If you’re looking for your next favourite coffee place in Kingston, you have to try The Elm Café – even if you don’t drink coffee. Located at the corner of Montreal and Charles streets, The Elm Café has been a local favourite of the Inner Harbour neighbourhood since it opened in 2015. The café, open at 7:30 am daily, offers a selection of made-to-order breakfast sandwiches, assorted baked goods, and some of the best lattes in town. Breakfast is served until 11 am; after that, a variety of fresh sandwiches is available from the grab-and-go fridge.
The Elm Café is located in a red brick building that used to house a laundromat – a “Laverne’s Laundry” sign is prominently displayed near the front. Seating 18 people inside, but with room for more outside on the back patio in the warmer months, the café offers a cozy, welcoming ambiance. You can grab your order to go, but if you dine in, you can sink into one of the vintage armchairs, people-watch, and enjoy the local artwork hanging on the walls. Savour a beverage served to you in a china teacup from the café’s eclectic collection, while you nibble on a chocolate hazelnut croissant or the café’s most popular breakfast sandwich, “The whole shebang.” Café owners Logan and Matthew source many of their menu ingredients locally, from places including Tara Foods and Pig & Olive.
The café is open until 5 pm daily, but on the first Tuesday of every month, it reopens from 7 to 9:30 pm for a poetry open mic night, hosted by local poet Bruce Kauffman.
Before you leave, check out the tote bags and T-shirts for sale; they feature an Inner Harbour-inspired design by local graphic designer Benjamin Nelson (who also did the café’s outside mural on the Charles Street side of the building).
On Monday April 15, Aaliyah Edwards was selected sixth by the Washington Mystics in the 2024 WNBA draft.
On April 5, Kingston-born basketball player Aaliyah Edwards played her last college game in Cleveland, in a tense National College Athletic Association (NCAA) championship semi-final game between the University of Connecticut Huskies and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Credit: University of Connecticut
Not since Jayna Hefford’s four-straight hockey Olympic gold medals between 2002 and 2014, Simon Whitfield’s triathlon gold in the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics, and pitcher Matt Brash’s Major League Baseball debut in 2022 has a Kingston born and bred athlete competed in such a high-profile sports event.
Edwards, 21, a Senior at UConn, has come a long way from playing minor basketball for the Kingston Impact and high school hoops for the Frontenac Falcons.
Unfortunately, Edwards’ college career ended on the Cleveland hardcourt, a 71–69 loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes. A controversial offensive foul call on her in the dying seconds of the game ended the Huskies’ chances at a national championship. Iowa went on to play the South Carolina Gamecocks in the NCAA final, losing 87–75.
Back home in Kingston this week for a few days between the NCAA tournament and the WNBA draft, Edwards was busy signing with a sports representative agency and agreeing to endorsement deals. Her parents – mother Jackie and father Eddie – have been supporting her through the transition from a college athlete to a professional.
She’ll be in New York City on Monday for the WNBA draft. Speculation is that Edwards will be selected in the top five.
She also graduates from UConn this spring. Edwards majored in communications and minored in human development and family studies.
Credit: University of Connecticut
Edwards said she loved her time in Storrs, Connecticut. “I have a lot of great memories and the opportunity to have coach [Geno Auriemma], play with those girls, and be a part of that culture really just shaped me and helped me transition into what I’m trying to be which is a pro player.”
“Even though it was very far from home, I did feel the love here in Canada and especially Kingston.”
This season, the six-foot-three Edwards started all 37 games she appeared in, was second on the team with career-high 17.6 points per game, and led the team with a career-high 9.2 rebounds per game.
Over her four years at UConn, Edwards ranks 15th in program history with 1,861 career points, eighth in career rebounds with 1,020, earned 35 career double-doubles (sixth in team history), and was the sixth Huskies player with 1,800 points and 1,000 rebounds.
The two-time BIG EAST Player of the Week also made 76 assists, 36 blocks, recorded career-high 62 steals, and had 18 double-doubles in 2023–24.
Credit: Ian Macalpine
Edwards is easily noticeable when she plays, with her long and colourful braids swaying around her face while she’s attacking the basket or eluding an opponent.
“I definitely rock the purple and gold braids; it started in grade eight right before I came to Frontenac. The reason I did it was my passion for Kobe [Bryant] and everything he meant to me growing up. He was my childhood hero and also [for] my oldest brother Jermaine. We had a love for him and the passion he had for the game.” Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash in 2020 and Jermaine passed away in 2017. Edwards has another brother, Jahmal.
“I know I’ve earned a platform but also I’m very fortunate to be able to inspire and grow women’s basketball, not only here but across Canada.”
The WNBA will be paused while the Paris Summer Olympics is underway, and Edwards hopes to be a contributing member to the women’s team. She was on the Canadian team for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo in 2021 (delayed one year due to COVID-19).
Last year Edwards ran a youth basketball camp for kids out of Frontenac Secondary School and hopes to do more voluntary work in her hometown and make the camp an annual event. “I haven’t really had a big opportunity to give back to my community and that’s really a big thing that’s help motivate me and push me to excel and push me just to do better for myself because I’m kind of paving the way for the next generation and those that want to become and be a part of the opportunities that were given to me.”
Credit: University of Connecticut
She was appreciative that a large contingent from Frontenac and Kingston came down to UConn this past season to watch her play. “It was just so special, you remove yourself from high school and going to pursue your dreams in Division 1 and the relationships I’ve built especially here in Kingston where it was all started, the love and support was still there.”
With Edwards transitioning into the professional ranks and an Olympics this summer, it appears she’ll be competing on the world stage for years to come.
As the sun sets over Kingston, a mysterious transformation envelops the labyrinth of cobblestone streets and historic buildings. Shadows rise, casting an otherworldly glow on the enigmatic corridors and alleyways of the Limestone City.
