Top 10 Best places to visit in Kingston For All Seasons

Kingston, Ontario, one of Canada's most famous cities, is proudly situated on the beaches of Lake Ontario near the mouth of the St. Lawrence River.

Kingston is a thriving university town that served as Canada's initial capital before being transferred northeast to Ottawa. Few, if any, communities in Ontario can match the sheer volume of natural beauty, historical significance, and gastronomic delights that this lakeside metropolis offers.

So, if you’re looking for the best places to visit in Kingston, Ontario on your next visit, hang on for the ride, because this city has a lot to offer.

What is the History of Kingston?

Kingston was named the first capital of the United Province of Canada

Prior to Ottawa's takeover, Kingston was Canada's first capital city. The city was formerly a thriving economic and military powerhouse, and Sir John A. Macdonald lived there. The city's downtown area contains numerous historic structures, notably Kingston City Hall, which dates back to the 1800s. Wolfe Island and the St. Lawrence River have also played important roles in Kingston's history, serving as crucial waterways for the transportation of goods and people across the region.

The best time to visit Kingston

 Best time to visit Kingston is from December to April

The best time to visit Kingston is from December to April, when the weather is favourable for outdoor activities and beach visits.

If you're budget conscious, consider travelling between May and November when accommodation prices are lower.

Each season has its own unique charms, and no matter when you decide to visit, you're sure to have an incredible experience. Kingston is ready to inspire your imagination and senses.

List of the best places to visit in Kingston

Here are the top attractions in Kingston, which are worth visiting on a Kingston trip:

Fort Henry National Historic Site

The Fort Henry National Historic Site is a famous place to visit in Kingston

The Fort Henry National Historic Site is one of the top places to visit in Kingston.  Located higher up on Cape Henry overlooking the Cataraqui and St. Lawrence Rivers, Fort Henry National Historic Site should certainly be at the top of your Kingston travel itinerary.

Named after the former Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, it was built on the site of an earlier fort constructed during the War of 1812 with the United States. The impressive fortifications you see today were built in the 1830s and were used for decades to protect the Royal Naval Shipyard in Kingston as well as the mouth of the Rideau Canal, which connects Lake Ontario to Ottawa.

Since its opening as a "living museum" in 1938, the fort has become a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors a taste of real life in the early 1800s and the strategic importance of the fort. In 2007, it was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO.

If you come in August, you can visit the fort's famous Sunset Ceremony, a popular event in Kingston that includes music and artillery displays. It also offers a variety of fun seasonal programs, including Halloween "Fright Night".

Fort Henry is open seasonally from late May to early September, with additional dates for special events.

Address: 1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston, Ontario

Downtown Princess Street

If you want to shop, Princess Street is the place to be. Princess Street is a very long street that runs through the city centre all the way to the waterfront. Princess Street in the city centre is also on a hill that makes it easy to slope down to the waterfront!

Princess is great because there are so many shops on the street.

Many of them are local businesses selling food, crafts, clothing, and other items! The streets connecting to Princess are also filled with places to see.

Here are some of the local establishments in downtown Kingston in Princess that we like to frequent:

• Card’s Bakery And Goods
• Trailhead Kingston
• Tara Natural Foods

Kingston Waterfront

Wander the Kingston Waterfront

Stretching 8 kilometres along the city's Lake Ontario shoreline, Kingston's waterfront is a must-see. Much of this stunning area consists of parkland and flat walkways that connect to some of the city's top attractions, including City Hall, the Murney Tower, the Kingston Visitor Centre, and the historic Engine 1095.

In addition to Confederation Park, the city's central waterfront green space, you should also include Lake Ontario Park in your Kingston waterfront itinerary. Although only minutes away from the historic downtown area, it's a great place to enjoy a picnic and let the kids loose on the adventure playground. The waterfront is also home to many beautiful beaches, the most famous of which is Breakwater Park Beach.

Those who enjoy the water rather than just watching it are also well catered for. In addition to great sailing and fishing on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, Kingston has become a popular spot for canoeists and kayakers who want to explore the beautiful

Location: Waterfront Pathway, Kingston, Ontario

1000 Islands

Kingston, Ontario is where the natural wonder of the 1000 Islands is revealed.

Kingston's closeness to the renowned Thousand Islands is likely its most appealing feature. This makes Kingston, behind Gananoque, the second most popular location from which to embark on one of the incredible Thousand Islands boat cruises.

Thousand Island boat trips transport guests up the St. Lawrence River, past some of the stunning islands, cottages, and even two spectacular Thousand Island castles. If your passport is up to date, choose a trip that includes visits to the famed Boldt and Singer castles. These regal palaces are bound to make you fantasize about tuxedos and dancing dresses.

