1000 Islands and Ottawa
 

We're planning a trip to the 1000 Islands and Ottawa from June 30-July 9. We are 2 adults that enjoy driving or bicycling around, wandering around historic or scenic towns, interesting restaurants, high tea.

If we leave Manchester NH around 6pm, is Burlington, VT a good midway point? Looking for suggestions on where to stay.

How many days should we allow for the 1000 Islands? Ottawa? What are the "don't miss" stops?

We're open as to where to stay - waterfront preferred. We like country inns.

Are there nearby places in Ontario or NY State that we should include?

Thanks, Sonia

This will help with Ottawa http://www.ottawatourism.ca/ too bad you're missing the Tulip Festival in May.

Parliament Buildings and the Peace Tower, Museum of Civilization, the new War Museum are 3 biggies to see in Ottawa. The Market area is super for wandering and eating, of course.

That's a tough trip, because there are so many alternatives.

Burlington is as good as anywhere, I guess, for the first night, arriving well into the evening.

Here's what I'd do from there.

Take the ferry across Lake Champlain -- boats are fun -- and work your way through Lake Place and Saranac lake, to Wetertown,a nd then north to the Ivy Lea Brridge, and into Canada.

Visit Gananoque, and depending on he time of day, take a boat tour of the Thosand Islands.

The go into Kingston, which is worth the better part of a day.

From Kingston, head up highway 15 through Smiths Falls, stopping to see some of the locks on the Rideau Lakes.

This is vacation country, and there are cottages and lodges and summer towns.

Then to Ottawa.

From Ottawa it's worth the trip to Montreal, for at lest one night,a nd then head south back into Vermont and hon home.

there's a prison museum in Kingston, and a huge old fort, Fort Henry, and decent hotels on the waterfront, and a lot of restaurants better than you might think.

BAK

Thanks, SallyCanuck for the Ottawa suggestions. Are there hotels or restaurants you'd recommend?

Thanks, BAK for the itinerary ideas. Where would you stay? Eat?

It seems that Kingston and the boat around the islands are the highlights of the 1000 Islands, so we shouldn't need more than a couple of nights. Are there other towns you'd recommend?

Are there any spa resorts in the area where we could relax for a couple of days?

Thanks, Sonia

Hi Sonia,

It depends on how long you'd like to spend at each location, but after visiting at least 2 days in Ottawa and then a few in the 1000 islands, I'd make time to go home through the Finger Lake area in NY, especially if you haven't been.

It's a very charming region with lots of country inns and picturesque scenery. The Mirbeau Inn is one we love and it has a spa. Gananoque to Skaneateles is about 2.5 hrs and from there you'd have a 5 hr drive or so home through Saratoga Springs, another scenic town.
http://mirbeauinn.com/


Also see: http://www.ontariosfinestinns.com
under the Eastern area. I've stayed in quite a few from the central and west, and have always been pleased.

Even driving around Ottawa and the Gatineau region is wonderful, but here's another website if you're planning on biking. It has a link for NY state if you want to have a look.
http://www.cyclinginottawa.com

I'd probably stay at the Holiday Inn in downtown Kingston, right on the water.

It's a nice hotel, and 40 years ago, or so, it was a client of my father's company, and so I have fond memories.

And it's a great location.

There's another message around here that discusses the Belvedere in Kingston, which is a mansion that's been converted, and it might appeal, too.

One dinner in Kingston at Chez Piggy.

After that, can't help.

In Ottawa, there are a lot of hotels in many price ranges. My visits have usually been on other people's money, and I usually stayed at the Westin, which has a great location.

In Ottawa, there's a lot to be said for spending the extra to be within walking distance of Parliament Hill. This means no parking fees for lots of the things you'll want to see.

In Ottawa, there's an area called Byward market, next to Parliament Hill. I usually end up there, and there's lots of good non-exotic restaurants in middleing price ranges. usually I'm more interested in good solid food than in some gourmet meal that leaves me hungry afterwards.

BAK

Chez Piggy was amazing - went there last year while visiting Kingston. Birds in the courtyard hopping around your feet, great service, GREAT mojitos (sp?) and even better food. If you are able to take it in, it's a must! It's a memorable spot.