Days Out Ontario

Eastern Ontario stretches from the eastern shore of Lake Ontario through the St. Lawrence River corridor and north along the Rideau Canal to the Ottawa River. This is one of the oldest settled regions in the province, and its towns carry that history in their limestone architecture, canal-side parks, and waterfront fortifications. For visitors from both Toronto and Ottawa, eastern Ontario offers a distinct mix of heritage sites, waterfront towns, and a growing food and drink scene that has quietly become one of the best in the province.

Kingston and the 1000 Islands

Kingston sits where Lake Ontario empties into the St. Lawrence River, a strategic position that made it one of the most important military and commercial centres in early Canada. The city served briefly as the capital of the Province of Canada in the 1840s, and Fort Henry, perched on a hill above the harbour, remains one of Ontario's premier heritage attractions. Downtown Kingston is built from local limestone, giving the streetscape a warmth and consistency that few Ontario cities can match. The waterfront runs from the Royal Military College through Confederation Park to the harbour, where tour boats depart for cruises through the 1000 Islands.

Gananoque is the other gateway to the 1000 Islands, a small town east of Kingston where the Gananoque River meets the St. Lawrence. The town's identity is tied to the island archipelago, with multiple boat tour operators running narrated cruises through the channels. The Thousand Islands Playhouse, housed in a converted canoe club on the waterfront, stages professional theatre through the summer season. Gananoque is compact and walkable, with enough restaurants and shops to fill the time before or after a cruise.

The Rideau Corridor

Perth is one of eastern Ontario's most handsome small towns, built along the Tay River with a stone heritage that reflects its Scottish founders. The downtown features independent shops, the classic Crystal Palace event space, and Stewart Park along the river. Perth has developed a strong food scene, with restaurants and producers that draw visitors from Ottawa and beyond. The town also sits on the Rideau Trail, a long-distance hiking route that connects Kingston to Ottawa.

Smiths Falls straddles the Rideau Canal and has repositioned itself as a stop for heritage and canal-side recreation. The Rideau Canal Museum tells the story of the canal's construction, one of the great engineering achievements of 19th-century North America. The town has a rail museum and a restored downtown that's finding new life with cafes and shops. Smiths Falls is a natural stop on a scenic drive along the Rideau corridor.

Merrickville is a village of about 1,000 people on the Rideau Canal, south of Smiths Falls. It has an outsized reputation for its gallery scene, its blockhouse (one of the best-preserved along the canal), and its walkable main street of boutiques and artisan shops. In summer, watching boats lock through at the centre of the village is a pastime in itself. Merrickville is small enough to explore in an hour or two, making it a good addition to a longer day that includes Perth or Smiths Falls.

Prince Edward County and Brockville

Prince Edward County has become one of Ontario's most talked-about destinations over the past decade. The county is technically an island in Lake Ontario, connected by a short bridge, and it has developed a thriving wine region, a farm-to-table dining scene, and a community of artists and makers. Sandbanks Provincial Park draws summer crowds for its massive sand dunes and warm swimming, while the towns of Picton and Wellington offer browsing, tasting, and eating. The County, as locals call it, rewards a full day or weekend rather than a quick pass-through.

Brockville sits on the St. Lawrence River east of Gananoque and claims the title of Ontario's oldest incorporated city. The waterfront has been revitalized with a tunnel attraction (the Brockville Railway Tunnel, lit with a colourful LED display), a refurbished downtown, and river access for kayaking and boat tours. Brockville's courthouse district and Fulford Place mansion add heritage depth.

Planning Your Visit

Eastern Ontario works well as a corridor trip. A drive from Kingston to Ottawa along the Rideau Canal, with stops in Perth, Smiths Falls, and Merrickville, fills a full day with variety. The 1000 Islands section from Kingston to Brockville is a separate day's worth of waterfront exploring. Prince Edward County stands alone as a weekend destination. For broader trip planning, see our waterfront towns guide or our weekend getaways page. The Parks Canada Rideau Canal site has current lockstation hours and boating information. Eastern Ontario is the kind of region that keeps revealing new layers the more time you give it.