Kingston, Ontario is near and dear to my heart. I spent 4 years living in the city during my undergrad, and a few months after graduating before relocating to Ottawa. It is a beautiful waterfront city in the 1000 Islands with plenty to do for all ages. The restaurant scene in downtown Kingston is booming! There are fantastic local shops and small businesses to support. The Kingston Penitentiary and Canada’s Penitentiary Museum are two fascinating museums unique to Kingston. It is home to Queen’s University, St. Lawrence College and the Royal Military College students for most of the year. There are multiple National Historic Sites of Canada. The city is full of history and this Kingston Road Trip destination should definitely be on your radar.
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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.
Things to Do in Kingston, Ontario
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
There are nine breweries in Kingston, scattered across the city, including: Stone City Brew Co., Riverhead Brewing Company, Spearhead Brewing Company, Kingston Brewing Company, Skeleton Park Brewery, MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company, Daft Brewing, Fine Balance Brewing Company and Hard Way Cider. Trust me when I tell you the vibes in Stone City Brew Co. are awesome and they also serve delicious pizza!
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
- Geneva Crepe and Bakery – scrumptious crepes for the person who loves breakfast foods
- Ali Baba Kabab – the best falafel and hummus
Bonus
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.
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