If you’re like me and have visited the Thousand Islands region of Canada countless times, you might be looking for something a little different on your next trip. While the famous boat cruises and well-trodden hiking trails are always great, there’s so much more to discover in this incredible area. In this post, I’m sharing some of my favourite hidden gems in the Thousand Islands that will make your next trip truly special.
On my recent visit I dug deep to discover unique activities in the Thousand Islands like walking with alpacas and soaring above iconic sights. I also uncovered off the beaten path hikes, a solar powered brewery, and some more amazing places to eat. So, if you’re planning a getaway to the region, I’ve got plenty of fun ideas to help you experience the Thousand Islands in a whole new way!
Hidden Gems in the Thousand Islands
Goat Ridge Farm
Some of the most popular animal experiences in Ontario involve alpacas, but I love goats! So, I was thrilled when I discovered there’s a gem of a farm in the Thousand Islands where I could hang out with goats.
Goat Ridge Farm is a stunning 300 acre property that’s part of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere. It’s located in Seeley’s Bay, roughly 20 minutes north of Gananoque. The best part is that you can book a walk with goats!
For my walk, I met Lindsay (the owner) at the barn and was immediately greeted by her adorable farm friends, a cuddly tabby Murray, a flock of entertaining chickens and ducks, as well as two Indian Runner ducks that could honestly have their own TV show. It’s no surprising that she named them Hans and Franz.
After learning about the farm’s various animals, we headed off on the goat walk. Surrounded by roughly 30 Nubian goats, I couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear. Each of these comical goats has a personality all their own.
The goat walk typically lasts for 45 minutes and is anywhere from 1 to 2 kms, depending on visitors. There’s plenty of time for photo-ops, including selfies with Winkie or cuddles with one of the baby goats.
Working towards regenerative farming goals, Lindsay also sells organically-grown garlic and free-range eggs. Plus, she’s also a potter and has a cute little shop in the barn. Purchasing one of the pieces from her pottery studio makes for a great souvenir or buy a t-shirt with one of the goats on it!
Ivy Restaurant
As a foodie I’m always on the hunt for great restaurants that showcase local ingredients. Turns out one of the best restaurants in the Thousand Islands is a hidden gem!
Ivy Restaurant is located behind the gates of the Ivy Lea Club, off the Thousand Islands Parkway. This incredible restaurant has a stunning interior dining room as well as an epic patio overlooking the St. Lawrence River.
Open for brunch, lunch or dinner, the restaurant has different menus depending on meal time. For brunch you can enjoy dishes like lemon blueberry French toast or eggs benedict. I enjoyed lunch on the patio, with a menu that included tacos to burgers.
I love that they are passionate about using local ingredients! Plus, if you are looking for a fab coffee to enjoy on the road back, they have an adorable shop called the Coach House Creamery. Inside you’ll find baked goods, various coffee beverages as well as local products like maple syrup.
Hidden Meadows Alpacas
One of the many hidden gems in the Thousand Islands is Hidden Meadows Alpacas! So much so that when Google announced you have arrived all I saw was endless forest. I thought to myself, it’s not that hidden! Turns out the entrance was just around the corner.
Hidden Meadow Alpacas is one of the most magical places that you can visit in the Thousand Islands for free! Yes, Mike and Karen welcome you onto their farm out of the sheer kindness of their hearts. You can book a free Alpaca experience and discover who unique and interesting these creatures are.
Karen, who has Multiple sclerosis, will regale you in all the fun quirks of the alpacas, and tell you each of their names and stories. Bound to a wheelchair, Karen also knows the importance of accessibility! So, her and her husband Mike have made sure that people with wheelchairs or mobility devices can easily access the Alpaca yard and meet these cute creatures.
The farm is located in Seeley’s Bay, a scenic 20-minute drive north of Gananoque. In addition to a herd of roughly 30 alpacas, they now have a few baby goats.
I fell in love with Daisy who seemed to be quite the ham and loved being in selfies with me! The small baby alpacas were so cute and reminded me of Ewoks!
We also learned all about the process of how alpaca hair goes from the animal to the end product. They work with local Ontario mills and community knitters to create a variety of items that are available to purchase in their little shop, The Paca Shack. There’s everything from colourful yarn to mitts.
