Gananoque

Gananoque is one of the main stepping stones to the picturesque Thousand Islands, long a playground for the very wealthy. Most visitors come here to take a cruise around the 1,864 islands occupying the wide body of water where the St. Lawrence River joins Lake Ontario. The most famous port of call is Boldt Castle — which is, in fact, in the United States – where the uncompleted mansion bears witness to the grief of wealthy hotelier George Boldt on the death of his wife. At the junction of the Gananoque River and the St. Lawrence, Gananoque has a pleasant, laid-back feel. The attractive downtown waterfront offers numerous buildings dating ...

Gananoque is one of the main stepping stones to the picturesque Thousand Islands, long a playground for the very wealthy. Most visitors come here to take a cruise around the 1,864 islands occupying the wide body of water where the St. Lawrence River joins Lake Ontario. The most famous port of call is Boldt Castle — which is, in fact, in the United States – where the uncompleted mansion bears witness to the grief of wealthy hotelier George Boldt on the death of his wife. At the junction of the Gananoque River and the St. Lawrence, Gananoque has a pleasant, laid-back feel. The attractive downtown waterfront offers numerous buildings dating back to the 1800s including the Gananoque Inn, a resort that has graced the town’s shoreline since 1896. The town’s surroundings, which of course include Lake Ontario and the Gananoque River, offer much for those who enjoy golfing, fishing, boating and camping, as well as the popular 1000 Islands Music Fest each August.

About the Expert

Joanna Ebbutt is the author or editor of three Insight Guides to Toronto and Canada, and coauthor of Off the Beaten Track: Western Canada. She has been writing about travel for three decades, including chasing the aurora borealis in Northern Ontario.