Known as the “City of the 1000 Islands,” Brockville, Ontario, can’t help but impress with its stately estates and timeless charm.
I can think of a bunch of reasons to go here, and a pile of reasons to go there. But the beautiful city of Brockville, Ontario, stands alone with 1000 reasons in all.
With its fascinating history, jaw-dropping views, and a wealth of things to see and do, the self-proclaimed “City of the 1000 Islands” deserves a special place atop every Great Lakes boater’s must-visit list.
Initially settled by the Algonquin people, present-day Brockville saw the arrival of the first Europeans in the early 17th century, when Samuel de Champlain began to explore the St. Lawrence River above Montreal. The region’s rugged topography — shaped in part by vast glacial moraines and immense granite veins of the Canadian shield — proved more difficult to farm than the rich, sedimentary lands downstream of Montreal, leading development to focus more on the fur trade than on settlement and subsistence farming. A fur trading depot was promptly established on the site of the present-day city.
Little changed until 1784, when, in the wake of the American Revolutionary War, thousands of United Empire Loyalists crossed the St. Lawrence River and established a settlement around the fur trading station. The settlers initially named it Buell’s Bay, after their leader, William Buell, then Elizabethtown for his much more popular spouse. By 1812, the commanding British official in Upper Canada, Major-General Isaac Brock, visited the area and decided to rename it once again — this time for himself.
With its influx of new settlers, the community grew rapidly and became Ontario’s first incorporated, self-governing town on January 28, 1832, beating out Toronto by a full two years.
With its choice location overlooking what by then had become a busy trading route, Brockville and its bustling harbor proved a welcoming port for vessels headed to and from Lake Ontario.
Construction of the nearby Rideau Canal in the early 19th century saw an army of men and their equipment pass through Brockville on their way to and from multiple lock and dam sites near the southern end of the waterway.
The town’s growth accelerated further in 1855 with the arrival of the Grand Trunk Railway — no small feat in view of the rock-marsh-rock topography that challenged the engineers charged with building the tracks.
Evidence of those challenges can be seen today at the Brockville Railway Tunnel. Completed in 1860 to provide a rail link from Brockville’s port facilities to the timber trade of the Ottawa Valley, the 1,730-foot hole through the solid granite of the Canadian Shield was the first railway tunnel built in Canada. No longer used, today it welcomes visitors as a unique historical attraction, complete with a modern LED light system that illuminates the facility in a range of color patterns synced to a recorded music track as people walk through.
The easy route
The easiest way to get to Brockville has always been by boat, and today, it’s still the most enjoyable way to discover all of its attractions.
Situated on the St. Lawrence River, some 19 miles downstream from Alexandria Bay and just upstream of the Three Sisters Islands, the approach into Brockville is clean and well-marked in both directions. If you’re approaching from Alex Bay, simply follow the Brockville Narrows straight into town; from below, simply navigate north of the Three Sisters Islands and you’ll soon begin spotting the city’s many church spires.
Regardless of which direction you approach from, you’ll want to keep an eye peeled for frequent freighter traffic throughout this area, and take note of the strong river current, which averages between 1.5 and 2 knots at normal water levels. The big boats traveling downbound will catch up to you in a hurry.
Brockville boasts excellent marina facilities for visiting boaters. Blockhouse Island (today an L-shape peninsula that extends from shore east of the downtown core) protects the city’s primary dockage. As you enter the harbor and travel east, you’ll pass the Brockville Yacht Club, Tall Ships Landing Marina and the two sites for the City of Brockville Municipal Marina. Just west of the main harbor, Gilbert Marine offers further berthing options. In each case, downtown Brockville lies within easy walking distance, allowing visitors to enjoy all the best shopping, dining, cafes and heritage sites within a quick stroll from the boat.
If you’re looking for a place to stay while in Brockville, Tall Ships Landing Resort offers all the amenities of a waterfront resort. Experience luxurious accommodations, a clubhouse, pools, a fitness center, a restaurant, shops and a full-service marina for a memorable stay.
Top left: brockville tourism; Aerial: pexels; Tunnel: wiki
brockville tourism
Plan Your Trip
1000 Islands Tourism
1000islandstourism.com
Brockville Tourism
Brockvilletourism.com
Destination Ontario
destinationontario.com
brockville tourism
Feeling Festive
There’s always something going on in Brockville, with the city maintaining a packed events calendar year-round, ranging from mermaid experiences, live music, sidewalk sales, regattas, rib fests, poutine fests and more. For the latest, check out the city’s events calendar at brockvilletourism.com/events-calendar.
Ribfest Facebook
downtown: Lezumbalaberenjena; blockhead Island & brock trail: Destination ontario
How the other half live
Once you’ve settled in at the slip, the best way to get to know your way around is to simply wander through Brockville’s lively and stately downtown. Neat, compact, and with streets laid out in a classic grid, it’s easy to get around and difficult to get lost.
History buffs and those who appreciate fine 19th-century architecture will find themselves right at home, with Brockville’s rich history explained through a series of heritage plaques mounted throughout the downtown and along the waterfront Brock Trail. Celebrating the key people, places and events that shaped Brockville into the vibrant community it is today, these plaques provide the basis of an interesting walking tour that starts at the Brockville Museum, located within sight of the municipal marina at the foot of Henry Street.
