It’s where the rivers meet! The town of Arnprior is great for families, singles and senior citizens. With an allotment of recreational activities, 3 great schools and a regional healthcare centre. The small town has everything you need and more, including lower-priced real estate and a convenient location only 30 minutes west of Kanata. The beautiful town is nestled between the Ottawa River and the Madawaska River. The Mississippi River is also just to the east of the town, which is where the town slogan, “where the rivers meet” comes from. Arnprior has been an up-and-coming town for many years now and has is expanding yearly. It is located just off of Highway 417 making commuting into Kanata or Ottawa a breeze. The friendly people of Arnprior make it a great place to live along with gorgeous sights and a variety of restaurants and retail spaces.
The population of Arnprior was at 8,795 in 2016, but keeps growing every day!
*Based on 2020 MLS yearly average sale price statistics in Arnprior
Arnprior is situated where both the Ottawa River and the Madawaska Rivers meet. The town is surrounded by farmland as well as the lush forest to the south and west near Calabogie and White Lake. Robert Simpson Park offers a beautiful sandy beach for the locals and tourists with stunning vistas of the river and sunsets. Bell Park on the other side of the Madawaska River is another gorgeous spot to sit and enjoy a picnic and watch the sunset. Enjoy a peaceful hike between the massive mature trees in the forest at Gillies Grove, or take a walk along the Madawaska River and watch the water run over the weir. There are scenic views everywhere you look when you live in Arnprior!
This town is filled with delicious places to eat! If you are looking for an outdoor dining experience, you may want to check out the waterfront patio at the Riverside Grill and Bar, or the patio at PJ’s Restaurant Dining Lounge. Downtown you can check out Lumbertown Ale House, The Cupboard, Krave Bistro or Urban Angus Steak and Wine. Looking for something a little different than traditional Canadian cuisine? Check out Negi Indian Cuisine, Arnprior Noodle House, Arnprior Viet Subs or the Zesty Shawarmaz food truck. Speaking of food trucks, you must have heard of Wes’ Chips! People come from all over to try these delicious hot french fries! Missy’s Fries and Brian’s Spuds are also great food truck options!
Boating and sailing are a couple of local favourites in the Arnprior area. Arnprior is situated on part of the Ottawa River where you can enjoy an all-day boating excursion if you wanted to! Many people enjoy sailing, canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding on the river as well! If you enjoy a good baseball game, you will have to check out a game (or join a league!) at the 3 baseballs diamonds at McLean Avenue Park. The Nick Smith Centre in the centre of town offers two ice surfaces, a swimming pool as well as a large community hall and lounge. A few programs offered at the centre include kayaking lessons, badminton, pickleball, pilates, hockey camps or summer camps. Drop-in swimming or skating are also available to the public!
Arnprior’s historic downtown has lots to offer! The buildings have been beautifully updated and well taken care of, there are gorgeous gardens on every corner, and the town is anchored by the Arnprior and District Museum which stands proudly at the end of John Steet watching over the town. Not only is the downtown picturesque, but it also has lots of great shopping to enjoy! You will want to check out the many treasures at The Vintage Crate, The Gallery Gift Shop, Treasure Chest Antiques, Antiques Etcetera and Prior Things. If you want some stunning and unique furniture, you will have to check out the newly renovated Under My Roof Furniture & Sleep Gallery.
There are lots of impressive waterfront properties along The Ottawa River, Madawaska River, Mississippi River and White Lake! If you are looking for a cottage within a short drive into Ottawa, look no further than Arnprior! Much of the waterfront is clean with sandy beaches and ideal for swimming! Great waterways for boating and swimming are the perfect recipe for cottage country. Purchase a waterfront home to live in full-time, or a 3-season cottage to enjoy in the summertime! For more information on White Lake and the Madawaska River for cottaging, check out our blog post of best cottage locations in the Ottawa area!
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, the town has not been undergoing any of the usual events. But starting up again in 2022, Arnprior will once again host a series of events throughout the year. Start your spring with the musical talents at Priorpalooza! This free event includes great music, delicious food and family entertainment at Robert Simpson Park. The festival also includes food trucks, bouncy castles, face painting and more! Enjoy the delicious food from local artisans at the Arnprior Farmer’s Market on Sundays from 9-2pm. Canada Day fireworks and festivities are another fan favourite with entertainment, activities, musical performances, food vendors and birthday cake! On Family Day, the town celebrates with FamFest – from the ice rinks to the pool to the community hall there is something for all families to enjoy at FamFest!
Something to love about this small town is that the real estate prices are still relatively affordable when compared to other hot spots in and around the city of Ottawa. Because of this, the town’s population is steadily growing. You can purchase a larger home with more land in Arnprior for a lot less than you would in Ottawa, Kanata, Barrhaven or Orleans. If you are looking for an affordable home in a friendly neighbourhood, Arnprior might just be for you! Check out Arnprior listings here!
Currently, Arnprior has a few residential developments underway. McEwan Homes, Campanale Homes and Neilcorp. Each development is building an array of townhouses, semi-detached and detached homes for new families to move into. On top of the new homes being built, Arnprior also has a new luxury apartment building in the works and 4 senior citizen homes as well. With so much underdeveloped land in and around the city of Arnprior, the town has so much potential for growth in both residential and commercial properties in the coming years.
In conclusion, we think that Arnprior is a great place to live! It doesn’t matter which age or stage of your life you are in, this neighbourhood is for everyone! If you are looking for a town with a bit of a slower pace with more affordable housing, you are going to love living here. The town has everything that you need and if you need more, you are just a quick drive down the highway into Kanata or Ottawa. Because of this, Arnprior is the perfect place to live!
Looking to purchase your own home in this awesome town? Contact us and we will help you find your dream home!
613-457-5000