24 Things for 2-4 May long weekend in South Eastern Ontario

Rosanne Lake

Heads up: long weekend approaching! May 2-4 weekend, also known as the Victoria Day long weekend, is the unofficial kick-off of summer activities in South Eastern Ontario. Whether you’re in the mood to relax or you’re getting together with friends, here is a list of 24 things to do this weekend.

Outdoor Activities

Play a round (or two) of golf: From lush greens at Hammond Golf to luxury fairways like Black Bear Ridge we have a golf course for you. Book your tee time now to avoid disappointment!

Go camping: From car camping to backcountry and everything in between, we have the perfect campsite. Mainstays like Charleston Lake Provincial Park are always popular for trails and wildlife viewing, as are sites further east like the Parks of the St. Lawrence campsites, including gorgeous waterfront sites. Hardy campers will appreciate the peaceful backcountry at rugged Frontenac Provincial Park.

Go star gazing: It’s hard to believe that just a short drive north of the 401 is a place so serene that the skies are very much like they were 100 years ago. The L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area is a must-see for night sky photographers and lawn chair astronomers.

Build sandcastles at the beach: If you’re more of a day tripper, grab your kiddos, a sand bucket and shovel and head to Sandbanks Provincial Park. It is the world’s largest baymouth barrier dune formation with three expansive sandy beaches that some say are among the best in Canada (and we tend to agree with those people).

Paddle the Rideau Canal: Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rideau Canal offers an unforgettable canoeing or kayaking experience. The locks are opening this weekend! Bring your own boat or rent one from local outfitters like Frontenac Outfitters , Trailhead Kingston, or rental places throughout the Rideau Lakes, like Rideau Tours.

Go fishing: For some species, like Northern Pike and walleye, the fishing season opens the third Saturday in May, which means you can head to the water in search of that famous Bay of Quinte gold. Many deem the opening day of the walleye fishing season is the unofficial beginning of the open-water fishing season in Ontario. Remember to follow all fishing regulations according to your zone, including having a valid Outdoors Card and fishing licence.

Sightseeing & Tours

Cruise the 1000 Islands: Cruising the St. Lawrence River is a classic experience in South Eastern Ontario. With a variety of boats to choose from, like the Wildcat high-speed catamaran to the elegant Island Queen, there’s no better way to experience the river. Find cruises in Gananoque, Kingston, Rockport and Brockville as a memorable way to kick off summer!

Take a ghost walk…if you dare: Haunted Walks of Kingston is an award-winning and bone-chilling walk through the city’s historic streets. Your guide tells ghost stories during your stroll and we’ve heard of ghost sightings too!

Have a family day at the Aquatarium: The Aquatarium in Brockville offers a full range of interactive exhibits and activities for kids and adults in a comfortable, and accessible environment! Check out the live otters playfully swimming, Justin Beaver’s antics and feeding times, ships to explore, the planetarium, fish to marvel at and even a touch tank with starfish and crabs. Learn about the incredible biodiversity in our region.

Visit a museum: No matter your interests, there is a museum in South Eastern Ontario that will capture your imagination. Learn about the region’s penitentiary history in Kingston or step back into the 1860s at Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg.

Go skydiving: Kick off summer by crossing off a bucket list item! Skydive Gananoque is your go-to when visiting South Eastern Ontario.
Trek high through the trees: Take in big views through the towering white pines at TreeTop Trekking in the idyllic 1000 Islands! Whether ziplining across a lake, navigating wooden bridges or tightropes on a discovery course, or playing in the treewalk village, or even on a night trek, this adventure park is a great way to start the season making memories!

Take a helicopter tour: Seeing the 1000 Islands from the air is breathtaking. Soar above the St. Lawrence River, castles, lush islands and brilliant blue water with 1000 Islands Helicopter Tours. A true gem of an experience!

