When it comes to uniquely beautiful places in Canada, Ontario’s 1000 Islands are near the top of the list. Dotted with thousands of islands, this chunk of the St. Lawrence River between the United States and Canada is full of scenic views, history, and fun attractions such as helicopter rides, boat tours, and more.
There are also plenty of towns and even cities that can be found along the 1000 Islands region, but few compare to the town of Gananoque, which is known as the gateway to the Thousand Islands. This charming town is the perfect spot for those wanting to explore the region as it is home to many hotels and guesthouses, cozy shops, local restaurants, and art galleries.
So whether you’re looking for the best things to do in Gananoque or the neighbouring Thousand Islands, we’ve got you covered.
Explore the Town of Gananoque
We recently spent three nights in Gananoque and it’s a lovely small town that’s perfect for exploring on foot. While most of our time was spent out in nature, there are several popular things to do in the town, which we’ll list below. Overall, it’s a great town to just walk around.
Visit the Thousand Islands Boat Museum
This museum is a treasure trove for anyone curious about the maritime history of the Thousand Islands region. Located right on the waterfront, this interactive museum brings to life the rich heritage of wooden boats that once ruled the waterways. You can hop aboard beautifully restored vintage boats, explore hands-on exhibits, and even try your hand at building a mini boat in the kids’ workshop. The museum also hosts boat-building demonstrations and special events throughout the year, giving visitors a real sense of the craftsmanship that defines the region.
Visit the 1000 Islands History Museum
Located just next door to the Thousand Islands Boat Museum, the 1000 Islands History Museum examines the vast history of Gananoque and the surrounding area. In addition, the museum has a permanent exhibit exploring the natural history and Indigenous Peoples of the region and throughout the year, there are rotating exhibits to keep things fresh.
Live theatre at the Thousand Islands Playhouse
Live theatre at the Thousand Islands Playhouse in Gananoque combines top-tier performances with an unbeatable setting. Housed in a renovated, historic canoe club on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, the playhouse offers a cozy, intimate atmosphere with stunning water views. Known as one of the most beautiful theatre venues in Canada, it draws visitors not only for the quality of its productions but also for its unique charm.
Stroll through the Sculpture Gallery at Confederation Park
If you’re looking for a scenic place to go for a stroll, check out Confederation Park and its unique sculpture gallery. Located on the shores of the Gananoque River, you can admire works of art while basking in the natural beauty. You may even spot some Canadian geese, swans, turtles, herons, and more.
Take a Boat Cruise around the 1000 Islands
It should come as no surprise that one of the top things to do in Gananoque is a boat cruise around the 1000 Islands. This is definitely the best way to see some of the islands that make up this unique area. Last we counted (just kidding), there were 1,864 islands to explore in the area, with no two being the same. Some of them are still wild whereas some have cottages, homes, and even castles.
Various cruises are available, from shorter one-hour tours to longer five-hour experiences. Longer excursions typically cross into American waters and include a sail around the famous Boldt Castle. On some tours, you may even be able to disembark at Heart Island and walk through Boldt Castle to see it up close. If you do happen to go on a tour like this, don’t forget your passport. You really will be entering the USA.
However, if you want to see Boldt Castle (which we highly recommend) but don’t want to do a super long tour, take a tour with Rockport Cruises. We did their 1-hour Heart of the Islands tour, which included circling the castle as well as spotting some of the many luxurious cottages that dot Millionaires’ Row, Zavikon Island, St. Lawrence Seaway, and more.
Enjoy a Helicopter Tour over the 1000 Islands
As much as we loved the 1000 Islands boat tour and highly recommend it, our favourite way to see the islands was from the sky. There’s something so magical about seeing so many islands from above. Helicopter Tours offer anywhere from a 10-60 minute experience, taking you over Boldt Castle, various homes and cottages, towns, and glimpses of the New York side of 1000 Islands. If you have the means to do it, don’t miss out on this unique opportunity.
Go Kayaking around the 1000 Islands
Another great way to see the islands is by kayak. 1000 Islands Kayaking offers half-day and full-day sea kayaking excursions, which include paddling by shipwrecks, spotting wildlife like herons and turtles, and even visiting Half Moon Bay, a historic spot where outdoor religious services have been held for well over a century. If you have experience, you can also rent your own kayak or boat and take your time exploring the Thousand Islands National Park at your own pace.
Visit the 1000 Islands Tower
If a helicopter tour just isn’t your thing, the next best way to see the islands from above is at the 1000 Islands Tower, a viewing tower that stands 130 metres (400 feet) tall. They have a lovely gift ship at the bottom and an elevator that brings you to the top. Don’t be put off by the stairs circling the tower going up as those are no longer in use. In addition, please keep in mind that you will need to pay a toll if you drive to the tower, but as a bonus, you get to drive across some of the scenic bridges to get there.
