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Lake Ontario has the lowest elevation above sea level of all the Great Lakes. Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron all flow downstream into Lake Erie. Erie then plummets into Lake Ontario via Niagara Falls and then the watercourse makes its way to the Atlantic Ocean through the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Wyandot people, better known as the Huron Nation, named this lake “Ontario” which means “Lake of Shining Waters”. In 1615, this nation had their first European contact with the French. The explorer Samuel de Champlain, known as the “Father of New France”, realized that the future of growth of French Canada meant establish amicable relationships with the native nations, such as the Wyandot. Lake St. Louis was the name Champlain gave this body of water and a later French mapmaker called it Lake Frontenac. Eventually the Wyandot name, Ontario, prevailed. Canada’s most populous city, Toronto, owes its growth to Lake Ontario in more ways than one. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a type of scow known as a stonehooker was in service in the Port Credit area on the northwest side of the lake. Stonehooking was the practice of raking flat fragments of shale from the shallow lake floor for use in construction, particularly in the growing city of Toronto. This cruise begins in Toronto and the estimated mileages between destinations for this itinerary are calculated running clockwise around Lake Ontario. This cruise alternates between U.S. and Canadian ports of call, please follow all customs and immigration rules for both the U.S. and Canada while boating on Lake Ontario.
Lake Ontario has the lowest elevation above sea level of all the Great Lakes. Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron all flow downstream into Lake Erie. Erie then plummets into Lake Ontario via Niagara Falls and then the watercourse makes its way to the Atlantic Ocean through the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Wyandot people, better known as the Huron Nation, named this lake “Ontario” which means “Lake of Shining Waters”. In 1615, this nation had their first European contact with the French. The explorer Samuel de Champlain, known as the “Father of New France”, realized that the future of growth of French Canada meant establish amicable relationships with the native nations, such as the Wyandot. Lake St. Louis was the name Champlain gave this body of water and a later French mapmaker called it Lake Frontenac. Eventually the Wyandot name, Ontario, prevailed. Canada’s most populous city, Toronto, owes its growth to Lake Ontario in more ways than one. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a type of scow known as a stonehooker was in service in the Port Credit area on the northwest side of the lake. Stonehooking was the practice of raking flat fragments of shale from the shallow lake floor for use in construction, particularly in the growing city of Toronto. This cruise begins in Toronto and the estimated mileages between destinations for this itinerary are calculated running clockwise around Lake Ontario. This cruise alternates between U.S. and Canadian ports of call, please follow all customs and immigration rules for both the U.S. and Canada while boating on Lake Ontario.
Whitby combines a small-town atmosphere with the sophistication and amenities of a large urban center. A visit to downtown Whitby is an opportunity to savor a culinary adventure with tastes from around the world, and to discover distinctive shops and services. The town maintains 125 parks, beaches and trails. They are wonderful places to relax and enjoy the area.
Cobourg is home to the stately Victoria Hall, officially opened in 1860 by the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII. The hall is regarded as one of Ontario’s great treasures, and today is an intimate setting for concerts by world-class performers. Cobourg was first settled in the late 1700’s, and grew quickly to become a hub for commerce and education. By the early 1900’s, its location on Lake Ontario made it a popular spot for Americans to vacation and build opulent summer homes, many of which still stand.
Trenton is where the Trent-Severn Waterway begins that connects Lake Ontario with Georgian Bay. Situated on the shores of the scenic Bay of Quinte, Trenton is set against an attractive backdrop of rolling hills and rich farmland. The area is best known for its deep historical and military roots. From museums to galleries, cultural festivals, and events it offers visitors plenty to see and do.
Take the world’s largest fresh water sand bar and barrier sand dune, turn it into a provincial park and they will come. That was the premise of opening Sandbanks Provincial Park in 1970, and come they have. The park and its surrounding beaches are visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists each year from Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec and New York State. In addition to swimming, Sandbanks offers opportunities for biking, birding, canoeing, fishing and hiking.
Kingston is the gateway to the Thousand Islands, and one end of the Rideau Canal that connects to the city of Ottawa. Historic Fort Henry is now a museum. Once inside its wooden gates, visitors enter the realm of 19th century military life as well as experiencing musical performances and precision military demonstrations by the Fort Henry Guard. The Grand Theater is one of the main cultural venues in Kingston. It serves as the prime performing arts venue for hundreds of professional and amateur performances annually including ballet, modern dance, theatre, variety, musicals and comedy.
