Upper Canada Village Ontario, Canada

What is Upper Canada Village?

Upper Canada Village is an open-air museum in Morrisburg, Ontario, that brings rural life in Canada around 1866 to life. It consists of over 40 authentically reconstructed buildings, including farmhouses, craft workshops, churches, and a working gristmill. Visitors can watch artisans in period costumes at work and experience how people lived and worked in the 19th century.

Learn more about Ontario's history at Upper Canada Village Ontario. Imagine: a village where a stream trickles down its bed to a pond. It's lined with bushes, with meadow flowers peeking through the water. The stream's water is diverted into canals. These lead to craft workshops, from which you can hear the sounds of activity.

 

 

 

The sound of machinery indicates that people are busy working and producing behind the stone walls of the buildings. Flour, yarn, fabrics, and clothing are being produced. The sawmill also cuts boards from tree trunks, which are used to build the village's houses, barns, and fences.

History at Upper Canada Village in Ontario, Canada

At the craft shops in Upper Canada Village in Ontario Every summer, millers, woodworkers, weavers, and tailors work with original 19th-century machinery. They lend village life an atmosphere of nostalgia that makes the "good old days" seem very real. Ladies in crinoline dresses stroll along the gravel roads. On the way, they occasionally encounter a horse-drawn carriage with visitors or an oxcart returning from the fields.

On the river, a boat transports guests from one end of the village to the other. Just as was the custom two centuries ago. At the time when loyalists loyal to England began to settle in Upper Canada at the beginning of the 19th century.

 

 

Americans fled the US revolution to Ontario

Many of them had fled to Canada in the turmoil of the American Revolution. The neighbors of the new United States of America were still under the control of England. There they could continue to live under the crown of the royal family. They were people who already had pioneering experience. They knew how to build a life with the local conditions.

They took advantage of the innovations of the time. They used water power to establish craft businesses. These produced everything necessary for life locally. This made them virtually self-sufficient in all areas of life. What they didn't produce was delivered by traders across the St. Lawrence River. However, they produced most of what they needed locally.

 

 

Nostalgia lives on a walk through Upper Canada Village

We, too, are captivated by the magic of the good old days on our stroll through this museum village. In the tavern, for example, we meet the innkeeper, who is just greeting his guests. Back then, women and men were served in separate dining rooms. These rooms still exist today. Life in the village continues quietly. In front of the tavern, a villager is chatting with the coachman, who is waiting for customers.

Across the village street, a few oxen trudge in front of a cart on their way home. A farmer is explaining to his boy how to care for plants in the garden. However, something is missing in this village: the hustle and bustle of everyday life, typical of modern life. Therefore, when visiting Upper Canada Village, it's essential to allow yourself some time. Enough time to enjoy this life as well as the peace and quiet for a few hours.

If you really want to get to know the village, you should plan on spending three to four hours. Those who wish can also stay overnight in some of the houses in Upper Canada Village. However, you have to book well in advance. Waiting times of up to a year are not uncommon.

 

 

Events 2025

• May 3: Opening Day
• May 11: Mother's Day
• May 18: Queen Victoria's birthday
• August 1st: Emancipation Day Celebration
• August 9: Celebration of Canadian Music
• August 30th - September 1st: Horse Lovers' Weekend
• September 13-14: 1860s Fall Fair Weekend & Quilt Show
• October 3 – November 1: Pumpkinferno
• November 28, 2025 – January 3, 2026: Alight at Night Festival

Entrance fees 2025

The following prices currently apply (plus HST):

• Family (up to 2 adults and 3 youth/students): $80
• Adults (19-64 years): $26
• Seniors (65+): $24
• Students (13–18 years): $20
• Children (5–12 years): $17
• Children (0–4 years): free
• Military personnel (with ID): $20.80

Upper Canada Village address
13740 County Road 2
Morrisburg. ON K0C 1X0

Website

Opening hours 2025:

Open daily
3. Mai – 14. September 2025
9:30 a.m. - 17 p.m
Closed on 2 and 8–9 September 2025. (Guided autumn walks only)

Upper Canada Village Questions and Answers

Where is Upper Canada Village and how do I get there?

The village is located south of Ottawa, near the town of Morrisburg. It is easily accessible by car via Highway 401. The village is also a good day trip from Montreal or Kingston. Ample parking is available on site.

When is the best time to visit?

The peak season is between May and October. Visiting in spring or fall, when the weather is mild, is especially enjoyable. Highlights include events like "Pumpkinferno" in October and festive Christmas events in winter.

What can you experience in Upper Canada Village?

You can watch artisans engaging in traditional activities such as blacksmithing, weaving, or bread baking. Carriage rides, canal cruises, and animal encounters make the visit particularly lively. Children can sit in old school classrooms or explore the farm.

How much time should you plan for the visit?

A stay of at least three to four hours is recommended. Those who want to delve deeper or take part in guided tours should plan a full day.

Is Upper Canada Village suitable for children?

Absolutely. There are many hands-on activities for children, animal encounters, and vivid and exciting insights into historical life. School classes and families are among the most frequent visitors.

Are there any dining options in the Village?

Several taverns and cafes offer historic dishes, some prepared according to old recipes. Visitors can enjoy fresh bread, soups, and classic Canadian dishes as they were served in the 19th century.

Do I have to book tickets in advance?

Advance booking is not required for regular opening days, but is recommended on weekends. For popular events like "Pumpkinferno" or the Christmas lights, advance online reservations are advisable.

Is there barrier-free access?

Many paths and buildings are wheelchair accessible. Restrooms are also equipped accordingly. However, some historic buildings cannot be fully accessed due to their authentic construction.

What special events take place in the Village?

Special highlights include “Pumpkinferno” with thousands of glowing pumpkins in the fall, Christmas lights with horse-drawn sleighs and music, harvest festivals, historical markets, and summer events with music and crafts.

 

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Travel Arrangements:

Parking at the airport

Here you can reserve your parking space at the airport.

Arrival:

Compare and book flights here* (Advertisement). Air Canada, Lufthansa, Condor and Icelandair fly to Toronto.

Hotels:

Hotels in Morrisburg * You can also book through our partner booking.com.

If you book via a link marked *, we receive a commission, which we use to run this blog.

Car Rentals:

You can book rental cars well and cheaply here.

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Source: On-site research with support from Tourism Ontario. However, our opinions remain our own.

Text: © Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Video © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline