I recently found that you don’t have to cross an ocean to feel transported. Sometimes, you just have to cross the border. During a recent visit to Gananoque (pronounced Gah-Na-No-Quay), a picturesque town located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, I discovered one of Canada’s best-kept wellness secrets. Set amid the Thousand Islands, this tranquil escape lies at the heart of the world’s longest undefended border, where the U.S. and Canada share not just a river but also a stunning landscape that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature.
Located midway between Toronto and Montreal, this charming border town embodies the best of Canada’s quiet magic. From its crystal-clear waterways to it restorative natural landscapes, Gananoque is a charming destination for anyone seeking a restorative wellness getaway filled with adventure, serenity, and a touch of discovery.
Although you can see the U.S. mainland across the river, it feels like a world away. Carved by glaciers during the last Ice Age, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is home to nearly 1,800 islands. No visit is complete without taking to the river itself. City Cruises offers a narrated five-hour roundtrip voyage that meanders between the islands, slipping seamlessly between Canadian and American waters. The journey includes a stop at the storied Boldt Castle on New York’s Heart Island. Built in 1900 by hotel magnate George C. Boldt, best known as the proprietor of New York City’s famed Waldorf-Astoria, the castle was meant to be a grand gesture to his beloved wife, Louise. When she passed away unexpectedly, construction halted, and the unfinished 27-room Rhineland-inspired estate was abandoned for more than 70 years. Since 1977, it has been lovingly restored after decades of neglect, transforming it into a romantic landmark along the St. Lawrence with stunning gardens.
Culture & Community
It’s easy to enjoy the rich culture in Gananoque, thanks to the waterfront Thousand Islands Playhouse. The playhouse’s two venues host approximately 220 consecutive performances each season featuring Canadian designers, directors, artists, and performers. The town’s creative spirit was in full swing during Culture Days, an annual arts celebration featuring everything from live music and storytelling to the Gan Art Fest’s Fish Tales, where local talent brings the community’s stories to life. Touristy in the best possible way, Gananoque has enticing heritage architecture, inviting museums, and year-round festivals. Another local theater adds to the town’s appeal.
For a different kind of perspective, 1000 Islands Helicopter Tours offers an exhilarating aerial view of the region’s waterways, castles, and islands. As you soar above the shimmering St. Lawrence, it’s hard not to be reminded of how closely the U.S. and Canada are connected.
Natural Adventures
Just a half hour north of Gananoque, it becomes even easier to exhale. The scenic drive to Chaffey’s Lock, a historic village, winds through Ontario’s bucolic wilderness, inviting you to slow down and reconnect. This region, part of both a UNESCO Biosphere and World Heritage Site, offers a rare blend of nature and adventure. My partner and I traded screens and schedules for a soul-soothing ride along the Cataraqui Trail, a 65-mile rail-to-trail path laid atop the resurrected Trans-Canadian National Railway. Whether you walk, hike, or bike, this car-free trail offers meditative quiet, the rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath your feet or tires, and the sweet scent of pines. After pedaling through this storybook setting, we traded our bikes for kayaks at Rideau Tours and glided down the Rideau Canal. To refuel, we paid a visit to The Opinicon, a century-old lodge reborn as a restaurant with an old-fashioned ice cream parlor.
The locals’ warmth is another welcome enticement. As one woman said about the recent political tensions between Canada and the U.S., “The parents are fighting, but the kids are alright.” It’s that blend of humor and heart that makes Gananoque feel like a place where wellness goes beyond the obvious. Instead, it’s rooted in art, community, and connection.
