Road trip to Ottawa, Kingston and Prince Edward County
Combine the perfect mix of city and country on a road trip to Ottawa, Canada’s capital and beyond.
Parliament | Ottawa Tourism
Experience heritage, culture and natural beauty, as well as great food, wine and local craft brews. Cross the St. Lawrence River and travel from the 1000 Islands to Ottawa, the capital city of Canada. Follow the Rideau Heritage Route to the vibrant city of Kingston and then chill out in Prince Edward County.
Suggested length of trip: 6-7 days
Border crossing information
Travellers to Canada must present a valid passport or NEXUS card. Find out what else you’ll need to know to cross the border into Canada.
Before travelling, check border wait times.
Border crossing location from New York State to 1000 Islands in Canada:
Thousand Island Bridge from Alexandria Bay, New York to Lansdowne, Ontario
Ottawa
Approximate distance and driving time from Lansdowne to Ottawa: 95 miles (150 kilometres), 1.5 hours
From the stately government buildings on Parliament Hill and national museums and galleries to the historic Rideau Canal and bustling ByWard Market, experience all Canada’s capital has to offer.
Where to stay in Ottawa
Sleek and stylish, this property features local art and is within walking distance of most attractions.
Location: 140 Slater Street, Ottawa
An upscale historic hotel perched on the Rideau Canal with the finest touches and comforts.
Location: 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa
Located in the ByWard Market district, the sweeping cityscape from the rooftop Copper Spirits and Sights cocktail bar offers one of the best views of the city.
Location: 325 Dalhousie Street, Ottawa
Things to do in Ottawa
Capital attractions and national museums
Take a free, guided tour of the seat of Canada’s federal government, which is housed in striking Gothic revival-style historic buildings. Watch Canada on the March, a morning show where regimental bands from the Ceremonial Guard deliver a concert as they march from Cartier Square Drill Hall to Parliament Hill.
Location: Wellington Street, Ottawa
Visit the famous Tent Room and magnificent gardens at the residence of Canada’s Governor General.
Location: 1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
Ottawa serves up Canadian culture in a big way, with seven of Canada’s top national museums.
The National Gallery of Canada
Location: 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
Canadian Museum of History
Location: 100 Laurier Street, Gatineau
Canada Science and Technology Museum
Location: 1867 St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Location: 11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
Location: 901 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa
Canadian Museum of Nature
Location: 240 McLeod Street, Ottawa
Canadian War Museum
Location: 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa
Shopping and foodies tours
Hunt down the best bargains and treasures in Canada’s capital, from the Rideau Shopping Centre to trendy retail neighbourhoods like Hintonburg and Wellington West.
Explore Ottawa’s culinary landscape with a local guide. C’est Bon offers a variety of guided sweet and savoury gourmet food and drink tours.
Take a curated “adult field trip” to some of Ottawa’s best craft breweries.
Sightseeing and outdoor fun
Cruise along Ottawa’s famous waterways, the Ottawa River and Rideau Canal.
Location: 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa
Explore the city by bike on a guided tour or on your own with bicycle rentals.
Location: 65 Sparks Street, Ottawa
Experience epic outdoor adventure on the water in the heart of the city.
Location: 102 Greenview Avenue, Ottawa
Events and celebrations
See the world’s largest tulip festival with over a million in bloom tulips (May 10–20, 2024).
Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival
Honour Indigenous culture and heritage in Canada, aligning with National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 (June 19–23, 2024).
Ottawa is the epicentre of Canada’s largest party. Dress in red and white and join the celebration from LeBreton Flats Park which includes activities, shows and fireworks. (July 1, 2024).
Ottawa International Buskerfest
Marvel talented street entertainers including acrobats, dancers, daredevils and comedians (August 2–5, 2024).
Great Outdoors Comedy Festival
Catch some of comedy’s funniest acts including Tom Segura, Nate Bargatze and Jerry Dee at Lebreton Flats, August 9-11, 2023.
Celebrate Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQI+ community (August 17–25, 2024).
Where to eat and drink in Ottawa
From early-morning coffee to late-night cocktails, the ByWard Market is always bustling with activity. Spanning several city blocks, it’s home to cafés, bakeries, boutiques, restaurants, lively pubs and cocktail bars as well as unique shopping opportunities. Don’t miss the iconic Canadian pastry BeaverTails and their Beaver Bites, or if you’re looking for an upscale lounge, check out The Albion Rooms.
