For your convenience, places that are functionally accessible in addition to fully accessible locations have been listed so that you can plan ahead. 

Elgin

The Tipped Ship

A delightful emporium! Located in a heritage building in Elgin’s core, The Tipped Ship has a ramped entrance off the main sidewalk. The owner wil cheerfully open the double doors as needed. Although this heritage building is not outfitted with automatic doors, several visitors have commented that both the shop and washroom are functionally accessible for people in wheelchairs or with mobility issues. The shop home to curios, essentials, locally-sourced delectables and gems from farther away. Browse away an afternoon here!

Stoodley’s Patio

This signature restaurant in Elgin has a paved patio and ample space to accommodate for lunch or dinner. Entry from the sidewalk is narrow and decoratively roped off from the street, so the staff will gladly welcome you through the pathway with some advance notice. The patio is open in the warmer months and patrons are able to sit there while enjoying take out from the restaurant, or have a full service meal. The patio is licensed for those who wish to enjoy a beverage from the bar. 

Elgin Lions Hall and Elgin Community Hall

Two community spaces in Elgin are both accessible, complete with accessible bathrooms. Typically, these spaces are used for special events. Private functions like weddings, birthday parties, retirement events and fundraisers happen here, but keep an eye out for public events like paint nights, dances, book sales, jewelry workshops, and seniors’ activities or community events like Elgin Days when these spaces are hubs of activity.

Rideau Lakes Public Library

Red Brick School

Elgin’s Red Brick School is a one-room brick structure in Halladay Street dating back to the 1880s that is easily identified by its construction of red brick with yellow brick corner detailing. The Elgin and Area Heritage Society is active within the school, welcoming students, community groups and the public to learn about life as a student and teacher in years gone by in the heritage classroom on certain occasions. The ramp at the side of thsi heritage bulding provides access into the a shourt hallway that passes the kitchen and into the main exhibit space. The society activley researches and provides many thought-provoking and educational displays on local history, including storyboards around the village and exhibits within the Red Brick School setting to further showcase the rich history of the Elgin community.

If needing any provisions along the way, Gordanier Freshmart and Elgin Drugs are both barrier free, as well! Gordanier’s has an old fashioned deli counter and on site butcher to get the freshest cuts for your all-season barbeques.

Portland

Emmanuel Heritage Centre

This historic church is now a hot spot for community and heritage combined! Home of the Portland on the Rideau Historical Society, discover events here such as karaoke, pub nights, artisan shows, history displays and more. The main portion of the centre is accessible by way of a concrete ramp from the gravel parking lot to the main doors of the former church, leading to the primary exhibit area. The addition on the back of the building that houses the washrooms, kitchen and overflow meeting space is not accessible. To get to this area, people walk onto the stage and through a short hallway. 

Hanna Park

With stunning views overlooking Big Rideau Lake, Hanna Park is the perfect place for a picnic, photos or just sitting quietly and watching the sunset. With a covered gazebo and wide hard surface path to the water’s edge, the park is great spot to enjoy the beauty of Rideau Lakes.  The park is home to a pollinator garden and a rain garden demonstrating low impact drainage solutions by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority.

Recess Café

School is in session! The Recess Café masterfully pairs good hearty food with trendy vibes to make every bite there a delicious combination. With an ever-changing menu with health at its core, every meal is an amped up flavour adventure. Like, just listen to some recent specials there: shredded pork shoulder with chimichurri, pineapple salsa and feta cheese on pita; grilled ham and cheese with apple and honey mustard mayo on sourdough, and Italian-Genoa salami, soppressata and capicola with jalapeño havarti cheese, roasted red peppers, red onion and greens with basil mayo on house focaccia. Wow – just wow. Top that with pies, squares, scones, cheesecakes and all sorts of brilliant hot bevvies… and we just made lunch plans. This former school space is equipped with a paved parking lot, hard surface sidewalks to the entry door and fully accessible washrooms. 

Portland Pharmasave

In the same building as the Recess Cafe, this pharmacy is a one-stop shop just outside the village of Portland along Highway 15. Stop here for any pharmaceutical needs, as well as gifts and cards.