Gathered in anticipation, a group of the curious assembles, ready to embark on The Haunted Walk of Kingston. A spectral figure, a spooky storyteller shrouded in a dark cloak, beckons them on, weaving tales of haunted hotels, hidden burial grounds, notorious grave robbings, and other eerie local hauntings.
The allure of ghost stories lies in the art of storytelling itself, believes Jax Harripersad, manager of The Haunted Walk in Kingston. But, she muses, the human fascination with ghost stories also shines a light on what makes us human.
“The Haunted Walk of Kingston features great performers sharing spooky stories that make your heart race and pump adrenaline,” says Jax. “But above all, ghost stories make us wonder what happens after this life.”
“What appeals to our visitors is that these stories are rooted in truth,” says Jax. “Before a story is included in the tour, Kingston Haunted Walk conducts thorough research to substantiate its origins, pouring over newspaper articles and other convincing documents at the city archives and local libraries and even interviewing people who have experienced the supernatural firsthand.”
It is a phantom ballet, a dance between the living and the departed, explains Jax. A canvas upon which The Haunted Walk paints its spectral narrative, shining a light on the shadowy, paranormal side of Kingston.
“All of our tour guides are fitted with a cloak and a lantern, and we ask them to wear all black – it cultivates that creepy, Grim Reaper vibe,” explains Jax. “Our goal at The Haunted Walk and our broader company, which is called Hidden InSite, is to show you the secrets of the city, often hidden in plain sight.”
The Haunted Walk offers several tours, including the original Haunted Walk, which uncovers the secrets of haunted hotels, hidden burial grounds, grave robbings, hangings at the old courthouse, and Kingston’s famous haunted courtyard.
The original Haunted Walk features one of Kingston’s most notorious ghost stories, that of Theresa Ignace Beam, murdered by her nephew John Napier in 1868. Theresa’s spirit haunts the dark pathway between Princess Street and King Street East leading to Rochleau Court, where she has been known to ask passersby to help her find her bones so that she might finally rest, her tragic tale resonating through time and unfolding like a haunting melody.
“Hauntings have also been reported at the Prince George Hotel, which ceased operation in 2004 and today houses The Haunted Walk, with apartments replacing the old hotel rooms,” continues Jax. “Paranormal activity seems to be focused around the third floor, and Room 304 in particular, with people bearing witness to the spectre of a shadowy woman drifting down the hallways, a ghostly child playing with toys, and strange things occurring, such as lights and radios turning on or off in the rooms, and doors locking, unlocking, or slamming shut.”
And yet, many of Kingston’s spooky secrets are hidden underneath the city, with many places scattered throughout the city that conceal unmarked graves. The most famous hidden burial ground in Kingston is known as Skeleton Park, originally the site of one of Kingston’s earliest and largest cemeteries.
“Skeleton Park has become notorious for hauntings in Kingston,” affirms Jax. “In the 1990s two students moved into a house quite close to the park. After dropping off her things at her new apartment, one of the students had to rush off to class right away. When she returned later that night, she found that she had to pass an old graveyard filled with a dense fog. She was certain it wasn’t there before and she wondered if she was lost, but eventually did find her apartment just a little way down the street.
“In the morning, she found the graveyard was gone, and there was a city park in its place. This had been her very first day in Kingston. And she had never heard of Skeleton Park.”
If the original Haunted Walk delivers excitement for thrill-seekers, visitors to Kingston can also opt for the Ghosts of Queen’s University, which recounts eerie tales of student grave robbers, professors reaching out from the beyond, heists gone wrong, and streets shrouded in mystery.
There is also an unforgettable tour of Fort Henry, Kingston’s famous 19th-century fortress, where expert storytellers share the tragic history that still haunts its grounds, sending shivers down the spine with its dark twists and turns.
On hiatus during the December holiday season, The Haunted Walk runs weekends from February and seven nights a week from May to September, also accepting requests for private tours. Tours of the Queen’s University campus resume in time for March break and for the Fort Henry tour when the fort opens in the spring. While tours are conceived to appeal to families, The Haunted Walk encourages parents to assess their child’s tolerance level for the spectral and spooky.
“We are proud to offer the original Haunted Walk in French,” underscores Jax. “Canada is a bilingual country and we have a high demand for our tours, particularly in summer, from French-speaking tourists. We want to reach the widest audience that we possibly can.
In the heart of Kingston, where shadows are entangled with the echoes of the past, The Haunted Walk weaves a tapestry of spooky tales, historical narratives, and spectral whispers. It invites the curious to explore the city’s enigmatic history and become part of the haunting symphony that resonates through time.
As the lanterns flicker and the tales weave through the streets, The Haunted Walk becomes an exploration of not just the paranormal but also a celebration of the city’s hidden gems, connecting the living – and the departed.
The Military Communications and Electronics Museum
“A museum is a story,” says Annette Gillis, Curator at the Military Communications and Electronics Museum, a Kingston museum that specifically focuses on “the troops, the times and the technology.” These are honoured through carefully curated exhibits that educate and enlighten its visitors.
“You can read a story about World War Two – but reading does not provide the full picture. For example, our museum allows you to experience that history through objects – like Radio No. 33, also called the Maple Leaf radio, a set that weighs a hefty 630 lbs,” continues Annette. “Our museum allows you to experience that history through objects – like that radio. At the Military Communications and Electronics Museum, you get to see what soldiers wore and the equipment they used.”
Radio No. 33
“Obviously, we’re not on a battlefield, but the museum creates an experience, a snapshot that is worth a thousand words,” she explains.
At the Military Communications and Electronics Museum, the adventurous can step into the pages of Canadian history to discover the role that military communications and electronics have played in conflict and peacekeeping for more than a century.
Here, history comes to life.
“The history of Telecommunications is a major part of the story for the Military Communications and Electronics Branch,” begins Annette. “One of the most prominent exhibits at the museum is the JN-4 Canuck display, which showcases the ingenuity and progress of military communication technology over centuries.”