Locations:
BeaverTails Byward Market: 69 George Street, Ottawa
The Albion Rooms: 33 Nicholas Street, Ottawa
Book a table for a relaxed weekend brunch overlooking the Rideau Locks and Parliament buildings. Located in the historical Chateau Laurier, its regional menu changes weekly.
Location: 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa
The unique 40-course tasting menu and wine pairing is a four-hour, bucket list experience for foodies.
Location: 540 Rochester Street, Ottawa
Located in a former bank, the ambience of this contemporary Canadian dining spot is on point and the everchanging menu is consistently delicious.
Location: 62 Sparks Street, Ottawa
Kingston
Approximate distance and driving time from Ottawa to Kingston: 125 miles (200 kilometres), 2 hours
The Rideau Heritage Route connects Ottawa to Kingston and the St. Lawrence River alongside the Rideau Canal, through some of Eastern Ontario’s prettiest small towns and communities. Home to Ontario’s oldest public market and Canada’s hippest live music scene, Kingston is a walkable city, with historic sites, amazing craft beer and antique markets tucked away in hidden alleyways.
Where to stay in Kingston
This former bank is now a luxury hotel that has retained its historic charm.
Location: 225 King Street East, Kingston
There’s a timeless elegance to this intimate, boutique hotel in a beautifully restored Victorian building.
Location: 46 Sydenham Street, Kingston
Enjoy the views of Lake Ontario at this convenient waterfront hotel.
Location: 7 Earl Street, Kingston
Built in the 19th century, this former church has been converted into a stylish boutique hotel with loft-style suites.
Location: 221 Queen Street, Kingston
Things to do in Kingston
Touring and sightseeing
Fort Henry National Historic Site
Fort Henry is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just outside Kingston by the mouth of the Cataraqui River. Witness 19th-century military life with guided tours, musical performances and military demonstrations offered by the Fort Henry Guard.
Location: 1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston
Tour one of Canada’s oldest and most notorious jails, which stopped operating in 2013.
Location: 560 King Street West, Kingston
Explore the city with a hop-on-hop-off Trolley Tour, a flexible and fun way to tour historic sights and unique attractions.
Location: 248 Ontario Street, Kingston
Enjoy the views and a meal on a brunch, lunch or sunset dinner cruise along the St. Lawrence River. Famous for 1000 Island salad dressing, the 1000 Islands actually consists of 1864 islands of various sizes.
Location: 248 Ontario Street, Kingston
Creative Kingston Walking Tours
Discover a rich creative arts community on film, music and literary-focused walking tours available in both English and French.
Explore the flavours of Canada’s original capital city on a guided walking tour through the historic downtown.
Book a guided kayak tour over clear, shallow waters where shipwrecks are visible.
Location: 209 Ontario Street, Kingston
Shopping
Kingston Public Market is Kingston’s oldest market in the historic downtown. It sells fresh products from local producers and unique finds from artisans.
Location: 216 Ontario Street, Kingston
From books to records, clothing and jewellery, find something special at Kingston’s locally owned shops. Visit Wellington Street and shop at Antique Alley for antiques, vintage finds and a wide assortment of collectibles or find original and printed artwork at Martello Alley.
Locations:
Antique Alley, 207-B Wellington Street, Kingston
Martello Alley, 203-B Wellington Street, Kingston
Where to eat and drink Kingston
Whether you’re looking for an early breakfast or lazy brunch, the patio at Pan Chancho is the place to be.
Location: 44 Princess Street, Kingston
Delicious options include plant-based and gluten-free soups, salads and pasta.
Location: 71 Brock Street, Kingston
Located in Delta Hotels Kingston Waterfront, enjoy waterfront dining with sensational views indoors or on the patio.
Location: 1 Johnson Street, Kingston
A family-run business specializing in traditional and contemporary Italian food. Ingredients come from local producers.
Location: 39 Brock Street, Kingston
Kingston is home to eight top-notch breweries and a cidery.
Prince Edward County
Approximate distance and driving time from Kingston to Prince Edward County: 60 miles (95 kilometres), 1 hour
Located in the northeast end of Lake Ontario, Prince Edward County or “The County” as it’s known by locals, has a long and rich farming tradition. With the introduction of grape growing in the region, the last few decades have seen The County grow into one of Ontario’s most popular destinations for wine, food, the arts and lakefront views.
