Tucked away in Lanark County is a tiny Ontario village where a historic stone bridge arches over a rushing river, and the main street is dotted with the most charming storybook architecture.
Pakenham is about a five-hour drive from Toronto and is surrounded by gorgeous countryside, so it’s worth leaving a little extra time to explore the winding rural roads, especially during the fall when the trees are full of colour! It’s a bit of a road trip, but the scenic drive through the Ottawa Valley makes for a perfect weekend getaway.
The village’s most famous landmark is its Five Span Stone Bridge. This picturesque crossing literally looks like it belongs in a storybook, with five massive stone arches stretching across the Mississippi River.
The bridge dates back to the early 1900s, when Scottish stonemasons built it using locally quarried stone. It was originally designed for horses and carriages and is now one of Lanark County’s Seven Wonders. It’s so pretty, it’s believed to be the only bridge of its kind in all of North America.
For the best views, head to Five Span Bridge Park. Here, you can admire the bridge from the riverbank and capture photos of its historic stonework against the surrounding scenery (bonus if you get a friend to capture you admiring the bridge from the riverbank!).
Take a stroll through Pakenham’s historic village centre and you’ll discover another historic little treasure that’s a must-visit: the 1840s General Store & Bakery.
The shop has served the community since 1840 and it’s still in its original location. It’s considered the oldest continuously operating general store in North America, complete with original wooden floors and counters that have been part of the building for generations, so very nostalgic and worth the detour.
The General Store’s bakery offers everything from homemade sticky buns baked in a maple brown sugar sauce to butter flakies, pies, cookies and fudge, all made in-house. The treats come out first, followed by fresh-baked bread, and the shop bakes enough that there’s still something on the shelf in the late afternoon (and considering this might be an overnight trip, you’ll want to stock up and carry some treats back for the drive home!).
Afterward, head to St. Peter Celestine. It was built in 1892 and is considered one of the most architecturally impressive churches in all of rural Canada. The church boasts a towering exterior that takes inspo from the 17th century stone churches of southern France, with an original pulpit built in the form of a huge, heavily ornamented chalice.
If you’re looking for more small-town charm, head over to New Hamburg. Nestled along the Nith River you’ll find a town that’s home to a giant waterwheel, with a downtown core straight out of a storybook.
And if you want to experience the Mississippi River during the winter, check out this small town.