Things to do in Thousand Islands, Canada

Experience the 1000 Islands from the air on a breathtaking helicopter tour. Choose your own adventure with three unique tour options ranging from 10 to 30 minutes. Depart from Gananoque Heliport, located within a 20-minute drive east of Kingston via Highway 401 in beautiful Gananoque, Ontario.  Check in at the front desk then relax in the lounge before your pre-flight briefing. Feel the thrill as you rise above lush greenery, sandy beaches, and rocky cliffs, admiring the sights from your guaranteed window seat.  Wear audio headsets complete with microphones for easy communication. Enjoy pilot-narrated commentary in English or select one of the recorded multilingual audio tours. The duration depends on your selected option. Choose the 10-minute tour for a taste of the 1000 Islands, including the town of Gananoque, the Admiralty Islands, Navy Islands, and the Lake Fleet Islands. Explore further on an Ontario Signature Experience: a 20-minute tour that includes both the U.S. and Canadian spans of the Ivy Lea Bridge, and Boldt Castle on Heart Island.  The most popular option is a Canadian Signature Experience: an extended 30-minute ‘Two Castle’ tour that sends you flying over sunken shipwrecks and nation-spanning bridges, as well as Boldt and Singer Castles.

Experience the fury of Niagara Falls with a ride on the Maid of the Mist and cruise through the Thousand Islands on this three-day tour from New York City. Day 1: New York - Finger Lakes - Niagra Falls An early morning departure takes you north from the Big Apple as you pass the beautiful Delaware Gap to Watkins Glen State Park in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. Walk through Watkins Glen Canyon to visit the beautiful waterfalls and then continue to Niagara Falls, passing Seneca Lake, where you will arrive in the late afternoon. Tour the U.S. side of the falls including the American Falls, Goat Island, and Luna Island. At night, tour Niagara Falls where you can marvel at the colorful lighting of the waters while on board the Maid of the Mist. Overnight: Ramada by Wyndham. Day 2: Niagra Falls - Toronto - 1000 Islands Start the day with the Horseshoe Falls’ view followed by a visit to the picturesque village of Niagara on the Lake. We continue to Toronto, the financial capital of Canada. Visit the HTO Park, Brookfield Place, city hall, and The Distillery Historic District.  Towards the evening, take off from Toronto along the world-famous Lake Ontario for an evening arrival to the 1000 Islands area (in April, based on weather conditions, you may return to Niagara Falls to stay overnight). Overnight: Gananoque at Comfort Inn (April: Ramada by Wyndham). Day 3: 1000 Islands - New York  Start the day with a cruise through the amazing 1000 Islands along the St. Laurence River. See the houses of the rich and famous built atop private islands. After lunch, head to New York State. On the way, enjoy a shopping excursion at one of the large outlet malls where you can shop for bargains in name-brand stores before your return to New York City in the evening.

Embark on a 5-day trip to Niagara Falls, Toronto, the 1000 Islands, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and the Amish Country in Lancaster from New York City. Witness the magnificent Niagara Falls, visit the Arlington National Cemetery, and enjoy the convenience of included accommodation and entry tickets. Day 1: NEW YORK – FINGER LAKES – NIAGARA FALLS Depart from the Big Apple heading north where you will pass the beautiful Delaware Water Gap to Watkins Glen State Park in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. Walk through Watkins Glen Canyon to visit the beautiful waterfalls and then continue to Niagara Falls passing Seneca Lake, arriving in the late afternoon. Tour the US side of Niagara including the American Falls, Goat Island, and Luna Island. Experience the power of Niagara aboard the Maid of the Mist. At night, you can appreciate the colorful lighting of the waters. Stay at the Ramada by Wyndham. Day 2: NIAGARA FALLS – TORONTO – 1000 ISLANDS Start with the magnificent Horseshoe Falls view followed by the visit to the picturesque village of Niagara on The Lake. Continue to Toronto, the financial capital of Canada. Visit the HTO Park, Brookfield Place — home of the Hockey Hall of Fame — City Hall, and The Distillery Historic District. Towards the evening, depart Toronto east along the world-famous Lake Ontario for an evening arrival to the 1000 Islands area (in April, based on weather conditions the tour may return to Niagara Falls for overnight). Stay overnight at Gananoque – Comfort Inn (April, Niagara Falls – Ramada by Wyndham). Day 3: 1000 ISLANDS – NEW YORK Start the day with a cruise through the amazing 1000 Islands along the St. Laurence River. See the houses of the rich and famous built atop private islands — such as Boldt Castle and Heart Island. Enjoy a shopping excursion at one of the large outlet malls along the way. Arrive at your hotel in New Jersey at the La Quinta Inn and Suites. Day 4: NEW JERSEY – PHILADELPHIA – WASHINGTON DC Depart from New Jersey to Pennsylvania and to the city of brotherly love Philadelphia. Visit the famous Liberty Bell, Constitution square, and Congress Hall. Continue on a panoramic tour of Philadelphia that includes the financial district, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Historic Philadelphia, and more. See the famous “Rocky Steps” and then continue to Lancaster county home of the Amish people. Enjoy an authentic Amish Buggy ride through the Amish farm country. In the late afternoon, depart east for an evening arrival in Washington DC where you will stay at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Alexandria. Day 5: WASHINGTON DC – NEW YORK Start the day with a visit to Thomas Jefferson Memorial, by the Tidal Basin, surrounded by famous Japanese cherry blossom trees. Visit the Arlington National Cemetery, the Changing of the Guard, and the Kennedy family gravesite. The next stop is Capitol Hill. See the US Capitol and the White House to understand the core of the US government. Continue to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (while the Air and Space Museum is closed due to renovations) before visiting the Lincoln, Korea, and Vietnam Memorials. In the late afternoon, depart for an evening arrival in New York.

There’s no better way to experience Thousand Islands than the sky. Head to the heliport in Gananoque and hop onboard your helicopter for your 30 minutes aerial adventure.  Soar through the skies and soak up panoramic views of the many islands below. From the helicopter, see famous landmarks including Boldt Castle, Singer Castle, Millionaires Row, Thousand Islands International Bridge, and more. Back on land, visit BUSL Cider, the region’s newest cider mill. Enjoy a guided tour of the mill and learn how cider is produced while tasting a selection of ciders. Wander through the mill’s sprawling orchards, and stop at a nearby bakery. End the experience with a light lunch, and sample the region’s world-famous Thousand Islands Dressing.

Discover the lush 1000 Islands archipelago and gaze through crystal-clear waters at old shipwrecks on a thrilling helicopter tour from Gananoque. Land at ARBRU Craft Brewery for a pizza lunch and paired with a sampler flight at Canada’s first off-grid craft brewery. Get checked in a the tour supplier's office and get ready for your flight. Strap in and experience the thrill of lift off. Hear your pilot clearly with the headphone and microphone system.  Glide over the the majesty of the 1000 Islands, taking in spectacular views of Boldt Castle, Singer Castle, Millionaire's Row, the 1000 Islands International bridge and shipwrecks which can be seen resting on the bottom of the mighty St. Lawrence River.  Disembark at the ARBRU Craft Brewery and walk along a path through hops fields, which are used to craft a range of exceptional brews. Be greeted with a flight of craft brews and a personal-size stone-fired pizza. Choose from pepperoni, meat lovers, or margarita. Enjoy a delicious and relaxed meal before heading back to the helicopter for your flight back to your meeting point in Gananoque.