Weekend Getaway Guide to Kingston, Ontario (From Ottawa, Toronto, or Montreal)

Kingston, Ontario is near and dear to my heart. I spent four years living in this vibrant city on the shores of Lake Ontario, and return regularly from Ottawa for weekend escapes. Whether you’re road-tripping from Ottawa, Toronto, or even Montreal, Kingston is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. From historic sites and haunted walks to cozy cafés, lakeside picnics, and a booming food scene, there’s something for every kind of traveller.

What is Kingston Known For?

Kingston was the first capital of Canada and is also where the first Prime Minister of Canada (Sir John S. MacDonald) lived. It is home to three post-secondary institutions including Queen’s University, St. Lawrence College and the Royal Military College. It is a city rich in history and has a strong military background. Kingston’s nickname is the Limestone City. There are a number of buildings are made of limestone that is so abundant in the area. Kingston also has the most restaurants per capita in Ontario! It is also the final city on the Rideau Canal before the canal hits Lake Ontario.

How to Get to Kingston

Kingston is best visited by car, but is also accessible by train, plane or bus. It is about 2 hours southwest of Ottawa, 2.5 hours east of Toronto and 3 hours west of Montreal.

2-Day Suggested Itinerary

Day 1:

• Arrive by 10 AM, walk Princess Street
• Lunch at Pan Chancho
• Afternoon Kingston Pen Tour, Fort Henry or Bellevue House
• Dinner at Wooden Heads or Tango Nuevo
• Evening: Haunted Walk or brewery visit

Day 2:

• Brunch at Morrison’s Restaurant
• Walk along the Waterfront Trail and visit the Kingston Public Market
• Take the 1000 Islands Boat Cruise or Trolley Tour
• Optional: Stop at MacKinnon Brothers Brewery

All the Best Things to do in Kingston

Fort Henry

A National Historic Site of Canada, Fort Henry is a 19th century British military fortress built for the defense of the Rideau Canal and St. Lawrence River/Lake Ontario. There are four different demonstrations throughout the day and a guided tour is included in the admission price. Visit one of the few special events held during the year, such as Pumpkinferno and Fright Night!

Princess Street

Talk a walk down Princess Street for a wonderful collection of restaurants, galleries, local businesses, cafes, and more! It’s a great pedestrian street with lots to explore.

Kingston Pen Tour and Canada’s Penitentiary Museum

A unique experience in Kingston is the Penitentiary Tour. The Penitentiary is Canada’s oldest and most notorious maximum security prison and it was closed in 2013. There are four tours you can book: Standard Tour, Extended Tour, Architectural Tour and Film Tour. Make sure to check bookings online because tickets sell out quickly and it only runs from July to October.

Down the street from the Kingston Penitentiary is Canada’s Penitentiary Museum:

Come visit Canada’s Penitentiary Museum, the award-winning museum dedicated solely to the preservation and interpretation of the history of our federal penitentiaries. Located at the birthplace of the Correctional Service of Canada in Kingston Ontario, the museum is housed within Cedarhedge, which once housed the wardens of Kingston Penitentiary.

https://www.penitentiarymuseum.ca/

Open from May to October (closed Mondays and Tuesdays), it’s a fascinating museum and I highly recommend it.

Bellevue House

Another National Historic Site of Canada, Bellevue House is where Sir John A. MacDonald once lived. The house is decorated in the fashion of his time, with historic information of the first Prime Minister. Staff are dressed in outfits from the 1800s, and a small garden is on site to grow vegetables and flora from the times!

Queen’s University Campus

As an alumni, no Kingston list would be complete without visiting the beautiful campus of Queen’s University. I am definitely biased, but the campus is full of beautiful architectural buildings that make for fantastic photoshoot backgrounds. Stop by Common Ground coffee shop for the best London Fog, Queen’s Pub for pub fare and sangria, walk along the waterfront to the pier or visit one of the art centres including the Isabel Bader Centre.

Kingston Public Market

The Kingston Public Market is held in the square in front of City Hall and it is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from April to November. Enjoy local farm fresh food, art vendors, antiques, and more!

Waterfront Trail

Take a walk along Lake Ontario as part of the Waterfront Trail: over 3,600 km of trails through Ontario. Pack a picnic from the Kingston Public Market and sit in one of the parks along the water!

Kingston Trolley Tour or 1000 Island Boat Cruise

Looking for a guided tour? Look no further! Hop on the Kingston Trolley Tour, for a tour on the streets. Or, try the 1000 Island Boat Cruise for a tour on the water!

Haunted Walk of Kingston

Kingston is full of history, and therefore lots of ghosts and ghost stories! Book a Kingston Ghost Tour (The Haunted Walk of Kingston) for a spooky walk through the downtown core or Fort Henry. Perfect for those visiting in the haunting season!

