Toronto Public Library
Eastern Ontario
Eastern Ontario encompasses the countryside east of Toronto as far as the Québec border. Within weekending distance of Toronto, Prince Edward County's fertile pastures support a long farming tradition and young wine industry. Travelers journeying on the busy Hwy 401 should detour through this scenic, culinary and historic realm.
For museums, history and urban vibes, head to Kingston, the first capital of modern-day Canada, and of course today's vibrant capital, Ottawa. East of Kingston is the Thousand Islands region, a foggy archipelago of lonely isles along the deep St Lawrence Seaway, where the towns of Gananoque and Brockville have a genteel Victorian feel.
Eastern Ontario's natural beauty extends to the interior, which overflows with scenic parks and preserves. Algonquin Provincial Park is the area's flagship domain, offering unparalleled canoeing and wildlife spotting among towering jack pines and lakes. Similar topography extends to the Haliburton Highlands, Kawarthas and Land O' Lakes.
Latest Stories from Eastern Ontario
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Eastern Ontario.
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National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery is a work of art in itself: its striking ensemble of pink granite and glass spires echoes the ornate copper-topped towers of the nearby parliament buildings. Inside, vaulted galleries exhibit predominantly Canadian art, classic and contemporary, including an impressive collection of work by Inuit and other indigenous artists. It's the world's largest Canadian collection, although additional galleries of European and American treasures include several recognizable names and masterpieces. Interpretive panels guide visitors through the nation's history and cultural development. Deep within the gallery's interior you'll find two smooth courtyards and the remarkable Rideau Street Convent Chapel. Built in 1888, the stunning wooden chapel was saved from demolition and rebuilt here 100 years later – quite extraordinary.
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Boldt Castle
This lavish turn-of-the-century island castle in the middle of the St Lawrence is only around 25km from Gananoque, but technically in the USA, so you'll need your passport to visit. It was built by George C Boldt, original proprietor of New York's famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Many Thousand Island cruise tours stop here, or you can drive 23km from Gananoque to Alexandria Bay, NY, USA, where 10-minute shuttles cross the 1km of water to the castle. From the Thousand Islands Pkwy, Hwy 137/81 crosses the Thousand Islands Bridge (and the border) to Alexandria Bay. Canadian cruises depart from Gananoque for a five-hour tour (including the cruise and castle visit) and from Rockport for a 3½- or five-hour tour.
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1000 Islands Tower
Just east of Ivy Lea, some 20km from Gananoque, a series of soaring bridges links Ontario to New York State, USA, over several islands. Halfway across, just before crossing the international border, this 130m-high observation tower offers fantastic views of the archipelago from two open decks, plus explanatory exhibits on a glass-enclosed deck. And yes, there's an elevator.
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Canadian Museum of History
Allow plenty of time to experience this high-tech, must-see museum across the river, in Hull, Québec. Documenting the history of Canada through a range of spectacular exhibits, it's an objective recounting of the nation's timeline from the perspectives of its Indigenous peoples, its colonial beginnings and today's rich multicultural diversity. Entry includes admission to the Canadian Children's Museum, based around a theme of 'the Great Adventure': over 30 exhibition spaces whisk kids off on a journey around the world. Outside, there are stunning views of Parliament Hill across the river. The building's striking stone exterior has been sculpted into smooth ripples, like an undulating wave, to honor the indigenous belief that evil dwells in angled nooks. A variety of visiting hands-on exhibitions, events and state-of-the-art big-screen films maintain year-round appeal. You can catch an Aqua-Taxi ferry there from Ottawa Locks.
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Canadian War Museum
Fascinating displays twist through the labyrinthine interior of this sculpture-like, modern museum, tracing Canada's military history with the nation's most comprehensive collection of war-related artifacts. Many of the touching and thought-provoking exhibits are larger than life, including a replica of a WWI trench. Take a look at the facade in the evening, if you can: flickering lights pulse on and off spelling 'Lest We Forget' and 'CWM' in both English and French Morse code.
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Thousand Islands National Park
On the Thousand Islands Pkwy south of Mallorytown, you'll find the Mallorytown Landing Visitors Centre for the Thousand Islands National Park, which preserves a gentle green archipelago of over 20 freckle-sized islands, scattered between Kingston and Brockville. A 2km walking trail and interpretive center allow visitors to learn more about the lush terrain and resident wildlife. Further hiking trails and canoe routes explore deeper into the park. A dozen islands support backcountry camping (BYO boat). You can also stay in a luxurious oTENTik roofed safari tent at the visitor center or on two of the islands.
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Parliament Hill
Vast, yawning archways, copper-topped turrets and Gothic-Revival gargoyles dominate the facade of the stunning lime-and-sandstone parliament buildings. The main building, known as the Centre Block, supports the iconic Peace Tower and is undergoing renovations until at least 2028. Until then, visitors can still tour the House of Commons in the West Block and the historic East Block. The Senate is now in a new building close to Parliament Hill. It's best to book your tour online. Tours of the East and West block last around 40 to 50 minutes, depending on parliamentary activity, and may be subject to rigorous security checks going in; it's best to order your tickets in advance, but you can also get them on the day from the ticket office. Free tours of the grounds are also offered. At 10am daily in summer, see the colorful changing of the guard on the front lawns, and at night enjoy the free bilingual sound-and-light show on Parliament Hill. No ticket required for either. Visitors are welcome to watch debates in the Senate and the House of Commons whenever they are in session. Check the calendars on the website to find out when the chambers will be sitting. Again, expect lengthy security checks.
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Fort Henry National Historic Site
This restored British fortification, dating from 1832, overlooks Kingston from its hilltop perch. The postcard-perfect structure is brought to life by colorfully uniformed guards trained in military drills, artillery exercises and the fife-and-drum music of the 1860s. The soldiers put on displays throughout the day; don't miss the Garrison Parade (2:30pm late May to early September). Admission includes an optional guided tour of the fort's campus. Check the website for details of the many special events throughout the year, including the ghostly Fort Fright in fall and Fort Frost in winter.
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Canadian Museum of Nature
This imposing baronial building houses one of the world's best natural history collections, which the vast museum brings to life with modern and interactive exhibits. There's an impressive collection of fossils, the full skeleton of a blue whale and an excellent stock of dinosaur skeletons and models. Everyone loves the realistic mammal and bird dioramas depicting Canadian wildlife – the taxidermic creatures are so lifelike, you'll be glad they're behind a sheet of glass. General admission is free between 5pm and 8pm on Thursdays.