Kingston Destinations
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Kingston Attractions and things to do
Kingston Attractions & Things To Do
Ride Kingston city buses with a visitors day pass
Kingston Transit partners with participating museums to offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience Kingston’s history and culture. For a small fee, one adult and two children (12 years and under) can ride the bus for one full day. Visitors who show their Visitor’s Day Pass at Bellevue House, Frontenac County Schools Museum, Kingston Archaeological Centre, or the Miller Museum of Geology receive special perks for using public transit. Visitor’s Day Passes are available at City Hall and the Tourist Information Bureau.
Community Spirit Bingo
68 Elliott Ave
Kingston, ON K7P 2P9
613-546-9051
Hours: Open 7 days a week, bingo sessions occur at 10am, 1pm, 6:15pm, 7pm and 10pm
Call for additional information
Eastern Ontarios Bingo fun center is full of excitement and features Ultimate Link Bingo.
Bellevue House National Historic Site of Canada
35 Centre Street
Kingston, ON K7L 4E5
613-545-8666 or 800-230-0016
Discover the story of Sir John A. Macdonald and of the exotic Italianate villa where he lived. Restored house and grounds, with costumed staff, full language service in French and English, A/V presentation in English, French, German, Japanese, and Cantonese.
Confederation Tour Trolley
209 Ontario Street Kingston, ON K7L 2Z1
613-548-4453 or 888-855-4555
Call for additional information
Discover Kingston aboard the Confederation Tour Trolley. Guides take you on a 50-minute exploration of Kingstons beautiful waterfront and charming limestone heritage with highlights including Fort Henry, the Royal Military College, Penitentiaries, Olympic Harbour, and Bellevue House.
Fort Henry National Historic Site
County Road 2
Kingston, ON K7L 4V8
613-542-7388 or 800-437-2233
Call for additional information
Fort Henry National Historic Site is a living 1860 citadel with daily interactive programming, museum and exhibit tours, children’s activities, three Gift Stores and licensed food and beverage services. Special military and music events are presented throughout the summer with a special focus on the World Famous Sunset Ceremonies presented each Wednesday evening in July and August.
International Ice Hockey Museum
445 Alfred Street
Kingston, ON K7L 4V6
613-544-2355
Call for additional information
The first Hockey Hall of Fame and Sport Hall of Fame in Canada, formed in 1943; operating since 1966. Contains exhibits on the International and North American aspects of the game. The Bobby Hull display is a feature item.
Kingston Archaeological Centre
370 King Street West Kingston, ON K7L 2X4
613-542-3483
Call for additional information
Experience Kingston’s 8000-year history of human occupation through illustrations, models, interactive exhibits and artifacts excavated from local archaeological sites. Library, archives, including Land Registry Records and collections available for research.
Kingston City Hall Tours
216 Ontario Street
Kingston, ON K7L 2Z3
613-546-4291
Call for additional information
Built when Kingston was the Capital of Canada in 1841, City Hall is a magnificent museum and historic treasure chest.
Kingston Mills Block House
Kingston Mills Road, North of Hwy 401
Kingston, ON
613-283-5170
Call for hours of operation
The sights, sounds and history of Canada’s oldest continuously operating canal beckon you. Discover the military lifestyle of 1839 by visiting our restored Blockhouse, or bring a picnic lunch and watch boats pass through the locks.
MacLachlan Woodworking Museum
2993 Hwy 2 East at Grass Creek Park Kingston, ON K7L 4X8
613-542-0543
A great collection of wood working tools animates the story of early homesteaders and local trades people. Watch for demonstration days in bread baking, blacksmithing, woodworking and more.
Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston
55 Ontario Street Kingston, ON K7L 2Y2
613-542-2261
Call for additional information
Tall tales, high adventure, bold exploration and mighty enterprise.
Military Communications & Electronics Museum
95 Craftsman Blvd. Kingston, ON K7K 7B4
613-541-4675
Call for additional information
One of the largest specialized military museums in North America, it traces the history and development of Canadian Military Communications from 1867 to the present. Visitors can explore themes including the development of communications in Canada’s remote north, both World Wars, and UN Peacekeeping.
Miller Museum of Geology and Mineralogy
36 Union Street Miller Hall, Queen’s University Kingston, ON K7N 3N6
613-533-6767
Call for additional information
Explore geology, the study of the Earth, at this fascinating museum at Queen’s University. Here you will find a large gallery of rocks, minerals and fossils from around the world (including a duck-bill dinosaur), and the oldest known animal fossils.
Murney Tower National Historic Site
18 Barrie Street
Kingston, ON K7L 4V6
613-544-3715 Hours: Open daily 10am – 5pm mid May until Labour Day
Built in 1846 to protect Kingston from American attack. Its stout stone structure, Bloomfield cannon, carronades and domestic artifacts have been maintained to tell the story of soldiers and families who lived inside.
