Take the Thousand Islands Parkway to experience the tranquil views of the St. Lawrence River and the Thousand Islands. You will travel through Rockport, Gananoque, and Brockville, to Prescott and Athens, then back to Kingston via Highway 15. This 238 km (175 mile) route take about 3 hours, 45 minutes.
From the Visitor Information Centre (209 Ontario Street), drive east on Ontario Street/Highway 2, crossing the LaSalle Causeway.
Points of interest, Kingston
The LaSalle Causeway
The LaSalle Causeway links downtown Kingston to Kingston East near the mouth of the Cataraqui River. It was built in 1917, replacing the 1829 “Penny Bridge,” a wooden toll bridge with a swing section to allow passage of marine vessels.
Grass Creek Park
Grass Creek Park is a 95-acre community park on Highway 2 in Kingston East. It offers a large sandy beach with cordoned-off swimming area, a picnic area, and an off-leash area for dogs.
MacLachlan Woodworking Museum
The MacLachlan Woodworking Museum at the entrance of Grass Creek Park is housed in an 1855 log cabin. The museum has an extensive collection of historic woodworking tools and offers hands-on learning programs.
Optional stop: Take the ferry to Howe Island.
Howe Island is the fourth largest of the Thousand Islands. It is a farming community, and also has several cottages. It is connected to the mainland by two ferries, one closer to Kingston and one closer to Gananoque.
Continue on Highway 2 to Gananoque. Follow King Street East through Gananoque.
1000 Islands History Museum
This family-friendly waterfront museum explores 10,000 years of the area’s history and heritage, from the Indigenous Peoples to European settlement, the War of 1812 and more.
Turn right onto Thousand Islands Parkway. Follow the parkway through Grey’s Beach, Halstead’s Bay, and Ivy Lea.
Optional stop: Past Ivy Lea, turn left to merge onto ON-137 South to visit Hill Island/Thousand Islands Tower.
Hill Island /The 1000 Islands Tower
The 1000 Islands Tower offers visitors an aerial view of the Thousand Islands region. With a quick 40-second elevator ride up, the observation deck provides visitors with a spectacular panoramic view of the islands and the St. Lawrence River.
Continue on Thousand Islands Parkway through Rockport and Mallorytown.
Merge onto Highway 401 East, then take exit 687 for County Road 2 into Brockville.
Points of interest: Brockville
Fulford Place Museum
the Fulford Place Museum allows visitors to experience the Edwardian mansion of Senator George Taylor Fulford, built between 1899 and 1901. Designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1992, the mansion is open to the public for tours. The gardens were originally designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Olmstead, who also designed New York City’s Central Park.
Aquatarium
Explore the biology and history of the St. Lawrence River through an aquaria, interactive exhibits, and activities for kids and adults.
Continue on County Road 2 to Prescott.
Point of interest: Prescott
Fort Wellington
Fort Wellington was built as defence during the War of 1812 for protection against American invasion along the St. Lawrence shipping routes. Take in a tour, and explore the fort, which includes the wreck of an 1812-era gunboat. The fort is open from late May to mid-October.
From Fort Wellington National Historic Site, take Boundary Street north, turn left at Churchill Road East, then Edward Street North to Highway 401 westbound.
Turn right onto Stewart Boulevard/County Road 29 and right on Dubruge Road to visit Mac Johnson Wildlife Area.
Point of interest: Mac Johnson Wildlife Area
Mac Johnson Wildlife Area
North of Brockville, the Mac Johnson Wildlife Area includes 532 hectares of wetland, field, and forest. This bio-diverse area includes 11 kilometres of trails for exploration.
Continue back on County Road 29, travelling west. Turn left onto County Road 42 west to Athens. Turn left onto Lyndhurst Road (signs for County Road 33). Continue on County Road 33 to Lyndhurst.
Turn left onto Highway 15 and continue on Highway 15 to Brewer’s Mills.
Follow Highway 15 back into Kingston. Make a stop at the Barriefield Rock Garden before you return to the city.
Point of interest: Barriefield Rock Garden
At the corners of highways 15 and 2, the Barriefield Rock Garden is accessible by foot from Barriefield’s Main Street. With perennials and trees complementing the surrounding imestone rock, the garden also offers pathways and seating areas for the traveller to stop and take in the beauty of nature. Created in 1990 by Bill Robb, a retired engineering technician, the garden is maintained by volunteers.
