Lennox and Addington South
Lennox and Addington County is one of Ontario’s beautiful lakeside regions, offering everything from beautiful nature and all-season outdoor activities to historic museums and metropolitan eats. Spend the day admiring at the awe-inspiring Lake Ontario from the coastline or Amherst Island. Discover a new favourite craft beer and dive into the area's gripping history.
To learn more about all there is to see and do in Lennox and Addington, scroll down or visit the county’s tourism website.
Where is Lennox and Addington South?
The southern portion of Lennox and Addington County is located along the northeast coastline of Lake Ontario, just to the east of the city of Kingston. Travel east from Toronto, just a few hours by car via Highway 401 East, or travel two hours west from Ottawa, taking either the scenic country route along Highway 7 or via Highway 416 South and 401 West. From Lake Ontario, the county stretches north into the countryside where visitors can enjoy the region’s incredible nature at countless lakes, nature reserves and a dark sky reserve. In the county’s southern edge, charming towns along the coast and Amherst Island are accessible via Highway 401 and the Amherst Island Ferry.
Things to know about visiting Lennox and Addington South
Whether you’re still in the planning stages or you’re already on your trip to Lennox and Addington, you'll appreciate what the locals recommend around the county.
Where to get a great cup of coffee
Enjoy great coffee, a mouthwatering dessert menu and the relaxed atmosphere at The Coffee Cravings in Napanee.
Where to go shopping
Experience the unique boutique-style shopping and friendly personal service in downtown Napanee.
Where to see local art
Art lovers flock to Weasel and Easel Art & Gifts in Stella on Amherst Island to find local artisans exhibiting and selling their work.
Where to see the stars
Lennox & Addington County Dark Sky Viewing Area is the most southerly dark sky site in Ontario, and features parking and a large concrete pad for camera and telescope setup.
The towns of Lennox and Addington South
Bath
Located on the shoreline of Lake Ontario, this historic town, one of the oldest communities in the province, is an excellent place for history, nature and food with a view.
Amherst Island
Just a ferry ride away from the mainland, this large Lake Ontario island is filled with conservation areas and parks and even has a museum to learn more about its long history.
Napanee
The heart of Lennox and Addington County, this town hosts the region’s famous Napanee Falls as well as some of its best restaurants and the historic Allan Macpherson House.
Odessa
Home to Babcock Mill Cascade and some of the area’s oldest mill sites, this historic town is conveniently located right along Highway 401.
Amherstview
Home to the Nicholson Point Lighthouse and the Fairfield House & Park, this small town is a great first stop in Lennox and Addington if you’re coming from the city of Kingston to the east.
Things to do in Lennox and Addington South
With a historical museum, several conservation areas and provincial parks, and a delicious brewery to try, Lennox and Addington County is one of eastern Ontario’s hidden gems. Stop in the county on your way from Kingston to Toronto for a day trip around the lakeside towns or head up into the northern countryside.
Lennox and Addington is a great place to learn more about Ontario’s history as a historic milling and manufacturing area. Visit the Allan Macpherson House, where its namesake lived while he ran the sawmills at Napanee Falls in the early 1800s. The historic building is now home to the Lennox and Addington Museum and Archives, which hosts several exhibits about the area’s evolution over the last 200 years.
Continue the historical tour in the town of Stella on Amherst Island, where the Neilson Store Museum and Cultural Centre offers a firsthand look at artifacts from the settlement of the island in the late 1700s. At the Bath Museum of Ontario, just across the water on the mainland, learn about one of Ontario’s oldest communities.
If you prefer to get outside, check out one of the county’s parks. By the lakeside, you’ll find picturesque gardens everywhere you look. In Napanee, check out Springfield Park to see the beautiful Napanee Falls and Napanee River. Napanee Falls cascade for tens of metres, giving viewers a mesmerizing look at the sheer power of water. The Napanee Conservation Park also overlooks the picturesque river, offering plenty of spots to enjoy a picnic or play with kids.
In Odessa, Babcock Mill Cascade offers a view of the shallow falls outside of the historic Babcock Mill. On Amherst Island, several parks and conservation areas provide excellent views of Lake Ontario, including Sand Beach Wetlands Conservation Area and Back Beach Park, boasting stunning, idyllic sand and rock beaches.
Near the neighbourhood of Amherstview, Lighthouse Park is small but mighty. Enjoy a view of the humble lighthouse with the ever-incredible backdrop of Lake Ontario. Check out Parrott's Bay Conservation Area, just a few minutes from the lighthouse. This wooded park offers trails accessible in all seasons and fishing in the beautiful lake bay.
While nature and history are the highlights of Lennox and Addington County, there’s more to experience. Take a trip to MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Co. in Bath to taste some Ontario beers with a farmhouse twist. The Napanee Beer Company also creates delicious brews with local flair.
Last updated: August 22, 2023