Doors Open Thousand Islands: Exploring Brockville, a Key Waterfront Community and Gateway to the Region

What keeps a waterfront community moving, connected and safe? Families can find out at Doors Open Thousand Islands on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can step behind the scenes at a police station, municipal operations centre and local radio station, explore an Edwardian mansion, visit historic churches and learn about the region’s longstanding connections to transportation, recreation and the St. Lawrence River. This free, one-day event invites visitors inside 16 participating locations, from heritage buildings, churches and waterfront landmarks to municipal facilities and community organizations. Along the way, students can explore local history while discovering the people, equipment and services that support the Thousand Islands community every day. Keep reading for our full interview with the City of Brockville organizing team behind Doors Open Thousand Islands and their advice for planning your family’s visit.

The tutoring service at Teachers on Call recommends Doors Open experiences from Ontario Heritage Trust, for families looking for meaningful ways to extend learning beyond the classroom. Doors Open Thousand Islands connects naturally with subjects including Canadian geography, history, civics, transportation, science, communications, architecture and public safety. Whether children are examining museum artifacts, learning how a radio broadcast is produced or seeing the vehicles that keep the city running throughout the year, the event offers opportunities to ask questions and learn directly from local staff and volunteers.

Where Are the Thousand Islands? Exploring Brockville’s Place in the Region

The Thousand Islands is a scenic region along the St. Lawrence River in Eastern Ontario, spanning the Canada U.S. border and known for its collection of more than 1,800 islands. Brockville sits on the Ontario side of the St. Lawrence River and serves as one of the region’s key waterfront communities, making it a natural setting for Doors Open Thousand Islands. Continuing east along the St. Lawrence River, visitors reach communities such as Morrisburg and Cornwall, connecting the Thousand Islands to the broader Eastern Ontario river corridor.  

Using downtown Brockville as a reference point, the event is approximately 82 kilometres east of Kingston, or about a one-hour drive; approximately 108 kilometres south of Ottawa, or about a one-hour-and-10-minute drive; and approximately 340 kilometres east of Toronto, or about a three-and-a-half-hour drive. Travel times will vary depending on traffic and the starting location.

Doors Open Thousand Islands: The Ultimate Fall Field Trip

For families in Brockville and throughout the Thousand Islands region, back to school begins on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, for students with both the Upper Canada District School Board and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. Just over two weeks later, Doors Open Thousand Islands takes place on Friday, September 18, making it a perfectly timed fall field trip to extend learning beyond the classroom. With 16 participating sites across Brockville, students can explore local history, architecture, arts, municipal services and community spaces firsthand — turning their own community into an interactive classroom.

Doors Open Thousand Islands 2026: Participating Sites

• 1000 Islands Brewing Company – 65 King Street West, Brockville, ON K6V 3P8
• Brockville Arts Centre – 235 King Street West, Brockville, ON K6V 3S2
• Brockville City Hall – 1 King Street West, Brockville, ON K6V 7A5
• Brockville Museum – 5 Henry Street, Brockville, ON K6V 6M4
• Brockville Police Station – 2269 Parkedale Avenue, Brockville, ON K6V 3G9
• Brockville Rowing Club – 1 Ferry Street, Brockville, ON K6V 2A7
• First Baptist Church – 5 Pine Street, Brockville, ON K6V 3X2
• First Presbyterian Church Brockville – 10 Church Street, Brockville, ON K6V 5W1
• Fulford Place – 287 King Street East, Brockville, ON K6V 1E1
• Gord Watts Municipal Centre – 251 North Augusta Road, Brockville, ON K6V 2Y2
• Local Radio Station: 104.9 myFM and 103.7 Giant FM – 100 Strowger Boulevard, Unit 103A, Brockville, ON K6V 5J9
• Sir Isaac Brock Bed & Breakfast – 89 Church Street, Brockville, ON K6V 3X9
• St. John’s United Church & Brockville Arts Hub – 32 Park Street, Brockville, ON K6V 2G4
• St. Paul’s Anglican Church – 12 Pine Street, Brockville, ON K6V 1E8
• Visitor Information Centre – 16 Market Street East, Brockville, ON K6V 5V1
• Widowspeak Bed & Breakfast – 12 Victoria Avenue, Brockville, ON K6V 2B1

Visitors should review the official Doors Open Thousand Islands event page before setting out for the latest information about individual site hours, accessibility, parking, tours and scheduled activities.

Read Our Full Doors Open Thousand Islands Interview with City of Brockville Organizers Natalie Finucan and Kelly Brintnell

For our Doors Open Thousand Islands feature, we connected with Natalie Finucan, Communications Coordinator with the City of Brockville, and Kelly Brintnell, Tourism Advisor with the City of Brockville. With Brockville serving as a key gateway to the Thousand Islands and home to many of this year’s participating sites, Natalie and Kelly share what families, visitors and day trippers can look forward to discovering at this year’s event.

The Thousand Islands region is known for its incredible scenery and rich history. What makes this area such a special place to explore through Doors Open?

