Vacation rentals in Gananoque

The picturesque town of Gananoque sits on the St. Lawrence River, offering scenic trails, stunning waterfront vistas, and pristine beaches, but is most famous for being the gateway to the spectacular Thousand Islands. In fact, there are 1,864 islands that make up the region. Some are small and rocky, while others, including Wolfe Island and Howe Island, have residents and are larger and accessible by ferry. Perhaps the most famous island is the five-acre Heart Island, home to the historic Boldt Castle — a 120-room Rhineland-style castle built at the turn of the 20th century.

Gananoque is an outdoor playground offering world-class kayaking and scuba diving all around the region, as well as nature walks and cycling trails, including the popular 37-kilometre Thousand Islands Bike Path, which runs along the waterfront.

The Thousand Islands Playhouse is well worth a visit for theatre lovers — it has been named the most charming theatre in Canada and is right on the waterfront, offering beautiful views of the river. Almost all shows performed here are produced by Canadian writers.

Summer in Gananoque offers mostly warm, sunny days for enjoying your stay in one of the many cottage rentals in the area. In August, a three-day festival featuring live music, children’s theatre, magicians, jugglers, and more. In spring, you can expect sunny days with a mix of rain, so it’s a good idea to come prepared with a jacket. Fall is a great time to visit the region, as brilliant yellow, red, and orange hues color the trees. In September, an annual Town Park festival takes place with pumpkin carving, pumpkin bowling, a barbecue, games, and live music. If you’re visiting in winter, you can expect cold conditions and snow, so be prepared with proper waterproof boots, gloves, hats, and thermals.

Marble Rock Conservation Area

Take a short 15-minute drive out of Gananoque into a nature lover’s paradise at the Marble Rock Conservation Area. Along the trails, you’ll find four lookouts offering picturesque views of the diverse landscape, including small waterfalls, ferny glades, high rocky meadows, and granite and limestone rocky passes. Be sure to keep an eye out for an abundance of animals living here, including deer, otter, beavers, blue heron, grouse, and wild turkeys.

Sculpture Park

Canada’s largest outdoor contemporary art exhibit is well worth an afternoon’s visit. The Sculpture Park sits on what was an old industrial site, until the local community came together in 1967 to build the park. The pieces in the park largely come from local artists and express the history and unique environment of Gananoque. You can take your time here, as there are many places to sit, relax, and admire the art.

Thousand Islands Tower

A short drive from Gananoque is the Thousand Islands Tower, where 40 metres up you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence River. You can take an elevator to the top, where three observation decks offer panoramic views and spectacular photo opportunities. A unique gift shop offers quintessential Canadian souvenirs, toys, T-shirts, maple syrup products, and more.