The Top 10 Things To See And Do In Kingston Ontario

Formerly Canada’s first capital city, the city of Kingston is now a thriving community with some of the most interesting history in the province. The following includes the 10 best things to see and do in the city, from museums and tours to scenic trails.

Fort Henry

Originally constructed during the War of 1812, Fort Henry is a military fort located across the water from downtown Kingston, on an elevated point overlooking the mouth of the St Lawrence River. Now part of the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site and maintained by Parks Canada, the Fort is used as a gateway into Canada’s military history. Tours of the fort are available daily and may also include one of the British military re-enactments conducted by the guard staff.
Opening Hours: 9.30am-5pm daily during May to September, 10am-4pm during September to May

Fort Henry National Historic Site, 1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston, ON, Canada, +1 613 542 7388

1000 Islands Boat Tour

Namesake of the famous salad dressing, the 1000 islands are a group of islands in the western portion of Lake Ontario, between Kingston and the neighboring border into New York state. Operated by the Kingston 1000 Island Cruises company, boat tours of the islands also include great waterside views of the Kingston harbourfront, Fort Henry and Kingston Peniteniary. If you are looking for something a little more special, dining cruises (including lunch/dinner plus entertainment) and private charters are also available.
Opening Hours: 9am-5pm Monday and Tuesday, 9am-6.30pm Wednesday to Sunday

Kingston 1000 Island Cruises, 1 Brock Street, Kingston, ON, Canada, +1 613 549 5544

1. Correctional Service of Canada Museum

Museum

The Correctional Service of Canada Museum, or ‘Penitentiary Museum’ as it is better known, exhibits Kingston’s role in Canadian correctional history. For a city of its modest size, Kingston is rather unusual in having had seven different operational prisons situated in it at one point! With a total of 11 in the Greater Kingston Area to see when at the peak of operations. At present, there are two institutions in operation within the city and four more including the surrounding areas. The museum takes care to preserve this complex history from its location in the former penitentiary warden’s forbidding, limestone residence.

Opening Hours: 9am-4pm weekdays and 10am-4pm weekends from May to October (by appointment only, weekdays November to April)