Alexandria Bay is in the heart of the Thousand Islands amid the waters of the St. Lawrence River. Early Native American tribes referred to the Thousand Islands region as the Garden of the Great Spirit. Winding through the region are wineries, and vineyards that are renowned for both wine and table grapes. Alexandria Bay is also the home to Boldt Castle on Heart Island. George Boldt was the wealthy proprietor of New York City’s Waldorf-Astoria. In 1900, George Boldt hired the most skilled masons and architects money could buy to create his own version of a Rhineland Castle. Construction of Boldt Castle was well underway when tragedy struck. In January 1904, George sent his workers a telegram saying, “Stop all work, my wife Louise has died.” Heartbroken, he never returned there again. Today the ruins of Boldt Castle have been transformed into one of the premier attractions in the Thousand Islands.
The village of Sackets Harbor sits protected on Black River Bay where the water meets Lake Ontario. The village is one of New York State’s Heritage Areas with exceptional historic attractions and beautifully tree-lined streets. Following the outbreak of war between the United States and Great Britain in June 1812, Sackets Harbor became the center of American naval and military activity for the upper St. Lawrence Valley and Lake Ontario. Local woodlands provided ample timber, and a large fleet was constructed at the harbor’s extensive shipyard. Barracks were also built for the thousands of soldiers and sailors stationed there. In an attempt to destroy the American shipyard, a British-Canadian force launched an attack on May 29, 1813. The Americans drove off the enemy in a narrow victory, and today the battlefield is preserved as a park and interpretive center.
Oswego is the terminus of the north end of the Oswego Canal at Lake Ontario. The canal is used for yachts whose air draft is too tall to continue west along the Erie Canal towards Buffalo. Oswego is also home to Fort Ontario. The fourth and current fort stands on the ruins of earlier fortifications dating to the French and Indian War, The Revolutionary War, and War of 1812. The US Army occupied Fort Ontario during World Wars I and II. From 1944 until 1946 the fort also served as a refugee camp for Nazi Holocaust survivors.
The first steamboat in regular service on the Great Lakes stopped at Sodus Point on its maiden voyage in 1817. During the heyday of the lakes steamship era that followed, steamers came into Sodus Point with coal for Canada and other lake ports. To assist in navigation Congress approved a lighthouse located on Sodus Bay in 1824. In 1977 the lighthouse was listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. Today the lighthouse serves as a maritime museum in Sodus Point.
Rochester flourished with the opening of the Erie Canal in the early 1800’s. It soon became a major manufacturing center. Rochester was the headquarters of Eastman Kodak, which made it the nexus of the American photography industry. In the 1970’s it became on of the many “rust belt” the industrial cities along the Great Lakes to whither away. Since that time the city has reinvented itself as a tourist destination. Top things to do include art, history and science museums as well as a botanical park.
A “lovely family beach in a beautiful State Park” is a typical Trip Advisor review that neatly sums up Hamlin Beach State Park just eight miles from the marina. The clear water and long sandy beach make this beach an ideal location to relax for a few days and let the world go by. Taking the time to fish for salmon and trout round out a leisurely stay.
St. Catherines is located at the northern end of the Welland Canal built to allow shipping to go around Niagara Falls from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. ;St. Catharine's draws much of its character from its visual appeal, lush parkland, colorful floral gardens and historic Victorian buildings. The St. Catharines Museum offers visitors a glimpse back in time and an opportunity to further explore the Underground Railroad that was integral to the development of the region prior to and during the U.S. Civil War.
The city of Hamilton lies halfway between Toronto and Niagara Falls around the rim of Lake Ontario. Visiting the Royal Botanical Gardens or the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum are popular attractions. Bicycling is a great way to see Hamilton. It has hundreds of miles of bike trails from converted rail trails to paved waterfront trails to designated paths along city streets.
Picturesque Port Credit is Mississauga’s “Village on the Lake.” It is one of Mississauga’s top cultural, entertainment and culinary districts, boasting world-class restaurants and award-winning festivals and events. Other unique areas of Mississauga worth exploring are Clarkson Village, Old Meadowvale Village and Streetsville.