Tourist for a Day: Kingston Edition

Hop on a bus, fly on a plane, cruise along the 401 highway or travel by boat - the options are endless when traveling to Kingston, a city rich with history and most pleasurable attractions ideal for family vacations, weekend with the girls or a romantic getaway. Whether business or pleasure, simply let your mind discover the gateway to the Thousand Islands.

It’s all here, but how exactly do you get from here to there and there to here? Don’t worry – there are several easy ways to get around Kingston. Transportation includes car, bus, rail, boat, plane, and our personal favourite, the Trolley Tour which offers Hop On, Hop Off tours of historic Kingston. Or hop aboard a scenic boat tour as you explore the Thousand Islands during a sunset dinner cruise - it's a sightseer's paradise. Better yet, launch a canoe, kayak or sailboat and navigate Kingston's spectacular waterfront.

You can see, hear, feel and sometimes even taste, the history throughout Kingston. Watch a world-famous Sunset Ceremony at Fort Henry while getting involved with its fully charged day programs filled with artillery demonstrations, afternoon parades or muster up the courage to fire a field cannon. Listen for Kingston's own Town Crier Chris Whyman deliver creative cries during public announcements that'll make you smile and laugh. Take a journey back in time and visit Bellevue House, a National Historic Site but also home to Canada's founding father Sir John A. Macdonald. 

 Fulfill your appetite by sitting back, sipping on local wine and savouring what Kingston has to offer. Relish in a weekend brunch at Pan Chancho Bakery & Cafe - perhaps Sweet Potato Hash or a flavourful French toast with Apple Butter Yogurt. A tad peckish? Tango Neuvo offers Spanish style tapas dishes with a flair prepared with locally grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as locally produced meats and artisan cheeses. You certainly will not regret your culinary visit. Did someone say You Gotta Eat Here? Well funny man himself John Catucci did, so you gotta overwhelm your senses with an East Coast meets Baja Mexico meal at Dianne's Fish Shack & Smokehouse. Or join a culinary walking adventure with Kingston Food Tour in downtown Kingston!

Immerse yourself into the community of Kingston. Spend each Saturday morning in the heart of downtown, learning foodie secrets as Kingston’s best chefs come together with local producers to share their knowledge and passion for local food with the public during cooking demos. Bring your lawn chair and spend every Thursday evening in the summer catching a free movie in the historic Springer Market Square at dusk. Music lover? Head down to Confederation Park every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday during lunch hour for free live entertainment.

You’re not on vacation unless you’re taking needless photos of everything. Charge your battery. Empty your memory card and get click happy. Take all the cheesy shots you want. No one is judging. You’re on holiday remember? Kingston is home to several picturesque vantage points from Confederation Park, the Waterfront Trail, Royal Military College and Lemoine Point Conservation Area are just a few of several many.

The Arts

The art scene in Kingston is one like no other from the sublime heritage architecture to its dynamic gallery spaces. The city is filled with creativity and awaits art lovers to relish this realm. Filled with surprises at every corner of eclectic works, Kingston is quite rightly home to an outstanding contemporary art scene that includes long-established art museums such as the Agnes Etherington Art Centre and smaller, independent venues like the Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre.

If you're out on a stroll in downtown Kingston, wander into Martello Alley off Wellington Street to get a glimpse of local art work or take a peek at Studio 22 overlooking historic market square - an open gallery space and a creative design studio. The options are endless!

Make your next Kingston getaway, one to remember!

-xoxo