If you’re searching for that “quiet winter escape” feeling - snow sparkling streets, boutique shops, cozy cafés, and the kind of small-town charm that makes you slow down - Lanark County delivers it effortlessly. ✨️
Just an hour from Ottawa, the drive alone feels like a reset. Long stretches of forest, winding country roads, and those Muskoka-style rock walls lining the highway… setting the scene before you even arrive.❄️
Mapped Out For You
All of our recommended stops, scenic walks, bakeries, boutique shops, and more are pinned in the interactive map.
Town 1
Almonte
The Hallmark Capital of Ontario🎄
Few places in Ontario do Christmas - and winter in general - like Almonte.
This little mill town has become famous for its festive charm, hallmarked streets, and picture-perfect storefronts. It’s the set for countless holiday movies, but the reality is even better.
Cobblestone-style lanes dusted with snow, independent shops filled with handmade goods, bakeries that smell like freshly baked bread the moment you walk in and cafés overlooking the Mississippi River as it cuts through town.
It has that warm, storybook energy that people drive hours to experience. But winter is when it really comes alive - twinkling lights, wreaths on every door, and the kind of old-fashioned charm that makes you want to linger.
Almonte is slow, cozy, walkable, and full of personality… exactly what a perfect winter getaway deserves.
Town 2
Perth
A Stone-Built Gem 💎
(Think “Elora,” but Quieter)
After wandering Almonte, head south to Perth - a town that feels like a quieter, more intimate version of Elora.
Tall limestone buildings, boutique shops, iron bridges, river views, and heritage architecture everywhere you look. It’s the kind of place where every corner feels like a backdrop for a winter postcard.
Perth’s charm comes from its balance between a historic downtown full of independent stores, cozy pubs and bakeries, candlelit restaurants that make winter date nights feel special, and beautiful riverside paths for a snowy walk.
It has depth, atmosphere, and a romantic feel - perfect for a slower pace and deeper connection to the town.
Right between Almonte and Perth sits Closs Crossing, a boutique Airbnb stay that is perfectly situated for this exact getaway.
This is where the entire experience ties together.
This cabin and treehouse sits on its own quiet peninsula, surrounded by water on three sides. Mornings often bring deer crossing the river at sunrise, and the bird feeder situated off the covered patio guarantees friendly visitors all day - blue jays, chickadees, and squirrels.
It’s peaceful in a way that feels rare.
Inside the Main Cabin
The interior is all warm textures, soft light, and thoughtful design:
• A wood-fired fireplace that sets the mood the moment you walk in
• An open-concept living/dining/kitchen space filled with windows and ambient lighting
• A curated shelf of books and board games for slow evenings
• A luxurious bathroom with boutique-hotel finishes
• A king-size primary bedroom that feels like a true retreat
• A cozy corner nook with an additional bed, perfect for reading, napping, or bringing an extra guest
It’s the kind of place you immediately feel at home in - warm, calm, and beautifully considered.
The Treehouse Bunkie: Their Signature Feature
Walk out onto the deck and you’ll find this property's most talked-about feature: a private bunkie the hosts call the Treehouse.
It’s a separate bedroom perched just steps from the main house, with windows on three sides surrounding the bed. You wake up completely immersed in the landscape - snow-covered trees, soft morning light, quiet water.
It feels magical, like sleeping inside a winter postcard.
Outdoor Extras
This property is made for winter comfort:
• A hot tub overlooking the quiet water
• A covered patio for morning coffee or snowy evenings
• An outdoor firepit perfect for those crisp, glowing nights
Everything is designed for relaxation and connection - with nature, with the people you bring, and the quiet you’re craving.
The Experience
What makes Closs Crossing truly stand out is the A+ attention to detail.
The hosts have considered everything you might need - from practical comforts to indulgent touches. It’s luxurious without being pretentious, cozy without being cluttered, and elevated without losing its warmth.
The perfect home base for exploring two of Ontario’s most charming small towns - and a destination worthy of a trip on its own.
Why This Getaway Works So Well 💗
Because it blends everything winter travel should be:
• Cottages and roads lined with tall rocks that give a Muskoka feel
• Two small towns with completely different personalities
• Boutique shops, warm cafés, and locally owned stops
• Scenic walks and river views
• A boutique stay right in the middle
• And an easy route that feels like an adventure without being complicated
It’s cozy, peaceful, festive, and beautifully simple.
Make It Easy:
Use the Map 🗺
To make the trip effortless, we built a full winter getaway map inside the app, including:
• Bakeries
• Breweries & a local cream distillery
• Scenic walk spots
• Shops + local makers
• Cafés
• Restaurants
And of course - Closs Crossing, your home away from home.
Everything is pinned, categorized, and ready to follow, so you don’t have to search or plan.
If you love this kind of slow, cozy winter exploring, you’ll love what’s waiting beyond these three stops.
I’ve pinned even more hidden gems, scenic routes, and local favourites inside the app so you can build your own version of the perfect winter getaway.
Consider this your inspiration - and the map as your companion along the way.
Explore more at www.wandrland.app