Kingston, Ontario

As the first capital city of the united Upper and Lower Canada from 1841 to 1844, Kingston has long played an important role in Canada's development. During the 19th century, its strategic location at the meeting place of the St. Lawrence River, the Rideau Canal, and Lake Ontario led the British government to choose Kingston as the locale for Fort Henry, a key military base (now an important historical site). Today the city's industries are institutionally based – hospitals, government offices, penitentiaries, and universities.

Speaking of schools, Kingston has all the benefits of a college town thanks to the student populations of the renowned Royal Military College and Queen's University (one of Canada's top universities). With art exhibits, theatrical and musical performances, and football, hockey, and rugby games, among others, the students bring a spirited energy and diverse cultural scene to the city.

When the students head home for the summer, the tourists flock to this charmingly historic and beautiful city. In lively contrast to the city's grand limestone buildings, the streets are abuzz with the annual Kingston Buskers Rendezvous in July, the Limestone City Blues Festival in August, and the Kingston Dragon Boat Festival in September. Kingston's music scene is top notch and is the hometown of Canadian chart-toppers The Tragically Hip and David Usher. And when there isn't a festival on, Kingston has plenty more to offer – for a city with a population of 114,195, there are a surprisingly large number of restaurants, bars, shops, museums, and galleries.

And escaping downtown is easy – the Kingston area has nine provincial parks where you can enjoy hiking, camping, bird watching, and rock climbing. But, if you're not up for a trip outside the city, you can relax with a stroll through the beautiful waterfront parks and trails. For water lovers, the St. Lawrence River provides an excellent place for sailing, sea kayaking, and windsurfing. For the more daring, there are white water rapids at nearby Black River.

But the crown jewel of Kingston's outdoor scene is the Thousand Islands. Although the name is a bit misleading (there are actually 1,864 islands), the area offers a beautiful sightseeing experience with its tall pine and maple trees, its sandy bays and inlets, and its magnificent cliffs. It's also a great place for camping, canoeing, and scuba diving.

So whether you want to sip cappuccinos at a trendy outdoor patio or take in the fresh air at your favorite island beach, Kingston has what you're looking for.

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