Museum of Health Care
22 George Street Kingston, ON K7L 2V7
613-548-2419
Hours: Open year round
Call for additional information
Visitors to the on- and offsite exhibits learn about extraordinary developments and advances in health care.
The Penitentiary Museum
555 King Street West Kingston, ON K7L 4V7
613-530-3122
Call for additional information
Explore the history of Canada’s federal penitentiaries. The museum is located in the former Warden’s residence of Kingston Penitentiary, built by inmate labour between 1870 and 1873.
Princess of Wales Own Regiment, Military Museum
The Armouries, 100 Montreal Street Kingston, ON K7K 3E8
613-541-5010
Call for additional information
More recent military history can be seen at the Princess of Wales Own Regiment Museum.
Pump House Steam Museum
55 Ontario Street Kingston, ON K7L 2Y2
613-542-2261
Call for additional information
Come and see what got the world fired up! Steam-fuel of the last century: powered engines, locomotives, and the pumps of the 1850’s waterworks.
Royal Military College of Canada Museum
Station Forces Kingston, ON K7K 7B4
613-541-6000
Hours: 10am – 5pm daily from the last weekend in June to Labour Day.
Admission Free
Housed in the Fort Frederick Tower, which is the largest of Kingston’s Martello Towers, this museum records the story of Canada’s century-old seat of military education, the exploits of its graduates and the story of the Royal Dockyard, which once occupied Point Frederick.
Shipwreck Diving
Big Jims’ Dive Charters 4 Bishop St. Kingston, ON K7M-3P4 613-389-4965
Limestone Dive Centre 61 Yonge Street Kingston, Ontario Canada Phone: 613-547-3483
Northern Tech Diver 4052 Bath Rd Kingston, ON K7M 4Y4
888-895-4647
Kingston Charter Boat Information
Portsmouth Harbor
613-384-7074
For over three hundred years, marine traffic has passed through Kingston Ontario Canada on route to the Great Lakes. Kingston is located where Lake Ontario enters the Saint Lawrence river. For most of its history Kingston was a major shipbuilding center. Schooners and steamers built in the area have traveled all over the world. From the George A. Marsh, a three masted schooner to the Wolfe Islander II, a coastal freighter converted to a side entrance car ferry, Kingston has shipwrecks of all shapes and sizes. The cool waters have preserved wooden shipwrecks that elsewhere would have disappeared long ago.
Nearby Attractions
1000 Islands Skydeck
Hill Island Lansdowne, ON K0E 1L0
613-659-2335
Open daily 9am to dusk, mid April – end of October
Admission Charged, children 5 and under are free
The Skydeck is a unique attraction. Running continuously, the elevator takes only 40 seconds to reach the first (glass enclosed) of three observation decks and provide visitors with a spectacular photographic opportunity as they enjoy the panoramic view of the 1000 Islands and St Lawrence River stretched out 130 metres or 400’ below.
Kingston Events & Entertainment
January
Resolution Run
Held early January
Location: Royal Military College
613-541-6000
Kingston Road Runners annual 8 km New Year’s race. The race starts and finishes at the RMC Arch, and the course covers parts of the RMC campus, Fort Henry Hill and the Fort Henry heights residential area.
Winter Adapted Games
Held end of January
Location: Queens University 613 533-2000
The Winter Adapted Games (WAG) is a fun-filled day held at Queen’s University. Its primary goal is to provide children with identified special needs who are currently attending elementary school in Kingston and surrounding areas the opportunity to participate in a day of non-competitive games and activities. The purpose is to promote the importance of physical activity and having fun in a supported social environment. Each participant will have the opportunity to share this experience with a university buddy from Queen’s.
February
Valentine’s Lantern Snowshoe Hike & Evening Skate
Held on Valentine’s Day (February 14)
Location: Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area
613-546-4228 The Lantern Snowshoe Hike starts at the Outdoor Centre at 7:00 p.m. with an evening journey through marsh, field and forests and end with a warm drink by the fireside in the West Hall. Bring your sweetheart or bring the family for a lovely Valentine’s evening of either skating or snowshoeing or both.
Live at your Library Recital Series
Held mid February
Location: Central Branch Library
613-530-2050
Admission Charged
The Kingston Jazz Society presents Kingstonians with a chance to JAZZ up their winter! Expect a wide variety of jazz, including classic swing to warm ballads. Presented in an intimate setting in the Wilson room, audience members are given the opportunity to discuss jazz with the performers.
