Point Sylva's Guide to Charleston Lake & Area
Nearby Towns!
Athens used to be called Farmersville about a hundred years ago. They changed the name to Athens to represent a center of learning, as it was the town where all the surrounding farming communities sent their children to school. It’s about a 12-15 minute drive, and there you will find a few shops listed here, but also a great spot for supplies as there is a market, an LCBO, a hardware store which sells lots of fishing and water gear, and a gas station.
6 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Athens
Athens used to be called Farmersville about a hundred years ago. They changed the name to Athens to represent a center of learning, as it was the town where all the surrounding farming communities sent their children to school. It’s about a 12-15 minute drive, and there you will find a few shops listed here, but also a great spot for supplies as there is a market, an LCBO, a hardware store which sells lots of fishing and water gear, and a gas station.
The Outlet is at the very southern tip of Charleston lake. It’s quite beautiful down there and there’s a great little shop where you can get ice cream, or other important things, like ice cream.
Outlet
The Outlet is at the very southern tip of Charleston lake. It’s quite beautiful down there and there’s a great little shop where you can get ice cream, or other important things, like ice cream.
Lovely little town along the St. Lawrence. Head here for a great lunch or hop on a river cruise. We also enjoy walking around the neighbourhoods here as there are some spectacular homes along the St. Lawrence.
7 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Rockport
Lovely little town along the St. Lawrence. Head here for a great lunch or hop on a river cruise. We also enjoy walking around the neighbourhoods here as there are some spectacular homes along the St. Lawrence.
Gananoque is a historic town which booms in the summertime. Food, shopping, sight seeing - it's a great launching pad for exploring the Thousand Islands area.
38 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Gananoque
Gananoque is a historic town which booms in the summertime. Food, shopping, sight seeing - it's a great launching pad for exploring the Thousand Islands area.
Perth is a small picturesque town on the Tay River in Lanark County. Fun fact, Lanark County is the maple syrup capital of Ontario.
Perth is incredibly quaint, has pristine neighbourhoods of grand old homes and has some incredible places to eat on the patios along the river. Perth is surrounded by natural beauty, and just north of Murphy Point Provincial park and a few notable lakes including Big Rideau Lake, Lower Rideau Lake and Otter Lake.
About a 45 minute drive that is incredibly picturesque, it's worth a day trip!
92 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Perth
Perth is a small picturesque town on the Tay River in Lanark County. Fun fact, Lanark County is the maple syrup capital of Ontario.
Perth is incredibly quaint, has pristine neighbourhoods of grand old homes and has some incredible places to eat on the patios along the river. Perth is surrounded by natural beauty, and just north of Murphy Point Provincial park and a few notable lakes including Big Rideau Lake, Lower Rideau Lake and Otter Lake.
About a 45 minute drive that is incredibly picturesque, it's worth a day trip!
Food & Drink
This is an epic chip truck in Athens about 12-15 minutes away. You’re going to want to bring cash, and if that’s an inconvenience, trust us it’s worth it. The poutine is glorious as the cheese curds are meteoric.
Ben's Country Canteen
28 Henry StreetThis is an epic chip truck in Athens about 12-15 minutes away. You’re going to want to bring cash, and if that’s an inconvenience, trust us it’s worth it. The poutine is glorious as the cheese curds are meteoric.
This is a little shop just outside the main street of Athens. It collects meat from local farms to sell. It’s all fresh, however please note it is deep frozen (same day purchases may pose an issue). The beef and sausages are especially good, and we must note the old-fashioned fresh square hamburgers.
Can also purchase pastries, cheese curd (a local delicacy) and other foods.
Farmersville Community Abattoir
63 Addison RdThis is a little shop just outside the main street of Athens. It collects meat from local farms to sell. It’s all fresh, however please note it is deep frozen (same day purchases may pose an issue). The beef and sausages are especially good, and we must note the old-fashioned fresh square hamburgers.
Can also purchase pastries, cheese curd (a local delicacy) and other foods.
Market style, Espresso menu featuring in-house syrups and sauces European Style pastries Full line of in house gourmet food products featuring our own coffee syrups and sauces, compotes, BBQ sauce and more
Luke's European Style Market
29 Main St EMarket style, Espresso menu featuring in-house syrups and sauces European Style pastries Full line of in house gourmet food products featuring our own coffee syrups and sauces, compotes, BBQ sauce and more
Located in Delta (15 min drive near Upper Beverly Lake), Mensen Farm is a great spot to pick your own berries and procure fresh local produce.
