Brockville

Brockville unfolds gracefully along the northern shore of the St. Lawrence River, nestled between Kingston and the outskirts of Ottawa. Known as the "City of the Thousand Islands", it boasts remarkable riverfront views and a storied maritime past. Strolling through Brockville’s downtown, visitors are charmed by 19th-century architecture, quaint boutiques, and a lively dining scene where locally sourced ingredients take centre stage. The heart of the city pulses along Blockhouse Island, a green oasis at the water’s edge where locals gather to picnic or soak in sweeping views of passing freighters and island-dotted vistas.

Perhaps Brockville’s most renowned landmark is the Brockville Railway Tunnel. This historic passage, Canada’s oldest railway tunnel, invites you to wander beneath the city, illuminated by a colourful LED art installation that narrates the town’s industrial history. Above ground, the Aquatarium beckons families with hands-on exhibits celebrating the river’s ecology and wildlife. No visit is complete without a boat cruise weaving through the Thousand Islands, offering a fresh perspective on the lush archipelago that defines the region.

Brockville is lively year-round, but summer is a true highlight. The city’s Waterfront Festival draws crowds with music, food, and fireworks, while classic car shows and farmers’ markets spill onto the streets. Outdoor enthusiasts find endless ways to savour the river, from kayaking and cycling the Brock Trail to scuba diving the area’s famed shipwrecks. As night falls, local theatres host compelling performances in intimate settings, and riverside patios echo with live music. Blending small-town warmth with deep-rooted heritage and contemporary flair, Brockville promises authentic hospitality and a riverfront retreat that lingers in memory.