Lanark County, Ontario
Perth
One of Ontario's prettiest stone towns, on the Tay River: a riverside park, the pistols from Upper Canada's last fatal duel, a replica of an 1893 'mammoth cheese' and the Rideau Lakes around the corner.
Photo: Tay Canal Basin, Perth, Kenn Chaplin from Toronto, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0
Perth was founded in 1816 as a military settlement. Its downtown along Gore Street is lined with stone buildings, and Stewart Park follows the Tay River through town.
In 1833, two law students fought Upper Canada's last fatal duel here, and the Perth Museum keeps the pistols.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Cheap
Murphys Point Provincial Park
Lakeside trails and the old Silver Queen Mine on Big Rideau Lake.
Cheap
Foley Mountain Conservation Area
Spy Rock lookout over Westport and the Upper Rideau.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Mammoth Cheese replica
A replica of the 22,000-pound cheese made near Perth for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
Westport
A small lake village on the Upper Rideau. About 25 minutes away.
Free
Perth Farmers' Market
A weekend farmers' market downtown.
Season Saturdays, roughly May–Thanksgiving weekend (check before you go).
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
- Studio Theatre Show
Part of our Ottawa and the Rideau guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- Stewart Park and Gore Street are best in the evening.
- Murphys Point and Westport make a second day.
- Studio Theatre shows run through the year.
Nearby and worth the drive
Ready-made trips with Perth
Good to know
- Town: perth.ca.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Tay Canal Basin, Perth, Kenn Chaplin from Toronto, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Perth Stewart Park, Kenn Chaplin from Toronto, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Murphy's Point Provincial Park, Hannah Holder, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Perth Town Hall, Ontario, Dwong33, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Gore Street, Perth, Kenn Chaplin from Toronto, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0