Kingston Ontario

*Photo Credit: Tourism Kingston

Kingston Ontario: On the Waterfront

With one of the loveliest lakefronts in Ontario and access to the Rideau Canal, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, Kingston Ontario is a big winner with anyone who loves water and water recreation. I count myself in this group.

The fact that it’s known as the Limestone City for all of its great stone historic buildings adds a second layer of appeal.

A third advantage is its active cultural life. For a city this size (around 113,000 in the city proper), Kingston has a surprising number of museums, several of which are associated with historic Queen’s University. Kingston seems to attract artists and artisans, judging from the numerous art galleries selling work by people from the city and the surrounding region. Nearby Wolfe Island also has an active enclave of resident artists. Perhaps it’s the beauty of the surroundings.

Overview of Kingston Ontario & a dash of history

Kingston is the largest city in Southeastern Ontario. It’s located half-way between Montreal and Toronto, which makes it a great stopover and retreat if you’re planning to visit both of these big cities.

This area has been settled for centuries, first by the Mississaugas First Nations, then by the French, then by the British. During the American Revolution, Kingston became a refugee centre for Loyalists.

Kingston’s major historic claim to fame is that from 1841 to 1844 it served as the first capital of a united Canada. (It was moved because it was considered too vulnerable to attack from the Americans.)

Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald, lived here for many years and you can visit his restored former house at Bellevue House National Historic Site of Canada, not far from downtown.

Kingston Ontario Landmarks & Tourist Attractions

Time-budget tip: If you’re short on time, one way to see a lot of Kingston in a hurry is to take the Confederation Tour Trolley. It leaves from the tourist office downtown and takes about 50 minutes.

Many of Kingston’s buildings are made of stone, which has earned it the nickname of Limestone City. You’ll discover lovely 19th century stone homes and commercial buildings all over the city.

One of its most famous buildings is Kingston City Hall, a gorgeous 19th century structure facing Confederation Park and Lake Ontario.

Nearby is an antique steam engine in front of the tourist office.

Kingston Ontario also boasts the oldest Farmer's Market in Canada where you can buy not only fresh produce but the products of local artists as well.

Queen’s University has some gorgeous architecture and a few interesting museums as well. (See my Kingston Ontario museums page.)

Kingston Penitentiary is a suitably stern-looking structure. “A nice place to visit, but you wouldn’t want to live there.” There’s actually a museum on site where you can learn about the history of incarceration in Canada. My paternal grandfather once worked here as a guard. The penitentiary is also the main setting in an interesting book called “The Convict Lover” by Merilyn Simonds. The book deals with the relationship between a convict and a teenage girl and is based on a true story.

Fort Henry offers visitors a look at 19th century military architecture. You can attend parades and sunset ceremonies and thrill to the sound of the pipes.

The Murney Tower National Historic Site is a great place for photo-ops. The towers were built in 1846 and house a small museum of 19th century military and domestic artifacts.

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