The oldest continuously operated canal in North America, the Rideau Canal Waterway links the lakes and rivers between Ottawa and Kingston and is a boater's paradise.
Huge pine, maple and oak shade trees to the right and left, peaceful, quiet surroundings, quaint towns, lots of house boats for rent, friendly and knowlegable lock staff - it's the recipe for a relaxing vacation.
Huge pine, maple and oak shade trees to the right and left, peaceful, quiet surroundings, quaint towns, lots of house boats for rent, friendly and knowlegable lock staff - it's the recipe for a relaxing vacation.
And: it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
I travelled the Rideau Canal for several years at all seasons, paddled, cycled, skated, canoed, house-boated and went through each of the 24 locks along the 202 kilometer waterway, and it still seems to be a well-kept travel secret.
Barely any businesses, no tour-coaches, souvenir shops or tourist hords, very few restaurants, no highways or high-rises, just cottages along the way.
See how the locks work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iPx6hyxfiA
Fall trip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1aTLUuLGS0&NR=1
Rideau Canal in Winter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmIEzfPYxrc&feature=related
Read "Along the Rideau" http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/articles/along-the-rideau.html - or better come and see for yourself.
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