THE LIST: 10 things to do in Downtown Cornwall

August 2, 2024

Looking for a fun day trip or quick weekend getaway? Downtown Cornwall is the perfect option! Located in the heart of Cornwall, the city’s Downtown area has a great mix of shopping and dining options along with a slew of fun attractions and experiences to make a visit more than worthwhile. From fun events to historic charm and culture, cozy patios to unique boutiques and shops, there really is something for everyone.

The summer and fall months are a great time to visit, and Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in particular are ideal days to visit since most attractions and businesses are open and ready to welcome you.

To help plan your visit, we’ve put together a quick list of things to see and do in Downtown Cornwall. Have fun planning – and visiting!

1. Shop ’til you drop

Downtown Cornwall has a great mix of unique shops to explore and get your shopping fix. There’s gift shops like Life’s Little Pleasures, Tickle Your Fancy, Celtic Treasures and Floral Expressions, trendy clothing shops like Love and Lee, Kastner’s, The Squire Shop, Dreamland and Echo Trends, vintage stores dgvintage and Wonderflea Vintage, and so much more. Fantasy Realm is home to all things comics and pop culture while Melody Music is a must-visit for any musician or music fan. Kid’s Korner is a toy store unlike any other. Cyclists can get their fix at Total Cyclery while the Do What I Want Store offers a little bit of everything. If jewellery is your thing, make sure to check out Pommier Jewellers and Gordon Jewellers. Make sure to save time to check out Cornwall Square, the city’s indoor shopping centre, which is home to dozens of stores and shops!

2. Foodie finds

Whether you’re looking for a quick bite for lunch or fine dining, Downtown Cornwall has something for everyone. You’ll find quick stops like Tilly’s, Riley’s Bakery, Val’s Diner and Spinners along with local favourites like ESCA Gourmet Pizza + Bar, Schnitzels European Flavours, Carrots N’ Dates, Edward’s Bistro, and Birchwood. Mexi’s, Shah’s Grill, Panda Restaurant, and Jack Lee’s are other can’t miss locations to grab a bite. And the food court in the Cornwall Square will satisfy tastebuds with restaurants like The Daily Chuck, Juntos, the Upper Vault, Cedars, and Wok Express.

3. Awesome attractions

Round out your visit with a stop at some of Cornwall’s great attractions in Downtown Cornwall! The Cline House Gallery offers a rotating series of art exhibits throughout the year (admission is free!), while the Historic SDG Jail offers guided tours, paranormal investigations and movie nights in one of Cornwall’s oldest – and spookiest – buildings. You can also round up your group and challenge yourselves to escape from one of the two great escape rooms offered at Rush Hour Escapes.

4. Sip & savour

If you’re visiting on a Saturday, make sure to stop by the Pitt Street Beer Garden at the corner of First and Pitt streets. The beer garden runs on select Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm and features live music on a pop-up public patio complete with picnic tables and umbrellas. Visitors can enjoy a taste of Cornwall’s own Rurban Brewing or select wines courtesy of Essential Kitchen!

There are a number of other summer patios in Downtown Cornwall waiting to welcome you during the summer months. If you’re looking for some patio time, make sure to visit ESCA, Schnitzels, Mexi’s, Birchwood and Carrots N’ Dates, all of whom feature outdoor areas.

5. Experience food in a new way

If food is your thing, you’ll want to check out Cornwall Food Tours. Host Vanessa Leduc will take your group on a tour of some of Cornwall’s best food stops where you can enjoy some great bites – and a serving of local history as well – along the way. You can book directly through the Cornwall Food Tours website.

Cooking and food are also the priority at Essential Kitchen, a Downtown cooking studio where you can learn, experience, and celebrate all the wonders of the culinary world. Grab your friends or family and sign up for a cooking class to master a new dish or grab some tickets and treat yourselves to a delicious night out!

6. Home to history

History is alive in Downtown Cornwall and heritage enthusiasts are sure to find plenty of interest. Historic churches like St. Columban’s, St. John’s and Trinity add to the historic charm of the commercial buildings that line the streets. The Cornwall Public Library – housed in the old government post office – is another architectural gem worthy of a visit. Also make sure to check out the various Historic Cornwall Walking Tour plaques that are located at various points throughout the Downtown area. Each plaque depicts an era or landmark from Cornwall’s past and is accompanied by amazing artwork by local artist Pierre Giroux. There’s also historic murals on various Downtown buildings. And don’t miss the new Love Downtown Cornwall sign on the south wall of Tilly’s at the corner of Pitt and First streets (see image above)!

7. Extend your stay

Speaking of history, you can extend your stay with a visit to Chesley’s Inn on First Street West. This award-winning boutique hotel that dates back all the way to 1814! It is designed for discerning travelers who want to escape the everyday and relax in a kinder, gentler time. Visitors start the next morning fresh and rested with a full breakfast highlighting local foods and products.

8. Pamper yourself

Who doesn’t like a bit of pampering? Grab your besties and plan a visit to Downtown Cornwall for a little big of self care! Check out Pure Organic Spa for a spa treatment or book yourself some “me” time at nearby Oasis Hair and Day Spa. The Studio 101 Medi Spa is another popular locale for health and wellness services. If you’re looking for a new hairdo, make sure to check out Kings and Little Ones, a barber shop unlike any other, with comfy confines and big screen TVs to enjoy while you get worked on.

9. Grab a sweet treat

If you’re looking for a sweet treat, you’re in luck. There are a number of great spots to check out in Downtown Cornwall. The food counters at Fairy Sweet Gourmet Bakery, Riley’s Bakery, Tilly’s and Carrots N’ Dates are sure to impress. Save some room for gourmet popcorn from The Happy Popcorn Co. – they have dozens of different flavours to choose from along with other candy, ice cream, chocolates and goodies to enjoy in their Pitt Street shop. You can find bubble teas, milkshakes, waffles, desserts and much more at Sip and Scoop in the Cornwall Square. Laura Secord, also located in the Square, will be happy to help you get your ice cream fix.

10. Enjoy the outdoors

Take a break from the shopping, dining and exploring in one of the many parks and public spaces around Downtown. The parkette next to Riley’s Bakery is a perfect spot to take a break and unwind. So too is Horovitz Park on First Street East and the beautiful Cenotaph on Second Street West. Or you can head south and cross Water Street to visit Lamoureux Park, Cornwall’s beloved waterfront park that is home to the celebrated Riverside Trail and numerous other attractions (click here for more info on things to do in Lamoureux Park). Lamoureux Park also plays host to numerous festivals and events throughout the summer – a perfect time to visit and pair that with a visit Downtown!

Additional information

For additional information on Downtown Cornwall and other things to see and do, make sure to check out the Downtown Cornwall website.

Please note: Downtown businesses, restaurants and attractions have different operating hours and closure days. It is recommended to check with specific businesses and attractions on their days and hours of operation.

#ExploreCornwallON

Looking for other fun things to do in Cornwall? Check out the Explore section of our website for other fun-filled activities to keep you busy. Better yet, consider extending your stay with a night at one of our great accommodations!

Got a question?

Got questions? Need recommendations? We’re here to help! Call or text us at 613-938-4748 or email us at tourism@cornwall.ca and we’ll be pleased to help you with any questions you may have!

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