Merrickville is known to most as a summer spot, with lots of parks, restaurants and antique shops to browse. However in the depths of winter Merrickville has a quiet hum to it that maybe someone from the outside would not notice right away. Behind the sleepy streets and curtained windows, warmth and life bubbles away. Many of the restaurants are still open and offer a selection of warm winter fare such as hearty soups and stews, braised meats with winter root veggies. After a long day of skiing or snowshoeing nothing feels nicer than peeling off your mitts and toques, kicking of the snow boots and sitting in front of a roaring fire with, a hot chocolate, a glass of spicy red wine or a malt beer from a local brewery. Gad’s Hill, Harry McLean’s, Elements and the Goose and Gridiron pub are a few of the exceptional restaurants that welcome patrons year round. Another one of my favorite places to spend indoors is Mrs. McGarrigles mustard shop, not only does she have a wonderful selection of products that cuisine connoisseurs would die for, but She also offers cooking classes with Chef Thomas and as well on Friday nights why not pick up some take out? The menu changes on a weekly basis and all the food is local and sustainable so you are also supporting our farmers, that way you can curl up on the sofa with a movie and a good bottle of wine and have dinner warming in the oven, and no mess to clean up. I could not think of a better start to the weekend.
I always encourage my friends and family who live in various parts of Ottawa, Brockville and surrounding areas to bundle kids, dogs, sleds, skates, skis and snow shoes into the car, and to spend the day in Merrickville enjoying the trails and toboggan parks as well as the locally made ice rinks on the canal, and then making a reservation at a local restaurant to stagger into all rosy cheeked and happy, to enjoy a well prepared dinner and warm up a little before heading home for the evening.

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The village of Merrickville is a quaint village located 45 minutes from Ottawa Ontario, surrounded by old world charm as well as backing on to the Rideau Canal, which is designated as a world heritage site. During the summer months Merrickville is full of lively cafes and restaurant patios, as well as unique shops for all needs. The local ice cream shop makes the their ice cream and treats daily, and if you have ever tasting Mrs McGarrigles mustard, which has quite a following you will know it is made right in the heart of the village.

Merrickville is the perfect small town to host a wedding, in any season however the warmer summer and autumn months are the best. With a variety of local bed and breakfasts located directly in  town and a few on the out skirts accommodation is plentiful.  Merrickville has several churches to choose from as well as many beautiful parks and private inns that could easily host a civil wedding. Some of my favorite places for a wedding to be held include both the United and Anglican church, and the little stone church in Actons corners 10 km from town, many of the churches were built early on by settlers when Colonel By was making his way to Ottawa and building the Rideau Canal.

In the next few entries I would like to take time to explore why Merrickville is the best place for a destination wedding, and also take the time to highlight some of the best kept secrets in this romantic little town.