Pembroke is the commercial and cultural hub of the upper Ottawa Valley, with a population around 14,000 that serves a surrounding area three times that size. For families in Petawawa, Pembroke, and the neighbouring townships, Pembroke offers the broadest selection of organized programming, parks, and community events in Renfrew County. The city sits on the Ottawa River at the mouth of the Muskrat River, and that waterfront setting gives it a physical character that makes outdoor activity a natural part of daily life.
The Heritage Murals
More than 30 large-scale outdoor murals decorate buildings throughout Pembroke's downtown core, depicting scenes from the city's history -- the log drives on the Ottawa River, the lumber barons who built the valley's economy, the river that has defined the community since before Confederation. A self-guided walking tour takes roughly an hour and covers the downtown loop, with each mural accompanied by interpretive signage explaining the historical scene and identifying the local artist. It is one of the best free family activities in Renfrew County, and on a pleasant afternoon, the walking tour doubles as an introduction to the Ottawa Valley's history that even elementary-age kids can engage with.
Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Pansy Patch Park is Pembroke's hidden gem -- a small natural area within the city where rushing water, old-growth trees, and wildlife including songbirds and ducks exist steps from residential streets. It is easy to walk past without realizing it is there, but for families with young children, the combination of water features and forest feels like a miniature wilderness expedition without leaving city limits.
Riverside Park and Waterfront is the city's main outdoor gathering space, with playground equipment, a splash pad, picnic areas, and views across the Ottawa River to the Quebec shore. The Kiwanis Walkway follows the river through the park area, providing a paved path suitable for strollers, bikes, and scooters. In summer, this is where families gravitate on warm evenings.
Waterfront Park and Amphitheatre hosts community events through the summer, including the popular Movie Night in the Park -- a free outdoor movie series held on Tuesday evenings that draws families from across the region. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. The amphitheatre also hosts live music, community celebrations, and seasonal events.
The City of Pembroke operates a recreational Lending Hub where families can borrow sport equipment including kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, bikes, and Adventure Packs for exploring the area. This is a smart program that removes the gear-purchase barrier for families who want to try paddling or cycling without committing to buying equipment.
Pembroke's Ottawa River waterfront provides a focal point for family recreation year-round.
Recreation Programs
The City of Pembroke Recreation Department runs a comprehensive program calendar that includes swimming lessons at the aquatic centre, skating programs at the Pembroke Memorial Centre, dance classes, arts and crafts programs, and various sports programs for children and youth. The aquatic centre offers everything from parent-and-tot classes to adult lane swimming and aquafit.
Summer-specific programming includes day camps with weekly themes, Science Camp for ages 9-13 with hands-on experiments, and public swimming at the aquatic centre. Public skating runs from October through April at the Pembroke Memorial Centre, giving families a reliable winter activity that costs next to nothing.
Program details and registration information are published on the City of Pembroke recreation page. Registration fills quickly for swimming lessons and popular camp weeks, so early sign-up is recommended.
Community Events
Pembroke hosts community events through the year that are genuinely family-oriented. The Pembroke Farmers' Market runs through the growing season, giving kids exposure to local food production and a social outing that beats a grocery store trip. Seasonal celebrations -- Canada Day events, the Christmas parade, winter festivals -- draw families from across the region and are typically free or low-cost.
The Champlain Trail Museum and Pioneer Village, on the edge of town, is worth a family visit. The museum covers 200 years of Ottawa Valley history, and the pioneer village includes a schoolhouse built in 1867, a pioneer log cabin, and other historic structures that give kids a tangible sense of what life was like in the valley before electricity and indoor plumbing.
Day Trips from Pembroke
Bonnechere Caves near Eganville, about 40 minutes south, are a natural limestone cave system with guided tours that take visitors through illuminated passages where fossils of ancient sea creatures are visible in the cave walls. Kids are fascinated by the caves -- the combination of underground exploration and 500-million-year-old fossils makes it one of the best family day trips in the region.
Hugli's Blueberry Ranch, a 100-acre farm near Pembroke, offers U-pick blueberries in season (late July through early September), plus animal visits, mazes, slides, pedal carts, sandboxes, and swings. It is a full-day outdoor activity that works for kids from toddler through elementary age.
For families with an interest in outdoor activities, the provincial parks within reach of Pembroke -- including Bonnechere Provincial Park and Shaw Woods -- offer hiking, swimming, and nature interpretation programs during the summer months. Algonquin Park's eastern access points are about an hour away.