Kingston is one of Ontario’s best cities to visit on vacation. This historic town was actually named Canada’s first capital city from 1841 to 1844, but due to its proximity to the U.S. and the vulnerability of the waterfront, Queen Victoria officially named Ottawa the capital in 1857. Today, there are tons of fantastic tourist attractions in Kingston, regardless of what time of year you are visiting. From ice skating rinks and farmer’s markets to forts and historic homes, Kingston has a lot to offer and we here at Road Affair don’t want to miss out on any of the action. That is why we have carefully crafted this list of the best things to do in Kingston, so you can focus more on enjoying your vacation and less on the details of the itinerary!
Explore Fort Henry
Fort Henry is a must-see in Kingston for visitors, especially those interested in history. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to 1832 when it was built to replace a previous fort from the War of 1812 with the Americans. During World War I, it served as an internment camp for political prisoners and it served the same purpose during World War II for enemy soldiers, sailors, and airmen.
Today, Fort Henry is a fantastic interactive museum that offers fun for young ones and the young at heart. Visitors can explore the grounds on a tour, sit in on a Victorian schoolroom, enjoy the marching parade through the fort, or even catch a reenactment during the Sunset Ceremony. Visitors who enjoy the dark and mystic can also join in on their Fort Fright nights from September to October when all the lights in the fort are turned off and visitors are only given a flashlight to explore the fortress rooms. For those less inclined to go ghost hunting, Fort Henry also hosts several other events throughout the year such as the YGK Craft Beer Fest and Cannonball Crush.
Visit the Kingston Penitentiary
Tourists shouldn’t skip out on visiting Canada’s first penitentiary as this is a great attraction for those sightseeing in Kingston. The Kingston Penitentiary, which opened in 1835, was once a maximum security prison housing some of Canada’s most notorious murderers and criminals, like Paul Bernardo and Clifford Olson. However, it wasn’t just a prison for men as several women and children were also incarcerated inside until the 1930s when they were segregated away from the males. In 2012, it became apparent that the then over 150-year-old prison was not up to code anymore and the government made the decision to close the penitentiary for good. Since then, the jail has been converted into a museum that offers movie nights and guided tours. There are a range of tours to choose from when visiting the Kingston Penitentiary, but the standard tour covers famous inmates, personal stories, and insight into riots and escapees. Tours are offered in French and English with the option for special tours for those with physical disabilities or hearing impairments.
Seeing as a handful of TV shows and movies have also been filmed at the Kingston Penitentiary, like Blues Brothers 2000 and Murdoch Mysteries, the museum hosts movie nights in the Fall. Those interested in enjoying a movie in this unique setting should keep an eye on the official website for dates and times.
Hike or Bike the Rideau Trail
The Rideau Trail offers plenty of gorgeous Canadian nature for those looking to escape the city. This long 387-kilometer trail stretches from Kingston to Ottawa, winding its way through the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the Rideau Canal. This is a great trail to hike, cross-country ski, or even bike. The trail takes anywhere from nine to 16 days to complete, but several people enjoy sections of the trail nearby or even in the town seeing as the trail starts at Confederation Park and winds around to the other side of Kingston. Visitors can download a free map of the trail and learn more about sections on the Rideau Trail Association Website.
Learn About Canada’s First Prime Minister at Bellevue House
This gorgeous Italian-style villa is a fantastic place to visit in Kingston. Bellevue House National Historic Site was built for a wealthy local merchant but served as the home of Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, and his family from 1848 to 1849. Today, tourists can tour the grounds and journey back in time with a maid as their tour guide. The home has been kept in immaculate shape from the time period and features exquisite gardens, an heirloom orchard, and an outdoor kitchen. In the visitor center, The Many Voices of Confederation exhibit offers insight into how Canada became a country and the role Sir John A. Macdonald played in the creation of Canada, including several pieces that speak to his personal life. Bellevue House is open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Go For A Stroll at Lake Ontario Park
Lake Ontario Park is a great spot to spend a few hours in the nice weather or to enjoy the views of the lake. The park features playgrounds, a splash pad, barbecues, a volleyball court, and sanded areas with access to the lake for swimming. It’s also quite a popular spot for kitesurfing and dog walking. A paved Waterfront Trail leads East from the park to the Old Coal Dock, where visitors will find a stunning mural wall lined with colorful artworks and the supposedly haunted Rockwood Asylum for the Criminally Insane. The asylum has some gorgeous architecture dating back to the 1800s and offers a spooky little stop on your walk!