The JN-4 Canuck display
“Imagine it’s World War One and you’re trying to figure out: how can we communicate from the air to the ground, and send back information for reconnaissance? And due to the limited space in this airplane, you can either receive or you can send information. But then you see the scale of the JN-4 Canuck – and the scale of the radio, and you realize that it’s just so scary for a pilot and a passenger to share space with an engine and this radio.”
“It’s extraordinary – to showcase that scale to the visitor, and to realize that as early as 1915-16, we had the technology to gather reconnaissance from the air!” exclaims Annette.
The Military Communications and Electronics Museum is home to other celebrated and notorious communications technologies, including an Enigma Machine, cipher technology used by Nazi Germany during World War Two and Cold War-era equipment utilized by the Communication and Electronics Branch members active in NORAD’s underground fortresses.
An Enigma machine
Yet perhaps one of the museum’s most celebrated exhibits has little to do with communications and electronics, a testimonial to the impact of Canada on the world.
In the Vimy Memorial Room, the Military Communications and Electronics Museum houses Canada Bereft, the Grieving Lady and the Grieving Man, half-scale plaster models of an allegory of Canada’s immense sacrifice on European battlefields during World War One.
The Grieving Lady
Created by famous Canadian sculptor Walter Seymour Allward, the figures of Canada Bereft guided the construction process of the Vimy Ridge Memorial in northern France, commemorating a battle considered to be a pivotal moment in Canada’s history as a young nation, a moment in time when the country emerged from Britain’s shadow.
“Canada Bereft is just breathtaking in the morning,” reflects Annette. “I love being here first thing in the morning when the sun casts light and shadow on her face framed by the ceramic poppies. To me, it’s one of the important displays that people must take in when they visit.”
The Military Communications and Electronics Museum doesn’t just show and tell – it also creates and curates experiences that challenge visitors to engage with history and explore their knowledge. Case in point: in partnership with Improbable Escapes, the museum has created Camp X and Spymaster, interactive games and mind puzzles that engage all five senses, plunging visitors into a world of intrigue, secrets, and coding, and turning them into wartime spies on a mission.
Camp X, explains Annette, was one of several dozen schools around the world that served the Special Operations Executive, located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario between Whitby and Oshawa in Ontario and created by the British agency in 1940 to promote sabotage and subversion behind enemy lines during World War II.
The game Camp X calls on visitors to don a trench coat, the pockets of which are stuffed with puzzles – crosswords, encoding and decoding tasks – inviting these would-be spies to engage with the gallery exhibits dedicated to Camp X to decipher clues.
A trench coat for the Camp X game
“And because spies are pretty cool, we developed a game that’s a little bit harder called Spymaster,” says Annette. “This is where you’re an agent and you have to figure out who is the double agent, the traitor, that has turned on you. Similar to Camp X, there are a whole bunch of different little games, puzzles and clues you have to figure out. And during this game you are timed. Whoever completes the game first wins – and both these games are available to French-speaking visitors!”
The Spymaster game
While the Military Communications and Electronics Museum houses many exhibits in both of Canada’s official languages, Annette underscores that translating English-language exhibits to French has been a progressive journey – but that it is one the Museum is committed to seeing to completion.
“Our visitor is our motivator,” explains Annette. “We welcome many French-speaking visitors and there are many serving and retired members of our Branch and our community who are Francophone. To not provide as many exhibits as possible in the French language would be leaving out a huge part of our community.”
Translation of exhibits, key materials and the Military Communications and Electronics Museum website has not been without its challenges – but also, explains Annette, a powerful catalyst for insightful and unexpected revelations on military parlance.
“The military has its own culture – they have their own unique vocabulary and sometimes, the same word for an object or a concept might be used in both English and French. In fact, retired Francophone soldiers often laugh about it, because we are trying to take these historical terms and properly translate them to French – and they tell us, “We never would have called it that.”
Ultimately, achieving full translation to French also means honouring Francophones who have served in the Communications and Electronics Branch over the course of Canadian history, believes Annette.
“When you think about Morse Code, Teletype, these are all special languages and it’s a field of work that attracted people who were adept with language,” says Annette. “When we’re trying to tell the story of the people who are part of the Communications and Electronics Branch, a lot of them are Francophones.”
A treasure trove of history, technology, and innovation, the museum’s story unfolds itself to the visitor, its carefully curated exhibits and experiences shining a light on stories of ingenuity and imagination from Canada’s military past.
“We are such a niche museum,” concludes Annette. “And yet our audience is vast and incredibly diverse. We see military history buffs. Art majors. Archeologists. Tech nerds. Young and old. They want to come see radars, phones, switchboards – the Enigma Machine used by the Germans to communicate through codes during World War Two. The JN-4 Canuck. Canada Bereft.”
“And it’s all because our museum breathes life into history.”
Whether you are gluten-free, dairy-sensitive, or allergic to nuts, Kingston is a place where you can find delicious yet allergy-friendly food. From farm-to-table to comfort food, the city will leave your taste buds delighted. Here are the best of Kingston’s allergy-conscious restaurants for you to explore.
Kingston’s Mexican fusion restaurant, Mesa Fresca, has a plethora of gluten-free and dairy-free plates. From tacos to Mexican cake, all their dishes are made in a nut-free kitchen. Experience fresh and local ingredients with a Mexican twist – worry free.
Open: Tue – Sat (11:30 am – 9 pm)
Must try:
Ensalada de la casa (tender leaf greens, pickled red onion, red peppers, puffed hominy, house cumin & cider vinaigrette)
The Silly Yak is a fully gluten-free bakery. They offer freshly baked breads, treats, cheesecakes, cakes, and pies. Try a sandwich with homemade brown rice bread. Their frozen pizza shells, lasagna, and quiche are perfect to bring home for weeknight meals.
