If you’re looking for a city with history, a thriving performance arts scene, great restaurants, shopping and a waterfront, then Kingston will definitely check all those boxes. Also known as The Limestone City, it has something for everyone and can be visited at any time of the year. We visited in winter however there is even more to see and do in the other seasons.
See our video tour of Kingston with Kingston’s own Travel & Food Blogger Rosalyn Gambhir on our YouTube Channel:
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Our visit to Kingston also coincided with Lumina Borealis which was located in Fort Henry. We felt so lucky that we were able to experience this as well. It’s an artistic interpretation of the ‘Aurora Borealis’ Canada’s Northern Lights. It features sculptures and interactive light displays. You can read more about our visit and see our video.
The downtown core of Kingston is small enough that you can easily walk everywhere in 10 minutes of less which is perfect if you want to ditch the car for the weekend. The streets are in built in a grid so its easy to remember street names and directions.
There’s also a youthful vibe in the City due to the thousands of students studying at Queen’s University & St. Lawrence College.
Getting There
If driving is not an option then you can also take the VIA Train or fly into the Kingston Airport (YGK).
Fun Facts:
- Kingston is home to The Tragically Hip & Queen’s University.
- Most of the attractions, restaurants & nightlife are in Downtown Kingston and close to the Waterfront.
- There’s a free museum inside City Hall and a free outdoor skating rink for use during winter.
- You can take the Ferry to Wolfe Island year around and go swimming in the summer.
- Kingston was Canada’s first Capital.
- The pathways in Rochleau Court are rumoured to be haunted.
What you need to try:
- A Tour of Downtown Kingston on a Kingston Trolley Tour. You can also get a different perspective with a Kingston 1000 Islands Cruise.
- Check out a local live band along with a pint at The Merchant Tap House or by watching a live theatre production at The Grand Theatre.
- Shop along Princess St and support local businesses like Crave Coffee House & Kingston Olive Oil Company.
- Lunch or Dinner at Olivea. This awesome Italian Restaurant is owned and operated by a husband & wife team who also take their staff to Italy every year to show their appreciation as well as teach them about Italian food & wine. We had the Daily Special Soup (Cream of Root Vegetables) & Sandwich (Porchetta).
- Breakfast or Brunch at Pan Chancho Bakery. Our Sunday Brunch started off with freshly-squeezed orange juice, lattes and non-traditional brunch items like Huevos Tostados, Poutine Bravas & Smoked Wild Salmon Plate.
- If you’re in the mood for pizza then nothing beats the wood-oven pizzas served at Woodenheads.
- Staying at one of the many Hotels that back on to the Waterfront for a lovely view of sunrise & sunset.
- A Tour of the Kingston Penitentiary if you’re lucky enough to still find tickets. We learned that this Tour is VERY popular so tickets are sold out in minutes.
Many thanks to Rosalyn Gambhir for showing us around her hometown and favourite spots. Visit her site ‘The Staycationer’ for more ideas of where to travel and eat in the Kingston area.
Our visit to Kingston was partially sponsored by Visit Kingston & the Parks of the St. Lawrence however all opinions, recommendations & reviews are our own.
Have any photos or videos of your visit that you would like to share with us? Send them over to @LetsDiscoverON.
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