Forfar

Sunflower Bake Shop at the Forfar Dairy

This bakery at the Forfar Dairy exceeds expectations with freshed-baked breads, specialty sourdough and treats daily, as well as meals and scooped ice cream! Stop by to indulge in savoury or sweet treats, as well as cheese and gourmet goods to make a perfect charcuterie.

Crosby

Crosby Cookhouse

A great place to cure your cravings – chip truck type of food and set-up with ample parking area and packed gravel surface. Poutine with curds, wraps, burgers, sandwiches, and everything in between - even funnel cakes! The Crosby Cookhouse is seasonal, so be sure to check on the open status before heading over.

North Crosby

North Crosby Community Centre

This community hall on the 8th Concession in North Crosby near Westport offers an accessible space to gather and connect with community. Coffee drop in are hosted here every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon – and numerous other events throughout the year make this their home base.

Wolfe Springs Resort

These gorgeous villas overlooking Wolfe Lake are a delight in all seasons. Wolfe Springs Resort features a villa that is all one-level, perfect for people with limited mobility. Wolfe Lake is land-locked and spring-fed, and the villas at Wolfe Springs offer pure relaxation in well-appointed luxury. 

Foley Mountain Mobility Trail

The Mobility Trail at Foley Mountain is a short, easy and stroller, walker and wheelchair friendly. Located off of the Interpretive Centre parking lot, this trail is 500 metres long and close to washrooms. The impressive Spy Rock lookout at Foley Mountain is also accessible via a path and easy access ramp. The view high above Westport and Upper Rideau Lake is second to none! 

Morton

No. 9 Gardens workshops

Explore the importance of connecting with nature! From June to October, No. 9 Gardens on Summers Road offers visitors the chance to dive deeper into sustainability and the natural world on the 40-acre property. Workshops are led by passionate and experienced educators on topics ranging from garden-to-table cooking to clay-making to ecological garden design! The Sustainability Centre, workshop area and parking lot is barrier free so all can take part.

Morton Community Hall

This busy and active community hall is the place to be for everything from seniors activities to makers markets to concerts! This hall is fully accessible with ramped entry and recently updated washrooms. Watch the township event page or Morton Hall’s own Facebook page for upcoming events. 

Delta

MillStream Park

Delta’s newest park, located on King St., includes a green space, waterfront amphitheatre and accessible docking facilities. It serves as a gathering place for the community and provides boat access to the village core from the waterway and its businesses as well as a paddling launch point. The park is located adjacent to Delta’s Old Stone Mill National Historic Site and across the street from the historic Jubilee Block. It includes an accessible and well-lit ramp down to the shoreline and docks. 

Chaffeys Lock

The Opinicon

The fabled Opinicon is a living piece of history on the Rideau Canal. Although it was one a rustic fishing lodge, the Opinicon been loveingly restored to offer a cherished destination for foodies and garden enthusiasts. The main restaurant, pub and ice cream shop are seasonal, and have access for people that use wheelchairs and for folks with limited mobility, right from the paved parking area. Relax with friends and connect with family while savouring locally-inspired dishes, craft brews and spirits with gorgeous waterviews or try a delicious treat made in-house in the ice cream shop and scoot down to the waterfront park to watch the boats travel through the lock!

Chaffey’s Lock Community Hall

This bustling hall sees lots of activity with music, events, potlucks, group meetings and more! The ramped entrance, one level interior and newly-renovated accessible washrooms make it a great place to plan to attend. The concerts here are well attended and the cozy ambiance of an evening show, with the twinkle lights strung above the hall, is blissfully memorable. The hall is operated by volunteers through the Chaffey’s Lock and Area Heritage Society.

Did you know that by 2025, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act outlines all organizations serving the public will be required to comply with laws created to ensure access to their premises? The Township of Rideau Lakes has established an accessibility advisory committee (AAC) to assist the township in promoting and facilitating universal accessibility in Rideau Lakes for citizens of all abilities. The committee is made up of residents of Rideau Lakes along with a council member. More information can be located on the township website at www.rideaulakes.ca.

With centuries of hospitality radiating from its businesses and local landmarks, Rideau Lakes has everything needed for an unforgettable and welcoming accessible-friendly day trip.