Prince Edward County & Thousand Islands Weekend
A weekend road trip from Toronto featuring wineries, sand dunes, a limestone historic city, and a Thousand Islands cruise
The most classic eastbound weekend getaway for Torontonians. Follow Highway 401 to the lakeside peninsula, dedicating one day each to wineries, sand dunes, historic old towns, and cruises. To minimize hotel changes, spend one night in Picton and one in Kingston. Perfect for couples and friends looking for a short escape. Enjoy the beaches in summer, or the wineries and autumn colors in fall. This itinerary focuses on the Canadian side of the Thousand Islands and does not cross the US border.
Thousand Islands cruises and accommodations in the County fill up quickly in July and August; book well in advance.
Day by day
Day 1 · Eastbound Wine Route & Sand Dunes
Prince Edward County（Prince Edward County Wine Route、Wellington & Wellington Beach、Sandbanks Provincial Park、Picton）
Drive along Highway 401 to the County, approx. 200 km, 2.5–3 hours; driving between points within the County takes about 20 minutes.
Highway 401 can still be congested after 9:00 AM on weekdays; try to leave as early as possible.
Stay: Picton
Day 2 · Lake on the Mountain to Kingston
Prince Edward County（Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park、Glenora Ferry） → Kingston & Thousand Islands（Fort Henry National Historic Site、Kingston City Hall & Market Square）
Drive from Picton to the Glenora Ferry, 15 minutes; after crossing, follow Highway 33 to Kingston, approx. 1 hour.
Stay: Downtown Kingston Waterfront
Day 3 · Thousand Islands Cruise & Return
Kingston & Thousand Islands（Gananoque、Thousand Islands Cruises） → Toronto & Niagara Falls
Drive to Gananoque, 30 minutes; take a 1–3 hour cruise, then drive back to Toronto, approx. 280 km, 3 hours.