My Hometown: Kingston, Ontario

Kingston's City Hall building was built in 1843.

What I remember most about the day, however, was the ice rink. Installed in a wide-open space called Market Square, at the foot of the City Hall building, the rink buzzed with people skating in gleeful circles to piped in music. I felt like I was standing in a Christmas card.

Now that I live here, I appreciate the ways in which Kingston actually is postcard perfect. The elegant buildings in the older parts of town have earned the city its nickname of the “Limestone City” due to the fact that so many of them were built from the once locally-sourced material.

Discover Kingston by Foot

A great way to see some of the city’s nicest buildings and most important sites is by taking a walking tour. If you happen by on the right day, you’ll run into the vibrant farmers’ market at Market Square (open three days a week from spring through fall) or the fascinating antique market that sets up on Sundays in the warmer months.

Shopping in Kingston

Kingston’s downtown is a fairly bustling place. The city’s main drag, Princess Street, provides an excellent mix of independent shopping and bigger chain stores like Lululemon, Indigo and The Gap. Some of my favourite stops include Willow (225 Princess St.), a cute spot that sells jewellery, housewares and great baby stuff.

Being a university town, Kingston is a great city for books. Check out Novel Idea (156 Princess St.), the city’s last great independent bookstore. For used books, you can’t do better than Berry and Petersen (348 King St. E.), a cramped shop stacked high with well-thumbed tomes.

Also worth a visit is Cooke’s Fine Foods (61 Brock St.): exotic and imported delicacies line the dark wood shelves, and the warm, old-fashioned décor will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Tara Natural Foods (81 Princess St.) is another local favourite: the creaky wooden floors and attractive bins full of organic beans and grains make it a great place for stocking up on healthy eats.

Find out where to eat and what to do in Kingston