Instagram Travel Thursday Post – Kingston, Ontario, Canada
The historic city of Kingston, Ontario, midway between Toronto and Montréal, was always of strategic importance due to its location where the St. Lawrence River meets Lake Ontario and the Rideau Canal. It was also the first capital of a united Canada and home to the first Canadian Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. Kingston is home to the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ontario, a range of cultural and historic attractions and, of course, Queen’s University.
I graduated from the Faculty of Law at Queen’s University but had only been back to the city once since graduation and that was when my daughter, Katie, was four years old. She’s now in 12th grade and in the process of applying to universities so the two of us headed to Kingston last weekend to tour campus. It was a brief visit – less than 24 hours – but I was able to capture a few Instagram photos of our trip.
We decided that it would be easier to take the train than drive to Kingston. An express Via Rail train from Union Station in Toronto takes about 2 hours and is a comfortable way to travel but best of all – there’s free WIFI on the trains. My first photo is of Katie waiting at Union Station for the train to Kingston.
We checked into the Marriott Residence Inn and our room on the 10th floor had this lovely view of Lake Ontario
One of the things that I always loved about Kingston were the historic Martello Towers. These squat, round towers were built to defend Kingston in the 19th century and are now part of the Rideau Canal and Kingston Fortifications World Heritage Site.
Kingston City Hall is a National Historic Site that was designed by architect, George Browne, and completed in 1844. The historic building still functions as an administrative building and is toured by thousands of people each year. In 1891, Sir John A. Macdonald’s body lay in state here.
This is a view of City Hall from Confederation Park.
Queen’s University was established by Royal Charter of Queen Victoria in 1841 and is one of Canada’s oldest degree-granting institutions. Queen’s is a mid-sized university on a beautiful campus situated on the shores of Lake Ontario with many historic limestone buildings. The best-known landmark on campus is this tall limestone clock tower of Grant Hall which was built in 1905.
As the years have passed, I had forgotten how much I loved living in Kingston – now I can’t wait to return!
The official website for Kingston Tourism is a great source of information for anyone planning a visit.
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Katja of Skimbaco
Kingston is great! We used to live in Watertown, NY and loved visiting on the other side of the border in Kingston. Thanks for bringing back memories!
Leigh
Interesting that you hadn’t been back in so many years. I too love Kingston and also graduated from Queens with a degree in geology. You can see where that’s taken me.I’m curious now which school your daughter is planning on attending.
Looking at those photos brought back all sorts of memories.
Leigh Powell Hines
I remember seeing these photos on Instagram, and thought they were lovely. Such a beautiful place. I love college towns.
Reeta @houseofanais
What a pretty and pictoresque place, loved visiting Kingston virtually via your photos!
Satu VW / Destination Unknown
Thanks for the virtual tour to Kingston, a place I didn’t know much about before! And this is exactly why I love these Instagram-filled Thursdays… 🙂
Freya
Kingston looks like a really great place. Maybe next year I will finally have the chance to discover some places in Canada. Great photos and congratulations with Katie going to university soon.
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Katja!
Lisa Goodmurphy
I think everyone that went to Queen’s fell in love with Kingston – it is such a wonderful place to go to school! I’m not sure which university Katie will end up at but I’m having fun taking her on visits!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Leigh! I love college towns as well – for the history, the architecture and I think the nostalgia for happy days spent on campus!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thank you, Reeta!
Lisa Goodmurphy
I love the Instagram Thursday posts for the same reason – I love discovering new places!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Oh I do hope that you have the opportunity to visit Canada, Freya! There are so many beautiful places that you would just love!
Muza-chan
Beautiful photos 🙂
Mary {The World Is A Book}
I enjoyed following you on real time around Kingston on Instagram. It looks like a beautiful city and love all the architecture and history. Wishing Katie lots of luck on her college selection process.
Lisa Wood
Great Photos – can’t believe your daughter is getting ready for University!! Gosh time sure goes by very fast, did she find one that she liked?
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Muza-chan!!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Mary – Kingston is a lovely small city both to visit and to live in!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Lisa! She has a short list and is in the middle of the application process right now – it will probably be late spring before she has decided where to go.
Marcia
Katie’s so grown up now. Hope she gets into Queens and follow in mom’s footsteps. Is she interested in law too?
Kingston really is beautiful. I’ll have to add it to my every increasing Canada list.
I graduated from Carleton and Ottawa U and have only been back to Ottawa once since I left.
Juliann
My husband and I stopped for lunch in Kingston during our drive through Toronto. We thought it was very pretty. Does your daughter want to go to school here?
Lisa Goodmurphy
She’s actually interested in studying psychology and social work. She thinks she would like to work as a youth counsellor. Not sure where she will end up but I’m sure she’ll be happy whichever university she chooses.
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks for your comment, Juliann! It’s one of her choices but it will likely be spring before she decides. Kingston is definitely a pretty choice though!
Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
I especially like the photo of Martello Towers because of the water in the foreground. I bet Katie is excited about picking a university. I always wonder if my son will pick the big state university in our town or head further away from home.
Lisa Goodmurphy
I love the Martello Towers too – and it was a perfect day to photograph them! I have no idea where Katie will end up – she’s looking at one out of province school and then several that are scattered across Ontario – time will tell!