 |
|
Regardless, if your stay in Ottawa is long enough to allow you to manage a day trip out of that beautiful city, consider visiting some of the 1800 plus islands that make up the world famous area known as the 1000 Islands.
Enjoy driving the 1000 Islands Parkway, located about 150 kilometers (110 miles) south of Ottawa.
 |
The 1000 Islands span about 80 kilometers (50 miles) of the St. Lawrence River, a river that forms the boundary between Canada and the United States. You can drive alongside much of that border as you cruise the 1000 Islands Parkway, gazing over into New York State from the Canadian side as you cruise along.
Getting There
Drive south from Parliament Hill on any of the north / south roads a short while until you reach the 417 highway (also known as the Queensway). Take the 417 heading west and travel 10 – 15 kilometers (6-9 miles) until you reach the 416 merge to the left. Take that merge and head south on the 416.
After about an hour you will reach the 401 highway. Take it westbound towards Brockville.
Brockville is another beautiful city to visit, and has, what I believe, to be one of the best “fish & chip” take away restaurants anywhere, as well as one of the best views of the St. Lawrence to sit at and enjoy while you munch excellent fish and hot, home cut fries.
As you pass Brockville on the 401 move into the left lane as you’ll soon encounter the 1000 Islands Parkway exit, which exits to the left. Take this exit, immediately slow down to 70-80 kilometers per hour (40-50 MPH) and enjoy the next 50 kilometers (30 miles) of scenic 1000 Islands Parkway.
 |
On the Canadian side of the St. Lawrence River, the 1000 Islands Parkway offers the visitor a host of amenities as well as gorgeous vistas.
Click here for a Google map of the 1000 Islands.
And, if you really want to see what the 1000 Islands are all about, Click here for a satellite photo.
 |
On the Parkway you can find marinas to launch, rent or moor your boat (the fishing in the 1000 Islands is great!), restaurants, resorts, picnic areas, provincial campgrounds, private lodgings and campgrounds, the famous 1000 Island cruises, golf and more.
 |
Small villages abound along the Parkway, such as quaint Rockport, the entry to which is shown in the picture just above.
When you reach Gananoque Ontario, you’ve reached the end of the Canadian side of the 1000 Islands Parkway.
Gananoque is, too, worthwhile visiting for it’s own right. There you can refresh yourself for the return journey to Ottawa, or perhaps take time to visit the 1000 Islands Casino and “invest” a few dollars in gambling? Save enough for gas for the return journey, won’t you?
The 1000 Islands Parkway is beautiful, even in mid-May 2007 when the pictures on this page were taken. It was a bit overcast so some of the shots aren’t as bright as I’d like.
It’s a nice summer’s drive from our Nation’s Capital to the 1000 Islands area and back. Consider it, if you have the time and the inclination.
If you are interested in a few more recent candid shots of the 1000 Islands Parkway, even some when the sun was shining :-), please click here for a slide show.
To top
