Welcome Here

Smiths Falls is a town of about 9,000 people in eastern Ontario, situated on the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stretches from Ottawa to Kingston. The town is roughly 80 kilometres south of Ottawa and about 30 minutes east of Perth. Smiths Falls has a railway heritage and an industrial history that includes the Hershey chocolate factory, which operated here for decades and closed in 2008. The former factory was later taken over by Canopy Growth as a cannabis production facility, which brought a new wave of employment and attention to the town. Smiths Falls is quiet, affordable by Ontario standards, and offers a small-town pace of life with reasonable access to Ottawa. If you are moving here or considering it, this page covers what you need to know.

Where to Look for Housing

Housing in Smiths Falls is among the most affordable of the communities we cover on this site. The town has a mix of older character homes in the established residential streets near downtown and Beckwith Street, and more modest bungalows and semi-detached homes in the surrounding neighbourhoods. There is not a lot of new construction, and the housing stock reflects the town's quiet, working-class history.

The rental market is small but generally more accessible than what you will find in larger or more tourist-driven Ontario communities. Apartments, duplexes, and basement units are all part of the mix. Check Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, and the Smiths Falls community Facebook groups for listings. In a town this size, word of mouth is often how rentals are filled, so let people know you are looking.

For purchases, Realtor.ca covers the listed properties, and a local agent familiar with Lanark County and Leeds and Grenville will be helpful. Prices here are considerably lower than in the Muskoka or Georgian Bay markets, which is one of the reasons Smiths Falls has attracted buyers looking for affordability within driving distance of Ottawa. Properties in the surrounding rural area offer acreage at reasonable prices. Our Ontario housing guide has broader strategies for navigating small-town housing markets.

Where to Find Local Events

Smiths Falls has a community events calendar that is modest in scale but steady through the year. The Rideau Canal is the centrepiece of the town's identity and drives much of the seasonal activity. In summer, the canal brings boaters, cyclists, and tourists through town, and the lock stations serve as informal gathering spots. The Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum and the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario run programming and events through the warmer months.

The Smiths Falls Farmers' Market operates weekly during the growing season. The town runs seasonal events including a Santa Claus Parade, Canada Day celebrations along the canal, and community barbecues and fundraisers organized by local service clubs. The Station Theatre, a community theatre group, stages several productions a year and is a way to both see local performances and meet people.

For staying informed, the Smiths Falls Record News covers local happenings, and the Town of Smiths Falls website posts event listings. The community Facebook groups are active and a good source for finding out about smaller events, volunteer opportunities, and local recommendations. Perth, with its stronger cultural programming and events calendar, is only a 30-minute drive west and expands your options considerably. For broader advice on finding things to do in a new community, our events guide covers practical approaches.

Where to Check Weather and Conditions

Smiths Falls gets a typical Eastern Ontario winter: cold, snowy, and long. January and February temperatures regularly sit below minus 15, and the wind chill can push conditions into the minus 20s and 30s. Snowfall is moderate to heavy, and the season typically runs from late November through early April. Freezing rain is a periodic hazard in this part of the province and can cause significant disruption when it hits. Environment Canada covers Smiths Falls under the Lanark-Leeds and Grenville forecast region, and the WeatherCAN app will push severe weather alerts directly to your phone.

Highway 15 runs north-south through town, connecting to the 401 corridor to the south and the Ottawa area to the north via Highway 7. Ontario 511 provides highway condition updates, and Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls handle local road maintenance and plowing. School bus cancellations are announced through the Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario, typically by early morning on storm days.

If this will be your first Ontario winter, prepare before the cold arrives. Snow tires, a properly serviced heating system, and an emergency kit are not optional. Our winter prep guide walks through the full checklist.

Family and Everyday Info

Schools in Smiths Falls are served by the Upper Canada District School Board (public) and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (Catholic). Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute is the local public high school, and there are elementary schools in town. The Perth and Smiths Falls area shares some educational resources, and the boards handle registration through their websites.

For healthcare, the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital has a campus in Smiths Falls with emergency services, inpatient care, and outpatient clinics. The hospital serves a broad catchment area across Lanark County. Finding a family doctor accepting new patients is a challenge, as it is throughout Eastern Ontario. Register with Health Care Connect through ontario.ca as soon as you arrive, and use the local walk-in clinic for immediate needs.

Groceries and everyday shopping are manageable. Smiths Falls has a Walmart, a Foodland, and a few other retail options along Lombard Street and the Highway 15 corridor. For anything beyond the basics, Ottawa is about an hour north and has everything you need. Perth, at 30 minutes west, adds a few more options. The town has restaurants, a Tim Hortons, and basic services, but it is honest to say the commercial offerings are limited compared to larger centres.

The Rideau Canal is the defining feature of life in Smiths Falls. In summer, the canal offers boating, kayaking, canoeing, and cycling along the multi-use pathway that follows the waterway. In winter, sections of the canal freeze and become part of the skating and snowmobiling network. The town has parks, a community pool, and recreation programming through the local recreation centre. Smiths Falls does not have public transit, so a car is necessary for most things. Ottawa, with its full range of services, specialist healthcare, and the airport, is your primary connection to the broader world. For families working through the logistics of a move, our family moving checklist covers the tasks you will want to get through in your first few weeks.