Free
Thousand Islands Parkway trail
A paved recreational trail running beside the scenic Parkway along the St. Lawrence, with island views most of the way.
Thousand Islands, Ontario
Gananoque
The classic gateway to the Thousand Islands: boat tours among granite islands and summer cottages, a national park in the river, and a playhouse on the water.
Photo: The Gananoque Boat Line's Thousand Islander cruise boat, Mykola Swarnyk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Gananoque sits where the Gananoque River meets the St. Lawrence, right in the heart of the Thousand Islands. Boats leave the waterfront to weave among the islands, some passing Boldt Castle and the famous island cottages.
East of town, the Thousand Islands Parkway runs along the river with a paved trail beside it, and Thousand Islands National Park protects islands and shoreline nearby. Hop on a bike or a boat and wander.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Joel Stone Park
A waterfront park with a small beach and picnic spots near downtown.
Cheap
Thousand Islands National Park
Parks Canada's island park, with mainland trails at Jones Creek and Mallorytown Landing and island camping by boat.
Cheap
Charleston Lake Provincial Park
A clear, rocky Canadian Shield lake with hiking trails and rock shelters, north of the river.
Paid
Gananoque Boat Line cruise
Island cruises from the town dock, including longer trips toward Boldt Castle, now run as City Cruises Gananoque.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Paid
1000 Islands Tower
An observation tower on Hill Island with views over the islands and the border.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Downtown Gananoque
A small main street with shops, cafés and the old town hall overlooking the river.
Free
Brockville Railway Tunnel
Canada's first railway tunnel, now a lit walkway with a light-and-sound show, in nearby Brockville.
Cheap
Arthur Child Heritage Museum
A waterfront museum telling the story of the Thousand Islands and their people.
Paid
Thousand Islands Playhouse
A professional summer theatre with stages on the river.
Paid
Boldt Castle
A grand early-1900s castle on Heart Island, in New York waters. Reached by boat; passport required.
Paid
Rockport Boat Line
Cruises from the village of Rockport, east along the Parkway.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Singer Castle on Dark Island
Castle tours on an island in the St. Lawrence, reached by boat.
Season Tours roughly May–fall (check before you go).
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
- Gananoque Boat Line cruise Cruise
- 1000 Islands Tower Tickets
- Thousand Islands Playhouse Show
- Rockport Boat Line Cruise
Part of our Thousand Islands guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- A long island cruise plus the Parkway trail makes a full, happy day.
- Thousand Islands Playhouse shows are in the evening, right on the river.
- Kingston is half an hour away, and Brockville's tunnel and Aquatarium are close too.
Nearby and worth the drive
Alexandria Bay and Claytonabout 40 min · Guide ↗
Boldt Castle, river parks and the Antique Boat Museum, over the Thousand Islands Bridge. A passport is required.
Kingstonabout 30 min · Guide ↗Fort Henry, the limestone downtown and the free Wolfe Island ferry.
Brockvilleabout 40 min · Guide ↗Canada's first railway tunnel, the waterfront and the Aquatarium.
Ready-made trips with Gananoque
Good to know
- Tourism: 1000islandsgananoque.com.
- Boldt Castle: It is in New York waters. Cruises that land there require a passport.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: The Gananoque Boat Line's Thousand Islander cruise boat, Mykola Swarnyk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: The St. Lawrence from Joel Stone Park, Gananoque, Finn Long, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: The Thousand Islands seen from the 1000 Islands Tower, King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Thousand Islands Railway locomotive on display in Gananoque, Mykola Swarnyk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Boldt Castle on Heart Island, Nandaro, CC BY-SA 3.0