Open: Tue – Fri (9 am – 5 pm), Sat (9 am – 4 pm)
Must try:
Yak Stack sandwich (two-year-old cheddar with cucumber, tomato, onion, and romaine on fresh brown rice bread)
Who doesn’t love a good taco? Find tacos and much more at Baja Craft Kitchen, a coastal-influenced tapas eatery. The restaurant has thoughtfully created gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian and vegan menus in a nut-free kitchen to ensure everyone can experience their good vibes and lively flavours.
Journey around the world while in Kingston by tasting Tango Nuevo’s international flavours. Over half of their menu is gluten-free and many of their dishes can be made gluten-free by request. As well, their dishes are inclusive to those looking for dairy-free options.
Open: Sun – Thu (11:30 am – 11:00 pm), Fri (11:30 am – midnight)
Must try:
Roasted butternut squash (brown butter honey, chèvre, arugula, toasted walnuts and pumpkin seeds, white balsamic gastrique)
You will want to spend days savouring the cuisine of Days on Front! Their inclusive lunch and dinner menus of Canadiana fare are prepared with local and fresh ingredients. Try a sandwich on their lunch menu with a gluten-free bun or sample a fresh salad with seasonal produce.
Steal the moment and escape into upscale Italian cuisine at HEIST. Their artisanal pizza, pasta, and seafood accommodates many dietary restrictions. With a modern yet cozy restaurant vibe that is as good as the food, you won’t want to leave.
Open: Tue – Fri (noon – 10 pm), Sat (5 – 11 pm), Sun (5 – 9 pm)
Kingston’s nearly zero-waste restaurant serves many innovative plant-based and gluten-free Asian fusion plates. Combining quality fresh ingredients and traditional yet bold flavours, the team at Miss Bāo create a unique dining experience for all foodies.
Open: Thu – Sat (5 – 11 pm), Sun (5 – 10 pm)
Must try:
Thai red curry (house-made Thai red curry paste, coconut milk, seasonal vegetables, legumes and fresh herbs, served with rice)
Mushroom lentil pâte (herb-infused plant-based pâte served with house-made maple whole- grain mustard, pickled onion and olive oil crostini or gluten-free crispy yellow corn tortilla)
Satay chicken bāo (chicken and fresh vegetables served between a soft bāo bun)
Find a plentiful of dairy-free and plant-based options, stone-baked pizzas, and fresh pastas at Atomica. Their extensive pasta dishes can be gluten-free pasta, and their pizza offerings can be crafted with gluten-free crust and house-made plant-based cashew ‘mozzarella’.
Open: Sun – Wed (11:30 am – 9 pm), Thu – Sat (11:30 am – 10 pm)
Must try:
Rigatoni primavera (charred scallion pesto ‘crema’, cherry tomatoes, green peas, roasted garlic, grilled lemon, pea shoots)
When the chill of winter sets in, find warmth in the Limestone City. Discover elegant inns and chic hotels, soothing spas, saunas, and food & drink to feed your soul.
At the Frontenac Club, you’ll find the outdoor Stoke and Chill Sauna experience by Stoked Sauna Co. Relax as they guide you through in their outdoor saunas, take an invigorating soak in their ice baths, and then warm up by a crackling fire. After you’re done, enjoy the après-sauna menu.
Reminiscent of days gone by, The Secret Garden Inn’s signature afternoon tea experience is a culinary delight. Expect house-made sweet and savoury delicacies including buttery scones, petite fours, and even a glass of bubbly elegantly served on tiered stands.
Indulge in the ancient tradition of thermotherapy at the Glow Spa Retreat. This indoor experience features a large hydrotherapy hot tub, soothing sauna, energizing steam room, and a cold plunge pool. The Spa Retreat includes light food and beverage service (additional cost). Book for one to three hours. Glow also offers services such as facials and massages.
Kingston’s culinary festival returns mid-January through end of March. Kingstonlicious offers a variety of prix fixe menus to suit every taste and budget at restaurants, cafes, and breweries across the city. Enjoy crafted culinary experiences through the signature events series, which presents exclusive themed dining events.
Enter The Refinery Spa’s eucalyptus steam room and feel your stress melt away. This 30-minute experience includes private access and towel service. Enjoy it with a friend or go solo. For the ultimate unwind, package it with one (or more!) of their many services, including facials, pedicures, body treatments and more.
Kingston’s historic inns include the Frontenac Club, The Secret Garden Inn, The Rosemount Inn, The Hochelaga Inn, and All Suite Whitney Manor. Each captures the history, heritage, and charm of Kingston past while offering modern amenities and service. From gourmet breakfasts to pastries baked in-house and fresh-pressed juice, stays at the Frontenac Club, The Secret Garden, The Rosemount Inn, and The Hochelaga Inn include breakfast service. At All Suites Whitney Manor, pick up some fresh local ingredients and craft your own breakfast using the in-suite kitchen.
On April 8, parts of Mexico, the United States, and Canada will experience a total solar eclipse. The path of totality – where the Moon fully obscures the Sun – is only about 180 km wide and Kingston is in the sweet spot.
From safety and planning to special events and programming, prime viewing locations to food & drink specials, here’s everything you need to know about experiencing the total solar eclipse in Kingston.
TL;RD – there’s lots of eclipse activities to enjoy in Kingston April 3 – 8! Plan ahead. Be prepared. Arrive early. And be safe. Transit is free April 8.
As innocuous as a solar eclipse might sound, it represents a very real risk for your eyesight. The Sun, even when its light is dimmed by the Moon passing in front of it, can cause severe and irreversible damages to our eyes.
Here are some basic don’ts when it comes to viewing a solar eclipse:
Do not look directly at the Sun with the naked eye
Only use certified solar filters, solar telescopes, or eclipse glasses to view the solar eclipse directly
Do not use homemade equipment to look directly at the Sun
Do not use ordinary sunglasses – no matter how dark they are
Do not use homemade filters or welder’s glasses
Do not look at the Sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other type of equipment
The total phase of the solar eclipse (when the Moon fully obscures the Sun) provides the opportunity to view the eclipse without specialized eye protection. However, the tricky part is to know when to take off eclipse-viewing glasses or filters, and when to put them back on. The best way to know when totality begins and ends is to attend a viewing event where experts are present to help with the timing. When in doubt, leave eclipse-viewing glasses on at all times: this is especially true for children.
