Alexandria – Beaches, Trails and Culture

In Alexandria, waterfront experiences, outdoor activities and insights into local history sit side by side as different travel interests. Island Park combines a beach with numerous sports and recreational options; the Glengarry Trails appeal to nature lovers, while archives and creative offerings add cultural highlights. This means you can consider whether outdoor activities, a glimpse into local history or a mix of both matters most to you during your stay.

Waterfront time and recreation at Island Park

Alexandria’s Island Park has a public sandy beach. Swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking are among the activities available there, as is picnicking. The beach has picnic areas overlooking Mill Pond. So if you’re looking to spend a day by the water, you’ll find several options here, from relaxing on the beach to activities on the water.

There are also specific options in the park beyond the beach: these include four soccer fields, two tennis courts, a skatepark, a basketball court and a beach volleyball area. There’s also a playground, a splash pad, a pavilion and paved paths. The selection ranges from ball sports and exercise to a visit to the playground or a break at the pavilion. When planning, you can focus on the activities that interest your travel group rather than thinking of the park only as a beach destination.

Mill Pond in the heart of Alexandria is easily accessible to kayakers and anglers. The beach and pond thus offer different ways to spend time by the water. If you’re more interested in paddling or fishing, Mill Pond is a destination in its own right; for a beach outing, Island Park offers additional activities and picnic areas.

Trails and views

The Glengarry Trails trailhead on Lochiel Street in Alexandria has an observation platform. From there, birdwatchers and hikers can see Mill Pond and the surrounding landscape. This makes the viewpoint a specific destination for anyone who would like to include nature observation and views of the area in their time outdoors.

The Glengarry Trails are a 15-kilometre recreational trail network in North Glengarry and are accessible year-round. Hiking, cycling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are listed as activities. However, only some trails are groomed in winter; the Green Trail is also shared with snowmobiles. If you’re planning your stay around a particular season, these differences are important when choosing activities: year-round access to the network does not mean that all trails are groomed in winter.

Local history and creative discoveries

The Glengarry County Archives in Alexandria houses more than 300 collections on Glengarry’s history, from the pioneer era to the present day. It is the largest archive in Eastern Ontario and is located in Alexandria’s oldest building. It offers a historical focus spanning a broad period and exploring the region’s development.

Designated heritage properties in Alexandria include the Old Mill at 8 Mill Square and Alexandria Train Station at 45 McDougald Street East. The Old Mill has been designated since February 14, 1978, under By-law 1071; the station was designated under By-law 37-2025 on October 27, 2025. These details help place both buildings in their historical and geographical context without conflating them with the archives or the park’s recreational offerings.

Another cultural facet is PMAC in Alexandria: this creative centre is a place where artists share their work and visitors can discover the joy of making art themselves. Together with the archives, it offers a contrast between exploring Glengarry’s history and trying out creative activities firsthand. If your stay includes several interests, you can also consider these cultural experiences alongside outdoor excursions.

Which interests suit your trip?

If you enjoy being active outdoors, Island Park and the Glengarry Trails offer different options: the park brings together a beach, sports facilities and paved paths, while the trail network is intended for several activities throughout the year and is partially groomed in winter. If you’d like to focus more on history and culture, you can plan visits to the Glengarry County Archives and PMAC as other points of interest. The Glengarry Sports Palace is also part of Alexandria’s recreational offerings; it includes the 500-seat Billy Gebbie Arena.

If you’d like to discover more places, you’ll also find Glen Robertson, Cornwall, Crysler, Williamsburg, Long Sault, Lancaster, Morrisburg and Iroquois here.

For the broader travel overview: Stormont, Dundas And Glengarry United Counties.