Enjoy a Stroll Downtown
Downtown Kingston is a beautiful spot to explore no matter what time of year it is. There are plenty of Kingston attractions in the area to check out while touring the town, including Kingston City Hall, where you’ll often find a farmer’s market or an ice skating rink depending on the time of year you visit. Across the road in Confederation Park, you’ll find the Kingston Visitor Information Center where you can get plenty of information on local attractions and tours, along with Engine 1095, a large train that speaks to the park’s former resident the Canadian Locomotive Company Ltd and is said to hold the spirit of Sir John A. Macdonald. There is even a miniature version of the train that kids can play on. As you make your way from the park, head up Brock Street to one of many fantastic restaurants in the area or grab yourself a classic BeaverTail across from Kingston City Hall. Other great attractions to visit in the Downtown area include St. Mary’s Cathedral and Fort Frontenac.
If you want to explore the city without worrying about navigating the streets, then consider booking a classic Kingston trolley tour of the city. The tour runs for just over an hour and offers insight into Kingston’s history along with views of some of the city’s most iconic spots, such as Queen’s University, Kingston Penitentiary, Fort Henry, and much more.
Take a Day Trip to the Wineries of Prince Edward County
Not far from the shores of Kingston sits another incredible area for tourists, Prince Edward County. Unfortunately, the only easy way to get to Prince Edward County is by car, which takes just over an hour. Once in the area, there is plenty to explore that you’ll be hard-pressed to fit into one day. The small town of Picton offers quaint shops and plenty of fantastic restaurants to explore. East of Picton, you’ll find Lake on the Mountain, a unique attraction where there is a large lake on the cliff edge overlooking Lake Ontario below (lake-ception, if you will). As you drive up to this hidden gem, you’ll pass several short detours that will take you to breweries, wineries, and cideries, so if you’re interested in a tipple, there is never one too far!
You could also opt to spend the day on the sandy beaches of Sandbanks Provincial Park located just West of Picton. This is a very popular spot for swimming and sunshine as the dunes offer incredible sands to play in, on, and around. Westlake Willy Waterpark is just down the road from the Sandbanks and offers jet ski, kayak, and boat rentals along with an inflatable park! Little Bluff Conservation Area is another great choice for those who want to spend a day swimming in the lake but don’t want to be near the crowds of the Sandbanks.
Take a Day Trip to Gananoque
Going East out of Kingston will bring you to a whole other world of gorgeous Canadian nature. Gananoque is an area along the St. Lawrence River, about a 30-minute drive from Kingston, that is known for its castles, mansions, quaint Canadian cottages, and pristine nature. It’s also directly on the border with America. Easily the most popular thing to do is to explore the Thousand Islands on a boat cruise to get up close and personal with the 1864 islands along the river. This popular boat cruise of Thousand Islands offers either a one-hour or three-hour cruise, with the latter offering sights of the famous Boldt Castle, the Thousand Islands International Bridge crossing to the U.S., and Millionaire’s Row. If you wish to explore the jaw-dropping beauty of Boldt Castle by heading onto the island on your own, there are a few things to know first. You will have to bring your passport as it is part of the U.S. side of the river and you can only reach it by boat, so from Gananoque you will need to book a tour boat with Gananoque City Cruises.
Gananoque is also home to a fantastic golf course, Smuggler’s Glen Golf Course. Here, you can test out your skills on the stunning 18-hole course which features beautiful views from the elevation changes. Diving is also popular in the area as there are so many shipwrecks due to the complexity of the waterway and its many islands. Other great attractions in Gananoque include Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands, Gan Brewing Company, and the Thousand Islands Playhouse.
Book a Helicopter Tour of the Thousand Islands
If you want to explore the beauty of the Thousand Islands but aren’t a fan of boats, then take to the skies with this fantastic helicopter tour of the Thousand Islands! Visitors can book a 10-30 minute tour which offers the opportunity to fly over both the U.S. and Canada to see castles, shipwrecks, and of course, the St. Lawrence River. A minimum of two people is required to book a helicopter tour and the tour leaves from the Gananoque Helipad located just a 20-minute drive East of Kingston. The tours are offered in six different languages.