The solar eclipse will begin in Kingston at 2:09 pm and end at 4:34 pm. Totality, where the Moon fully obscures the Sun, will take place from 3:22 to 3:25 pm, lasting just more than three minutes.
There are 10+ official viewing locations in Kingston. Some, like Fort Henry and Grass Creek Park, will have programming and entertainment, as well as food & drink. Others, like Lake Ontario Park, the INVISTA Centre, and a mix of public and secondary schools across the city, will have basic amenities like washrooms available. Of course, there are many other spots to view the eclipse in Kingston. If you’re visiting friends and family, the best spot may be their backyard.
With activities running April 5 – 8, Fort Henry will offer special programming including self-guided tours featuring Fort Henry Guard at specific station points April 5 – 7. Programming April 5 – 8 is $10.
April 7 at 6 pm, the Fort presents an evening of discovery as they welcome Bob McDonald, renowned Canadian author, science journalist, and host of CBC Radio’s “Quirks & Quarks” podcast and Dr. Mark Richardson, Manager for Education and Public Outreach at the McDonald Institute at Queen’s University. Perspectives on a Planet with Bob McDonald is $5 or $34.99 for a book & admission combo.
On April 8, they will present an afternoon with guest speakers including Bob McDonald, local entertainment, children’s crafts and activities, an artisan market – plus the chance to view the eclipse from Fort Henry. Eclipse day access to Fort Henry is free but pre-registration is required.
Fort Henry is accessible via Kingston Transit, which is offering free rides on April 8.
Total Eclipse in the Park – Grass Creek Park, 2991 Highway 2
The viewing location at Grass Creek Park includes food & drink trucks such as Beavertails, Gino’s Pizza, Scoops, Fryway, Kona Ice and more; a beer tent hosted by Daft Brewing; STEM Camp Kingston; face painting; a drag performance by Tyffanie Morgan; and live music by Floydium and Atiari.
There is limited parking at Grass Creek Park: we recommend avoiding travelling through downtown Kingston. Instead, take the Joyceville exit off Highway 401 and continue on Joyceville Rd/Kingston 16 to Highway 2 to reach Grass Creek Park.
Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area, 1641 Perth Rd
The gate fee will be waived and parking is first come, first served. The Conservation Area is a viewing location only; there will not be any planned events or guest speakers.
The Outdoor Centre will be open from 9 am to 4 pm for washrooms and a limited snack bar with hot and cold drinks, granola bars, chips, etc.
Getting to & around Kingston
The best way to enjoy all there is to see, do, taste, and experience in Kingston during the eclipse is to plan ahead, arrive early, and leave the car behind.
VIA Rail offers service to Kingston from Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa, as well as stops in between. We recommend beating the traffic to Kingston with the train and then using active and public transportation once you arrive.
Kingston’s downtown core is highly walkable, with many local cafés, shops, and restaurants within blocks of each other and close to nearby hotels. Kingston Transit offers daily service throughout the city. Use their trip planner to map your route.
Free transit April 8 – Kingston Transit will offer free rides all day on Monday April 8 to help reduce traffic congestion. Kingstonians and visitors alike are encouraged to take the bus and pack their patience, as schedules may vary.
Wherever you’re going on April 8, be sure to leave early. It will take much longer than usual to travel throughout the city. We strongly recommend arriving at viewing locations early and packing all essentials (snacks, water, sunscreen, bug spray, umbrella, warm clothing) for the day.
Special eclipse events: April 3 – 8
The days leading up to the total solar eclipse are packed with special events, activities, programming, and food & drink offers. It’s a great opportunity to visit Kingston ahead of the eclipse and enjoy a getaway in the Limestone City.
Stoked Sauna Solar Challenge, April 4 – 7: book a regular Stoked Sauna Co. session, stay in the cold plunge for 3 minutes and 4 seconds, and win a pair of eclipse viewing glasses.
Glow Skincare + Spa, April 4 – 7: book a 60-minute facial at Glow and receive a free Alumier retinol eye gel (value $110). Mention ‘Eclipse’ in the comments when booking online.
Art After Dark, April 5, 7 – 10 pm: downtown galleries and shops keep their doors open late for one vibrant evening to showcase and celebrate Kingston’s renowned art scene.
Ain’t No Sunshine: a musical celebration at Chalmers United Church, April 6, 7:30 pm: She Sings Women’s Choir presents a musical celebration of the eclipse. Featuring the Dave Barton Trio and cosmic images and commentary by Dr. Martin Duncan, Professor Emeritus, Queen’s Astronomy.
Sundial making at MacLachlan Woodworking Museum, April 6, 1 – 3 pm: kids aged 8–12, accompanied by an adult, are invited to a hands-on workshop to learn how to make a sundial, using both modern and heritage tools.
Horizon 360 at The Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning, April 6 – 7: HORIZON, a 20-minute, 360° film is a soaring visual symphony that places viewers in the centre of the action during an inspiring showcase of Canadian creative expression that unfolds from coast to coast to coast. Presented at the Malting Tower at the Tett Centre, this event is free but pre-registration is required.
Eclipse Glow Flow at the Broom Factory, April 8, 7 – 8:30 pm: harness the energy of the eclipse with yoga led by Jo Castles with DJ Mat Almeida. Wear your glow-in-the-dark clothes: glow bracelets will be provided for this black-light practice.
Creative Kingston Walking Tours: explore Kingston’s vibrant music, film, and literary scenes with nine self-guided tours in downtown Kingston and nearby Queen’s University campus. The tours are free to access and available in English and French.
