Toronto to Montreal cruise

[Steve36]

Hi there,
I am planning to take the family on a cruise this summer.
We plan to leave Toronto and go to Montreal via the Thousand islands. From Montreal I would like to go to Ottawa and then take the Rideau Canal to join back into Kingston and then back to Toronto.
Just wondering if anyone has done this journey before and if there is anyhting I should watch out for or if there is anything I should put on my "dont miss" list.
A list of places to spend the night would be helpful as well.

All comments or suggestions would be helpful.

If anyone wants to come along with us that would be fine too.
I am travelling with my wife my two kinds 13 and 10 and my tiny dog. lol

Thanks for all your help.

 

[my3sons]

Great cruise and too many things to list them all, but here's a few around the Thousand Islands area.
Make sure you have good charts if you are going to get off the beaten path. If you have a dinghy, stay at one of the national park islands and explore around. I like Camelot, and Endymion. They are easy to approach for those not familiar with the area. I think the municipal marina in Gananoque has diesel fuel and is close to the action. You can walk to the Thousand Islands Playhouse Theater from the marina, if something is playing that may be family oriented. Alexandria bay is the "heart of the Thousand Islands" on the states side. Lots of little shops, restaurants, boat yards (there is a Sea Ray dealership there that I know has diesel) and you are within easy cycling distance of a supermarket if you have bikes. If you have been on the hook for a few days (try Lake of the Isles, Wellesley Island, usually calm in there and no river current, so its easy to swim and use float toys) and are ready for a day or two of amentities, we go to the Riveredge resort. They have plenty of dock space, outdoor bar, and pool for the kids. Indoor pool if you hit poor weather, 2 restaurants in house etc.
Out of Gananoque or Alex Bay, the boat cruises are a must do. There are several choices, but the one that is 3 hours and hits both the american and canadian millionaires row with unlimited stops at Boldt Castle seems to be the most popular.
We also think that Singer Castle is a great stop, you can take your boat there on your way down the river after Alex bay. There is a large enough dock that the tour boats and private vessels can fit, and then you can just join in with the tour group and get the guided tour.
I'll let some others take it from here, there are several members in the area, other than to say that every time we are are near Chaffee's lock on the Rideau, we go to the Opinicon Resort for a nice lunch or dinner. The atmosphere on the grounds is like taking a step back in time, not to mention the food is good too!
Have fun, post some pics.

 

[wetpaint]

I thought in the hockey world, montrealians cant go to toronto and vice versa...great cruise

 

[Sebeau]

Hi i dont know about the trip from toronto to kingston but for the rest probably one of the greatest boating experience i,am from montreal myself and made the rideau and 1000 islands many times
i will give you a couple of places where to stop on your way to montreal from the 1000 islands. You may want to check the following places chrysler park marina nice place to stop before heading on lake st francois after this ride you may want to stop in valleyfield this is a nice municipal marina downtown very cute place to stop before you get to the beauharnois locks that lead you to lake st louis. Once on lake st louis you still have two sets of commercial locks before you make it to downtown montreal once there you need to go to the old port you cant miss that great place you will probably want to stay a couple of days there for sur. You need to go to gibbys restaurant while you are there great steak house or le keg
the rest is up to you many things to do . On your way back to otttawa you must stop at le chateau montebello this is on the ottawa river halfway between montreal and ottawa great place to stop juat cant wait to sto there again . After there you want to stop at the hull casino across the river from ottawa you can bring the family at the hotel and go for a swim after this you will head towards the rideau from there many places where you can stay check col by island. westport is a must ask for the fish and chip place small restaurant great fish enjoy. John P

 

[Steve36]

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Definetly planning to go to Chateau Montebello.

Thanks again.

 

[electricaldoctor]

Don't forget Don's fish and chips in Brockville. Golfing at Upper Canada when staying at Chrysler Park marina. Marina 200 at Cornwall. Licensed waterfront restaurants east of Cornwall @ Summerstown / Glen Walter area. Craig Quay marina further east at Lancaster. No shortage of marinas to stay at along the way. We keep our boat at Ed Huck Marina @ Rockport in the 1,000 Islands and they usually have transient docking available for short stays. We are there every Friday, Saturday & Sunday so look us up. We have WiFi at the marina so we are available via e-mail. Just PM me if you require any more info as we have made this trip as well.
~Ken