Located east of downtown at 287 King Street, Fulford Place is the crown jewel of Brockville’s architectural gems. Built in 1901, the 20,000-square-foot Edwardian mansion was the one-time home of Senator George Taylor Fulford, who made millions selling medicines through saturation advertising in community newspapers all over the globe. Now owned and managed by the Ontario Heritage Trust, the magnificent estate and its Italianate-style gardens — stuffed with original tapestries, statuary and ceramics that Fulford acquired throughout his travels — make it abundantly clear just how well the other half lived over 100 years ago. The home has accommodated visiting Canadian prime ministers, British royalty and well-to-do neighbors — including members of the Wrigley, Astor, Kellogg and Boldt families — for more than a century. Today, it ranks among Brockville’s most cherished attractions.
For kids of all ages
Rivaling Fulford Place as Brockville’s favorite is the aforementioned railway tunnel, with its southern entrance directly across the road from the municipal marina. The musical light show is actually quite impressive.
Where the railway tunnel is always a big hit with kids of all ages (including us bigger ones), the little ones in your crew will absolutely adore the Brockville Aquatarium, found on Broad Street, a few minutes from the municipal marina. Known locally as the AQ (or more often, the Ack), the Aquatarium celebrates local aquatic life from both above and below the water’s surface, with interpretive displays revealing fascinating details about the lives of creatures great and small found in the local area. Multiple displays present a variety of live fish and animals, including reptiles, amphibians, river otters and even a beaver (named Justin Beaver), to the delight of visitors of all ages. Special events throughout the year make every visit unique.
If you’re looking to get in a bit of a workout between all the sightseeing, wander up to Capitol Axe Throwing and try your hand at, well, throwing axes into a range of targets. Throwers must be over the age of 10 and wear closed-toe shoes; take your best shot to see who reigns as the family champion.
Fulford: Ontario hertiage trust; capital axe throwing; Fat Les facebook; Aquarium facebook; Farmer’s Market; brockville tourism; Arts Centre: Canada Community Building Fund; Mac Johnson: Conservation ontario; brockville tourism
How the other half live
Once you’ve settled in at the slip, the best way to get to know your way around is to simply wander through Brockville’s lively and stately downtown. Neat, compact, and with streets laid out in a classic grid, it’s easy to get around and difficult to get lost.
History buffs and those who appreciate fine 19th-century architecture will find themselves right at home, with Brockville’s rich history explained through a series of heritage plaques mounted throughout the downtown and along the waterfront Brock Trail. Celebrating the key people, places and events that shaped Brockville into the vibrant community it is today, these plaques provide the basis of an interesting walking tour that starts at the Brockville Museum, located within sight of the municipal marina at the foot of Henry Street.
Located east of downtown at 287 King Street, Fulford Place is the crown jewel of Brockville’s architectural gems. Built in 1901, the 20,000-square-foot Edwardian mansion was the one-time home of Senator George Taylor Fulford, who made millions selling medicines through saturation advertising in community newspapers all over the globe.
Now owned and managed by the Ontario Heritage Trust, the magnificent estate and its Italianate-style gardens — stuffed with original tapestries, statuary and ceramics that Fulford acquired throughout his travels — make it abundantly clear just how well the other half lived over 100 years ago. The home has accommodated visiting Canadian prime ministers, British royalty and well-to-do neighbors — including members of the Wrigley, Astor, Kellogg and Boldt families — for more than a century. Today, it ranks among Brockville’s most cherished attractions.
For kids of all ages
Rivaling Fulford Place as Brockville’s favorite is the aforementioned railway tunnel, with its southern entrance directly across the road from the municipal marina. The musical light show is actually quite impressive.
Where the railway tunnel is always a big hit with kids of all ages (including us bigger ones), the little ones in your crew will absolutely adore the Brockville Aquatarium, found on Broad Street, a few minutes from the municipal marina. Known locally as the AQ (or more often, the Ack), the Aquatarium celebrates local aquatic life from both above and below the water’s surface, with interpretive displays revealing fascinating details about the lives of creatures great and small found in the local area. Multiple displays present a variety of live fish and animals, including reptiles, amphibians, river otters and even a beaver (named Justin Beaver), to the delight of visitors of all ages. Special events throughout the year make every visit unique.
If you’re looking to get in a bit of a workout between all the sightseeing, wander up to Capitol Axe Throwing and try your hand at, well, throwing axes into a range of targets. Throwers must be over the age of 10 and wear closed-toe shoes; take your best shot to see who reigns as the family champion.
Marina Facilities
The Brockville Municipal Marina — split across two sites at Tunnel Bay and Erie Fox Quay — has both seasonal and transient slips for boats to 46 feet in length and with a maximum beam of 17 feet. All slips feature water and 30-amp power. Reservations are strongly recommended by calling 613-342-1986 or booking online at letscamp.ca/camps/cob-harbours-transient.
Tall Ships Landing Marina accommodates transient vessels up to 60 feet in length with water and either 30- or 50-amp power at each slip. They also offer on-site gas and diesel. Reservations are strongly recommended at 613-498-4567 or online at tallshipslanding.com.
Gilbert Marine, located west of the main harbor, can also accommodate occasional visiting boats up to around 30 feet. Facilities include gas, pumpout and 15-amp power. Get details on the facilities at 613-342-3462 or gilbertmarine.com.
The Brockville Yacht Club, located nearest to the entrance of the main harbor, caters to sailboats, offering two nights’ docking to members of yacht clubs with reciprocal arrangements, but has no transient slips otherwise. Reach them at 613-345-3146 or brockvilleyachtclub.com.
Boat ramps are located at the end of Home Street and Henry Street.
Pictured L-R: Municipal Marina and Tall Ships, Yacht Club and Gilbert Marine.
L-R: Brockville Tourism; Brockville Tourism; Bill Fraser