Food & drink specials
What better way to celebrate the solar eclipse than with exceptional food and bevvies crafted by Kingston’s culinary masters? From craft beer to hand-crafted bites, restaurants, cafés, and breweries across the city are marking the occasion with festive events and specials.
Eclipse Brunch at the Renaissance Supper Club, April 8 noon – 4:30 pm: enjoy a buffet brunch with eclipse-themed food and cocktails, then view the eclipse on the south patio with provided glasses.
A solar eclipse will occur in parts of North America on April 8. Kingston, Ontario is in the path of totality.
When the Moon crosses over the Sun in Kingston on April 8, the sky will darken, stars will appear during the day, and we will all be able to marvel at this astronomical phenomenon. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event not to be missed, but as with any great event, we must not let our excitement override the need for our safety.
As innocuous as a solar eclipse might sound, it represents a very real risk for your eyesight. The Sun, even when its light is dimmed by the Moon passing in front of it, can cause severe and irreversible damages to our eyes. However, it’s possible to view a solar eclipse safely. All you need to do is take some precautions by following some basic directives.
Here are some basic don’ts when it comes to viewing a solar eclipse:
Do not look directly at the Sun with the naked eye, even when it is dimmed by the passage of the Moon in front of it. Only use certified solar filters, solar telescopes or eclipse glasses to view the solar eclipse directly.
Do not use homemade equipment to look directly at the Sun. (You can view the eclipse with homemade equipment using the indirect pinhole method – see below.)
Do not use ordinary sunglasses – no matter how dark they are – to look at the eclipse or the Sun.
Do not use homemade filters or welder’s glasses to look at the eclipse or the Sun.
Do not look at the Sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars or any other type of equipment. Viewing the Sun through such devices not equipped with a special-purpose solar filter will cause severe and potentially permanent eye injury.
Viewing the eclipse directly
The only safe way to look directly at the Sun is through special solar filters. Eclipse-viewing glasses use such filters. They are for sale at the Kingston Visitor Information Centre, 209 Ontario St, or through the online shop. You can also obtain appropriate solar eclipse glasses through a number of other outlets. Look for eclipse glasses that carry the ISO 12312-2 certification. However, you should be careful when buying such glasses; there have been a number of eclipse glasses in circulation that claimed to comply with the ISO 12312-2 certification when in fact they were not tested properly and therefore not proven safe.
Some telescopes are designed to observe the Sun, and other telescopes can be equipped with the necessary filters to view the eclipse, but to be safe, you should only use these if you are highly experienced or if the equipment is being operated by a professional or an experienced amateur astronomer.
You should not, under any circumstances, use eclipse glasses placed over a telescope or binoculars to view the eclipse. This homemade method is fraught with risks; the concentrated rays from the Sun can damage your eyes despite the presence of the solar filter. If you are interested in viewing the eclipse through a telescope, it is better to do so under the supervision of a professional using adequate equipment.
Remember to carefully read the instructions and supervise children closely when using solar eclipse glasses. No matter where you purchase your glasses, inspect them closely for any signs of damages or defect. In the presence of any damages (tears, scratches, etc.) or defects (imperfections in the filter), destroy and dispose of the glasses and use another pair of glasses that are in perfect condition. It’s a good idea to have more than one pair of glasses per person on hand.
Viewing the eclipse indirectly
You can also safely view the eclipse using an indirect means of observation. The pinhole method allows you to look at a projected image of the Sun on a white surface. You can quickly and easily fabricate a pinhole observation tool using a few household items and a shoebox. View instructions here for a simple method of building a pinhole eclipse observation tool.
Viewing totality
The total phase of the solar eclipse (when the Moon fully obscures the Sun) provides the opportunity to view the eclipse without specialized eye protection. The total phase of the eclipse is the most stunning part of the eclipse. During this phase, you might even experience the most awe-inspiring sight: a view of the Sun’s corona, strands of gas that extend millions of kilometres out from the Sun.
However, the tricky part is to know when to take off eclipse-viewing glasses or filters, and when to put them back on. (Also, in many areas outside of Kingston, the eclipse will not achieve totality, and sunlight will still reach your eyes at all times during the event.) The best way to know when totality begins and ends is to attend a viewing event where experts are present to help with the timing. When in doubt, leave eclipse-viewing glasses on at all times.
The upcoming total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime event. As incredible as the eclipse will be, it can also cause severe and even irreversible damage to our eyes if not viewed safely. When the light of the Sun is dimmed by the passage of the Moon, it can feel safe to view the Sun directly. It is not safe. Appropriate protective eclipse-viewing glasses are required. Always monitor young children closely during the whole event – and pre-school children might be too young to follow instructions and participate safely.
There are many opportunities to view the solar eclipse in Kingston, whether from your own backyard or at a designated viewing locations. Kingston Transit is providing free transit all day on April 8 to alleviate traffic congestion.
Available: Friday April 5 – Monday April 8; dinner only
Treat your taste buds to something out of this world. Start the evening off with a Black Hole Sun cocktail featuring Hounds vodka, Licor 43, lemon juice, simple syrup, and orange bitters. As the sun hides behind the moon, the Blackout Spaghetti Carbonara will complete your celestial meal. Featuring black squid ink pasta, pancetta, garlic, parmesan, and egg yolk – it’s a total eclipse!
Celebrate the total solar eclipse with AquaTerra who will bring the cosmos to your plate. Begin with Moon Beef Empanadas filled with charred leek velouté, confit carrot purée, and beet “soil.” Next, Eclipse Raviolini with mascarpone and goat cheese, porcini parmesan cream, chili oil, and gold flakes. The Elderflower Eclipse cocktail features St. Germain elderflower liqueur, Terra Gaie prosecco, lemon juice, and house-made syrup. Plus, receive a pair of solar eclipse glasses with your order of any of these features.
Available: Friday April 5 – Monday April 8; dinner only
Ignite your taste buds with feature cocktail Naked and Famous, with bourbon, Aperol, yellow chartreuse, and fresh lemon juice. Indulge in a celestial surf ‘n’ turf meal for two featuring grilled ribeye and shiso butter-poached lobster with sunchoke chips, heirloom carrots, sunflower seeds, and a soy reduction.