Frontenac Provincial Park

Frontenac Provincial Park is known as one of the best places in Canada to visit in summer

If you are in love with wild animals, this valley should feature on your list of best places to visit in Kingston. The large 13,000-acre Frontenac Provincial Park, located in the little town of Sydenham and approximately 40 minutes north of Kingston by automobile, is an excellent destination for people seeking a taste of wilderness.

It is designated as a "natural environment park," and it spans a unique location known as the Frontenac Axis, where the rocky Canadian Shield to the north meets the Adirondack Mountains to the south.

The park's broad mixed woods and marshes, flanked by rocky granite outcrops, provide an ideal environment for a variety of outdoor activities. Canoeing and kayaking are popular activities on North and South Otter Lakes, as well as the other 20 lakes in the area. It is also known for its large 100-kilometer trail system and wilderness camping.

Visitors can also participate in guided outdoor expeditions or learn basic survival skills before setting out on their journey. Along the trip, you may witness animals such as gray wolves, black bears, red foxes, mink, and otters. Other popular activities include fishing and swimming.

The park is available year-round, offering winter sports such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Historic Downtown Kingston

Downtown Kingston is home to several popular attractions, including Kingston City Hall and Springer Market Square. Parts of the historic highway that connected City Hall to the market area remain. Princess Street features old businesses and might pass for Smalltown, Anywhere, yet the café patios off Brock Street's brick roadways have a European flavor, as do alleyways like the quirky, art-themed Martello Alley.

The region is home to ancient brick, stone, and limestone structures from the early nineteenth century, including three George Browne designs with unique rounded corners. Rochleau Court's small passageways and nearby establishments, such as Cooke's Fine Foods, which has been open since 1865, add to the period atmosphere. The 1902 Grand Theatre features a 41-foot-wide proscenium arch and orchestra pit in its main auditorium, as well as a smaller black-box theatre.

PumpHouse

PumpHouse is a must-see attraction in Kingston

As Canada's oldest original waterworks, PumpHouse is a must-see in Kingston for those interested in old machinery (especially old steam-powered machinery). Built-in 1851 in response to devastating fires and cholera outbreaks, the PumpHouse is one of only six such facilities remaining in North America.

The PumpHouse's engines provided fresh running water throughout Kingston for nearly 100 years before being replaced by electric motors, playing a major role in the growth and development of the city. It opened as a museum in 2006 and offers a fascinating insight into the building's history through interactive games and exhibitions for all ages.

Kingston Trolley

One of the popular ways to visit many of Kingston's top attractions is on the hop-off Kingston Trolley Tour. The iconic bright red Kingston Trolley takes visitors through some of the city's most popular areas.

The entire experience is narrated by the driver or includes an audio guide that shares the history of this important Ontario town. The tram tour is also a great way to get to Fort Henry, as that is one of the attractions on the journey.

Queen’s University

Queen's University courses are among the top-rated courses in Canada.

Queen’s University Campus is one of the top places to visit in Kingston, Ontario.

This University is one of Canada's oldest postsecondary institutions, going back to 1841. That was before Canada became a country! You may join one of the popular student-led campus tours or take a self-guided Queen's campus tour.

Queen's University is ranked among the best institutions in the world. Currently, Queen's University is ranked 209th in the world, up from 246th in 2023.

Kingston Penitentiary

Kingston Penitentiary, a fortress built to keep inmates inside rather than outside, is another must-see tourist destination. It was built in 1835 as a maximum security jail and was, until its closing in 2013, the world's oldest serving prison in continuous operation.

"Kingston Pen" is now a museum that provides an intriguing peek into the life of convicts and prison guards from the 1800s to the late 1900s. A range of excellent visitor experiences are available, including educational guided excursions.

Extended tours are an excellent choice, as they are available in a variety of languages. These in-depth tours, which last two and a half hours and are not suggested for children, include the main cell dome, numerous work areas, the gym, and the hospital. Along the journey, you'll learn about the circumstances at the period, as well as notable convicts, escapees, and prison uprisings.

Conclusion

Kingston is one of the most promising tourist destinations in Canada and is renowned as a center of culture, creativity and history with more than two dozen museums, galleries and historical sites.

With many Top tourist attractions in Kingston, it is great to come here for an enriching travel experience. However, to enter Canada you need to apply for a Canada ETA. You can trust Canada immigration services website because we promise to help you get your visa as quickly as possible. In addition, to ensure safety you should buy insurance.