A historic city with old-fashioned charm and the first capital of Upper and Lower Canada, Kingston, 160 mi/260 km east of Toronto, was built where Lake Ontario empties into the St. Lawrence River. Kingston's major attraction is Fort Henry, which was built by the British during the War of 1812.
Cruises of the Thousand Islands depart from Crawford Dock in Kingston and usually last two to three hours. Shorter harbor cruises are also available.
If you have time, head 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.
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