Commanding an elevated position on Point Henry and overlooking the Cataraqui and St. Lawrence Rivers, Fort Henry National Historic Site should most certainly be at the top of your Kingston travel itinerary.

Named after a former Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec and built on the site of an earlier fort constructed during the war with America in 1812, the impressive fortifications you see today were constructed in the 1930s and for decades served to protect Kingston’s Royal Naval Dockyard and the mouth of the Rideau Canal connecting Lake Ontario to Ottawa.

Since its opening as a “living museum” in 1938, the fort has become a popular tourist attraction, providing visitors with an authentic taste of life during the early 1800s and the strategic importance of the fort. It was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2007. Its informative uniformed staff, known as the Fort Henry Guard, recreate the lives of the fort’s former occupants and their trades through demonstrations and guided tours (self-guided tours are also available).

In addition to these displays of trades and crafts from the period, staff provide historical military re-enactments and drills, including the thrilling Garrison Parade. Other highlights for families include the chance to enroll kids in an authentic Victorian schoolroom experience, including period costumes and lessons.

If visiting in August, check the fort’s official website for details of the famous Sunset Ceremony, which includes music and artillery demonstrations. The attraction is open year-round, and offers a variety of fun seasonal programs, too.

Address: 1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston, Ontario

Official site: www.forthenry.com

A fortress of another kind — this one designed to keep people in, rather than out — Kingston Penitentiary is another must-visit in Kingston. Built in 1835 as a maximum security prison, it was at the time of its closure in 2013 the world’s oldest serving prison to have been in continuous use. Now a museum, “Kingston Pen” offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of prisoners, as well as prison guards in the 1800s to the late 1900s.

A variety of great guest experiences are offered here, including informative guided tours. Offered in numerous languages, the extended tours are a good option. Lasting 2.5 hours (and not recommended for kids), these in-depth tours take in the main cell dome and various work areas, as well as the gym and hospital. Along the way, you’ll learn about conditions at the time, along with famous inmates, escapees, and prison riots.

Located adjacent to the penitentiary, and well worth a visit, is the Correctional Service of Canada Museum. Often referred to as Canada’s Penitentiary Museum, this fascinating attraction features displays and artifacts related to many of Canada’s top prisons, and is notable for its location in the historic former home of the Kingston Pen wardens (it was built in 1870).

Address: 560 King Street W, Kingston, Ontario

Official site: www.kingstonpentour.com

Located a short drive (or better still, boat ride) from downtown Kingston, the Thousand Islands have long been a draw for tourists. Straddling both the Canadian and US sides of the mighty St. Lawrence River, this beautiful area actually consists of more than 1,800 islands of all sizes, many of them home to huge cottages belonging to wealthy elites from both sides of the border.

Formed from the worn down tops of once tall mountains, the channels and waterways around these islands can be explored aboard pleasant sightseeing cruises, private boat rentals, or — in the case of some of the largest islands — even by car.

A great place to begin your exploration is from Thousand Islands National Park, an unspoiled area of quiet bays and tree-lined granite islands that can easily be reached by car from Kingston. From here, rent a canoe or kayak and enjoy a peaceful paddle, get in some wildlife spotting, and then retire for the night in the park’s cozy cabin accommodations.

Alternatively, hop aboard the famous Wolfe Islander III ferry, which is especially popular among day-trippers. Launched in 1976, this large vessel can transport cars, as well as people to picturesque Wolfe Island, the largest of the region’s many islands (it’s also accessible by ferry from the US side of the St. Lawrence). A variety of fun scenic cruises also depart Kingston for the Thousand Islands.

Address: 1088 Thousand Islands Pkwy, Mallorytown, Ontario

Official site: www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/on/1000

Bellevue House, the former home of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first Prime Minister, is a perfectly preserved example of Victorian-era architecture — and the lifestyles of the fledgling country’s wealthiest citizens.

Built in 1840 and Macdonald’s home from 1848 to 1849, it’s notable as one of the earliest examples of Italian Villa architecture in the country, and has been preserved to look much as it did when he and his family resided here.

Highlights of a visit to this national monument include partaking in an informative tour led by a costumed guide well-versed in the lifestyles and history of the time, as well as exploring the grounds. Especially lovely in spring and summer, the extensive gardens actually include specimens that actually predate the country’s confederation, as well as a kitchen garden and a pleasant ornamental garden. The original orchard is also still intact.

