On our way back home from Montreal, we stopped for a couple of days in the 1000 Islands, near the city of Kingston and stayed in the little town of Gananoque.
About Kingston:
Equi-distant from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, where the St. Lawrence River meets Lake Ontario and the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage site) – Kingston is a stunning, historic city that consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Canada. In 2014, it's been named one of the top seven most intelligent communities in the world by the Intelligent Community Forum. Didn't even know there was such a thing!!
Here is what the official website says:
"Here Ontario and the United States meet… their cultures blending in the waters of the mighty St. Lawrence and Great Lake Ontario. The native peoples called this region the “Garden of the Great Spirit.” Today, many people still remark that this gorgeous garden of woods and waters that is the 1000 Islands is truly one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Others will tell you its friendly atmosphere, fresh outdoors and laid-back pace makes the 1000 Islands a place that inspires the spirit and renews the soul."
We were privileged to visit the 1000 islands and take a cruise on the St.Lawrence waterway.
We also visited a few tourist places in Kingston like the Marine Museum and the Penitentiary museum.
Here are some pictures from our trip with explanations.
Definitely a worth while stop on your way to Ottawa or Montreal from Toronto or vice versa. Nature at it's best!!
In the heart of the 1000 Islands, Gananoque is recognized as one of
Eastern Ontario's most stunning waterfront communities. Breath taking
views from all angles, the warmth and hospitality by the people that
call this place home makes Gananoque a very special place.
About Kingston:
Equi-distant from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, where the St. Lawrence River meets Lake Ontario and the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage site) – Kingston is a stunning, historic city that consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Canada. In 2014, it's been named one of the top seven most intelligent communities in the world by the Intelligent Community Forum. Didn't even know there was such a thing!!
Here is what the official website says:
"Here Ontario and the United States meet… their cultures blending in the waters of the mighty St. Lawrence and Great Lake Ontario. The native peoples called this region the “Garden of the Great Spirit.” Today, many people still remark that this gorgeous garden of woods and waters that is the 1000 Islands is truly one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Others will tell you its friendly atmosphere, fresh outdoors and laid-back pace makes the 1000 Islands a place that inspires the spirit and renews the soul."
We were privileged to visit the 1000 islands and take a cruise on the St.Lawrence waterway.
We also visited a few tourist places in Kingston like the Marine Museum and the Penitentiary museum.
Here are some pictures from our trip with explanations.
Driving on the highway...one thing you notice in Canada are the spectacular sky lines.
Kingston - near the Royal Military College Museum a view of St.Lawrence river.
One of the giant canon's. Sorry the pictures uploaded in reverse. The picture after this is the outside of the museum.
http://www.rmc.ca/cam/mus/index-eng.php
The Royal Military College Museum in Kingston which is next to Fort Henry
We saw Fort Henry during our last visit to Kingston some years ago, so we didn't visit again this year. But for pictures of Fort Henry here is the link to that album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/107654444549393408190/OttawaAndKingston?authkey=Gv1sRgCKbE4qPXqc-x7QE&feat=embedwebsite
https://picasaweb.google.com/107654444549393408190/OttawaAndKingston?authkey=Gv1sRgCKbE4qPXqc-x7QE&feat=embedwebsite
The Marine Museum of the Great Lakes
The building is to the left of this ship with many marine related artifacts and historical references for you to see and read. The ship itself is accessible (you have to pay a fee for the museum and the tour of the ship) and you can take pictures freely.
http://www.marmuseum.ca/
Website where you will find the ticket price information, timings and directions.
Again, sorry the pictures uploaded in reverse. This is the Correctional Service of Canada Museum.
The website: http://www.penitentiarymuseum.ca/default/
Probably one of the most different museums you will ever see!
The above picture is of a modern jail cell.
Above: Olden days jail cell.
Objects made by prisoners and confiscated.
Actual confiscated items are displayed like the book above where a prisoner tried to sneak a knife to his cell. There were so many other things we saw, right from straight jackets, punishment items, ledgers and uniforms. Really worth a visit. They don't sell tickets for entry but take donations of any value if you want.
At the Historic Arthur Child Heritage Centre.
My daughter is putting a pin on where she is from. Yes put in two pins...one for Toronto and one for Chennai.
Cute chair for husbands to wait while their wives shop.
View from our 1000 Island Cruise ship on the St.Lawrence river.
Boldt Castle - one of the main tourist attraction options you have when taking the cruise.
The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority (TIBA) welcomes you to tour Boldt Castle to explore and experience an attraction like no other. Construction began on Boldt Castle in 1900 at the bidding of millionaire hotel magnate George C. Boldt as a tribute to his beloved wife Louise. Boldt Castle was designed as their summer dream home on the St. Lawrence River, in the heart of the 1000 Islands. However it was not to be, Mrs. Boldt passed away suddenly just months before the completion of the castle. Mr. Boldt was inconsolable and immediately stopped all construction on Heart Island, leaving the property vacant for over seventy years…Today Boldt Castle, located near Alexandria Bay, NY in the famed 1000 Islands is once again becoming what it was always meant to be, the premier home and attraction in the region.
You can get off the cruise ship and tour the Island (extra cost) or just sail around it.
The Gananoque Boat Line Cruise Company
http://www.ganboatline.com/
Definitely a worth while stop on your way to Ottawa or Montreal from Toronto or vice versa. Nature at it's best!!
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