Top Things to do in Kingston
10 Things to Do in Kingston That You Shouldn't Miss
Known for its markets and its striking 19th-century limestone architecture, Kingston is a great base for exploring the Thousand Islands and the St. Lawrence River and its national park. Visit Wolfe Island on the free ferry, or hunt for antiques in nearby villages.
Restaurants in Kingston
1. Kingston Olive Oil Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By jd337 - Bowmanville, Canada
So glad we found this place and we were busy sampling for a good hour! Also visited it with the Kingston food tour. Delightful place with so much to try and experience. Well worth the time spent here! .....I doubt anyone can walk way empty handed
2. Bellevue House National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 289 reviews
A rare and fine example in Canada of Italianate villa architecture, Bellevue was home to Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister. Today, the house is a national historic site, commemorating Macdonald's contribution to the development of Canada. Bel example rare au Canada de villa de style italianisant, Bellevue a été la demeure de sir John A. Macdonald, premier des premiers ministres du Canada. Aujourd'hui lieu historique national, elle commémore la contribution de Macdonald à l'essor du Canada.
Reviewed By trainfan2000 - Hamilton, Canada
This is beautifully preserved house that once belonged to the first Prime Minister of Canada. In addition to the house itself there is the opportunity to wander the grounds of the property. These ground include a garden in which heritage vegetables are grown. There is are staff members available to answer questions. If you are using your Canada 150 pass, admission is free but to take a tour of the house with a guide is an extra fee. The rooms have period furniture and it is easy to imagine what life was like here 150 years ago. Well worth the visit.
3. Canada's Penitentiary Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 882 reviews
Housed in the former Warden's residence of Kingston Penitentiary, the museum offers a wide range of exhibits of artifacts from across Canada's federal Correctional system. Admission is by donation.
Reviewed By 1955Debbie1955 - Cornwall, Canada
Situated across from the the old Kingston Penitentiary where Paul Bernardo and many other savoury characters called home at one time, this museum is fascinating. You can see tools that prisoners made to help them get rid of people they didn’t like, torture tools, old cell vs newer cell, art created by prisoners and much more. If you get a chance, stop in. It will be worth the visit!
4. Kingston Waterfront
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 916 reviews
Reviewed By First L
The view from this arra is very nice and i would recomend it to everyone who enjoys harbours, rivers view and not so great dining experience.
5. Martello Alley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 305 reviews
A quirky and fun little art gallery located in an old alley in downtown Kingston Ontario. It is Ontario's only alley art gallery. The indoor gallery is located at the very end of the alley, beside the courtyard. The other "shops" you will see are not really shops at all - they are facades created to make up a little "village". Currently there is a "fleuriste" (flower shop) and a "poissonnerie" (fish shop). In reality these are the back walls of the restaurant next door. The door to the "fleuriste" is not a door at all, and the door to the "poissonnerie" is the back door/delivery to the restaurant. The "lighthouse" and the "buoy", complete with seagull and nest, are there to store and conceal the restaurant's garbage bins and kitchen oil drum. I will be creating more themed "shops" this summer, and they will also serve as backdrops for the outdoor art that will display in the corresponding themed area.
Reviewed By rosslake - Toronto
My husband and I went to Martello Alley gallery since it was recommended by our innkeeper. The gallery is quite easy to find and is very interesting with art from many different artists. As we approached the door, we were greeted by a woman with a warm smile who explained how the gallery worked. David, who is the owner, goes to great lengths to explain how things work and the history of the gallery. He is very passionate and energetic about his work, and it shows. The gallery is a real experience, and it is heartwarming to see how strongly they support local artists.
6. Lemoine Point Conservation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
Reviewed By timbo - Winnipeg, Canada
Great place to walk. Lots of wide paths and mostly shaded area. Had small birds and chipmunks eat right out of outer hands. Walking paths are wide and well maintained. Parking was free and there are a lot of interconnecting trails.
Great place to walk and enjoy nature.
No cost to use the park.
7. Queens University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
Reviewed By aldanmikol - Ontario
We took a campus tour then walked around on our own. The campus is probably one of the nicest in Canada. The buildings are historic limestone. Even the modern construction blends in well. It is not a large campus so most of it can be seen in a half day walk. The tour guide was a student and quite knowledgable on the history and current issues regarding the university and admissions. We were able to go into many buildings to look around. Be sure to see the Agnes Etherington gallery and walk along the waterfront.
8. Wolfe Islander III
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 248 reviews
Reviewed By Lisa B - Clarksboro, New Jersey
Ferry crew were so nice! They made our trip from Wolfe Island to Kingston a delight. We went during the off season, but the ferry was still packed with locals traveling to the Mainland. Give yourself at least an hour to queue up and cross. We made the mistake of pulling into the ferry dock, unaware there was a very long queue just beyond the dock in a designated line. No instructions were posted prior to the dock. A local pulled up along side us to inform us of our error. She was nice enough when explaining our error to us, even if we did overhear her complaining loudly about our inability to comprehend ferry queue etiquette to a friend just a few minutes later. We had apologized and taken our proper place in the queue, so I'm not sure what else we could have done. Grumpy local tired of uninformed tourists, I guess. Other than that faux pas, it was quite a nice adventure! I'd recommend traveling to Canada from NY via Wolfe Island to anyone who wants to enjoy the beauty of this wonderful little island. Just be aware that nearly everything on the island is closed during off season! Still worth the scenic drive.
9. Fort Henry (Fort Henry National Historic Site)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Bruce P - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
We read about this sound and light show in the paper last year. Thankfully they got enough visitors to repeat the show this year. We hope it is on again next year so we can bring our grandson.
It was cold and windy, but worth it. They have done a great job creating a winter fantasy. The highlight was the room full of crafts made by children at local schools depicting Santa, and winter scenes. Such creativity.
Of course, one must mention the troll puppet. So well done!
10. Kingston City Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 263 reviews
A prominent landmark on the Kingston waterfront since 1844, City Hall is the symbolic centre of the community's civic government and administration. Originally designed by architect George Browne when Kingston was the capital of the United Province of Canada, City Hall is one of finest 19th century buildings in Canada and a nationally designated heritage site. Learn more about Kingston City Hall's fascinating history, beautiful architecture - and about the intriguing people, events and stories associated with this national historic site. Those interested in heritage architecture will also enjoy the newly-opened Heritage Resource Centre in the Market Square wing. In 2016, free guided tours are offered weekdays from May 16 through Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed statutory holidays) and weekends from May 24 through Aug. 28. Tours begin at the main entrance of City Hall off Ontario Street.
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