Photo: Girls’ Getaway © Courtesy of Ottawa Valley Tourist Association
Sometimes the best gift isn’t something you can wrap.
A night away with your favourite people, time to catch up without rushing, a little shopping, and something delicious to eat can feel far more memorable than another present under the tree.
That is where Pembroke comes in.
Set along the Ottawa River in the heart of the Ottawa Valley, Pembroke has all the ingredients for an easy girls’ getaway, whether you are planning a fall escape, looking for a holiday gift idea, or simply deciding it is time to get everyone together again.
Check In and Settle In for Your Girls’ Getaway
Make the Best Western Pembroke Inn your home base for the weekend. After you check in, change into something comfortable and head to the indoor saltwater pool, hot tub, and sauna.
For an especially relaxed stay, ask about a room with convenient access to the pool area, then make the most of having everything close at hand. No need to pack the weekend with plans. Sometimes, a long swim, a soak in the hot tub, and an uninterrupted conversation are exactly what a getaway should be.
Before settling in for the evening, stock up on a few Pembroke-made treats.
His & Hers Gourmet Grazing creates handcrafted sweet and savoury grazing boxes filled with combinations of cheeses, cured meats, crackers, fruit, vegetables, dips, and other treats, with vegetarian options available. Pick one up to share back at the hotel and turn an ordinary evening into something worth lingering over.
Add a few celebratory drinks from Sip Stirs, a locally owned café and dry bar in downtown Pembroke. Its selection of zero-proof wines, spirits, botanical drinks, and mocktails makes it easy to raise a glass without alcohol.
Spend a Day Downtown
The next morning, take your time heading into downtown Pembroke.
Browse local boutiques, pop into a local bakery, and keep an eye out for the heritage murals found throughout the city centre. Pembroke’s historic downtown is compact enough to explore at an easy pace, leaving plenty of time to stop wherever catches your attention.
And, of course, every good girls’ weekend deserves something sweet. Make room for a dessert crêpe before continuing toward the waterfront.
Pembroke sits directly along the Ottawa River, where the boardwalk and waterfront offer a scenic place to stretch your legs and slow the pace again. In autumn, the surrounding landscape brings flashes of red, orange, and gold, while cooler months offer their own kind of beauty along the water.
Time your walk for later in the day, and you may finish your getaway watching the sun set over the Ottawa River.
Give the Gift of Getting Away
A girls’ weekend does not need a packed schedule to feel special. In Pembroke, it can be as simple as good food, a warm pool, local shopping, a few celebratory sips, and time together.
This holiday season, give your favourite people something to look forward to.
Your girls’ weekend is calling. Plan your Pembroke escape at OttawaValley.travel/places-to-visit/communities/city-of-pembroke
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The Ottawa Valley is a welcoming, adventurous region spanning Renfrew County, parts of Western Quebec, and the outskirts of Ottawa that offers outdoor activities for any season and pace.