Travel tip: If you’re using Google, it will take you to nearly the end of Simpson Side Road and tell you it’s on the left. The entrance is off of Back Street. So, turn left at the end of Simpson Side Road and you’ll see the small sign on the left shortly after you turn.
ARBRU Solar Brewery
Another hidden gem in the region is ARBRU in Mallorytown. This solar powered brewery offers a unique experience for beer drinkers visiting in the region.
ARBRU is Canada’s first solar powered brewery and is a great stop on your Thousand Islands road trip. The brewery features a patio overlooking the hops yard and solar panels. Or you can enjoy a flight in their eclectic tasting room.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, there’s another reason to visit – their wood fired pizza! Order a flight to pair with their awesome pizza. And if you want to learn more, book one of their brewery tours that includes a flight.
I love that not only is this eco-conscious brewery fully using solar energy, but they also have a program where for every beer purchased a tree is planted.
Travel Tip: Check out their special nights before you plan your visit. They run trivia, open mic and wing nights.
Gananoque Art Walk
One of the many hidden gems I stumbled upon during my visit was the Gananoque Art Walk. During a visit to the O’Connor Gallery, an art gallery downtown, I was speaking with the owner, Dennis, who shared about this fun event that started in the spring of 2024.
Gananoque has a strong and thriving arts community. If you’re looking for unique things to do in the Thousand Islands then arrange your visit to coincide with the last Friday of the month. On the last Friday of every month, the art galleries, studios and other businesses join together to showcase the town’s incredible arts scene. This self- guided walk is a great way to meet the artists and discover more.
Visit Lansdowne
The village of Lansdowne is home to a number of hidden gems in the Thousand Islands region. Located roughly 20 minutes east of Gananoque, before Rockport, its best known for the Lansdowne Fair. This rural agricultural fair takes place every July and has been going strong for 160 years.
One of my favourite places to visit in Lansdowne is the Tipsy Goat Market & Social House. This unique purple building is full of treasures. The shelves are lined with a mix of local products to international items. I loved the local soaps and beautiful pottery. It also features a café, so you can grab a coffee to sip and shop with.
Another fab shop is Sara’s Boho Vintage. This is yet another great sustainable stop to add to your visit! Inside there’s everything from vintage décor and furniture items to unique clothing and jewellery pieces. I love that there’s an era and colour for everyone! From hot pink to brown and the 1920’s to the retro 70’s, it’s nearly impossible to leave without some gem!
Travel Tip: Don’t miss the cool mural train mural on the side of building at the crossroads of Prince Street and Grand Trunk Avenue.
Ridgway Confections
In the little village of Seeley’s Bay, 20 minutes north of Gananoque, is a whimsical chocolate shop that’s a true hidden gem! Set within a Victorian home that’s transformed into a gem fit for Willy Wonka is Ridgway Confections.
We were greeted by the chocolatier himself, Derek, strumming on his guitar on the front porch as we walked up. He immediately welcomed us inside where he offered us a free chocolate truffle. I was amazed by his selection of flavours and chose the Cinnamon Whisky.
Ridgway Confections specializes in hand-crafting Belgian chocolates and other tasty treats. There’s everything from chocolate bars to barks and truffles. I love that they have a variety of flavours that include classics like hazelnut as well as interesting blends like lime and coconut.
If you’re visiting in the summer or early fall (if they still have some left), a must-try is their Frosticles! These unique ice cream bars are dipped in their fantastic chocolate and so refreshing! I love the strawberry shortcake one!
Insider Tip: Head into the back room to browse their tea. As well as selling artisanal chocolate Derek’s wife is the queen of tea. Plus, there’s a few other local products for sale and a small museum.
Unique Things to do in the Thousand Islands
Enjoy a Helicopter Ride
Take to the skies for the best views of the region on a helicopter tour! This should be on everyone’s list of things to do in Gananoque.
After a short 5-minute drive north of downtown Gananoque, you’ll arrive at 1000 Islands Helicopter tours. They offer a variety of tour options at different price points. Choose from soaring over the Thousand Islands National Park islands or get a unique perspective on the iconic Bolt Castle.
Their helicopter tours run all year long, but I highly recommend booking a fall tour. It’s one of the most unique ways to experience the stunning fall colours.
For people nervous, I totally understand. My friend and I who did it were too! The staff, from check in to the pilot, are so friendly and honestly helped put us at ease with humour and chill vibes. Plus, once you’re up, the views are so spectacular that you’ll forget about your nerves!
