Jul 19

Written by: chris
7/19/2012 

The Great Waterway – Kingston

Last week I was on location at the new Discovery Centre at Fort Henry National Historic Site in Kingston – right in the heart of the Great Waterway Region of South Eastern Ontario. Laced together by the sparkling St Lawrence River, Rideau Canal, Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario, this stunning destination serves up all the ingredients for a perfect getaway that’s close to home. On the shores of the Great Waterway you’ll find fascinating history, quaint villages, inspiring art, live theatre and gastronomic delights at every turn. Plus there’s terrific biking and welcoming golf courses. On its waters, enjoy world class sailing, scuba diving, pristine beaches and leisurely cruises.

Biking and Hiking

Kingston is a city made for biking and hiking! I strolled past City Hall, which is surely the most handsome City Hall in Canada – it was built with a view to becoming the new national Parliament buildings. I rented a bike with Ahoy Rentals and pedaled my way along the beautiful Waterfront Trail, past the Marine Museum and then up through the imposing limestone campus buildings of Queen’s University where my youngest son Tim will start his university life in September.

Thousand Island Cruising

From the harbour in downtown Kingston I took the Sunset Dinner cruise with Thousand Island Cruises, an experience guaranteed to soothe the soul. Gliding out into Lake Ontario past Fort Henry, we were soon entering the Thousand Islands where Lake Ontario splinters into the St Lawrence River. Yachts meandered amidst some of the 1,864 islands as the sun sank to the horizon and I pondered how fortunate I am to call this kind of thing ‘work’! On the return voyage, the Captain foolishly allowed me to take the wheel for a moment or two!

A Secret Garden…

One of Kingston’s many charms are the gorgeous B & B’s it boasts. I experienced one of the best at The Secret Garden Inn Bed and Breakfast. It is highly recommended as a base for stays in Kingston. Just seven guest rooms in a quiet street but within walking distance of downtown. It is a haven of peace and genteel elegance, with a library, an oak-panelled dining room, a guest parlour and a front verandah with its beguiling porch swing. And it also really has a secret garden - as you can see.

Discovering Fort Henry

The new Fort Henry Discovery Centre is fabulous! It engages visitors from the moment they enter the Great Hall and kids young and old cannot fail to be both entertained and educated about our so-called ‘boring’ Canadian history. The interactive displays are state of the art and it was heart-warming to see how entranced the younger visitors were with the exhibits.

Just a quick taste of some of the attractions available in this hub for The Great Waterway region… Go to www.thegreatwaterway.com to plan your trip!