3-Day Golf Road Trip: Ottawa Valley

This three-day loop through the Ottawa Valley strings together three distinct 18-hole layouts — from the rolling terrain near Carp to the Rideau flats of North Gower and the river-valley setting at Braeside — with the Kanata-to-Arnprior corridor as its spine. Driving time between anchor points stays under an hour, making this a manageable road trip for golfers who want variety without burning half a day in the car.

Day 1

Arrive in Kanata and get settled before a late-morning tee time at Irish Hills Golf & Country Club in Carp, a par-70 layout that makes a compact but demanding opener. Carp sits just west of Kanata, so the drive from the hotel is short and leaves plenty of time for a proper warm-up. After the round, base camp for the night is Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Ottawa Kanata or Wingate by Wyndham Kanata West Ottawa, both in Kanata and well-positioned for the days ahead. Neither stay requires much of a detour.

Day 2

Day two shifts southeast toward the Rideau for a morning round at Manderley on the Green in North Gower, a full par-72 that plays longer and more open than Irish Hills. An early tee time here takes advantage of calmer morning conditions on what is typically a more exposed layout. After the round, head northwest along Highway 7 toward the Mississippi Mills area. The town of Almonte sits roughly midway between North Gower and Arnprior and is worth a stop — Joe's Italian Kitchen in Almonte is a practical dinner option before or after checking in. Overnight at the Almonte Riverside Inn (The Monte) in Mississippi Mills, which places golfers within easy reach of Braeside for the morning. Those who prefer more standard roadside accommodations can push a few minutes further to Arnprior and choose among Knights Inn Arnprior, Quality Inn Arnprior, or Ramada by Wyndham Arnprior. Arnprior offers its own dinner options for those staying there: Urban Angus Steak and Wine suits anyone looking for a sit-down meal, and the Lumbertown Ale House works well for a more casual post-round wind-down.

Day 3

The final morning brings a round at Sand Point Golf & Country Club in Braeside, a par-70 that sits along the Ottawa River valley and closes the trail on a scenic note. From either Almonte or Arnprior, Braeside is a short drive north. A mid-morning tee time leaves the afternoon open for a relaxed departure. Golfers routing back through Carleton Place on the way home will find several dining stops worth considering — Black Tartan Kitchen, St. James Gate Pub, and Thirsty Moose Pub & Eatery all sit in that town and offer a natural endpoint to the trip before heading back to Ottawa or continuing west.