The Thousand Islands region is known for its incredible scenery, but it's also home to a rich history and vibrant community. Doors Open Thousand Islands gives residents and visitors the opportunity to explore the people, places, and stories that have helped shape Brockville over generations. From heritage buildings and churches to cultural spaces, local organizations, and municipal facilities, participants can step inside sites they may not normally have access to and experience our community from a new perspective. It's a unique opportunity to discover what makes this area such a special place to live, work, and visit.

From historic buildings to waterfront landmarks, Doors Open Thousand Islands highlights many different stories from the community. What do you hope visitors discover during this year’s event?

We hope visitors come away with a deeper appreciation for the people, places, and services that help keep our community running every day. While Doors Open highlights some incredible historic buildings and community spaces, it's also an opportunity to showcase the important work happening behind the scenes. Whether it's maintaining infrastructure, managing major City projects, operating public transit, supporting public safety, preserving local history, or delivering municipal services, there are many dedicated staff and volunteers working every day to serve our community. We hope visitors gain a better understanding of that work, make connections with the people behind it, and discover something new about Brockville along the way.

For families visiting with children, which stops or experiences would you recommend for curious young explorers?

There are quite a few stops that we think will appeal to curious young explorers. The Brockville Police Station is a great opportunity for children to learn about public safety and see some of the equipment and vehicles used by officers. At the Gord Watts Municipal Centre, families can get an up-close look at snowplows, loaders, transit buses, and other vehicles that help keep the city running year-round. The Local Radio Station offers a behind-the-scenes look at how news and information reach our community, while the Brockville Museum gives children a chance to explore local history and discover artifacts and stories from Brockville's past. The Brockville Rowing Club is another unique stop, offering an opportunity to learn about a sport that has been part of our community for generations.

Many of this year’s locations offer visitors a chance to see familiar places in a new way. Are there any hidden gems or behind-the-scenes moments guests won’t want to miss?

One of the things we love about this year's event is that there are so many opportunities to go beyond what visitors normally see. Many people are familiar with places like City Hall, the Brockville Arts Centre, the Brockville Museum, or the Local Radio Station, but Doors Open gives them the chance to discover what happens behind the scenes. Visitors can learn how local radio broadcasts are produced, explore the Museum's archive collections, see the specialized equipment used to maintain city infrastructure at the Gord Watts Municipal Centre, and gain insight into the many departments and services that operate behind the doors of City Hall.

The St. Lawrence River has played such an important role in shaping the Thousand Islands region. How is that connection to the water reflected in the area’s history and heritage?

The St. Lawrence River has shaped nearly every aspect of our community's history, from settlement and trade to industry, recreation, and tourism. Many of our participating sites reflect that connection, whether through their location, history, or role within the community. Doors Open gives visitors the chance to explore those stories and gain a deeper appreciation for how the river has helped define the Thousand Islands region we know today.

With so much to see across the Thousand Islands region, what are a few must-visit stops you would recommend for families planning their Doors Open adventure?

This year, we'd encourage families to build an itinerary that reflects their interests. If you enjoy history and heritage, sites like Fulford Place, Brockville City Hall, the Brockville Museum, and some of our historic churches are must-see stops. For those interested in how our community operates behind the scenes, the Brockville Police Station and Gord Watts Municipal Centre offer unique opportunities to learn about municipal services and the dedicated staff who help keep our city running every day.

The Brockville Arts Centre, local radio station, and Brockville Rowing Club also provide experiences you might not normally have access to, making them great additions to any Doors Open adventure.

What is one surprising fact or local story about the Thousand Islands region that even residents may not know?

One thing that may surprise residents is just how much history and innovation can be found in places they pass every day. From City Hall being built above Canada's first railway tunnel to the Brockville Police Service being the oldest continuously operating police service in Ontario, our community is full of remarkable stories. That's one of the things Doors Open is all about, giving people the opportunity to discover the hidden stories behind the places they thought they already knew.

A day exploring the Thousand Islands region wouldn’t be complete without experiencing some local favourites. Are there any cafés, bakeries, restaurants, or other stops you recommend visitors add to their itinerary?

We'd encourage visitors to check out the Brockville Tourism website, which is a fantastic resource for discovering local restaurants, cafés, bakeries, shops, attractions, and experiences. It's a great way to build a full itinerary around your Doors Open visit and experience even more of what our community has to offer.

Doors Open is just one part of the story. We hope visitors take some time to explore downtown, enjoy the waterfront, support local businesses, and discover why Brockville and the Thousand Islands region are such popular destinations for residents and visitors alike.

Plan a Family Learning Adventure in the Thousand Islands

With 16 locations to explore in six hours, families will want to review the participating sites and make a plan in advance. Young historians can visit museums, churches and heritage buildings, while students curious about vehicles, communications or public safety can see how essential community services operate behind the scenes. A visit to Doors Open Thousand Islands can also become the starting point for a longer family adventure along the waterfront and throughout the surrounding region. 

While the Thousand Islands may be celebrated for its islands, cottages and picturesque St. Lawrence River setting, Doors Open offers visitors a chance to discover another side of the region, from the people and places behind its history to the services that keep its communities running today. Mark your calendar for Friday, September 18, 2026, and get ready to discover how history, community service and everyday innovation come together in one of Ontario’s most scenic destinations.