Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin Provincial Park offers Ontario families world-class wildlife watching, canoeing, guided programs, and stargazing across 7,635 km of Canadian Shield wilderness.
0 guides · Ontario, Ottawa & LakesExplore →
🇨🇦Thousand Islands
The Thousand Islands in Ontario offers families boat cruises, Boldt Castle, national park camping, and scenic river drives along the St. Lawrence.
Your family guide
Thousand Islands with kids: castles, boat trips and camping
“Over 1,800 islands along the St. Lawrence River. Boat cruises, historic castles and national park camping await.”
— San & Jo
The Thousand Islands region stretches along the St. Lawrence River in Ontario, Canada, and it is the kind of place that makes your family exhale. More than 1,800 islands dot the water between Canada and the United States, each one with its own story. Whether you are gliding past a Gilded Age castle on a boat cruise or spotting great blue herons from a kayak, this region has a way of making everyone slow down and pay attention.
Gananoque is your Canadian gateway here, a relaxed waterfront town where most boat cruises depart and where you will find plenty of places to eat, explore, and base yourselves. The region sits between Toronto and Montreal, making it a natural stop on a longer road trip or a destination worth a few days all on its own.
What makes the Thousand Islands special for families is the mix it offers. There is genuine history at Boldt Castle and Fort Wellington, real wilderness inside one of Canada's smallest national parks, and scenic beauty that doesn't need a filter. It's not a theme park, it's not a resort strip. It's a place where children can see dozens of islands from the deck of a boat.
Gananoque, OntarioCanadian gateway town
1,800+ islandsSt. Lawrence River archipelago
May to OctoberBest season for families
Best things to do
Best things to do in Thousand Islands
Scenic boat cruise past Boldt Castle
Hop on a cruise from Gananoque, Ivy Lea, or Brockville and let the river do the work. You will pass Boldt Castle on Heart Island, Singer Castle, and the legendary Millionaires Row. Kids are genuinely wowed by the castles rising out of the water, and the commentary keeps everyone engaged.
Board early for the best deck seats
2-3 hours
Boldt Castle on Heart Island
This Gilded Age landmark is one of the most iconic sights in the entire region. Built in the early 1900s, it comes with a historic yacht house and fascinating stories. You can access it as an add-on to most boat cruises.
Combine with a cruise for the best value
1-2 hours
1000 Islands SkyDeck
Ride the elevator up to 130 metres and get a full 360-degree view of the river and islands. It is one of the quickest ways to understand just how vast this archipelago really is. Open seasonally from May to October.
Go on a clear morning for the sharpest views
30-60 minutes
Thousand Islands National Park
Canada's third-smallest national park covers just 24 square kilometres spread across 26 islands, 80 islets, and shoals. Your family can explore by kayak, hike the trails, go birdwatching, or stay overnight in an oTENTik tent on a remote island shore. It is a genuinely special experience.
Book oTENTik camping well in advance in summer
Half day to full day
Brockville Railway Tunnel
This historic pedestrian tunnel near Brockville's downtown marina is lit up with LED lights, music, and heritage signage. It is a short walk but a surprisingly memorable one, especially for kids who love anything a little dramatic and immersive.
Free to walk through and very stroller-friendly
30 minutes
Birdwatching at Ironsides Island
Ironsides Island hosts one of the largest great blue heron rookeries in northern New York State, with over a thousand herons returning each year. Spotting them from the water on a kayak or boat is a genuine wildlife moment that sticks with kids long after the trip.
Best viewed from the water in early summer
1-2 hours
Thousand Islands Parkway drive
This 37-kilometre scenic drive hugs the St. Lawrence River and delivers continuous views of the islands and water. Roll down the windows, pack some snacks, and take your time. There are pull-offs along the way and it is one of the most relaxed ways to take in the landscape.
Stop at Ivy Lea for a short walk to the bridge viewpoint
1-2 hours
Fort Wellington National Historic Site
Protected and presented by Parks Canada, Fort Wellington gives your family a real window into Canadian military history. The site is well maintained and engaging, with costumed interpreters and interactive elements that make history feel alive rather than dusty.
Check Parks Canada for seasonal programming
1-2 hours
Our verdict
How the Thousand Islands scores for families
Kids
Boat cruises, castles, tunnels, and island camping give kids plenty to talk about. The pace is relaxed and the activities are genuinely fun rather than just educational.
History
Boldt Castle, Fort Wellington, and the 1000 Islands History Museum make this region surprisingly rich in heritage for its size.
Food
Fresh river fish, poutine, wood-fired pizza, and farm-to-table Canadian cooking make for a solid food scene. Not a foodie capital, but genuinely satisfying.
Nature
The national park, heron rookeries, kayaking, and the river landscape are the real stars here. Nature lovers will be very happy.
Budget
Mid-range overall. Boat cruises and castle entry add up, but the parkway drive, tunnel, and park hiking are low cost or free.
Planning your visit
How long should you stay in the Thousand Islands?
1
1 day
Quick stop
A boat cruise, a drive along the Parkway, and a meal in Gananoque. You will get a taste but not much more.
sweet spot
3
3 days
Sweet spot
Time for a cruise, Boldt Castle, the SkyDeck, the Brockville Tunnel, and a half day in the national park. This is what most families actually need.
5
5 days
Deep dive
Add island camping, Fort Wellington, birdwatching, kayaking, and a helicopter tour. You will leave feeling like a local.
Fun facts
Things to know about Thousand Islands
A bridge opened by two presidents
The Thousand Islands International Bridge was opened in 1938 by both Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King and US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It has been a symbol of friendship between the two countries ever since.
One island was actually built by hand
Longue Vue Island is the only artificial island in the entire Thousand Islands region. Among more than 1,800 natural islands, that makes it a genuine one-of-a-kind.
A thousand herons call one island home
Ironsides Island hosts one of the largest great blue heron rookeries in northern New York State. More than a thousand herons return there every year, which is a number that tends to impress even the most hard-to-impress kids.
Taste the Thousand Islands
What to eat with your family in the Thousand Islands
Fresh St. Lawrence River fish
Local favouriteWaterfront restaurants in Gananoque
The river is right there, and local restaurants make the most of it. Pan-fried perch and walleye are regional staples that even picky eaters tend to enjoy. Look for daily catch specials at waterfront spots.
Wood-fired pizza with creative toppings
Must tryPurple House Cafe, Gananoque
The Purple House Cafe in Gananoque is known for its inventive wood-fired pizzas, with combinations like pear, steak, and Brie. It sounds fancy but the relaxed atmosphere makes it very family-friendly.
Czech-Canadian fusion
Safe choiceMaple Leaf Restaurant, Gananoque
The Maple Leaf Restaurant in Gananoque is a genuinely family-friendly spot offering an unusual but enjoyable mix of Czech and Canadian cooking. It is the kind of place that surprises you in the best way.
British pub fare
Safe choiceOld English Pub, Gananoque
The Old English Pub in Gananoque is one of the most reviewed dining spots in the region and a solid choice when your family just wants something straightforward, hearty, and reliable after a long day on the water.
Poutine
Kids love itAvailable at casual spots throughout the region
Quebec-influenced comfort food shows up across the Thousand Islands food scene, and poutine is always popular with children. Crispy fries, cheese curds, and gravy. It's a Canadian classic and always a crowd-pleaser.
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