Locate the St. Lawrence River on the map by finding Lake Ontario near Rochester in upstate New York. Across the lake in Canada is Kingston.
Trace the river eastward through Ontario and Quebec on the Canadian side and New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine on the U.S. side. Look at pictures that show the change in scenery from lakefront to cliffs and estuaries.
Decide on the length of cruise. There are cruises that leave from Kingston and go all the way downriver to the Atlantic Ocean, or day cruises from ports along the way.
Explore the features of historic sites along the way such as Upper Canada Village near the Ontario-Quebec border where there are original buildings from the 1800s and daily re-enactments of life in the era.
Plan a cruise with stops in Montreal and Quebec City. These cities are not only major historical areas, but also vibrant with shopping, restaurants, nightlife and museums.
Look at opportunities to do some whale watching on a St. Lawrence River cruise past Quebec City as the waterway widens on its way to the ocean.
