Ontario · Canada

Kingston and Thousand Islands

The former capital of the united Province of Canada, with Fort Henry and the end of the Rideau Canal, and the archipelago of more than 1,800 islands in the Saint Lawrence River.

Ontario

In the photo: Waterfront and downtown Kingston, at the gateway to the Thousand Islands region

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Kingston sits where Lake Ontario narrows and becomes the Saint Lawrence River, halfway between Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. It was a British naval base and the first capital of the Province of Canada from 1841 to 1844, and it preserves a downtown of gray limestone buildings, like City Hall and the market square.

The city is the terminus of the Rideau Canal, opened in 1832 to connect Kingston to Ottawa via 202 km of rivers, lakes and locks, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Kingston’s fortifications. Fort Henry, on the high point of the peninsula across from downtown, hosts summer parades and the Fort Henry Guard’s sunset ceremony.

To the east, the Saint Lawrence spreads into an archipelago of more than 1,800 islands, the Thousand Islands, between Canada and the United States. Many islands have seasonal homes, some barely larger than the houses on them. The village of Gananoque is the base for sightseeing boats, and Thousand Islands National Park protects part of the islands and shore.

The Thousand Islands Parkway runs along the river for 37 km, with a bike path alongside.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Kingston, Gananoque.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

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Where Kingston and Thousand Islands is

Boundaries: Statistics Canada (Statistics Canada Open Licence) / geoBoundaries. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Kingston and Thousand Islands

✈ Kingston Norman Rogers Airport (YGK) · 10 km to Kingston

Kingston is about 260 km from Toronto and 290 km from Montreal via Highway 401. VIA Rail trains between Toronto and Montreal or Ottawa stop in Kingston. Kingston Airport (YGK) has regional flights.

Suggested arrival point: Kingston

Ontário · Kingston and Thousand Islands Suggested arrival point

Kingston

City at the outlet of Lake Ontario, the first capital of the Province of Canada, with a downtown of limestone buildings, a domed city hall and a market square. Across the harbour stands Fort Henry, and to the north are the Kingston Mills locks at the end of the Rideau Canal. Sightseeing boats to the islands depart from the waterfront.

Ontário · Kingston and Thousand Islands

Gananoque

A small town on the Saint Lawrence, the gateway to the Thousand Islands, where sightseeing boats depart for the islands. Nearby are Thousand Islands National Park and the scenic Thousand Islands Parkway, and downtown has a museum about the river and the islands.

The local experience

Things to do in Kingston and Thousand Islands

Kingston · Ontario · Fortress

Fort Henry National Historic Site

Limestone British fortress built between 1832 and 1837 on a hill overlooking Kingston, a World Heritage Site, home to the Fort Henry Guard and the summer sunset ceremony.

Gananoque · Ontario · National park

Thousand Islands National Park

One of Canada’s smallest national parks, with islands in the Saint Lawrence, the Mallorytown Landing shore and forest trails, created in 1904.

Kingston · Ontario · Historic building

Kingston City Hall and Market Square

Limestone city hall with a dome, completed in 1844 when Kingston was the capital, and the square behind it, with a farmers’ market and an outdoor skating rink in winter.

Gananoque · Ontario · Panoramic road

Thousand Islands Parkway

A 37 km road along the Saint Lawrence between Gananoque and Brockville, with viewpoints over the islands and a paved bike path alongside.

See 2 more places in Kingston and Thousand Islands

Kingston · Ontario · Canal

Kingston Mills Locks (Rideau Canal National Historic Site)

A set of four Rideau Canal locks north of Kingston, operated by hand as in the 19th century, with a blockhouse and a rock-lined gorge.

Gananoque · Ontario · Museum

Arthur Child Heritage Museum

A riverside museum in Gananoque about the history of the Thousand Islands, with vintage boats, Indigenous life and the grand summer resorts era.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From June to September, with sightseeing boats, Fort Henry and the park operating. Autumn foliage usually colors the shores in late September and early October. In winter Kingston is open, but the boats stop running.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two or three days: one for downtown Kingston and Fort Henry, one for the islands from Gananoque and, if time allows, one for the Rideau Canal.

Which city to stay in

In Kingston, the historic downtown near City Hall and the harbour puts museums, restaurants and boat departures within walking distance. Gananoque has inns and motels by the river, close to the island boats.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Kingston and Thousand Islands

How many islands are in the Thousand Islands archipelago?

More than 1,800 islands, between Canada and the United States, in the Saint Lawrence River.

Is Kingston on the route between Toronto and Montreal?

Yes, about 260 km from Toronto and 290 km from Montreal, by Highway 401 or by train.

Do you need a car in Kingston and the Thousand Islands?

In Kingston, no: downtown is walkable. For Gananoque, the national park and the island road, a car helps.

Do the Thousand Islands boat tours enter the United States?

Most tours stay in Canadian waters or only pass in front of American islands. Disembarking on the U.S. side requires entry documents for the United States; check with the operator.

What time zone is Kingston in?

The same as Toronto: UTC−5, and UTC−4 from March to November (daylight saving time).

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Kingston and Thousand Islands

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip