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Prescott, ON: History, Beaches & Shakespeare in the Park
Prescott is home to the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival, a professional summer theatre festival on a pretty outdoor stage overlooking the river. The Festival runs annually in Prescott, Ontario in July and August, attracting thousands of audience members each season. Read more about Shakespeare's Gardens in Prescott, ON, Canada
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A beautiful Lighthouse next to the Shakespeare Gardens invite visitors -
and even sells delicious ice cream.
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British settlement in the area began with a group of United Empire Loyalists led by Edward Jessup.
In 1810, Jessup and his son laid out a townsite which they named Prescott in honour of General Robert Prescott.
Prescott's harbour developed considerably in the early 19th century, supporting the growing Great Lakes shipping industry. It became notable for its freight forwarding businesses, as local forwarders shuttled Great Lakes freight between Prescott and Montreal.
Soon, Upper Canada experienced a railway boom, which provided competition for the maritime shipping industry. The Bytown and Prescott Railway began operating in 1854, connecting Prescott to Bytown (now Ottawa). Prescott now has a population of over 4,000 with over 90% English-speaking. Leo Boivin and Ben Hutton are famous ice hockey players that are coming from Prescott.
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Katarina's Coffee Shop is a little gem located at the west end of King St in Prescott is well worth the visit. Fabulous selection of baked goods and beverages. Soups and sandwiches as well. Made in-house, and absolutely delicious! Indoor and patio seating.
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The “Ships Anchor Inn” is nestled on the shore of the majestic St. Lawrence River seaway, directly beside the Canada Coast Guard docks and centrally located along Main Street. The old stone house built in 1832 has been restored to its original beauty, yet offers the modern comforts of today’s lifestyles, with new queen-sized beds, in-room baths, Fireplaces, AC & Canadiana antique furnishings. Complete with waterfront views and all at affordable family rates.
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Be sure to visit the Prescott Farmers' 7 Crafters' Market every Saturday from 9AM - 2PM at the RiverWalk, located on Edward St between King St and Water St.
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Prescott is just 5 km from the US-Canada border on Ontario Country Road #2. I arrived after
dark and was smitten by the fabulous Main Street evening lighting in the form of lighthouses.
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You can dine on authentic Spanish dishes and shop for high-quality imported Spanish foods for your home kitchen in a most unexpected place. You’ll find El Rebost de les Mil Illes (991 Industrial Road, in the middle of an industrial park just off Highway 401, but do not let the location fool you.
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Before the arrival of Europeans to the now Prescott area, it was inhabited by the St. Lawrence Iroquois. The French began occupation of the area in the late 17th century. The area became a battleground during the 1754−1763 war between Britain and France. Both parties wanted to control what was a strategic stretch of the Saint Lawrence River.
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If you’ve brought your bike, you can hop onto the Prescott section of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, a 3,600-kilometre-long, province-spanning route.
About a kilometer west of downtown, scuba divers can check out a sunken 1860s wooden twin sidewheeler at the bottom of the St. Lawrence River at the Rothesay Dive Site (1671 County Road 2 at Merwin Lane, Augusta).
More to check out before you go:
July 8th-August 5th; William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
July 12-August 5th; Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest"
August 8th-12th; Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland"
August 16th; William Shakespeare's "Hamlet"
Shakespeare Festival https://www.stlawrenceshakespeare.ca/
History Museum
https://www.prescott.ca/recreation-culture/history-heritage/
https://www.prescott.ca/recreation-culture/museum-visitor-centre/
Zens Inn Bed & Breakfast 232 King St. https://www.ZensInn.com
Independent Coffeeshop: Katarina's Coffee Shop, 513 King St,
https://katarina-s-coffee-shop.myshopify.com/
Restaurants:
Little Barcelona https://www.littlebarcelona.ca/menu/menu
Beach, Boat Launch, Pool & Childrens Play
https://www.prescott.ca/recreation-culture/beach-boat-launch/
Bus to Brockville. https://riverroute.ca/riding-the-riverroute/
the bus stops are located at most street intersections along the bus route. The transit service does not operate on statutory holidays. Don’t live near a listed bus stop location? Riders can flag the bus to stop in areas with speeds of 50km/h or less along the route in Maitland, Prescott, Johnstown, and Cardinal.
The Sunday Night Concert Series is BACK! Experience live entertainment at the Kinsmen Amphitheatre every Sunday from June 25-August 27th!
Pickleball:
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6-8PM
Location: Leo Boivin Community Centre
Cost: $5 drop-in rate, or buy a $30 monthly membership. (Active for one month from the date of purchase).
*Please bring your own indoor shoes, paddle & pickleball. Limited equipment will be available for use.
Calendar of all events in town:
7https://calendar.prescott.ca/default
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