There are a few options when leaving like hitting up the historic and scenic town of Almonte. Although you can easily spend a day in Almonte shopping (shout out to Cheerfully Made and ThreadWorks!), sipping coffee (helllooo Equator Coffee) or strolling through either the river trail or the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area.
However if you’re looking for a stop on your way back to Ottawa, my recommendation in driving down Carp Rd to the quaint little town of Carp itself. Got kiddos with you? Hit up the Defienbunker Museum. It’s an actual bunker rich with intriguing cold war era spy stuff. Umm, side note, did you know they hold summer spy camps for kids?! Gawd. Where’s the adult version. Ha ha. #nerdalert For us big kids, they also host escape rooms and laser tag. True story.