Welcome to South Eastern Ontario
Laced together by the sparkling St. Lawrence River, Rideau Canal, Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario, this region serves up all the ingredients for a perfect getaway. On its shores you’ll find fascinating history, quaint villages, inspiring art, live theatre and gastronomic delights. On its waters, enjoy world class sailing and scuba diving, pristine beaches and leisurely cruises.
Inspired by the original Mohawk name ‘’Kaniatarowanenneh’ (big water), this beautiful stretch of Ontario is entirely linked by water – from Cornwall on the St. Lawrence River to Lake Ontario’s Kingston and on to the Bay of Quinte. In between, it’s dotted by hundreds of lakes and winds its way north along the UNESCO World Heritage designated Rideau Canal. Strap on your hiking boots and take in some fresh air, or set sail and enjoy the wind in your hair. No matter how you choose to explore it, South Eastern Ontario offers some of the best places to visit in Ontario. https://thegreatwaterway.com
Frontenac County https://visitfrontenac.ca
Imagine blue skies and calm clear waters, rolling farmland and jutting rock faces, pristine forests and quaint small towns. It’s more than just a place, it’s Frontenac.
Frontenac encompasses an area of almost 4,000 square kilometres from the northern stretches of untouched crown land to the sandy southern shores of Wolfe Island. There is a sense among the people who live in Frontenac — this area is special. Special for its recreational opportunities, its highly skilled food producers, and its growing number of high-quality events. Swing by for a visit sometime, we’ll be happy to show you around.
Lennox and Addington https://www.lennox-addington.on.ca/explore
The County of Lennox and Addington stretches from Lake Ontario to the rugged, rocky terrain of the Canadian Shield. The 2,777 square km County is 130 km long. Peppered with lakes and forests, this region is a popular recreational area for geocaching to motorcycling and stargazing.
Bay of Quinte https://bayofquinte.ca/
You might know us as a midway stop on road trips between Toronto and Montreal, as a sports tournament destination, as the home of Canada’s largest air base, or as a top spot for walleye fishing. You might know us as the place you grew up in, or you might not know us at all .The Bay of Quinte region is affordable and attractive, allowing for an attainable vacation. Come for a visit to see why we love to live, work and play here.
Prince Edward County https://www.visitpec.ca/
One of Canada’s newest wine regions, “The County” is a place of inspiration, hospitality, tranquility and fun, where rural roots and creative pursuits come together to make a unique island vibe. Follow bucolic backroads to award-winning wineries, cideries and breweries. Stop in at art galleries and artists’ studios on the Arts Trail. Visit with artisanal food producers, then sample their wares on the Taste Trail. With 800 km of shoreline, one of Canada’s best beaches and a range of accommodations from camping to luxury spa suites, you can relax, rejuvenate, and experience the majestic in all seasons in beautiful Prince Edward County.
Kingston https://www.visitkingston.ca/
Kingston is a hub where makers, culinary enthusiasts and musicians bring a vibrant, modern culture to Canada’s first capital city. Come for Fort Henry and stay for the world-class festivals, outdoor concerts, unique shops, and charming restaurants. Enjoy a diverse mix of fine and casual dining, bars and pubs, microbreweries, and cafes. The vibrant downtown features a collection of authentic boutiques, galleries and performance venues including Canada’s oldest continuously run farmers market in North America.
1000 Islands Gananoque
Gananoque is stunning. Visitors enjoy its shops and galleries as well as taking in a show on the waterfront at the popular Thousand Islands Playhouse. You’ll hear stories and legends of triumph, tragedy, romance, shipwreck and piracy and see the lavish homes of the rich and famous aboard a 1000 Islands cruise. http://www.1000islandstourism.com/
Brockville
Brockville is an enchanting waterfront destination. Experience a sound and light show in Canada’s First Rail Tunnel. Visit the Aquatarium, enjoy live theatre or a boat cruise in the famous 1000 Islands. One of the world’s best freshwater diving destinations with many wrecks and an underwater sculpture park. http://brockvilletourism.com/
Rideau Canal https://www.visitrideaucanal.com/
The Rideau Canal stretches from Lake Ontario in Kingston to the Ottawa River following the Cataraqui and Rideau Rivers. It is 202 kilometres long, of which about 19 kilometres is man made (locks and canal cuts), the rest are natural waters. There are 45 locks with 23 lockstations along the main route of the Rideau. The canal winds its way through historic sites, charming villages, quaint attractions and spectacular recreation areas, offering visitors a variety of world-class arts, heritage and recreation experiences.
