TL;DR/The Short Version: Historical site that allows you to see what life would have been like in Upper Canada around the 1860s. The Long Version: I went here with my husband and a friend of his and the friend's kids. It's a little village where they preserved everything so walking through you get a glimpse of what life would have been like in Upper Canada in the 1860s-1900s. Many of the buildings are original buildings that were relocated to the site. They have actors who are dressed in clothing from that time and stay in character like they are living from those times. Some of the buildings include the wool factory, the saw mill, flour mill, bakery, cheese factory, dressmaker, tinsmith, shoe maker, church, and residential homes. There's a farm with sheep, pigs, horses and cows. The bakery makes real bread that's sold in the gift shop for $7 a loaf. The flour is stone milled and the pans are greased with pork lard, apparently the way it was done during the 1860s. We wanted to get a loaf, but they were too popular. The lineup was epic and they only make a limited amount of loaves per day. There are horse carriage rides that are free with admission and also a miniature train ride which costs an additional $8 a person. We took the miniature train ride and in my opinion, it wasn't worth the extra cost, lol. The "lineup" for the free horse carriage was pure chaos. There was no real lineup and hoards of people with their kids just milled around at the waiting area. When a carriage was available there was a mad dash to get on the wagon. It was pandemonium and everyone else in my group snagged a seat but I wasn't able to. So I told them to go ahead and I was good to sit this one out. I scrolled through Yelp on my phone while I waited for them to return. There's a functional sit-down restaurant (Willard's Hotel) that serves food typical of that era and is served by people in period dress. They even had Welsh Rarebit on the menu! We did not eat there though, lol. We ate at the modern cafeteria (The Harvest Barn) since the food there was more to the kids' tastes (burgers, fries, etc.). It's overpriced Sysco foods but you're paying for the convenience. I got 3 chicken tenders and fries ($14.95). My husband got a sausage on a bun ($8.95) and made it a combo (additional $6) with fries and a small fountain drink. I got a bottle of water, which I think was about $2.50. The food was frozen mass produced food that was refried. At least the chicken strips were real chicken breast meat. Had we been there on our own, we would have gone to Willard's Hotel. They also have a cafe and a Beaver Tails (deep fried flattened dough) kiosk too for food. It was neat to walk around, but I feel like one visit was enough. I found it amusing that they sell season passes because I can't imagine wanting to go back anytime soon, if ever. Lol. They do have special events here like Pumpkin Inferno where they have lots of carved pumpkins/Jack o'lanterns on display, but I'm pretty sure admission to those events are not included in season passes. Despite my less than enthusiastic review, I have no regrets going, life is about adventures, lol, and I'm grateful to my husband's friend for getting me out to a place I would likely have never gone to otherwise. General admission is $26. Kids under 4 are free, 5-12 is $17 and 13-18 is $20. Seniors 65+ are $24. A family pass is $80 (2 adults and up to 3 kids 18 years old or younger). Parking is free and plentiful. Review #136 (2025) read more

See all

I remember going to upper Canada as a kid and loved it. I was so excited to bring my kids here and show them the Village. We got there first thing in the morning and it was already quiet busy. Maybe we just went on an off day, but the vibe was just different than I remembered. We actually only ended up staying about an hour and a half before we took off. Lots of walking, so be prepared to bring some good shoes. Not the greatest place for a little runners (babies) but better for four year olds and older. It was hard to find food on site, so bring lots of food with you . There was supposed to be a barn on site that sold french fries and sandwiches but we couldn't find it. Gift shop had a small cafeteria, but was understaffed . Picked up some bread that was made on site. I heard it was some of the best bread in town but I just wasn't a fan. It was whole wheat bread, and I just don't like the taste of whole wheat. There is a Beavertail stand at the entrance, but they weren't open at the time which was a bummer . They did give us free tickets upon checking in for another visit, but I'm not sure if we will go back. read more

Upper Canada Village - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - South Dundas, Ontario

While camping, my family and I decided to spend Sunday funday at Upper Canada Village. The weather was perfect. Nice and sunny but no heat wave where you will pass out. If you want to see everything it takes a bout 5 hours. Wear running show if need be. We went on the boat which was led by a horse which makes sense... no electricity. We also had a horse and buggy ride which we enjoyed. The staff are dressed up in clothes from that era. Every house, clinic or store you entered there would be someone explaining the history about that specific landmark. At the souvenir shop we bought old cheddar cheese made the way it would be from back then. There were no more loaves of bread. Too bad since I know they make their own flour. How tasty would that bread be... right? It honestly is just a fun/wholesome time. read more