Learn More about Steam Engines at the PumpHouse
Calling all machine enthusiasts! The PumpHouse is one Kingston attraction you can’t miss. As Canada’s oldest original waterworks and one of only six remaining in North America, this unique museum offers insight into all things engines and water through interactive exhibits for all ages. The PumpHouse was originally used to pump water with steam-powered pumps to the residents of Kingston from 1851 onwards. This was especially important due to cholera outbreaks, so the fresh clean water was much needed. Today, visitors can view those exact pumps still inside the original building, along with an impressive collection of model trains and local artifacts that speak to the history of the area.
Discover Lake Ontario at the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are incredible bodies of water with diverse marine life and a fascinating history, and Lake Ontario is no exception. At the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes, visitors can learn all about the local history of sailors and seafarers who made a living on Lake Ontario. The museum was started by a group of divers who wanted to preserve the artifacts found at the shipwrecks of the lake and today, the museum still carries that idea forward with the addition of collecting personal stories. Inside, visitors can peruse the model ships, learn about the evolution and significance of the St. Lawrence Seaway, and learn more about shipbuilding. Guided tours of the Kingston Dry Dock are also available for those who want to learn more about the ship-building process and the history of the boat-building business in Kingston.
Check Out the Market at Kingston City Hall
If you’re on the hunt for free things to do in Kingston, then make your way to the Springer Market Square behind City Hall. In the square, plenty of events take place throughout the year, including Ontario’s longest running market, Kingston Public Market, which has been operating since 1801. The year-round market is a popular stop-in for locals and tourists as it runs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday throughout the year. You can often find plenty of entertainers or live bands, especially on weekends, along with an assortment of vendors selling everything from fresh produce to local artisan crafts. Another bonus of visiting the market on the weekend is that parking Downtown is free! In the wintertime, you will still find the market in full swing, but with the addition of a free skating rink and some more hot beverages.
Visit Murney Tower Museum
As much as Canadians are known for their politeness and peacekeeping, that hasn’t stopped them from beefing with the U.S. from time to time. In fact, that’s how Murney Tower was first built in 1846. There was rising tension between British North America and the United States over the Oregon Crisis, and given the strategic defense holes in Kingston, the city decided to invest in its fortification of the Navy Yard and city by constructing four Martello Towers. These towers were modeled after the famous Martello Towers in Southern England, with a few adjustments for the harsh Canadian weather.
In 1925, Murney Tower became the first museum in the city and has been welcoming visitors ever since. Today, the tower houses a three-story museum with interesting exhibits on the Canadian-British military and the history of conflict in the area. Visitors are welcome to tour the tower for as long as they like free of charge or they can take a free guided tour from a volunteer!
Enjoy the Kingston Waterfront By Foot, Canoe, or Boat
There are several ways to explore the waterfront area in Kingston, be it by land or sea! If you’re after a good stroll after dinner, then head to the Kingston Waterfront Trail to enjoy the sunset. This interactive map of the trail will also show you washrooms and points of interest along the way. If you fancy some water activities in Kingston, then head over to Ahoy Rentals beside the PumpHouse. Here, tourists can rent kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, or even charter a sailboat. Ahoy Rentals also offers bike rentals to take along the Waterfront Trail, along with bike tours of Kingston. There is truly no better way of exploring the city than along the waterfront!
Feed the Wild Turkeys at Lemoine Point
Nestled behind Kingston Airport is a beautiful conservation area abundant with wildlife, forest, and marshland offering a great area to take the family for a hike. Now if you’ve got a fussy traveler wondering what to do in Kingston that’s different, take them to feed the wild turkeys at Lemoine Point Conservation Area! Even if you don’t see the turkeys in the park, there are plenty of other wildlife like owls, deer, and birds to spot. Those traveling with their furry friends can walk the trails of the conservation area and then head over to the on-site dog park to let their pooches play off-leash. The forest is quite dense though, so don’t forget to bring some bug spray!
There you have it, now you know all of the best fun things to do in Kingston! No matter which of these fantastic attractions you plan on visiting, we know you will have a great vacation in Kingston.
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