March
Kingston Canadian Film Festival
Held late February early March
Location: various venues 613-547-0677 One of the world’s largest stand-alone showcase of feature films from across the country.
ReelOut Kingstons Queer Film and Video Festival
Held mid March
613-533-3189
Call for specific information
Come and celebrate quality LGBT film in Kingston!
Maple Madness
Held mid March
Location Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area
613-546-4228 Throughout March Break, take a tractor-drawn wagon back to the sugar bush to see how maple syrup was made in the past and how it is made now.
French Canadian Heritage Day
Held mid March Location: Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area
613- 546-4228
Join the education staff and special guests of different ages for presentations at the Outdoor Centre to learn French Canadian songs, dances, and vocabulary.
St. Patricks Day Guided Tours
Held March 17
Location: Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area
613-546-4228 Wear green and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Guided tours of the sugar bush are featured throughout the day.
Presquile Waterfowl Festival
Held mid March
Location: Presqule Provincial Park 613-475-4324 Come celebrate the return of spring at Presqu’ile Provincial Park. Volunteer naturalists will help you identify over 25 different species of ducks, geese and swans. View Poster Contest displays and waterfowl carving displays and participate in daily children’s programs.
April
Good Friday Concert
Held on Good Friday
Location: Chalmers United Church 613-533-2558
Performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor at Chalmers United Church; with the Melos Choral Ensemble and the Choir of Chalmers United Church.
Sunday Flea Markets
Held every Sunday from 8am – 4pm during the last two weeks in April Location: Frontenac Mall’s Parking Lot Are you always listening to bargain hunting stories? Want to tell some of your own? Well, now you can when you visit Frontenac Mall’s Sunday Flea Market! You’ll find all kinds of bargains on books, videos, cd’s, furniture, fresh food and more!
Birds Returning
Held mid April
Location: Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area
613-546-4228 Kick off National Wildlife Week with the Kingston Field Naturalists leading a birding hike.
Greater Kingston Chocolate Cake Bake Off Held late April
Location: St. George Cathedral Great Hall 613-548-4617
Admission Charged In search of the best chocolate cake in Kingston. Contest categories: professional baker, non-professional baker, children aged 7-11, children aged 12-16. Includes cake social, coffee, tea milk, cake auction and wonderful entertainment. All proceeds benefiting the Children’s Fund of the Frontenac Children’s Aid Society.
Spring Arts & Crafts Show
Held late April – early May
Location: Frontenac Mall
613-544-9134
Spring Arts & Crafts Show featuring fine local and area crafters.
May
Ontario Senior Games
Held mid May
Various locations in Kingston
613-546-1359
For everyone 55+! Area Senior Games include euchre, cribbage, contract bridge, darts, floor shuffleboard, golf, horseshoes, carpet, lawn, 10-pin and 5-pin bowling, walking, swimming & tennis.
Haunted Walk of the Fort
Held late May
Location: Fort Henry
613-549-6366
Admission Charged
Reservations required
This tour takes place at Fort Henry National Historic Site, Kingston’s spooky 19th century fortress. Those who are brave enough to enter find that the Fort has become home to many active ghosts and some shocking darker history as well.
Queen Victoria Celebrations
Held May 24
Location: Fort Henry
613-549-6366
Join Fort Henry celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Victoria with a special 21 Gun Salute, Feu de Joie and the daily Garrison Parade. Guided tours of Fort Henry will be offered throughout the day along with activities for children of all ages.
Lennox & Addington Fringe Festival
Held late May
Location: Napanee Market Square next to Town Hall
613- 354-3042
An outdoor artisan festival being organized by the Napanee Artisan Guild. Includes artisans and craftspeople from L&A and the surrounding area selling their wares to the public. There will also be acoustic musicians throughout the weekend.
Don’t Rock the Boat
Held late May
Location: Collins Bay Marina
613-549-1232
Admission Free
Win a prize, test paddle a Canoe or kayak, join in the Great Kay-duck Race, try the windsurfing and sailing simulators, enjoy the Fashion Show, see many different rescue demonstrations and see CFB Trenton 424 Squadron perform an on water helicopter rescue. Fun for the whole family, with special activities just for children, face painting, colouring, knot tying and games.
June
Canadian Forces Day Celebration
Held early June
Location: MacNaughton Parade Square
613-541-5010
The Andy Fund of Kingston Golf Tournament and Pig Roast
Held mid June
Location: The Landings Golf Club next to Norman Rogers Airport
613-544-4441
July
Kingston Buskers Rendezvous Held mid July
Location: various venues in Kingston
613-548-4415 or 888-855-4555 Street performers with talents ranging from fire eating, to sword swallowing, to comedy, perform for crowds of thousands.
