Arnprior

Arnprior, aka "the Prior", is the gateway to tourism in the Upper Ottawa Valley and the Western gateway to Ottawa and Canada's National Capital Region.
Arnprior takes its name from the village of Arnprior Stirlingshire, Scotland (UK) from where its founding fathers came. It is known for lumber, hydro power generation, aerospace, and farming.

History

In May 1613 European explorers, led by Samuel de Champlain, first visited the Ottawa River valley, home of the Algonquin tribe of First Nations (Aboriginal) people.
In 1823, a 1,200-acre (490 ha) surveyed block was ceded to Archibald McNab and given the eponymous name, McNab Township. McNab had approval from the Family Compact to treat the settlers on his land in the feudal manner practised in Scotland. In 1831 the town was named by the Buchanan Brothers after McNab's ancestral home of Arnprior, between Stirling and Drymen, Scotland.
Tired of the harsh treatment, the settlers revolted and, after a government investigation, McNab was forced to vacate the area in 1841. Arnprior, Braeside and McNab township grew as separate communities and boomed when they became integrated into eastern Ontario's massive timber industry.
One of the most successful businessmen of the upper Ottawa was Daniel McLachlin, who built a massive sawmill at the confluence of the Madawaska and Ottawa Rivers, and expanded the community of Arnprior. The lumber industry maintained a significant position until the closing of the Gillies Mill. The forests of the period are represented in the Grove which is an excellent example of indigenous forest, grown after a fire in the 18th century. With individual specimens reaching 175 feet (53 m), these are the tallest white pines in Ontario.

Arnprior is on Highway 417/17 (the Trans-Canada Highway), about 45 km northwest of Ottawa. If driving from Ottawa, take highway 417 westbound.

• Ontario NorthlandA bus leaves Ottawa for Sudbury daily at 1PM, stopping at Arnprior at 1:50PM.

• Greyhound Canada58 min, once daily from Ottawa.

• OC TranspoRoute 500 runs M-F from Ottawa's Rideau Centre at 3:55PM (arriving in Arnprior around 5PM), and leaving from Arnprior at 6AM arriving in Ottawa at 7AM.

There is no public transit in Arnprior.
Taxis:

• Grab-A-Cab +1 613-623-5601
• A-1 Taxi +1 613-623-3522
• Murry’s Taxi +1 613-622-0677

• Arnprior & District Museum

  phone: +1 613-623-4902
  address: 35 Madawaska St
  The history of Arnprior is preserved and documented at the Arnprior and District Museum (in the former post office building and library) and the Arnprior and District Archives, next door in the basement of the public library. The sandstone building is the defining element in local architecture.

• Arnprior City Hall

  address: 105 Elgin St W
  A beautiful historic stone building.

• The Millennium and Macnamara Trails provide scenic views of the waterfront, downtown heritage homes, and two nature trails including a walk-through of the Gillies Grove, a 45-acre (180,000 m²) tract of old growth forest, preserving the white pine which was the foundation of the local lumber industry. Additionally the rivers and local lakes encourgae boating, fishing and canoeing.

• Gillies Grove and House National Historic Site

  address: 412 Gillies Grove Road
  This site provides beautiful walks through old growth white pine forest. A 20th-century estate in a forested area at the edge of the Ottawa River. A stand of forest encircles a cleared area with a handsome, Colonial Revival house constructed from the white pine of the forest. The Gillies Grove House is not accessible to visitors. The main trail is wheelchair accessible and the trails are well marked.

• Robert Simpson Park

  address: 400 John Street
  On the edge of the Ottawa and Madawaska Rivers off of John st. This park/beach is great for family picnics and swimming,

• Priorpalooza12 hours of music celebrating local artists, this is a free event hosted at the beachfront on the first Saturday in June every year.

• The Arnprior FairA 3-day fair on the second weekend in August. A mix of musical entertainment, livestock showing, educational displays and rides.

• Nick Smith CentreIf you are looking to take in some hockey or go for a skate in Arnprior, the Nick Smith Centre is the place to go.

• Mall and retail outlet area on Daniel St.

• Antrim Truck Stop

  phone: +1 613-623-3003
  address: 580 White Lake Road
  In addition to the usual truck stop amenities and a few less-usual amenities including an RV dump facility, Antrim Truck Stop has an on-site bakery - "Big Rigs" - that sells bread, pies (including an award-winning coconut cream pie), cookies, and arguably the best butter tarts in Eastern Ontario. Worth the stop even if you don't need fuel.

• East Side Mario's

  phone: +1 (613) 623-6060
  address: 70 Madawaska Blvd
  A chain family restaurant centred on low-cost, basic pasta and pizza. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

• Krave Bistro

  phone: +1 613-623-7969
  address: 24 Elgin Street W

• Negi Indian Cuisine

  phone: +1 613-663-8399
  address: 60 Madawaska St
  Traditional and contemporary Indian dishes.

• Lumbertown Ale House

  phone: +1 613-623-8885
  address: 123 John St. N
  Gastropub featuring seasonal craft beers.

• Quality Inn

  phone: +1 613 623-7991
  address: 70 Madawaska Boulevard
  Predictable, basic chain hotel. Free Wi-fi, local calls, cable TV. No meals included, but "East Side Mario's" restaurant next door serves all meals.

• Arnprior Motor Inn

  phone: +1 613-623-7906
  address: 168 Daniel St S
  Free Wi-Fi. A microwave and refrigerator are included in each simply furnished guest room. Pet-friendly motel, and a continental breakfast is served in the mornings. Free parking with cold weather plug-ins is available.

• Daniel House Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +1 613-769-8168
  address: 145 Daniel Street North
  Three rooms.

• Arnprior Public Library

  phone: +1 613-623-2279
  address: 21 Madawaska Street
  The library has nine computer stations and wi-fi access.

• Almonte
• Calabogie, ski resort and lakefront golf course.