This stunning lakeside city near Montreal is better than a trip to the US, locals say

Looking to stay north of the border this summer? You don't have to leave Canada to find the perfect weekend escape.

Just a few hours from Montreal, you can visit a historic lakeside city with cobblestone streets, waterfront patios, and a mix of culture, nature, and unbeatable views of Lake Ontario that locals say rivals a trip to the U.S.

Narcity Canada asked readers on Facebook to share Ontario destinations they think beat travelling across the border, and this beautiful lakeside city was one of the spots mentioned.

Kingston, Ontario, is a beautiful, walkable city located on the shores of Lake Ontario. Specifically, it sits at the convergence of Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River and the Rideau Canal, right between Ottawa and Toronto.

At about 3 hours away from Montreal, the city is great for a summer weekend escape.

Known for its striking 19th-century limestone architecture (which even earned it the nickname of the "Limestone City"), Kingston is a great base for exploring the Thousand Islands and the St. Lawrence River and its national park.

The city is home to hidden alleyways containing antique markets and restaurant patios, plenty of unique shopping and dining experiences, and dozens of museums and historic sites waiting to be explored.

A notable site to explore here is the decommissioned Kingston Penitentiary, Canada’s oldest maximum-security prison, which predates the Canadian confederacy in 1867.

Book a tour to learn about the prison's history, and keep an eye out for the ghost of George Hewell, a prisoner who died here in 1897.

If you work up a thirst, Kingston boasts nine different breweries, including Ontario’s oldest brewpub, the Kingston Brewing Company, where you can grab a drink.

The city also offers plenty of unique spots to grab a bite. You can eat inside a 19th-century limestone horse stable, dine at a chain restaurant in Kingston’s former fire hall, or grab dinner at a former printing press.

Be sure to also check out the Kingston Public Market, the oldest farmers' market in Ontario where you can shop everything from locally grown seasonal produce and antiques to artisan crafts and baked goods.

Kingston's walkable downtown area is also a great place for shopping, with tons of boutiques, thrift stores, and makers studios where you can purchase antiques, books, clothing and more unique items.

Martello Alley, an art-themed historic alley in downtown Kingston, is a unique spot to visit. Representing numerous artists, the alley is a gallery where you can find original artwork as well as a place to meet the artists and see their work in progress.

A great way to take in multiple sites in the city is by taking one of the hop-on-hop-off Kingston Trolley Tours, which take you to several of Kingston's top attractions, including Fort Henry, one of Canada’s most visited National Historic Sites, Kingston's Market Square and Queen's University.

You can also join a 1000 Islands Cruise and discover the beauty of the area from the water. Embark on a daytime cruise or an evening excursion with a sunset dinner cruise.

With its many historic sites and buildings, unique shopping and dining scene and location on the water, Kingston offers you something old and something new to discover around every corner — and according to locals, beats a trip across the border.

Visit Kingston website

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.