Twin Otter Skydiving Boogie
Held early July
Location: 258 Airport Road
613-382-5114
Book your tandem jump to join groups of 22 skydivers jumping from 13,500 feet! That extra altitude gives you up to 50 seconds of freefall!
FanFayr
Held early July
Location: Confederation Park
613-549-7706
Admission Free
FanFayr is a juried arts and crafts show featuring exhibitors from across southern Ontario and southern Quebec.
August
Live Steam Festival
Held: Late August 29 to September 1.
Location: Pump House Steam Museum
613-542-2261
Call for additional information
2004 Sheep Dog Trials
Held early August
Location: Grass Creek Park
613- 546-7998
One-hundred border collies and their handlers descended on Grass Creek Park – a 52 acre ‘paradise’ located along the St. Lawrence River – for the annual Kingston Sheep Dog Trials. The trials offer a unique opportunity for spectators to learn about and to watch these hard working dogs. It’s fascinating to watch them as they try and outrun, fetch, drive and pen a herd of Waupoos sheep.
Kingston Women’s Art Festival
Held mid August
Location: Kingston City Park
613-544-2725
Limestone City Blues Festival
Held late August
Location: Downtown Kingston
888-855-4555
Every August Downtown Kingston gets the beat as chords of great blues music fills the air!
Silver Lake Traditional Powwow
Held end of August
Location: Silver Lake Provincial Park, Mayberly ON
613-268-2000
Admission Charged, children under 12 are free
Call for additional information
Canadian Olympic-training Regatta -CORK
Held for two weeks in August
Location: Portsmouth Olympic Harbour and additional venues 613-545-1322
In August of each year, sailors come from around the world to participate in one of international yacht racing’s premier events, which features over 20 classes and drawing more that 1,000 sailboats, more than 2,000 competitors and coaches from many countries as well as over 10,000 tourists and site-seers. The CORK venue spans the City of Kingston from its headquarters at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour (the site of the 1976 Olympic Sailing events). CORK’s Racing takes place on six courses which extend from the St. Lawrence River well out into Lake Ontario and cover a geographic area of over twenty square miles.
September
Kingston Fall Fair
Held mid September
Location: Downtown Kingston
613-542-6701
Dragon Boat Festival
Held end of September
Location: Kingston Rowing Club on Kingston’s inner harbour
613-542-2674
In addition to the racing itself, the Kingston Festival is a celebration of events on land; including Chinese cultural shows, a food fair and exciting events for the whole family.
November
Kingston United Music Festival
Held end of November
613-542-2674
Call for location and details
Dickens of a Festival – Festival of Trees 2002
Held end of Nov – the month of December
Location: Portsmouth Olympic Harbour
613-542-2674
Transport yourself back to the days of Charles Dickens. Stroll through the streets of a charming Victorian village, showcasing one-of-a-kind designer creations. A 10-day community event in support of Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital, Providence Continuing Care Centre and the Kingston Regional Cancer Centre. You won’t want to miss the unique shopping opportunities, live entertainment and a variety of exciting children’s activities the festival has to offer.
Santa Parade
Held end of November
Location: Downtown Kingston
Hours: starts at 5pm
December
Jingle Bell Walk
Held early December
Location: City Hall to City Park
Join in a walk to witness the lighting of the trees in City Park
Craft Creation Christmas Craft Show
Held mid December
Location: Portsmouth Olympic Harbour
613-256-1414
Rockin at the Clock
Held December 31
Location: In front of City Hall
613-546-7998
Admission Free
Bundle up and celebrate the New Year with the whole family in front of city hall with hot chocolate, a host of local entertainers, and a spectacular fireworks finale.
Arts
Kingston Symphony Association 77 Brock Street
Kingston ON K7L 1B2 613-546-9729
Call for performance schedule
Over 25 concerts of Orchestral and choral music are presented each season.
Grand Theatre 218 Princess Street
Kingston, ON K7L 5C8
613-530-2050
Call for performance schedule
The Grand Theatre is an 820 seat performing Arts Facility located in downtown Kingston in an historical building. It is the home of The Kingston Symphony, which provides a variety of concerts and stage productions appealing to a wide audience.
Thousand Islands Playhouse
690 Charles St. South Gananoque, ON K7G 2T8 (20 minutes from downtown Kingston)
613-382-7020
Live, professional theatre in a picture-perfect riverside location. Dock at our front door! Comedy music and drama from mid-May to early November.
Sports
Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
Ontario Hockey League Kingston Memorial Centre
303 York Street
Kingston, ON 613-542-4042
Check for Kingston Last Minute Travel Deals, Kingston Hot Rate Hotels, Kingston Travel & Vacation Packages, Kingston Car Rentals.
* Region: Ontario
* Geography: Northern Hemisphere