Cornwall http://www.cornwalltourism.com/
There are countless ways to enjoy our City. Whether it’s taking in our beautiful waterfront trails, tantalizing your taste buds at one of our many great dining establishments, shopping for that unique item or going to a festival or event, Cornwall has a lot to offer. Cornwall has a rich history and a diverse culture. Our City has world-class amenities you’d expect from a big centre together with small-town charm and hospitality.
SDG Counties – Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry https://www.whereontariobegan.ca/
Cornwall is situated at the heart of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, an area rich in history and natural beauty. From historic sites to popular campsites and beaches and world-class attractions, there is plenty to explore in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
Food and Drink
Great artisanal foods and master chefs are peppered among the award-winning wineries of Prince Edward County. This edgy young region on the shore of Lake Ontario offers a compelling alternative to Niagara wine tours. Stop for a tasting or tour and stay for dinner. Micro breweries and cideries are emerging across our region, and the local-food movement is in full swing in South Eastern Ontario. Artisanal producers are making things by hand in small batches, showcasing the best flavours and quality ingredients this region has to offer. Purchase fresh produce, meat, and eggs directly from farms, and look for locally produced ingredients on restaurant menus.
Festivals
South Eastern Ontario is alive with four seasons of festival fun to stimulate your sense of adventure. Regattas take to the waters of Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River, and foodies will love sampling food and agricultural fairs. Celebrate Scottish heritage at the Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville, and the Tall Ships Festival always delights in Brockville. The Limestone City Blues Festival headlines some of the world’s best musicians in Kingston and the Wolfe Island Music Festival showcases new and upcoming talents.
Golf
South Eastern Ontario is lucky enough to be the home of some of the best courses in all of Canada. From the Upper Canada Golf Course just outside of Morrisburg to Wellington on the Lake Golf in Prince Edward County, South Eastern Ontario has over a dozen of spectacular courses for you to play. Once you step onto the greens, you’ll see why this area has a reputation for being a premier golf destination.
Theatre
Live performance is part of South Eastern Ontario’s playbill. Prince Edward County is the place to mix a taste for fine local wines and cheeses with performances at Picton and Belleville theatres. The Picton-based Festival Players perform a full summer season of great Canadian plays at outdoor venues like the Rosehall Run Vineyards. Brockville theatre combines history and heritage with entertainment for modern audiences. Dating back to 1858, the 700 seat Brockville Arts Centre is one of the most venerable theatres in Canada. Theatre in Kingston offers four seasons of unforgettable live entertainment. Upriver in Gananoque, the Thousand Islands Playhouse brings professional summer theatre to life and is a destination in and of itself.
Cycling
The air and waters of South Eastern Ontario are clear. the summer sun is gentle, and the outdoors invite cycling from hours to days. The rolling countryside here makes cycling accessible for every skill level. Criss-crossed by well-defined routes, it’s easy to go at your own pace or keep up with one of the many organized bike tours that connect area attractions. Thousands of miles of country roads and dedicated bike trails make exploration expansive and easy. From Kingston, hit the K&P Trail and bike north to Harrowsmith — keep heading north on the K&P, or turn and take the Cataraqui Trail — both routes threads silently through nature’s best. The Waterfront Trail offers 90 km of uninterrupted cycling along a scenic route on the shore of the St. Lawrence River. Running right through the heart of colonial Cornwall and neighboring towns, Adventure Cyclist magazine calls it one of the best cycling tour routes in Canada.
Heritage and History
Morrisburg’s Upper Canada Village is a living, working, colonial town where 1860s pioneer life in Upper Canada comes alive. Make your way up river to Brockville and discover Canada’s First Railway Tunnel. Continue to Rockport and enjoy an important steamboat building, transportation and cord wood refueling centre. Brockville, Rockport and Gananoque are three perfect locations to experience a 1000 Islands cruise – one of South Eastern Ontario “Canadian Signature Experiences”. From Gananoque, head east to Kingston, Canada’s first Capital City, and tour Fort Henry and the Kingston Fortifications. Travel north up the Rideau Canal, through many lockstations and stop to tour the grounds at Jones Falls where you can talk with a Parks Canada blacksmith, tour his blacksmith shop as well as a defensible Lockmaster’s House and visit the Stone Arch Dam. In Frontenac, cycle the historic K&P Trail and visit Trousdale’s, Canada’s Oldest General Store.