Climbing at the Boiler Room

Something I loved doing as a kid and enjoy as an adult is visiting the Boiler Room: a climbing gym in Kingston! You can buy a day use pass and rent shoes and equipment for a fun, active day out!

Kingston Breweries and Cideries

There are 8 breweries in Kingston, scattered across the city, including:

• Riverhead Brewing Company: A welcoming community hub with rotating seasonal brews, creative IPAs, and a cozy taproom that often hosts trivia and events.
• Spearhead Brewing Company: Known for adventurous flavours and award-winning brews like the Hawaiian Pale Ale, Spearhead leans into bold, tropical, and unique profiles.
• Kingston Brewing Company: Ontario’s oldest brewpub! With a charming old-English pub feel, this downtown spot serves classic ales and hearty pub food with a side of local history.
• Skeleton Park Brewery: Crafting beers that pay homage to Kingston’s past, this small batch brewery focuses on traditional styles with a historical twist.
• MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company: Set on a 200-year-old family farm just outside Kingston, they brew with ingredients grown on-site. Think farm-to-pint, with rustic charm and community events.
• Daft Brewing: A quirky, creative brewery in the heart of Kingston offering funky flavours, vibrant can designs, and a fun, youthful taproom vibe.
• Fine Balance Brewing Company: True to its name, Fine Balance focuses on clean, balanced beers with a minimalist aesthetic. Ideal for those who appreciate refined craftsmanship.
• Hard Way Cider Co.: Crafting bold, small-batch ciders with apples sourced from Ontario orchards, Hard Way experiments with barrel aging and adventurous blends for cider with an edge.

Day Trip Tips to Visiting Kingston

1. 1. Start Early, Arrive by 10 AM
   • To make the most of your day, aim to leave early. Kingston’s compact downtown makes it easy to explore a lot in just one day.
2. Prioritize 2–3 Activities
   • You won’t see everything in a day, so pick a few highlights:
     • History lover? Fort Henry and the Penitentiary Tour.
     • Foodie? Princess Street, a waterfront lunch, brewery stop.
     • Active explorer? Waterfront Trail walk and Boiler Room climbing.
     • Family trip? Kingston Trolley Tour and Wolfe Island ferry.
3. Book Tours in Advance
   • The Kingston Pen Tour and Haunted Walks often sell out, especially in summer and fall. Book ahead!
4. Plan for Parking
   • Downtown parking is available but can fill up quickly and most are paid lots.
5. Pack Snacks or a Picnic
   • If you’re short on time, grab food from Pan Chancho Bakery or the Kingston Public Market and eat by the lake.
6. Combine It With Another Stop
   • Stretch your day trip by pairing Kingston with:
     • A quick stop in Gananoque or a 1000 Islands lookout
     • A hike at Rock Dunder on the way back to Ottawa
     • Pop into Picton on the way to Toronto for a quirky stop at Birdhouse City
     • Stop at the Lancaster Wharf on the way back to Montreal

Where to Eat in Kingston

Walk down Princess Street or King Street and stop in at a restaurant. Kingston has more restaurants per capita than any other city in Ontario. You honestly can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants but here are some classics, with recommendations from a local:

• Grecos – you have to order the lamb shank here
• Morrison’s Restaurant – classic diner food with a hint of nostalgia for alumni
• Wooden Heads – wood fired pizza
• Kame Sushi – my favourite sushi roll ever is the crunch spicy salmon roll
• Pan Chancho – delicious brunch at their restaurant in the back with a bakery in the front
• Tango Nuevo – small plate/tapas that is perfect for a group of people wanting to try a little bit of everything
• Diane’s Fish Shack – perfectly cooked fish and chips
• Chez Piggy – fine dining restaurant
• Ali Baba Kabab – the best falafel and hummus

Wolfe Island

Take the ferry to Wolfe Island! You can play a round of golf, eat at a local bakery, rent a bike, shop at small businesses, and more. The ferry itself is a fun experience, especially for families! It is free to cross and takes about 20 minutes to cross on the ferry.

Mackinnon Brothers Back to the Farm

Every August, Mackinnon Brothers hosts an outdoor festival at their property. It’s kid friendly, with tons of outdoor activites. They also have other local breweries and distilleries with booths so you can mix up your drink (both alcohol and non-alcoholic). Food trucks sell a variety of foods for meat lovers to vegans! And finally, fantastic live music.

Looking for more Ontario road trip inspo?

• Unique Ontario Staycation | Butter Tart Tour in the Kawarthas
• Ultimate Prince Edward County Staycation | Ontario Travel Inspiration
• Guide to Visiting and Hiking Rock Dunder