Mississippi Mills · Lanark County

Almonte

Almonte real estate: heritage charm on the Mississippi.

A picture-postcard heritage town on the Mississippi River in Mississippi Mills, with waterfalls in a limestone downtown, a thriving arts scene, and, famously, the birthplace of basketball. One of the most sought-after small towns near Ottawa.

By April Mohr, Team Lead & REALTOR® · Mohr Properties Real Estate Group |

Last updated September 28, 2026

Almonte is a picture-postcard heritage town on the Mississippi River, part of Mississippi Mills in Lanark County. It’s one of the most sought-after small towns near Ottawa, and we’d love to show you why.

The character

Where wool met water, and basketball began

Almonte’s story runs on water and wool. Nineteenth-century woollen mills, powered by the Mississippi River falls, made this the “Little Manchester of Canada,” a heritage you can still walk through at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, an 1867 mill and National Historic Site. Almonte is also the birthplace of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, celebrated at the Mill of Kintail. Today that mill-town charm makes Almonte “Canada’s Hallmark Town.”

Homes

Homes in Almonte

Almonte is one of the area’s most desirable small towns, and its homes reflect it: heritage limestone and century houses, riverside properties, and newer builds around Mississippi Mills. That charm is sought-after, so it often commands a premium. It’s worth understanding before you buy or sell.

Lifestyle

Life in Almonte

On the Mississippi

The Almonte Riverwalk and the Falls Lookout over the downtown waterfalls.

Birthplace of Basketball

James Naismith’s hometown, celebrated at the Mill of Kintail.

Mill Heritage

The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, in an 1867 National Historic Site mill.

Arts & Charm

A limestone downtown of galleries and cafés, plus the summer Puppets Up! festival.

A good fit for

Who Almonte is right for

Buyers who want heritage character and an arts-and-culture town, downsizers drawn to a walkable riverside core, and Ottawa commuters happy to pay for one of the region’s most charming addresses.

Explore Almonte

Everything Almonte

Homes for Sale

Browse current Almonte listings.

Market Report

How the market is moving, updated monthly.

Living in Almonte

Daily life, the river, downtown, and the arts.

Schools & Family Life

Schools, recreation, and family amenities.

A Good Place to Buy?

Our honest take on demand, charm, and price.

Selling in Almonte

How we market and sell homes here.

Thinking about Almonte?

Let’s talk. Honest, local advice from a team that knows the Valley.

or call 613-857-3423

Good to know

Almonte FAQ

Where is Almonte?

Almonte is part of the town of Mississippi Mills in Lanark County, Ontario, on the Mississippi River, south-west of Ottawa.

What is Almonte known for?

Its heritage textile-mill history on the Mississippi River falls, a limestone downtown and arts scene, and being the birthplace of basketball’s inventor, James Naismith.

What’s it like to live in Almonte?

A walkable, picturesque heritage town with a strong arts community, riverside trails, and a sought-after small-town lifestyle near Ottawa.

Is Almonte a good place to buy?

It’s one of the most desirable towns in the area: beautiful, walkable, and in demand. See our honest take on the Good Place to Buy page.