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Historic and hip, the city of Kingston, on the northeastern shores of Lake Ontario, artfully combines its impressive Canadian history with contemporary culture and amenities. Halfway between Toronto and Montreal, the mid-size city of Kingston was once Canada’s capital. It’s known for its historic brick, and limestone buildings, more than 1200 heritage properties, and 21 national historic sites. An area that encompasses the Rideau Canal and numerous fortification sites, like Fort Henry and Murney Tower, is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ontario. The city’s rich history is celebrated in more than 20 museums, including marine, military, hockey, woodworking, healthcare, and the old Kingston Penitentiary. The PumpHouse Steam Museum is located in one of Canada’s oldest waterworks buildings. Many of Kingston’s heritage buildings, like the old fire hall, have been carefully renovated to house restaurants and cafés, seamlessly blending the old with the new. Kingston is considered a ‘foodie’ mecca, with more restaurants per capita than any other city in Canada. There’s a burgeoning craft beer scene as well. The Kingston Farmers’ Market, established in 1801, is the oldest market of its kind in Ontario. A thriving arts scene includes the stunning Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. At Queen’s University, one of the oldest universities in Canada, the Agnes Etherington Art Centre has an impressive collection of both historic and contemporary art. Cobblestone streets, red brick alleys, and the central Springer Market Square lend a European feel to downtown Kingston. Princess Street, the charming retail street running through the center of downtown, ends at the waterfront where there are accessible trails, parks, a pier, and an 8km public waterfront pathway. Visible from the waterfront are marinas and summer sailing regattas and sunset cruises wind through the nearby chain of 1000 Islands. Wolfe Island, the largest of the 1000 Islands, is just a 20-minute ferry ride from downtown Kingston. Kingston, a family-friendly city, offers biking trails, paddling ‘trails,’ and the Rideau Trail, an almost 400 km network of trails between Kingston and Ottawa, near the Rideau Canal, that welcomes hikers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers. Contact a Chestnut Real Estate Agent to find the perfect residence here for you.