Eastern Ontario Travel Guide

Adventures by the Thousand (Islands)

Canadians have a habit of downplaying their strong points - and the naming of the many small tracts of land that form stepping-stones across the St. Lawrence River is just another example. Officially called the 1000 Islands, they actually number closer to 1,800.

And each of them is beautiful in its own right, as a cruise among these islands from Kingston, Gananoque or Brockville will attest. The sight of just one sunset from your cruise ship is worth the price of passage.

Sugar-Coat Your History

Eastern Ontario has a lot of other natural and man-made attractions to brag about, as well - there's Kingston, called “The Limestone City” due to a number of heritage buildings made of this material. Another attraction this beautiful city offers is Fort Henry, where authentic 19th-century military drills and cannon battles thrill locals and visitors alike.

Eastern Ontario is steeped in history, including Morrisburg's Upper Canada Village, a meticulously restored community of the mid-1800s. A man-made structure of historical importance is the Rideau Canal, built from Kingston to Ottawa after the War of 1812 to serve as a fast method of transporting troops in the event of another invasion from the South. A boat trip or hike along this waterway is a great way to learn about the heritage of the United Empire Loyalists who settled in Canada after America's Revolutionary War.

Another example of life more than a century ago can be found in Merrickville, where artisans still ply ancient crafts and sell the fruits of their labor. Many say Merrickville is one of the prettiest villages in North America.

And for those with a sweet tooth, there are tastings of Canada's home-grown syrup and sugar at the many annual maple syrup festivals during March and April in Lanark County, known as the Maple Syrup Capital of Ontario. Or if chocolate is more to your liking, a visit to the Hershey Factory in Smiths Falls should satisfy even the strongest cravings.

Eastern Ontario Travels

Swimming, windsurfing, fishing, cycling and hiking abound in this Eastern Ontario playground. You'll also find:

• Sandbanks Provincial Park, as its name implies, offers miles and miles of sandy beaches as well as impressive wave action for swimming and windsurfing. It also boasts the world's largest system of freshwater sand dunes.
• Bay of Quinte Country is a fisherman's paradise where local rivers and creeks teem with pike, walleye and bass. Come for a day and you'll want to stay a week at Belleville, which lives up to its French name that translates as beautiful city.
• The Emerald Necklace Trail System in Petawawa is a unique outdoor museum showcasing the region's land, history and people through heritage trails, historic waterways and well-maintained bike trails.
• The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO in November 2002, is one of over 400 Biosphere Reserves throughout the world. Cycling or hiking just doesn't get any better than this as you wend your way through a breathtaking parcel of wilderness between Brockville, Kingston and Westport.