Stay : The Great Lakes Route
Access to four of the Great Lakes is certainly Ontario's greatest asset. Considered one of the largest freshwater reserves in the world, they fascinate with their sheer size, turquoise waters and endless beaches. Our most beautiful tour in Ontario!
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
12 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Where to stay - Kingston ?
The map of your stay - Canada
Detail of the stay : The Great Lakes Route - 12 days
Day 1: Kingston
Departure early in the morning in the direction of Gananoque. Stroll on its lakefront while admiring the river and the Thousand Islands. Lunch on a terrace in one of Gananoque's restaurants and head to Kingston in the early afternoon. When you arrive in Kingston, take the Kingston Trolley Tours bus for a complete tour of this charming, historic city. Finish your day with dinner in the vaulted vaults of historic Fort Henry. For those who haven't cruised to Gananoque, treat yourself to a sunset dinner cruise aboard the Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises cruise ship. Memorable!
Day 2: Toronto
Steps: Kingston, Picton, Sandbanks, Toronto
If you leave early enough in the morning, we strongly suggest that you take Highway 33 from Kingston to the Glenora ferry. Make a quick stop in the charming town of Picton and head to the fine sand dunes of Sandbanks Provincial Park. Then join Highway 401 towards Toronto. Once in the city, leave your car in the hotel parking lot and take the subway or walk. Explore the downtown area with its many shops, including Queen Street West, and visit the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). End your day with dinner at one of the many rooftop restaurants in the city.
Day 3: Toronto
Steps: Toronto
Head to Lake Ontario and take a tour of the CN Tower, one of the tallest towers in the world. Take the ferry to the Toronto Islands and end your morning with a picnic lunch. Back in the city, take the afternoon to visit Chinatown and the bohemian Kensington Market next door. In the evening, take advantage of your presence in one of North America's most cultural cities to attend a concert, play or Broadway-style show.
Day 4: Point Pelee National Park
Steps: Kingsville, Leamington
Depart for Point Pelee National Park on the shores of Lake Erie. In the fall and spring, hundreds of thousands of birds come to the park for a break before continuing on their journey. To enjoy this wonderful migration spectacle, there's nothing better than a stop at this oasis on the shores of Lake Erie. Spend the night in the park, Leamington or Kingsville.
PARC NATIONAL DE LA POINTE-PELÉE
Day 5: Goderich
Departure to Goderich by the 401 to London, then route 4 north. This pretty town built on a cliff overlooking Lake Huron offers incredible views of the Great Lake. Take a stroll around Courthouse Park, the area with its cafes, restaurants and shops, and relax with your favourite drink on one of the terraces in this charming town or soak up the sun on the beach. Spend the night in one of the city's hostels.
Day 6: Bruce Peninsula
Steps: Tobermory
Take Route 6, go to Tobermory. Bordered to the east by Georgian Bay and to the west by Lake Huron, the tiny community of Tobermory attracts many fishermen and divers each year. The crystal clear waters remind us of the beauty of an island like Corsica. A visit to this region cannot be complete without a visit to the magnificent Bruce Peninsula National Park. To sleep, there are a few hotels in Tobermory or the campground at Cyprus Lake, 15 km from Tobermory.
PARC NATIONAL DE LA PÉNINSULE-BRUCE
Day 7: Manitoulin Island
Steps: Île Manitoulin
Take the ferry to Manitoulin Island, a sacred place for Aboriginal people. Those seeking a spiritual and unusual experience will spend the night there and we highly recommend it. Manitoulin Island is considered the largest freshwater island in the world.
Day 8: Sault Ste. Marie
Steps: Sault Ste Marie
Enjoy the morning on the island before heading to Sault Ste. Marie. Once there, you can visit the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site, Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site, or the Art Gallery of Algoma which showcases Canadian art (its collection includes works by members of the Group of Seven). Alternatively, you can take the Agawa Canyon train, but the train leaves Sault Ste. Marie at 8:00 a.m. (return at 6:00 p.m.), so you will have to leave Manitoulin Island at dawn to make sure you don't miss it. Dinner and overnight in Sault Ste. Marie.
Day 9: Lake Superior Provincial Park
Steps: Parc Provincial Lake Superior
Continue on Highway 17 and head into the village of Wawa to spend the night at Lake Superior Provincial Park. There is a beautiful beach in the Catherine Cove area and don't miss the nearby Bathtub Island Natural Pool.
Day 10: Pukaskwa National Park
Steps: Parc National Pukaskwa
Departure in the direction of Marathon. Once there, stop at the tourist centre east of the village and ask for directions to the falls, a paradise on earth. Then head to Pukaskwa National Park to stretch your legs a little. You can camp on site (ready-to-camp tents are also available) or return to Marathon for the night.
Day 11: Thunder Bay
Steps: Thunder Bay, Parc Provincial Neys
Take Route 17 back to Thunder Bay. If you have time, stop for a few hours at Neys Provincial Park to enjoy its beautiful white sand beach and turquoise waters. Once in Thunder Bay, visit Fort William Historical Park and spend the rest of the day enjoying the beautiful scenery. Sleep in one of the city's hotels.
FORT WILLIAM HISTORICAL PARK
Day 12: Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Steps: Parc Provincial Sleeping Giant
Continue to explore the rugged beauty of the area: spend the day on the Sleeping Giant Plateau and view the rock formations, the boreal forest and the vastness of Lake Superior. It's a landscape that will leave a lasting impression on you for the rest of your life. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy mountain biking, canoeing and other activities.
PARC PROVINCIAL SLEEPING GIANT
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