Available: Thursday April 4 – Saturday April 6 and Monday April 8; various hours
Enjoy celestial-themed cookies and cupcakes at Card’s Bakery, a third-generation family bakery in downtown Kingston. Create your own phases of the eclipse in delectable cookie form, complete with a crescent moon, full moon, and sun. Devour their six-pack sun- and moon-themed cupcakes, beautifully adorned with stellar creations.
Available: Friday April 5 – Saturday April 6, Sunday April 7 at Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market
Enjoy hand-crafted sun- and moon-inspired snacks at Collective Joy Farm. The Total Eclipse Snow Cone is made with blackberry and yellow marigold simple syrups to mimic the two colours of the eclipse, while the Total Eclipse Smoothie features blackberry and lemon boosted with fresh microgreens.
Available at Daft Brewing: Friday April 5 – Sunday April 7
Wandering Bar: Monday April 8 at Grass Creek Park
For a beer that’s out of this world, try Daft Brewing’s classics renamed in celebration of the celestial event. The Light Lager becomes the Lunar Lager, and the Guava Sour Beer transforms to the Solar Sour. The Wandering Bar will be on-site at Grass Creek Park on April 8 from 1 to 5 pm. Plus, on April 5, Daft Brewing hosts karaoke, and your chance to turn on the mic and sing “Total eclipse of the heart”!
Available: Friday April 5 – Monday April 8; lunch and dinner
Soak up the sun before the eclipse at Dianne’s. Their Tequlia Mint Martini is a delicious blend of tequila, melon liqueur, fresh lime juice, and mint bitters. Follow this with savoury and sweet empanadas: the savoury has poblano, peas, potato, and Oaxaca cheese served with cowboy caviar: the sweet empanada is chocolate served with mango coulis.
Available: Friday April 5 – Monday April 8; lunch and dinner
Step into the celestial realm with a Totality Tequila Sunrise, an homage to the cosmic dance of light and shadow. Next, a twist on the classic deep-fried pickle chip, infused with a tantalizing blend of spices that will ignite the taste buds and served with a cilantro crema to cool you down. This celestial feast concludes with a burger that is sure to eclipse ordinary burgers: your choice of patty with roasted pineapple, balsamic onions, jalapeño peppers, onion straws, avocado, and Kansas City BBQ sauce.
Start off your eclipse-chasing adventure with a filling breakfast. Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market hosts the Solar Eclipse Pancake Party on Sunday April 7 from 10 am to 2 pm. Indulge in fresh crêpes from Natasha’s Ukrainian Cuisine and maple syrup from Salmon River Sugar Bush.
Available: Friday April 5 – Monday April 8, various hours
Gelato, anyone? Stop by Mio Gelato where dessert is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. During the total solar eclipse weekend, they will be mixing quality ingredients to create their East Coast favourite Moon Mist.
The Renaissance Supper Club invites you and your friends to the Eclipse Brunch Buffet to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event. This ticketed event features eclipse cocktails and mimosas, followed by an eclipse-themed buffet brunch. You will also witness the total solar eclipse from the south patio with complimentary solar eclipse glasses.
Is it a pizza pie in the sky or a total solar eclipse? Join Score Pizza on April 8 at both their Kingston locations to celebrate the total solar eclipse and receive a $5 gift card with the purchase of a regular pizza + drink! Choose from their classics like Great White North, K-Town, and The Classic. As a bonus, get an additional $5 when you register your gift card at Score Pizza.
Available: Friday April 5 – Monday April 8, various hours
Enjoy a specially crafted cocktail at Tango Nuevo, Bar Mayla & Le Jardin (located inside Mayla), all located on King St East. The Eclipse features gin, butterfly pea tea cordial, citric acid, and tonic: a delightful cheers to this spectacular celestial event.
Take in the waterfront views at the Wharf and Feather as you dine on curated dishes for this celestial occasion. The menu features a main Braised Beef Vol-au-vent and a Chocolate Mousse and Strawberry Tart for dessert. Start or end your dining experience with a signature cocktail: Tequila Sunrise.
This April in Kingston we welcome signs of spring including trolley tours, guided walks, live music, 1000 Islands cruises – and the total solar eclipse on April 8.
1. Total solar eclipse
2. Art After Dark
3. 101 ways to experience an eclipse
4. Art Threads: exhibition by the Kingston Fibre Artists
5. Jinsha: The Journey
6. Solar Eclipse pancake party
7. Creative Kingston walking tours
8. Fort Henry: Eclipse Weekend
9. Eclipse cruise on the Island Queen
10. Graven
11. Meet the Wheel – pottery wheel workshop
12. Kingston Trolley Tours: City Tour
13. Kingston Food Tours
14. The Sun, the Moon and Your Body
15. Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market
16. RKY Camp summer album release concert
17. Classic Albums Live: Synchronicity by The Police
On April 8, people across North America will be treated to a rare celestial event as the Moon passes between the earth and sun, creating a total solar eclipse. No location is better suited to experience the full effect of the eclipse than Kingston, as our city will briefly be cast into complete darkness in the middle of the day as the Sun is completely blocked out.
Along with the rest of the community and the many visitors who will travel to Kingston for the event, we are ecstatic about this once in a lifetime experience. We know many people are preparing to take out all manner of camera equipment to capture this historic moment and we can’t wait to see all the footage and images on social media.
Film permits
But in advance, we’d like to remind everyone that any professional filming, including documentaries, that takes place on public property require a film permit issued by the city. It can take a couple weeks for the permit process to take place, and even longer during busy periods in the city (such as the period leading up to the eclipse). If you require a film permit, we request you fill out an application form as soon as possible. View the film permit application.