Mensen Farm
161 County Rd 42Located in Delta (15 min drive near Upper Beverly Lake), Mensen Farm is a great spot to pick your own berries and procure fresh local produce.
The strawberries here are legendary. As is the asparagus. Can’t recommend these enough. It’s on the way to Brockville, about 20 minutes away, so if you’re headed in that direction, pop into the farmer style market for some great fresh produce.
Tincap Berry Farm
4035 County Rd 29The strawberries here are legendary. As is the asparagus. Can’t recommend these enough. It’s on the way to Brockville, about 20 minutes away, so if you’re headed in that direction, pop into the farmer style market for some great fresh produce.
You must try the fish & chips here; they have achieved batter perfection. Also throughout the COVID era, they've expanded their patio out onto a point which hosts wrap around views of the St. Lawrence. We are also big fans of their Long Island Iced Tea's
13 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Cornwall's Pub
9 Front StYou must try the fish & chips here; they have achieved batter perfection. Also throughout the COVID era, they've expanded their patio out onto a point which hosts wrap around views of the St. Lawrence. We are also big fans of their Long Island Iced Tea's
Open 7 days a week, a local distiller that producers small-batch gin, vodka, bitters and... moonshine! There is a storefront that offers sampling, a great stop if you're headed into Perth.
11 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Top Shelf Distillers
14 Warren CrescentOpen 7 days a week, a local distiller that producers small-batch gin, vodka, bitters and... moonshine! There is a storefront that offers sampling, a great stop if you're headed into Perth.
A local winery that grows a few varieties of grapes and imports others from the Niagara region to produce in house.
Must try's:
The locally grown Pinot Noir
The locally grown Chardonnay
The wood-fired thin crust pizza
43 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Scheuermann Vinyard and Winery
82 Bedford StA local winery that grows a few varieties of grapes and imports others from the Niagara region to produce in house.
Must try's:
The locally grown Pinot Noir
The locally grown Chardonnay
The wood-fired thin crust pizza
Great ice cream spot serving up Kawartha Dairy, milkshakes and a few different choices of cones. And they have a small patio to enjoy!
11 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Vanilla Bean's Cafe & Creamery
34 Main StGreat ice cream spot serving up Kawartha Dairy, milkshakes and a few different choices of cones. And they have a small patio to enjoy!
If you're looking to grab some quick farm-fresh produce, there is a stand at this farm that offers seasonal produce. We love the tomatoes from there especially when in season.
It is a self-serve stand, so be sure to bring some cash to leave as it is an honour system.
Bramble Lea Farm
840 County Rd 42If you're looking to grab some quick farm-fresh produce, there is a stand at this farm that offers seasonal produce. We love the tomatoes from there especially when in season.
It is a self-serve stand, so be sure to bring some cash to leave as it is an honour system.
Petra's Place
3756 County Rd 3Great stop for takeaway food here, especially the chip truck fries.
Feeling a pizza night? Main St Pizza is a local spot that has you covered and conveniently located in Athens.
Main Street Park
35 Main St EFeeling a pizza night? Main St Pizza is a local spot that has you covered and conveniently located in Athens.
Sightseeing
We are lucky enough to share the lake with a beautiful provincial park which spans an impressive amount of shoreline, thereby limiting the amount of cottages on the lake. Some great beaches (perfect for kids), hiking trails, a large boat ramp and more to explore!
Also home to Blue Mountain, the tallest peak in the county to take in stunning views of the local area.
And the price is right... day use is free for visitors from Monday to Thursday :)
33 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Charleston Lake Provincial Park
We are lucky enough to share the lake with a beautiful provincial park which spans an impressive amount of shoreline, thereby limiting the amount of cottages on the lake. Some great beaches (perfect for kids), hiking trails, a large boat ramp and more to explore!
Also home to Blue Mountain, the tallest peak in the county to take in stunning views of the local area.
And the price is right... day use is free for visitors from Monday to Thursday :)
This overlooks Westport and is about 45 minutes away. Home to a sandy beach and tons of great hiking trails (apparently about 300km worth!).
48 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Foley Mountain Conservation Area
105 Foley Mountain LnThis overlooks Westport and is about 45 minutes away. Home to a sandy beach and tons of great hiking trails (apparently about 300km worth!).