I love that the pilot also acts as your tour guide, sharing fun facts and interesting stories about the various sights and places you fly over. We did the Bolt Castle helicopter tour and it was such a unique way to experience the castle and the islands! Unlike the boat tour, you can clearly see the varying colours of the water from the helicopter, which was so cool!
Do a Creative Workshop
Whether you’re a creative and love to flex your muscles whenever you go or looking for unique things to do in Gananoque indoors, check out Gananoque Arts Network. This fantastic organization offers a variety of free events as well as paid workshops.
Located within the purple building on King Street, in downtown Gananoque, it shares a space with the Painted Turtle Café. While the café takes up the front, the back is dedicated to an art gallery and a space for workshops in their pottery studio.
Every week GAN Arts hosts a knitting circle and acoustic jam session. In addition, Saturday mornings from October through June families with kids can enjoy free art time. There are also monthly events like their GAN Urban Sketching, which take place on the second Wednesday of the month at various locations around town.
Check out their website for upcoming events and workshops before you plan your trip!
Take an Antique Boat Tour
If you’re looking for an alternative to the classic Thousand Islands boat tours, like the famous Bolt Castle tour, I’ve got a secret for you! There’s another tour that many don’t know about and it takes you out on an antique boat.
The Thousand Islands Boat Museum is located steps away from where you board for the other Gananoque boat tours. Beyond the unique museum gallery space, it’s home to a number of antique boats. And you can book a boat tour on one of them!
My father and I boarded one, called Limit Up, and enjoyed a private tour that took us to interesting sights along the St. Lawrence River. One of the cool things about this tour that I like is that we were able to get must closer to places, offering a different perspective then the big cruises.
Hike the Gananoque Trails
If you’re like me and have been to the area countless times and have done all of the popular hikes in the region, then check out the Gananoque Trails.
Yes, the town has a trail system that features 3 different loop trails that total around 12 km. These trails are some of the best hidden gems in Gananoque. They take you along the waterfront, through town and along the scenic Gananoque River.
If you’re looking for a long hike, you can do them all in around 4 hours. But my favourite is the Lions Loop. It takes you along the Gananoque River and is an easy trail. Another good one that features a lookout and more forested trails is Rogers Loop. This one takes around 2 hours to complete.
Gananoque Trails are perfect for those looking for unique free things to do in the Thousand Islands.
Climb the 1000 Islands Tower
One of the tallest attractions in the Thousand Islands often gets overlooked! The 1000 Islands Tower offers some of the best views for the cheapest price in the area.
The tower is located between Ivy Lea and Rockport. If you’re travelling along the Thousand Islands Parkway, take Highway 137 south. One thing to note is that you’ll have to pay a toll of around $5 to use the road that leads to the tower.
Towering over 400 feet above the St. Lawrence River, I love the 360-degree views and from multiple levels that it has. While there are stairs winding around the tower, you reach the top via an elevator.
The elevator brings you to the first of 3 different observation decks. Enclosed in glass, the first deck has a wealth of information plaques and books that share insight into the area’s history and sights. Plus, you’ll learn more about the tower itself.
Both of the two next observation decks are accessible by a series of stairs. The coolest thing is that these offer open air views over the entire region and over into New York state.
Travel Tip: The tower is open seasonally from May through October.
Hike Marble Rock Conservation Area
A great alternative to some of the more popular places to hike in the Thousand Islands is Marble Rock Conservation Area. The park is located under 15 minutes north of Gananoque and features a unique landscape to hike.
Covering 710 acres, Marble Rock Conservation Area is home to two loop trails. One is 7 km and the other is 11 km. Both are considered moderate to difficult, with various terrain and rock scrambling, so know your ability before you head out.
The park is named for the towering rock that once you reach the summit offers a stunning lookout. Plus, much of the trails include exposed parts of the Canadian Shield as well as shaded trails through the forest.
If you’re looking for less crowded trails, this is a great one! I hiked it with a friend and we didn’t see another person the whole hike.
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With such a large region, there are so many hidden gems in the Thousand Islands to discover! If you’re like me and visit often and are looking for alternatives to the popular places and sights, this is the ideal guide to help you uncover some unique things to add to your next Thousand Islands itinerary.
I was hosted by 1000 Islands Tourism but as always, all opinions expressed are my own.
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