Image by Dick Loek / 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.

Explore Eastern Ontario

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Eastern Ontario.

  • Museum

    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…

  • Castle

    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…

  • Museum

    Canadian Canoe Museum

    Displaying the world's largest collection of canoes and kayaks, this museum is a must-visit. The phenomenal display of around 150 canoes (500 are stacked…

  • Viewpoint

    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,…

  • Museum

    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…

  • Museum

    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…

  • Cultural Centre

    Experience Akwesasne Welcome Centre

    Pop into this small interpretive center on Cornwall Island, between the bridge to the US border post and the bridge back to the Canadian mainland, to…

  • National Park

    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…

  • Historic Building

    Parliament Hill

    Vast, yawning archways, copper-topped turrets and Gothic-Revival gargoyles dominate the facade of the stunning lime-and-sandstone parliament buildings…

  • Historic Site

    Rideau Canal

    In 2007, this National Historic Site became Canada's 14th location to be named a World Heritage site, and it remains one of the country's eight cultural…

  • Historic Site

    Upper Canada Village

    Some 12km east of Morrisburg, the region's preeminent attraction is a re-created town where costume-clad interpreters emulate life in the 1860s. Plan to…

  • River

    Trent-Severn Waterway

    This scenic waterway cuts diagonally across eastern Ontario, linking the lakes and rivers of Simcoe County and the forested Kawarthas. The scenic hydro…

  • Park

    Sandbanks Provincial Park

    Offering some of the best sandy swimming beaches in Ontario, popular Sandbanks Provincial Park is divided into two sections: the Outlet, an irresistible…

  • Park

    Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary

    The Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary offers 8km of self-guided nature trails and boardwalks that meander through a variety of habitats, from wooded…

  • Historic Site

    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…

  • Historic Building

    Diefenbunker

    During the Cold War, paranoid officials commissioned this gargantuan four-floored, secret subterranean bunker, designed to allow the government to operate…

  • Museum

    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…

  • Gallery

    Algonquin Art Centre

    Exhibits an array of wilderness-themed art through several media including paintings, photography, carvings and sculpture. Outdoor interpretive panels are…

  • Church

    Notre Dame Cathedral-Basilica

    Built in the 1840s, this shimmering tin-topped house of worship is the oldest church in all of Ottawa and the seat of the city's Roman Catholic archbishop…

  • Museum

    Fulford Place

    This stunning 35-room Edwardian mansion was built in the early 1900s for quack-medicine millionaire George Taylor Fulford, the producer of the 'Pink Pills…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Eastern Ontario.

  • Activities