Quick Answer: The best things to do in Vankleek Hill start with visiting Beau's Brewing Co., the town's famous craft brewery known for Lug Tread Lagered Ale, live music, and a great patio. Visitors also come for the Victorian "gingerbread" architecture, farmers' markets, the Popsilos art trail, nearby wineries, and the relaxed small-town atmosphere just over an hour from Ottawa.
There are small towns, and then there is Vankleek Hill.
Located in Prescott-Russell County in Eastern Ontario, about an hour from Ottawa and roughly an hour and a half from Montreal, Vankleek Hill sits near the Quebec border and punches well above its weight. The population hovers around 2,000, but on a good weekend - especially during Oktoberfest season - that number multiplies fast. There is a reason people keep coming back.
The town is best known for Beau's Brewing Co., Canada's first Certified B-Corporation brewery and home to the legendary Lug Tread Lagered Ale. But Vankleek Hill is more than just its best-known resident. This is a place with genuinely beautiful architecture, a lively local food scene, working farms, art, history, and the kind of quiet that only a small Ontario town near the Ottawa River can offer.
Whether you are planning a day trip from Ottawa, a weekend getaway from Montreal, or just want to get out of the city and breathe some different air, here is everything worth knowing about Vankleek Hill.
WHERE IS VANKLEEK HILL, ONTARIO?
Vankleek Hill is located in the eastern end of Ontario, in the united counties of Prescott and Russell, about 100 kilometres east of Ottawa and roughly 120 kilometres west of Montreal. It sits just north of the Ottawa River and a short drive south of the Quebec border.
Getting there is simple enough:
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From Ottawa: Take Highway 417 East and exit for County Road 34 North. About a 75-minute drive depending on traffic.
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From Montreal: Take Highway 40 West (which becomes the 417 West) and exit for County Road 34 North. About 90 minutes.
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From Toronto: Head east on the 401, exit near Lancaster, and head north on County Road 34. Budget around five hours.
There is no train service directly into Vankleek Hill, so a car is your best bet. The drive through the Ottawa Valley and Prescott-Russell farmland is genuinely scenic - flat stretches of field interrupted by old stone farmhouses, silo art, and the odd tractor pulling something enormous down the county road.
THE TOP THINGS TO DO IN VANKLEEK HILL
For a town of roughly 2,000 people, Vankleek Hill packs in a surprising amount to do, especially if you like craft beer, heritage architecture, local food, and quiet countryside drives.
1. VISIT BEAU'S BREWING CO. - THE #1 ATTRACTION IN TOWN
This is where most people start, and honestly, there is no shame in that. Beau's Brewing Co. at 10 Terry Fox Drive is the most recognised attraction in Vankleek Hill - it holds the top spot on TripAdvisor for the area and has earned that reputation over nearly two decades of award-winning brewing and community-first values.
Founded in 2006 by father and son Tim and Steve Beauchesne, Beau's is a family-run, employee-owned brewery powered entirely by green electricity and certified organic ingredients sourced from local Quebec and Ontario farmers. It is the kind of place where the story behind the beer is just as good as the beer itself.
The taproom is worth the stop on its own. Grab a pint of Lug Tread, the flagship Kölsch-style lagered ale that started it all, or check out what seasonal and limited releases are pouring that weekend. If you are an IPA fan, Juiced AF is consistently one of the most popular beers on the board. Barn Burner, the sessionable pale ale, is another crowd favourite for outdoor patio weather - with our Beau’s Lite lager making for another great summer afternoon option.
The Beau's taproom pairs food with the beer lineup, and the patio is one of the nicest places in town to spend an afternoon. Check the events calendar before you go - there is often live music on weekends, and seasonal programming throughout the year.
While you are there, plan a visit to take in the full brewery experience and pick something up from the Beau's shop - the Classic Lug Tread Tee and the Vankleek Hill Snapback Hat are perennial favourites.
2. WALK THE GINGERBREAD CAPITAL
Vankleek Hill has officially dubbed itself the Gingerbread Capital of Ontario, and the nickname is well-earned. The town's Victorian and Edwardian-era homes are decorated with the kind of ornate woodwork trim that looks like it was carved to show off - steep gabled rooftops, decorative bargeboards, lacy fretwork, and wraparound porches that have been standing since the 1800s.
Main Street and the surrounding residential streets are worth a slow walk or a leisurely drive. The heritage architecture has been largely preserved, and many of the homes are privately owned and still lived in. The Vankleek Hill Heritage Conservation District covers much of the town core, which is why the streetscape looks so cohesive and intact.
If you want to see it at its absolute best, the annual Christmas Home Tour in December opens some of these homes to the public and lights the whole town up. A walk through the residential streets any time of year rewards the attention.
3. CLIMB THE HIGGINSON TOWER
The Higginson Tower is a stone observation tower that sits on the north end of town and offers a bird's-eye view of Vankleek Hill and the surrounding Prescott-Russell farmland. It is a quick climb and the view from the top gives a solid sense of just how flat and wide this part of Ontario is - which makes the sight of the Ottawa River and the Quebec hills in the distance feel even more dramatic.
It is an easy stop to combine with a walk through the heritage neighbourhoods and does not require much more than comfortable shoes.
4. THE VANKLEEK HILL FARMERS' MARKET
The market runs through summer months at 79 Derby Avenue and brings together local producers selling fresh vegetables, baked goods, grass-fed meats, preserves, and handcrafted items. It typically runs Saturday mornings from around 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., though hours and dates shift slightly by season - check locally before you go.
If you are building a day around Vankleek Hill, starting at the market and finishing at the Beau's patio with a cooler full of local produce and a six-pack for the drive home is a fairly excellent afternoon.
