Looking for a low-key day trip from Ottawa that doesn't require a passport, even though you'll feel like you've crossed the border? Instagram account @ottawaisnotboring recently shared a reel from a long weekend drive to Prescott, a small town on the St. Lawrence River about an hour and a half southeast of Ottawa, and it's the kind of trip that's easy to recreate.
Waterfront walks and a view of the U.S.
According to the post, the standout feature is Prescott's waterfront: paths, parks, a marina, and a small sandy stretch called Kelly's Beach that runs along the St. Lawrence River. From there, visitors can watch freighters and cruise ships pass in the distance on the American side of the river. Prescott sits directly across from Ogdensburg, New York, so the international border is essentially the width of the river, an unusual perspective for a town this size.
History along the water
The trip also took in Fort Wellington, a fortification built in the early 19th century during the War of 1812 and now maintained as a historic site. Nearby is the Blue Church, a small church dating to the late 18th century that's considered one of Prescott's landmark buildings. Both sites give the town a sense of depth beyond its size, and they're the kind of stop that pairs well with a walk along the water afterward.
Theatre, markets, and treats
Prescott is also home to the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival, known for music-filled productions staged in a waterfront amphitheatre overlooking the river, a setting that's become part of the draw for theatre fans in the region. On weekends, pop-up vendors set up near the marina selling local goods and baked treats, giving the town an easy reason to plan a visit around a Saturday or Sunday.
Worth the drive from Ottawa
For Ottawa residents looking to get out of the city without committing to a full weekend away, Prescott checks a lot of boxes: water views, walkable paths, a bit of Canadian history, and a genuinely unusual vantage point on the Canada-U.S. border. It's the kind of town that's easy to pass on the way to somewhere else, but as this reel makes clear, it holds its own as a destination.
Check out the full reel from @ottawaisnotboring for a look at the trip.
Source: Instagram @ottawaisnotboring