Where to stay in Prince Edward County
Victorian heritage boutique hotel with a fine dining French cuisine restaurant, extensive wine cellar, cocktail parlour, onsite sauna and a Natural History Exhibit.
Location: 343 Main Street East, Picton
Located in a restored historic building, The Royal was included in Condé Nast's list of best new hotels last year.
Location: 247 Picton Main Street, Picton
Located on the water in Wellington, the Lakeside is a stylish hotel with an onsite restaurant, bar, patio and pool.
Location: 349 Main Street, Wellington
A hip, all-season boutique retreat steps from the shore of Lake Ontario.
Location: 24 Wharf Street, Wellington
Things to do in Prince Edward County
Winery tours and tastings
Prince Edward County is home to over 35 wineries that offer everything from wine tasting and tours to fine dining, culinary classes and more. Find a complete list of wineries and experiences on the Prince Edward County website.
Don’t miss the sparkling wines at Hinterland Wine Company, Chardonnays at Closson Chase and Baco Noirs at Waupoos Estates, Prince Edward County’s original winery.
Locations:
Hinterland Wine Company, 1258 Closson Road, Hillier
Closson Chase, 629 Closson Road, Hillier
Waupoos Esates, 3016 County Road 8, Picton
Explore Prince Edward County’s backcountry roads to wineries and more by bike. County Bike Rentals provide bicycle rentals, helmets, locks and route suggestions, as well as free delivery and pick-up.
Nature and outdoors
From beaches and sand dunes to forests and trails, summer is a great season to explore the parks and outdoor spaces in The County. Sandbanks is a popular spot so plan a weekday visit and book your park pass well in advance.
Location: 3004 County Road 12, Picton
As its name suggests, this is an elevated body of fresh water with a mysterious water source. The park offers great views of the Bay of Quinte, where you can watch the Glenora Ferry cruising back and forth across the bay to Adolphustown.
Location: 296 County Road 7, Picton
Art and culture
Prince Edward County Arts Trail
Artists, artisans and creators have gravitated towards Prince Edward County for decades resulting in a flourishing arts community with amazing galleries and studios. Notable favourites include the Oeno Gallery at Huff Estates Winery, Mad Dog Gallery and Armstrong Glassworks.
Locations:
Oeno Gallery, 2274 Prince Edward County Road 1, Bloomfield
Mad Dog Gallery, 525 County Road 11, Picton
Armstrong Glassworks, 326 2 Avenue, Wellington
Architecture buffs and culture lovers will appreciate the restored Edwardian-style opera house built in 1918 that continues to host live performances and film events.
Location: 224 Main Street, Picton
Once a former WWII air training base, this cultural hub is home to several venues hosting live music and entertainment, art galleries and installations, an open-air food and drink market and a unique sensory garden.
Location: 26-343, County Road 22, Building 26, Picton
Where to eat and drink in Prince Edward County
Enjoy craft beers and freshly made pub food, including wood-fired pizzas and flatbreads.
Location: 266 Wellington Main Street, Wellington
Vegan and gluten-free meal options, as well as a large selection of teas and organic beverages.
Location: 153 Main Street, Wellington
Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine.
Location: 298 Wellington Main Street, Wellington
With a sustainably sourced surf and turf menu, meals are cooked over an open flame for a unique culinary experience. Make sure to book a reservation in advance.
Location: 106 Bloomfield Main Street, Bloomfield
Comfort food made with fresh, foraged and seasonal ingredients.
Location: 2470 County Road 8, Waupoos
The County Cider Company
Sample some of the tastiest craft cider flavours along with some of the best lake views in The County.
Location: 657 Bongards Crossroads, Waupoos
Stop by for stunning panoramic views from atop a limestone hill and the latest selections of craft beer on tap.
Location: 181 Mowbray Road, Prince Edward County
This is the place to go for creamy homemade ice cream and milkshakes in delicious flavours.
Location: 271 Main Street, Bloomfield, Ontario
For trip planning support, connect with one of our travel counsellors who can help you build your road trip itinerary.
Discover more great Ontario road trip ideas.
.jpg.webp?VersionId=l0QDauJ7jSuwbJYWSuPyu7oN1Wm_girx&itok=sZM-k5CF)
Last updated: May 30, 2024