Brockville
Around Brockville
Photo: Wladyslaw · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Ontario · 31k people
Brockville
“City of the 1000 Islands”
Small-town charm on the St. Lawrence.
Deep River BlueSunset Gold
Welcome to Brockville, where the St. Lawrence meets a friendly, historic downtown. Whether you're here for the tunnel, the water, or the hockey, you'll find a community that loves its river and its traditions.
Clubs for Brockville
No clubs for Brockville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Brockville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Brockville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Brockville Railway Tunnel Canada's oldest railway tunnel, now a lit pedestrian walkway.
- Fulford Place Edwardian mansion museum with original furnishings and gardens.
- Brockville Museum Local history in a 19th-century building on the waterfront.
- Brockville City Hall Historic civic building with a distinctive clock tower.
- Brockville Memorial Centre Arena and community events venue, home of the Braves.
- Brockville Arts Centre Performing arts theatre in a converted 1880s town hall.
- Outdoors Walk through the Brockville Railway Tunnel
- Outdoors Boat or kayak on the St. Lawrence River
- With kids Visit the Aquatarium
- With kids Take a Thousand Islands boat cruise
- Evenings Concerts at the Brockville Memorial Centre
- Evenings Live music at downtown pubs
- Locals love Waterfront parks
- Locals love Ice fishing spots
Through the year
- Brockville Ribfest June BBQ competition and food trucks along the waterfront.
- Brockville Waterfront Festival July Live music, vendors, and family activities on the river.
- Thousand Islands Dragon Boat Race August Paddlers race in the harbour, with a festival atmosphere.
- Brockville Farmers Market May–October Local produce, crafts, and food stalls every weekend.
- Brockville Braves home games October–March Junior hockey at the Memorial Centre all winter.
Brockville has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Best time to be out is late spring to early fall. Best: Late spring to early fall
Talk like a local
- “the Tunnel”
- The Brockville Railway Tunnel
- “the River”
- The St. Lawrence River
- “the Islands”
- The Thousand Islands
- “the Brock”
- Nickname for Brockville
Getaways
- Massena, NY (20 km) Cross-border shopping and the St. Lawrence Seaway.
- Watertown, NY (71 km) Fort Drum, the Salmon Run Mall, and the Black River.
- Kingston, ON (75 km) Historic downtown, Fort Henry, and the waterfront.
- Cornwall, ON (84 km) Seaway International Bridge and the Cornwall Waterfront.
Local flavour
Teams
- Brockville Braves CCHL
Also rooting for Ottawa Senators (NHL), Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
Eat and drink
- Thousand Islands salad dressing Originated in the region
- Freshwater fish (pickerel, perch) Local catch from the St. Lawrence
- Poutine Canadian staple, common locally
Where people go
- Riverfront parks and boardwalk Along the St. Lawrence, ideal for walks and views
- Historic downtown with 19th-century architecture
- Brockville Railway Tunnel A historic railway tunnel, now a tourist attraction
- Thousand Islands boat cruises Gateway to the islands, popular for tours
- Ice fishing on the river in winter A seasonal local activity
Heritage and traditions
Brockville is proud of its rich Loyalist heritage, its historic downtown, and its role as the gateway to the Thousand Islands, including Canada's oldest railway tunnel.
This time of year in Brockville
- Fall colours and harvest fall Scenic drives and pumpkin patches in the countryside.
Say it like a local: “Washroom” — Restroom or bathroom.
Festivals
- Brockville Ribfest summer Summer barbecue competition with live music.
- Brockville Waterfront Festival summer Community celebration with vendors, entertainment, and family activities.
- Thousand Islands Dragon Boat Race summer Team paddling race on the St. Lawrence River.
- Brockville Farmers Market weekly, year-round Weekly market with local produce, crafts, and baked goods.
- Brockville Santa Claus Parade winter Holiday parade through downtown.
- Smiths Falls Rideau Canal Festival summer Celebrates the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal with events.
Landmarks with a story
- Brockville Railway Tunnel Canada's oldest railway tunnel, now a pedestrian walkway.
- Fulford Place Edwardian mansion of George Taylor Fulford, now a museum.
- Brockville Court House Greek Revival courthouse built in 1842, still in use.
- Rideau Canal (Smiths Falls) UNESCO World Heritage Site with historic locks.
- Heritage House Museum (Smiths Falls) Victorian home museum with local history exhibits.
- Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario Railway heritage museum in Smiths Falls.
Food traditions
- Maple syrup season Spring visits to sugar bushes for fresh syrup and sugar-on-snow.
- Lenten fish fries Church suppers with fried fish, especially during Lent.
- Freshwater fish dinners Pickerel and perch from the St. Lawrence, served in local restaurants.
- Thousand Islands salad dressing Invented in the region, a creamy dressing with a local story.
- Poutine with local cheese curds Canadian classic, often with curds from nearby dairies.
Music and arts
- Brockville Symphony Orchestra Community orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Brockville Arts Centre Historic theatre hosting plays, concerts, and films.
- Community choirs and bands Local choral and instrumental groups perform throughout the year.
- Local art galleries Exhibitions at the Brockville Museum and independent galleries.
A little history
- 1780s United Empire Loyalists settled the area, founding Brockville.
- 1832 Construction of the Rideau Canal, linking the Ottawa River to Lake Ontario, passed through Smiths Falls.
- 1860 Brockville Railway Tunnel opened, the first railway tunnel in Canada.
- 1901 Fulford Place was built for George Taylor Fulford, a prominent businessman.
- 1962 Brockville was incorporated as a city.
Rivalries
- Brockville Braves vs Cornwall Colts Junior hockey rivalry in the CCHL.
- Brockville Braves vs Smiths Falls Bears Another heated CCHL matchup.
- Brockville vs Prescott Friendly local rivalry for bragging rights.
- Game day Brockville Braves junior hockey
- Game day Curling bonspiels
- Outdoors Walk the Brockville Railway Tunnel
- Outdoors Cycle the waterfront trail
- With kids Aquatarium
- With kids Thousand Islands boat cruise
Eastern Ontario accent with Canadian raising; locals say 'eh' and use 'pop' for soft drinks. French influence is minimal but present in place names.
Only here
- The Brockville Railway Tunnel is the oldest railway tunnel in Canada and you can walk through it.
- The Thousand Islands archipelago is a unique natural wonder with over 1,800 islands.
- Brockville is known as the 'City of the 1000 Islands'.
- The Brockville Tunnel is illuminated with a light show.
New here? A few tips
- Dress for cold winters; a warm coat, boots, and a toque are essential.
- Try the local fish – pickerel and perch – and a classic poutine.
- Learn to say 'eh' and use 'pop' for soft drinks – you'll fit right in.
- Explore the historic downtown and the railway tunnel on foot.
- Take a boat tour of the Thousand Islands to appreciate the region's beauty.
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Nearby
Every areaMassenaNew YorkSmall towns, big river, endless sky.Lanark CountyOntarioWhere the Rideau winds through maple groves.Leeds and GrenvilleOntarioRiver towns, open skies, and the quiet of the St. Lawrence.Stormont, Dundas and GlengarryOntarioWhere the St. Lawrence meets the HighlandsWatertownNew YorkWhere the North Country meets the waterKingstonOntarioA limestone city on the water.CornwallOntarioWhere the river shapes our days and the maple runs sweet.Ottawa–GatineauOntarioWhere the canal freezes and the shawarma flows
Brockville. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.