We love this drive along the St. Lawrence. It's a beautiful parkway full of great river views and amazing waterfront properties. Will take you as West as Gananoque and just East of Mallorytown. Fun drive!
6 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Thousand Islands Parkway
Thousand Islands ParkwayWe love this drive along the St. Lawrence. It's a beautiful parkway full of great river views and amazing waterfront properties. Will take you as West as Gananoque and just East of Mallorytown. Fun drive!
A wonderful Provincial Park closer to Perth. Free day use in the summer time from Monday - Thursday. There is a fantastic beach for families (the "main beach") which is a sandy beach surrounded by well manicured lawns - best of both worlds as you can play in the sand, and rest on the soft lawns.
Also a lot more to explore with trails and different access points to the water.
30 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Murphys Point Provincial Park
2243 Elm Grove RdA wonderful Provincial Park closer to Perth. Free day use in the summer time from Monday - Thursday. There is a fantastic beach for families (the "main beach") which is a sandy beach surrounded by well manicured lawns - best of both worlds as you can play in the sand, and rest on the soft lawns.
Also a lot more to explore with trails and different access points to the water.
We love this museum as it provides a really great feel for what this area is all about. The museum itself is hosted in the old one-bedroom school house.
And there's a direct connection to Point Sylva here as there is an exhibit on the original owner, Jennie Lamb, an incredible woman who was a photographer (among many things) and whose photography is abundantly displayed throughout the museum.
Athens and Area Heritage Museum
12 Wellington St EWe love this museum as it provides a really great feel for what this area is all about. The museum itself is hosted in the old one-bedroom school house.
And there's a direct connection to Point Sylva here as there is an exhibit on the original owner, Jennie Lamb, an incredible woman who was a photographer (among many things) and whose photography is abundantly displayed throughout the museum.
Play
If you're looking for a more upscale golfing course, here it is! Canada's oldest golf course and about 50 minute drive from Point Sylva.
10 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Perth Golf Course
141 Peter StIf you're looking for a more upscale golfing course, here it is! Canada's oldest golf course and about 50 minute drive from Point Sylva.
If you just want to hit some balls around and not take things too seriously, this is a fun little course. Extremely inexpensive and laidback, we've had many fun games here.
Crooked Creek Golf Course
353 County Rd 5If you just want to hit some balls around and not take things too seriously, this is a fun little course. Extremely inexpensive and laidback, we've had many fun games here.
If you have kids itching to go to a playground, our favourite one is right on main street in Athens. It’s called Main Street Park and right next to Luke’s. Also a small touching War Memorial there to honour the young local men who fought.
Main Street Park
35 Main St EIf you have kids itching to go to a playground, our favourite one is right on main street in Athens. It’s called Main Street Park and right next to Luke’s. Also a small touching War Memorial there to honour the young local men who fought.
Great sandy beach and picnic areas. Also lots of amazing hiking trails that start at the park. Just follow the signs!
Sand Bay County Park
County Park RoadGreat sandy beach and picnic areas. Also lots of amazing hiking trails that start at the park. Just follow the signs!
Marinas
A Charleston Village Marina where you can not only rent boats and Kayaks, but if you’re looking for water taxi services, they also provide!
Kelsey's Marina LTD
844 Water StA Charleston Village Marina where you can not only rent boats and Kayaks, but if you’re looking for water taxi services, they also provide!
This is right in Charleston Village. A convenient spot for bait and some quick water/fishing gear. Owned by some extraordinarily nice folks!
Boat rentals, SUP’s and Kayak’s can be rented from here.
Lakeline Lodge & Marina
782 Cedar Park LnThis is right in Charleston Village. A convenient spot for bait and some quick water/fishing gear. Owned by some extraordinarily nice folks!
Boat rentals, SUP’s and Kayak’s can be rented from here.
Συμβουλές για την πόλη
Τρόποι μεταφοράς
Cars for the local area, watercraft for Charleston Lake!
We are out in nature here, so before you depart for somewhere, I would recommend having a quick look at the GPS directions as reception can drop out. Also, lots of road bikers around here so if you're a biker, consider bringing it!
Τι να πάρετε μαζί σας
Water Shoes & Life Jackets
Charleston Lake unfortunately does have Zebra Mussels so water shoes are a must. Highly recommend life jackets for kids on the dock as well.
Έθιμα και πολιτισμός
Wave and say hi!
The people here are incredibly friendly, so don't forget to wave when you're driving down our country lane