Thousand Islands - Must Dos
 

Hi -

I am planning a 3-day late July trip for my husband and me to visit the Thousand Islands. We will be staying at a B&B in Gananoque. I see several day cruise trips listed lasting from 1 to 5 hours. Any suggestions as to which is the best to do?

Also, my husband will be celebrating his 50th birthday while we are there. Any suggestions for a great restaurant? The price is less important than a fun atmosphere and great food. He isn't really interested in "fru fru" food (a technical term).

Overall, what would be your "must do" list for a 3-day trip.
Thanks in advance!

Fort Henry is a sturdy military pile on the heights guarding the Kingston harbour. It was built in the aftermath of the War of 1812-14 to fend off American invasions which never materialized. Nevertheless, cannon are still fired by cadets from the nearby Royal Military College as summer jobs re-creating the atmosphere of the place. This link also connects to Upper Canada Village, a colonial experience based on buildings and materials collected from the path of the floods of the St. Lawrence Seaway project in the late 1950s: http://www.forthenry.com/

The small city of Kingston is home to the military college plus an historic major University, Queens, as well as a big prison. It is acutely aware of its importance in the development of the colony called Upper Canada and of contributing Canada's first prime minister, John A. Macdonald. With all that potential clientele, it contains several worthy pubs where you can search out admirable ales from the Stone City brewery.
http://tourism.kingstoncanada.com/en/index.asp

<<Nevertheless, cannon are still fired by cadets from the nearby Royal Military College as summer jobs re-creating the atmosphere of the place.>>

Fort Henry is well worth a visit, especially in July and August for the weekly Sunset Ceremony.

However, the cadets from RMC have nothing to do with it. The Fort Henry Guard is composed of students from civilian universities--RMC cadets are training in the summer at naval and military bases across Canada.

I haven't been to Gananoque for a few years, so I hesitate to recommend a restaurant. I understand that Riva is quite nice, and the Gananoque Inn is usually quite reliable. Your B&B host will probably have some useful and up to date suggestions.

The Thousand Islands Playhouse in Gananoque presents top quality summer-stock theatre.
http://www.1000islandsplayhouse.com/2016-season/

Thanks for the clarification; I guess I don't know much about military uniforms.

It's easy to confuse the two as they are both based on the scarlet uniforms worn by the British Army in the mid to late 19th Century. However, the Fort Henry Guard has no connection at all with the Canadian Forces.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts! Does anyone know of any particularly great areas for hiking?

You will find hiking trails in Thousand Islands National Park, just downriver from Gananoque.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/on/lawren/index.aspx

Appreciate the link.

For some reason, I'm unable to view the National Park link.