Entertainment, Culture & Heritage

Experience military life: Come visit Fort Henry in Kingston, an award-winning UNESCO Heritage Site! Get an immersive glimpse of life at the Fort in the 1800s with the pomp of the Garrison parade, the boom of firing cannons and a muster drill.
Go to an art gallery: While strolling in the heart of downtown Kingston, check out eclectic Martello Alley. Get inspired on the Art and Culture Tour in Bay of Quinte or the elegant Cline House Gallery in Cornwall.
Indulge in retail therapy: Each town and city in South Eastern Ontario have its own unique collection of shops. Downtown Kingston has boasts upscale retailers and niche boutiques. In The County, expect to find stores full of perfectly curated vintage goods and candy shops. Westport and Newboro have lovely stores with everything from luxe kitchen wares and designer furniture. Have a peek at our 11 destinations to discover your next trip to the shops.
Catch a concert or live theatre: The place to be this long weekend is the region’s pubs, breweries and coffee shops, where local talent takes to the mic! From Kingston’s Grand Theatre to the Brockville Arts Centre and the Aultsville Theatre in Cornwall, live performance is never far, but far from ordinary.
Try an escape room: Test your problem-solving skills at Kingston’s Improbable Escapes, Cornwalls Rush Hour Escape, or Prince Edward County’s Escape Room at Macaulay Heritage Park a collection of escape rooms where you are pitted against the clock to get out of a locked room.

Food & Drink

Go on a wine tour: Prince Edward County’s terroir is recognized throughout the world as being unique and the hospitality of The County’s winemakers will make you feel right at home. Self-guided wine tours or chauffeured options are available. Look here for all the details to experience wine in The County.
Turn those wheels: Rolling hills, iconic landmarks, beautiful countryside, charming villages. Cyclists in South Eastern Ontario witness all this, plus wildlife and friendly locals. Choose from 10 cycling itineraries in destinations across the region. From waterfront paths to urban loops to gripping town and country routes – South Eastern Ontario is a cycling gem!
Pack a picnic of local food: Go to a farmers’ market and pack a picnic lunch of local food, such as bread, cheeses, honey, fruit and vegetables. Kingston’s Springer Market Square is home to the province’s oldest open-air market and Belleville, Prescott, Cornwall, Gananoque , Prescott Russell, and Brockville and more all have markets that are a short walking distance from parks that you can sit down and enjoy the sunshine in.

Tour a craft brewery: Almost each town and city in the region boasts a craft brewery. Check out Rurban Brewing in Cornwall, Mackinnon Brothers in Lennox & Addington, Westport Brewing Company in the Rideau region, 1000 Islands Brewing in Brockville just to name a few. All of these places offer flights and a bottle shop to take home your new favourite brew. Check in with our destinations to find more of what’s brewing in SEO.
Dine out with endless options everywhere: Kingston has more restaurants per capita than anywhere in Canada. The County is a culinary gem. Eateries in SDG Counties focus on delicious local flavours. Gananoque is known for its eclectic cafes and Belleville and Trenton are home to Italian restaurants boasting fresh pasta made daily. We’re serious about food here, with chefs often sourcing local ingredients paired with local food, ciders and wines from Vankleek Hill to Tamworth.
Go for ice cream In Bloomfield, grab a cone at Slickers, The County’s most popular ice cream shop, featuring fresh homemade flavours. Sundaes and soft-serve are a favourite at Brockville’s Cowan’s Dairy Bar. Kingston’s Reid’s Dairy Company is famous for their cheap shakes and yummy treat-filled hard ice cream. Kemptville’s Dairy Barn is set to make your weekend sweeter with sundaes, smoothies, hurricanes, milkshakes, and soft serve. The Opinicon Ice Cream Shop in Chaffey’s Lock serves up scoops made on the spot with unique flavours like Golden Squirrel!

No matter what you’re doing this weekend, it’s sure to be a treat to kick off the season in South Eastern Ontario. What’s your favourite spot to go in SEO?