See all

The carriage ride at Upper Canada Village for Alight at Night is a scam now. Since COVID they have doubled the price of it. You used to be able to buy the ride which included admission for two to Alight at Night. Now if you want the carriage ride you have to pay admission for four even if there are only two of you. They also used to give you a nice gift basket which included homemade bread, cheese and a bottle of apple cide. As of last year they have gotten rid of the gift basket and give you four free admission tickets to Upper Canada Village but they are only good for the following year in the summer time as they expire the end of summer. So now not only do we have to pay admission for four to get the carriage ride at Alight at Night but we don't get the lovely gift basket and we get four free summer admission tickets which are totally useless to us. It is a total SCAM! We won't be going back ever again and we have been going there every year for over 20 years. They have just lost lifetime customers because of their greed. read more

This was so fun to do! There's so many different things to look at/do, and it was so fun seeing all the actors in character! 100% recommend

Excellent guided tour of the whole village, about 2 hours waking Washrooms everywhere Very good displays Nice gardens Nice gift shop Snack bar also Really enjoyed our morning read more

See all

This place is incredible and definetly worth the drive and 20$ admission fees. The staff are great, you walk for close to 2 hours enjoying all the creations and sound effects and you can finish off with a delicious beaver tail! Also there are vegan beaver tails, who knew ! read more

Upper Canada Village - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - South Dundas, Ontario

A really great working museum to discover Upper Canada based loosely on the 1860's. Lots of building to poke into where museum interpreters show you the daily work of them. I was really impressed by the lumber mill as well as the textiles building. The staff are really enthused to show you their piece of history, and it is a beautiful grounds to walk around. We loved seeing all the animals. The live vaudeville show is well worth making a stop for. Very talented actors that put on a fun show. We had a lovely lunch on the porch of Willard's hotel. Our server was lovely and they had a nice rounded menu. I especially enjoyed the split pea soup. Do go and explore the grounds, learn something new and interact with the actors there. read more

See all

Visited Upper Canada Village for the first time since I was little, made the drive up to check out pumpkin inferno (pumpkinferno). Pros: Line passes quickly if you pre-order tickets online. Parking is not as bad as you'd expect, I had no trouble getting a spot and it's pretty well lit once you're in the lot. Lots of cool "exhibits"- even though they are artificial pumpkins, the detail is simply amazing! The gift shop fudge was delicious, and the grilled cheese sandwich (with artisanal bread and cheese) totally to die for. Cons: The drive. I really wish this wasn't so far away from home, but I think that's actually part of its charm. It takes about an hour and a bit from downtown Ottawa, but if you've never been to check it out before, I think it's well worth the trip. Super cute spot for a date, or an Instagram-able night with friends. This is definitely a family-friendly spot as well, with extra activities for the kiddos to enjoy. read more

See all

Checked out Pumpkinferno, and wow, was it ever worth the effort! We bought ahead online, which I would STRONGLY suggest, as they do regularly sell out this event. We arrived right at opening, which might not have been our best bet because that's when -everyone- seemed to be arriving. The lines to get into the parking lot, and into the event itself, while long, were well-organized, and moved efficiently. The event itself was extremely busy, but we had no problem seeing all the pumpkins, and it wasn't so crowded that it was a problem. As we were leaving, it was much more tame getting in, so next time, we'll aim to go around an hour after opening. All in all, super impressive, and definitely a must-see! read more

Upper Canada Village - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - South Dundas, Ontario

See all

bought tickets to see pumpkinferno - what a fun evening! Agree with other reviewers that you will save a lot of time waiting if you buy the tickets in advance. And you'll save money on thursdays- its about $4 less per adult ticket. We went around 8pm on Thursday night, which wasn't busy at all! I spoke to a few people working there and they said generally the bigger crowds are weekends and weeknights right when they open. All of the artwork here was intricate and beautiful. many of the pieces had sounds/audio accompanying the exhibit which made for a very neat, integrative sensory experience. my favorite was the underwater themed one. i will definitely be back next year! read more

I absolutely love this place! It's true (what is written in a previous review) that the staff stays in character, answering questions and living as if "in the times". And their bread is truly wonderful! There is a terrific gift shop where they sell (among many other things) bread made in the village bakery. It's kind of odd seeing this very new style shop in this old style village! Otherwise, you can totally lose yourself in the past. The gift shop also sells wool made on site - all without electricity! You really must see this wheel at work; it's remarkable that the pioneers could do all this!! The wool is great stuff, if a bit rough, but very durable and affordable. I made thrummed mittens out of it. One cool thing is that they hire students who can get a summer job there, staying overnight for the length of their work time there. Often, they are the ones you see dressed in period. You can take a holiday in here too, staying overnight in the park. And I recently heard of a wedding that was held here, with the ceremony in the church, and reception at a restaurant in the park!! Is that awesome or what?! It's a truly pretty site, a great place for an occasion such as this. The Ottawa Knitting Guild has gone to this living museum for a few years in a row now, to take part in their celebrations of "all things fibre", but we don't dress in costume. It has been a wonderful experience, which I look forward to experiencing again! read more