Drone filming
The prospect of capturing aerial footage of the darkened city may be enticing, but all members of the community should be aware that drone usage anywhere in the city and surrounding regions without a permit is strictly forbidden and may be in violation of municipal, provincial, and/or federal laws.
Depending on the specific location and size of the drone, special permissions and documentation may be required. This includes drone insurance, a pilot’s certificate, NAV-CAN approval from Transport Canada, and/or a flight plan.
If you are unsure about which permits and documentation apply to you, please carefully review this resource from Transport Canada. In all circumstances, a drone permit is required (when filling out the permit application, please tick the box that says “Includes Aerial/Drone Filming” near the bottom of the application form).
Please note, due to heightened safety concerns involving reduced lighting and large groups of people outside, drone permits may be declined during the time of the eclipse.
Certain airspaces, such as those over prison facilities, hospitals and airports, are always forbidden at any time of the year. It is important that you always ensure flight is permitted in the area you intend to use your drone in advance. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at film@tourismkingston.com.
Thank you for your cooperation. It is our goal to ensure this solar eclipse is a safe and memorable experience for everyone.
Kingston offers lots of family-friendly things to see and do over March Break. From visiting a sugarbush to tackling an escape room, exploring a museum to taking in a game, March Break means fun in Kingston.
1641 Perth Rd. (Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area)
Maple Madness will be running every weekend in March and throughout the week of March Break (2, 3, 9 – 17, 23, 24, 30, and 31). Activities include self-guided sugar bush tours, wagon rides, pancakes at the sugar shack, face painting, and maple-themed crafts and games. Online registration is required (entrance fee the day of is $5.25 for adults, $3.75 for children). See website for more event details and activities.
Enjoy a week-long festival of museums in Kingston. This free event runs March 11 – 15 and is oriented toward families. Learn about the history of Kingston, get creative with crafts, enjoy shows and presentations, and have fun!
For added fun, try to “Find the Ducks” from March 11-15 (during each location’s hours of operation). There are 30 green ducks hiding at various sites. Once you’ve found the green ducks, don’t forget to snap a picture and share it with @kingstonmuseums on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Now until March 31, share a special meal with friends: explore the new Kingstonlicious menus at 35+ participating restaurants, cafés, breweries, and markets.
4. ESCAPE ROOMS
298 Bagot St. (Sherlock’s Escapes)
303 Bagot St (Improbable Escapes)
500 Gardiners Rd Unit 12A (Wonderland & Board Game Café)
Sherlock’s Escapes and Improbable Escapes offer in-person and online escape rooms. At Sherlock’s Escapes, try The Doctor’s Redemption in-person or Surviving Summer Camp online for an easier escape room experience. At Improbable Escapes, enjoy indoor, outdoor, and online escape room experiences. Try Seven Dwarfs: Minning Mission in-person (family-friendly for all ages) or The Triwizard Trials online (family-friendly for all ages) for a harder escape room experience. (See their websites linked above for more details)
Practice your climbing skills at The Boiler Room, Kingston’s indoor rock-climbing gym. This space has different options for all ages and skill levels, from beginners to Olympian-level climbers. The types of climbing available include auto-belays, top rope with off-harness belaying, and lead climbing. If you like your experience and want to do more, check out their kids and teens program and personal training.
Open: Mon – Fri (10 am – 11 pm), Sat and Sun (9 am – 9 pm)
Gather the family and head to The Fun Zone to play arcade games, laser tag, virtual reality, and basketball, or explore their indoor play structure built for children (ages 3 – 10). A food counter is available to fuel up with a cold drink or snacks so you can continue playing. Find pricing for all activities on their website.
Enjoy Kingston’s trampoline park with your kids this March Break. Jump together on the main court, challenge each other on the dunk court and the dodgeball court, and take your little ones to the kiddie court. On Friday nights, enjoy lights and music plus a free drink during JR Xtreme night 7 – 9 pm (kids under 12) and Xtreme night 9 – 11 pm (12+).
Cheer on the Kingston Frontenacs on March 15 and 17 at Slush Puppie Place. Watch Kingston’s local hockey team as they play against the Peterborough Petes and the North Bay Battalion. Find more information and tickets on their website. Follow the Kingston Frontenacs on Instagram to stay updated on special events/happenings during their games.
March Break programming at the Kingston Frontenac Public Library offers multiple events geared toward kids. Enjoy the Puppet Show Tour March 11 – 15 at various locations, on March 11(10:30 – 11:30 am) attend Maple Math with Blue Marble at the Isabel Turner branch, invent a voice-activated robotic hand using electronic building blocks on Thursday, March 14 (1:30 – 2:30 pm) at the Isabel Turner branch, and more.
The Screening Room offers $5 kid-friendly movies throughout March Break. Screenings are My Neighbor Totoro (March 11 – 14), Barbie (March 11, 13, 15), The Land Before Time (11, 12, 14, 15), Tangled (March 11, 12, 14, 15), Looney Tunes Cartoon (March 11, 13 – 15), Napolean Dynomite (March 12 – 14), and Up (March 12 – 15). Kids’ combos (small popcorn + juice box) will be $5 ($5.60 with HST). Visit their website for more details.
Go on a 75-minute March Break ghost tour, including the original haunted walk of Kingston March 8 – 16 (7 pm). Take a guided stroll through Kingston and learn about the spooky history and stories about each location (hotels, courtyards, and burial grounds). See more details on their website.
Enjoy a one-hour guided trolley tour (no stops) through downtown Kingston covering all of the city’s historic old town and downtown shopping district. Tours begin from 209 Ontario St. on March 16 and 17 at 11 am and 1 pm. See ticket option on their website.
Enjoy some family fun at The Rocking Horse during March Break. Make a caterpillar suncatcher and collage at Crafty Craft (March 11), make gifts for your besties at Friendship Bracelet Making (March 13), and learn about growing/caring for plants and start growing your own at Get Growing (March 15). Each workshop is about 45 – 50 minutes. All supplies are provided. See their website for more details.
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