A historic city with old-fashioned charm and the first capital of Upper and Lower Canada, Kingston was built where Lake Ontario empties into the St. Lawrence River. Kingston's major attraction is Old Fort Henry, which was built by the British during the War of 1812. Once the principal military base in this part of the country, the fort has been restored to serve as a military museum. There are a number of parades to see, including a children's military muster parade, where kids can participate in the pageantry.
Two museums along the waterfront showcase the technology and transportation that helped shape Ontario. The Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston is located in dry-dock buildings that date to the 1700s. There are displays about shipping and shipwrecks, and you can visit the
Alexander Henry, an icebreaking ship used on the lakes. We recommend an overnight stay aboard the vessel in one of its bed-and-breakfast accommodations. The Pump House Steam Museum, located in an 1850s waterworks plant, is dedicated to the uses of steam power. View enormous steam engines and pumps as well as an extensive model-train display.
We liked the quirkiness of the Canadian Forces Communications and Electronics Museum (east of town off Highway 2), which traces the history of military communications devices, including semaphore flags and heliographs. The International Ice Hockey Federation Museum (not to be confused with the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto) showcases players and coaches from professional and amateur leagues.
Cruises of the Thousand Islands depart from Crawford Dock in Kingston and usually last two to three hours. Shorter harbor cruises are also available. The Kingston Summer Festival, a series of theater, music and comedy performances, takes place June-September. If you have time, we recommend heading to Merrickville, a charming village off the beaten track northeast of Kingston. There you can putter in antique shops, stay in a charming bed-and-breakfast, sample regional cuisine and simply enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. 160 mi/260 km east of Toronto.