Address: 35 Centre Street, Kingston, Ontario

Official site: www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/bellevue

Located in the small town of Sydenham and just 40 minutes north of Kingston by car, the vast 13,000-acre Frontenac Provincial Park is a great place to visit for those who want a taste of nature. Slated as a “natural environment park,” it straddles a unique area known as the Frontenac Axis, the meeting place of the rugged Canadian Shield to the north, and the Adirondack Mountains to the south.

The park’s extensive mixed forests and wetlands are framed by rugged granite outcrops, and make the perfect setting for a wide range of outdoor adventures. Popular things to do include canoeing and kayaking on North and South Otter Lakes (or any one of the other 20 lakes located here), hiking its extensive 100 kilometers of trails, and backcountry camping.

Visitors can also partake in guided wilderness adventures, or begin their adventure with instruction on basic survival techniques. Along the way, you might be lucky enough to see wildlife, including grey wolves, black bears, red fox, mink, and otters.

Other popular activities include fishing and swimming. The park is open year-round, with winter activities including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Address: 6700 Salmon Lake Road, Sydenham, Ontario

Official site: www.ontarioparks.com/park/frontenac

Centered around Queen and Princess Streets — two bustling thoroughfares that both begin (or end) at Kingston Harbour — downtown Kingston is easily walkable and a wonderful place to spend time. You’ll find plenty of great places to stay here, many of them with views over the water and within easy striking distance of key attractions.

Begin your exploration at the waterside Confederation Park, across from which you’ll find perhaps the best known (and most photographed) landmark in the downtown core: Kingston City Hall. Set overlooking historic Market Square, this wide-open public space is reminiscent of the traditional city squares of Europe and is the scene of numerous events year-round, as well as regular farmers’ markets. In the summer months, free movies are screened here, while in winter, a skating rink provides plenty of family fun.

In addition to its great shopping and dining experiences, the downtown area is also home to a number of other important landmarks. These include Fort Frontenac, parts of which date back to the time of the French settlement in 1673, and two splendid churches: St. George’s Anglican Cathedral (1825) and St. Mary’s Cathedral (1848).

For those wanting to park their car and use public transit, the handy hop-on, hop-off “K-Pass” can be purchased at various locations around the city. It also provides access to the city’s top attractions, as well as a fun Thousand Islands cruise.

Official site: www.downtownkingston.ca

Built in 1844 when Kingston was, briefly, the seat of the Province of Canada, Kingston City Hall is now home to the city’s government and is regarded as one of the most striking and important neoclassical heritage buildings in Ontario. It’s also one of the biggest. Filling an entire city block in the downtown core and just steps away from Lake Ontario, its most notable feature is its tall dome, designed — like the rest of the building — by renowned architect George Browne.

The building’s interior is equally compelling, and can be visited as part of a guided tour, available on a first-come, first-served basis (self-guided tours are also available). Highlights include the Council Chambers and the Memorial Hall. Afterwards, be sure to spend time exploring the city’s historic Market Square and nearby Centennial Park.

Address: 216 Ontario Street, Kingston, Ontario

Official site: www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall/about-city-hall

Built in 1846 in the style of the famous Martello Towers of southern England, the Murney Tower was a response by the British to growing tensions with the USA. An integral part of the Kingston Fortifications built to protect the city’s Royal Naval dockyard and Kingston Harbour, as well as supply depots and the entrance to the Rideau Canal, the Murney Tower continues to dominate the shoreline.

Designed specifically to discourage American troops from setting up artillery on nearby Gardiners Island, it became the city’s first museum in 1925 and features an impressive collection of weapons, including artillery, as well as artifacts and displays portraying the building’s role in history.

Address: 2 King Street W, Kingston, Ontario

Official site: www.kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca/the-murney-tower/

Notable as Canada’s oldest original waterworks, the PumpHouse is a must-visit when in Kingston for those who get excited about old machinery — and especially old steam-powered machinery. Built in 1851 in response to devastating fires and cholera outbreaks, the PumpHouse is one of only six such facilities to have survived in North America.

For close to 100 years before they were retired in favor of electric motors, the PumpHouse’s engines provided fresh running water throughout Kingston, playing a major role in the city’s growth and development. Opened as a museum in 2006, it offers a fascinating look at the history of building through interactive games and displays suitable for all ages.

Address: 23 Ontario Street, Kingston, Ontario

Official site: www.kingstonpumphouse.ca