5. THE POPSILOS ART TRAIL
One of Eastern Ontario's most unexpectedly striking roadside experiences, the Popsilos project transformed working grain silos across Prescott-Russell into large-scale murals created by artists from around the world. There are now over a dozen painted silos along a driving route through the region.
Several of the silos are visible right from the roads around Vankleek Hill and the nearby farmland, while others are on farms that welcome visitors during specific hours. Ouimet Farms Adventure at 119 Main Street West in Vankleek Hill hosts one of the painted silos and is a popular stop along the route. The scale of these things in person - a six-storey grain silo covered floor to ceiling in a striking mural - is genuinely something.
6. STONEHOUSE VINEYARD
About 25 minutes southwest of Vankleek Hill in Alexandria, Stonehouse Vineyard is worth building into a day trip circuit. They offer tasting menus and guided tours of the vineyard, and the property itself is the kind of peaceful countryside destination that pairs well with a morning at the Vankleek Hill Farmers' Market and an afternoon at Beau's.
Stonehouse focuses on cold-climate varietals suited to the Eastern Ontario growing zone, so the wines are genuinely local and genuinely interesting. Hours vary by season, so confirm before you head out.
7. VOYAGEUR PROVINCIAL PARK
If you are staying overnight or making it a full weekend, Voyageur Provincial Park sits along the Ottawa River about 20 minutes south of Vankleek Hill near Chute-à-Blondeau. The park has four sand beaches, marked swimming areas, canoe and paddle boat rentals, and camping facilities. It is a solid base camp for a Prescott-Russell weekend.
The park is steeped in Ottawa River history - fur traders and voyageurs passed through this stretch of river for centuries, and the name of the nearby town tells you something about how much history this quiet corner of Ontario carries.
VANKLEEK HILL AT OKTOBERFEST
If there is a single event that defines Beau's and, by extension, Vankleek Hill on a national scale, it is Beau's Oktoberfest. The annual festival has drawn crowds as large as 20,000 people, has raised millions of dollars for community charities over its history, and has become one of the most celebrated craft beer events in Canada.
It is held every fall at the Beau's grounds and the surrounding area. Local food vendors, live music from nationally recognised acts, dozens of Beau's beers on tap, and a genuine community atmosphere that reflects what the brewery has stood for since day one.
If your trip to Vankleek Hill can coincide with Oktoberfest, do it. Check the Beau's events page for current dates and ticket information.
WHERE TO EAT IN VANKLEEK HILL
The town's food scene is small but solid. A few standouts:
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The Beau's taproom menu itself covers food alongside the beer - a good option if you want to eat and drink without having to leave the patio.
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Broken Kettle Bakery and Barkery at 52 Main Street is a mother-daughter operation with excellent fresh-baked bread, soups, salads, and made-to-order wraps. The outdoor patio is a good lunch stop.
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Sticky Cow Southern BBQ has partnered with Beau's on food service at the taproom in the past, bringing smoked meats and Southern-style sides to the patio. Check current status when you visit, as pop-up and partnership arrangements in small towns can shift seasonally.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Vankleek Hill is an easy town to explore, but a little planning helps you make the most of the trip, especially if you want to fit in breweries, countryside stops, and nearby outdoor attractions.
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Getting Around: Vankleek Hill is small enough to walk most of the town core, but a car is necessary for getting to the brewery, the Popsilos route, Voyageur Park, and Stonehouse Vineyard.
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Best Time to Visit: Summer and early fall are the sweet spot. July and August bring the farmers' market, patio weather, and long evenings. September and October are Oktoberfest season. Winter is quieter, but the Christmas Home Tour in December is worth making a special trip for.
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How Long Do You Need?: A full day is enough to hit the highlights: the market in the morning, a walk through the heritage streets, Higginson Tower, and an afternoon at Beau's. A weekend lets you add Stonehouse Vineyard, the Popsilos route, and time at Voyageur Park.
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Where to Stay: Voyageur Provincial Park offers camping. There are also bed and breakfast options in Vankleek Hill and the surrounding towns. Alexandria, about 25 minutes away, has additional accommodation options.
BEFORE YOU GO
Check the full Beau's beer lineup before your visit so you know what you want to try when you get there. If you cannot make it out to Vankleek Hill soon, find Beau's near you at an LCBO or local retailer across Ontario and Quebec. And if you are already a regular - grab something from the Beau's shop to remember the trip.
The drive out is worth it. Come see for yourself.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS VANKLEEK HILL WORTH VISITING IN THE WINTER?
Yes, especially if you enjoy quiet small towns, holiday events, and slower weekend getaways. The annual Christmas Home Tour and snow-covered heritage streets give Vankleek Hill a completely different atmosphere compared to summer.
CAN YOU DO VANKLEEK HILL AS A DAY TRIP FROM OTTAWA?
Absolutely. Vankleek Hill is only about 75 minutes from Ottawa by car, making it one of the easiest countryside day trips in Eastern Ontario. Leave early enough and you can comfortably fit in Beau's Brewery, the farmers' market, lunch, and a walk through the heritage district in one day.
WHAT BEER IS VANKLEEK HILL MOST KNOWN FOR?
Vankleek Hill is most famous for Lug Tread Lagered Ale from Beau's Brewing Co. It is one of Ontario's best-known craft beers and has won multiple Canadian Brewing Awards over the years.
IS VANKLEEK HILL BILINGUAL?
Yes. Because Vankleek Hill sits close to the Quebec border, both English and French are commonly spoken throughout the area. Most businesses and attractions comfortably serve visitors in either language.
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING FOR A VANKLEEK HILL WEEKEND?
Comfortable walking shoes are a must, especially for exploring the heritage streets and local markets. If you are visiting in summer or fall, leave extra room in the car for brewery purchases, local produce, baked goods, and wine from nearby vineyards.