from Carleton Place
Experiences you can't miss in Carleton Place
Featured Day tours in Carleton Place
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Featured City sightseeing in Carleton Place
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Free things to do in Carleton Place
Parliament Hill
Ottawa · 47km from Carleton PlaceSaunders Farm
Ottawa · 15.6km from Carleton PlaceNotre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
Canada · MontrealRideau Canal
Ottawa · 45.7km from Carleton PlaceByWard Market
Ottawa · 47.9km from Carleton PlaceOld Montreal
Canada · MontrealMill of Kintail Conservation Area
Mississippi Mills · 14.4km from Carleton PlaceKIDS WORLD
Carleton Place · 772m from downtownRideau Hall
Ottawa · 49.4km from Carleton PlaceThousand Islands
Leeds and Grenville United Counties · 87.5km from Carleton Place
What travellers say about Carleton Place
YoYo_1I8Q7O5O1 October 2026
5.0
Visiting the Canadian Parliament was a great experience. The building's exterior is exquisite with delicate stone carvings, and the interior chambers feature spectacular dome paintings. The guided tours provided clear explanations of federal history, and the free reservation system made it easy to book admission.
Parliament Hill
ABcbe63970010 October 2025
5.0
Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica is a pinnacle of North American Gothic architecture. Completed in 1829, this religious landmark, with its twin towers, flying buttresses, and pointed arched portico, evokes the majestic silhouette of a medieval castle. Its deep blue dome is adorned with golden stars, its carved walnut altar is covered in 24-karat gold leaf, and its 7,000-pipe organ and stained glass windows weave sacred music. Witnessing both Celine Dion's wedding and the state funeral of a former Canadian prime minister, its AURA light show, a 45-minute spectacle, juxtaposes 19th-century stonework with digital art, creating a magical space-time experience. From its stained windows in the morning light to its nighttime spectacle of sound and light, this "Little Notre-Dame" remains a timeless landmark where faith and art intertwine.
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
_TI***dv12 October 2026
5.0
A must see and do if you are in Ottawa. It is very relaxing and peaceful stroll. We are here in the fall and with the colourful leaves, it felt fresh and beautiful scenery.
Rideau Canal
M25***4012 December 2020
4.0
Byward Market is very interesting. Friends who like to visit the market and see local life should not miss it. There are many things on sale here, fresh and inexpensive. It is very interesting and you can buy a lot of delicious and fun things.
ByWard Market
Geoffreyu13 December 2025
4.0
It is a great place to go. A lot of shops and museum, the vibe is great and a lot of people to walking along the coast.
Old Montreal
BetTerDAY28 July 2020
4.0
I went to the Governor General's Palace of Canada twice. The first time was just to check in, and the second time was because I saw in a travel note that there were trees planted here by two Chinese leaders, so I went there specifically to look for them one by one, but still couldn't find them.
Rideau Hall
老少皆宜（）14 September 2022
5.0
Canada's Thousand Islands, also known as the Thousand Islands, is a beautiful landscape in North America. Various small islands stand in the blue water of the Thousand Islands. It is a great feeling to take a cruise in the lake.
Thousand Islands