The problem with Upper Canada Village is that it hasn't changed: it's the same boring plastic carved pumpkins shown every year during Pumpkinferno, and the Medieval Festival actually no longer has the games for kids that it had nearly a few years ago; the basic Village itself hasn't changed in more than a decade. Becoming a victim of it's own success, it has turned into a tourist trap: the gift shop is now filled with overpriced objects unrelated to the Village, and filled with items more connected to "modern" Canada than the actual 1860s Upper Canada that they are trying to portray. Not to mention the fact that some of the newer events have nothing to do with the actual time of the 1860s (for example, Pumpkinferno and their after-hours modern music events). Upper Canada Village at it's heart is the same idea it's always been: interpreters in various buildings will help portray a certain job relating to the life of the 1860s (ex. Farmer, Cabinetmaker or Blacksmith). But with such a system being repeated every single year, it becomes tiresome and boring: why is it that the Masonic Lodge, which was brought to the Village in 2008, has only been used 1 time since? There seems to be a constant need of keeping things the way they've always been, instead of actually improving on activities and making the Village a memorable visit every year. Special events, such as Pumpkinferno and Medieval Festival seem to be getting worse every year. In regards to Pumpkinferno, all the event is a 20$ walk through Village streets filled with light-up plastic pumpkins- YAWN! Why not change the design of pumpkins every year? Where are the spooks and actual scares? If the younger age of the visitors is a concern, perhaps take a lesson from haunted houses that have adapted to a younger crowd? I feel as if the records crowds coming in every year are more people having heard from others about the event, instead of those wanting to come back after having seen the event during previous visits. For the Medieval Festival, the Village has significantly cut it's budget: there are no more games for kids, instead having more places for merchants and most of the land being empty. Seriously? All of the attention is put on the Jousting matches that take place, but other than that there is nothing to entertain the audience. In 2019, the festival had dwindled down to the Joust, a fairly large sitting/eating area, and the rest of the land being filled with overpriced merchants that nobody buys from. They advertise solely on the Jousting event, but otherwise don't put the effort into making the Festival feel like an actual lively festival, instead leaving the impression of a ripoff. (*On a side note, the merchant who sells the wooden swords for kids seems to be the only successful participating merchant year after year). The Village's charm has unfortunately eroded due to poor management and business practices. A 20$ ticket feels like a ripoff when every year is the same and they cut down on some of the special events that had once made them memorable. This location is nothing more than a tourist trap, or to lure those who wish to go back to the days when they visited the village as kids. read more

Great working museum. Lots of things to learn and our 4 1/2 year old loved it. The staff are all friendly and very knowledgable! It's hard to believe they are from the time period of the village. Can't wait to see Christmas and Pumpkin festival! Food is also very good in the The Willard Hotel Restaurant in the village. read more

Upper Canada Village - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - South Dundas, Ontario

A truly immersive historical experience. For those who just want a family outing, you can feed bread to the ducks and talk to historical interpreters in the houses to learn a bit of trivia. For those looking for an authentic "pioneer" experience, it is easy to get swept back to the 1800's. You can dine in at the inn, visit a farm, and take a horse carriage ride. The "Alight at Night" festival the Village puts on near Christmas time is the most magical thing I have ever seen. The entire village is covered in Christmas lights and you can stroll about under the glow with some hot chocolate and listen to Christmas carols. Truly amazing! No matter the time of year, UCV is a wonderful experience. read more

Beautiful place to visit! Love to visit the village in the summer, alight at night in the winter and Halloween for pumpkin inferno!

Amazing experience at Upper Canada village! The actors are amazing and so friendly! Everyone is so knowledgeable about the area and the buildings! Great way to learn the history of the area and get swept up into another era! read more

Very cute historical village in Ontario. They have people period-dress hanging out in all the old buildings. Someone would be dressed as a schoolteacher hanging out in the old schoolhouse. And they totally stay in character. They'll answer any questions you have. You can wander around the entire village and go in all the buildings to look around and see how people used to live or how business work. The people "working" in the businesses even show you how they do things. The blacksmith will go and do some smith-ing. When we were there, he made a fishing hook right in front of our eyes. Or the guys at the sawmill would seriously be sawing trees. The fellas at the cheese store were totally making cheese and telling us how they did it and the whole history behind cheese. It's really cool and if you're into history, this would be a good place to go. read more

This is an absolute gem of a little historical village, the biggest one of its kind I've seen. The architecture is authentic (though not always intended for what it is refurbished for use in the village in present day) and it's honestly been really fun strolling around in the village. What makes the experience more fun are the staff who are dressed in the period clothing. They are friendly and knowledgeable and will answer any questions you will have about the village. There are a variety of buildings such as a church, school, physician's house, a general store. It's like a working living community. It's great interactive fun for the family! read more

Amazing village! This is a wonderful working pioneer village of the 1850s. Lots of saved buildings from locals and even some brought over 50k away brick by brick. Our girls loved running around and exploring on Their own. The staff were great to talk to. read more