Hike to spectacular views at Landon’s Bay Lookout
While there are more than 1000 Islands in the area, 18 of them are protected within Thousand Island National Park. Those looking to explore should consider hiking to Landon’s Bay Lookout. This is the closest sector to Gananoque and offers stunning views. You’ll find additional trails to explore in the park’s mainland sectors at Mallorytown Landing and Jones Creek.
Visit Brockville and Canada’s First Railway Tunnel
Known as the “City of the 1000 Islands,” this town also makes a great base for exploring the 1000 Islands. However, even if you’re staying in Gananoque, it’s worth a visit. Its picturesque waterfront offers stunning views of the 1000 Islands, you can partake in boat tours and kayaking tours, and there’s the lovely Brockville Railway Tunnel, Canada’s oldest railway tunnel, with its mesmerizing LED light show. You can simply walk through the tunnel for free, or if you have kids, consider taking them through on the miniature train.
In addition, adventure seekers will love the Skywood Eco Adventure Park with its fun ziplining and treetop trekking courses while families will enjoy the Aquatarium at Tall Ships Landing with its interactive exhibits, shows, and of course, fish and other animals. Last but not least, Brockville’s charming downtown is filled with boutique shops, cafés, and historic architecture.
Kayak the Rideau Canal
You’ve likely heard of the Rideau Canal when learning about Ottawa but it’s also close to Gananoque at Chaffey’s Lock, a small community 45 minutes north of Gananoque that takes its name from the nearby lock station on the Rideau Canal. The lock itself is a fascinating waterway linking Kingston and Ottawa is both a national historic site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you want to get out on the water, Rideau Tours rents kayaks and stand-up paddleboards so you can paddle through the canal’s waterways. Along the way, you’ll probably see wildlife like herons and turtles, and if you’re lucky, might get to hear the call of the loon, which is my favourite sound in the world.
Go Camping in the 1000 Islands
Another unique experience in the area is going camping in Thousand Islands National Park.
If you have your own boat or arrange a paddle-out excursion, you can camp on the islands that have overnight camping facilities within Thousand Islands National Park. For those who want to try staying on an island, the primitive campsites and oTENTiks permanent camping structures on McDonald Island are the most accessible from Gananoque. This is a very memorable way to experience the islands for those so inclined. Further out, there are even more oTENTiks at Gordon Island, and several more islands within the park have primitive campsites.
Eat Your Heart Out
Another great thing about staying in Gananoque is the array of good restaurants. There are a number of restaurants offering different types of food, such as Italian, Indian, Chinese, and even Czech. You’ll find options ranging from fine dining to pubs, as well as cafes and fast food as well.
We won’t list them all here but we will list the ones we enjoyed during our visit.
Riva: Italian fine dining
If you want something on the fancier side, Riva is the place to go. Located within a beautifully renovated historic building in downtown Gananoque, this idyllic setting is perfect for a traditional Italian meal. We especially loved their braised lamb shoulder with charred eggplant, pine nuts, and mint salad, as well as their Filleto de Manzo, which consists of beef tenderloin with aged balsamic vinegar butter and parmesan potato gratin.
Laverne’s Eatery: An eclectic cafe
This charming cafe is full of character. It’s also the best place for breakfast, in our opinion, which is why we visited more than once. From smoked salmon bagels to omelettes, pancakes, and breakfast burritos, it’s a great place to start the day. However, they also have special menus such as weekend brunch and Fiesta Fridays when they serve a number of Mexican tacos.
Maple Leaf Restaurant: Czech fare in Gananoque
The name is a bit confusing, but if you’re looking for Eastern European food, this is the place to go. This classic Gananoque restaurant has been serving homestyle Czech food for more than 30 years. Some of the things they offer include schnitzel, perogies, and borscht. Our favourite, however, was the Rouladen.
The Purple House Café: Wood-fired pizza and salads
Not only is this one of the coolest-looking restaurants in the area, it’s extremely popular for its wood-fired pizzas. The beautiful outdoor space is like a lush garden, making it a great spot during the warmer months. They don’t take reservations though and it can be busy.
Spend a Few Nights
Last but not least, if you really want to experience the top things to do in Gananoque and see the beauty of the 1000 Islands region, we highly recommend spending a few nights. There are quite a few hotels in the area, such as:
Ramada by Wyndham Gananoque Provincial Inn
Located right at the entrance to the town, not far from the helicopter tours, is the Ramada. The rustic rooms are arranged in rows of connected cabins, giving it a motel-type feel. They offer free breakfast and they are also home to the 1000 Islands Muskie, an oversized roadside attraction that is great for photos. If you do stay here, however, you will need to drive into Gananoque’s downtown area where all the restaurants are. It is not walking distance.
Comfort Inn & Suites Thousand Islands Harbour District
For a chain restaurant in a more convenient location, the Comfort Inn & Suites is a great option. It’s within walking distance of the downtown area and many of the top attractions, meaning you can leave the car most of the time.
Want More?
While the 1000 Islands area is one of the coolest places to visit in Ontario, there’s so much more to Canada’s largest province. For more tips on what to do, check out our guides below:
Leave a Reply
\n