Posted on

Celebrate Canada in Kingston with these unique experiences

As Canada’s first capital city (1841–1844) and the home of 22 National Historic Sites, Kingston is the perfect place to explore Canadian history. We’ve created a list of museums and guided tours that will deepen your appreciation for Canada’s rich history and culture. If you don’t want to limit yourself to just one Canadian experience, check out the K-Pass which provides you access to a Kingston 1000 Islands Cruise and the Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour, admission to Kingston’s museums and attractions, discounts on local dining, and more.  

If you’re planning an overnight stay in the city, browse our overnight packages. And if you plan to take your time and thoroughly explore the Canadian experience in Kingston, look for packages marked “$100+ offer applies” for special two- to four-night overnight offers. 

Museums 

Bellevue House  

Visit the 1840s home of one-time Kingston lawyer and future Canadian Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald. Your tour of this white-and-green Italian villa and beautiful gardens will take you back in time. The special exhibits that explore Macdonald’s complex legacy can provide new perspectives on Canada’s history. Choose from guided tours or explore the National Historic Site on your own. Bellevue House is open from May to October. 

Canada’s Penitentiary Museum  

Canada’s Penitentiary Museum  

This former warden’s residence located across the street from the Kingston Penitentiary is now Canada’s Penitentiary Musuem, showcasing historical objects and highlighting stories from the nation’s federal prisons.  

The residence building was constructed in the late 19th century and became known as “Cedarhedge,” referring to the cedar hedges that once lined the driveway leading to the warden’s home.  

Step inside the Canada’s Penitentiary Museum from May to October to explore memorabilia including historical guards’ uniforms and contraband items confiscated from prisoners. 

Fort Henry

Fort Henry  

Built between 1832 and 1837 on the site of an existing fortification from the War of 1812 era, Fort Henry protected the naval dockyard at Point Frederick, the town of Kingston, and the entrance to the Rideau Canal. The British Army garrisoned Fort Henry until 1870. Batteries of the Royal Canadian Artillery staffed the fort from 1871 to 1891. 

The massive fort served many functions. It was used as an internment camp during the First World War, opened as a museum in 1938, and as a prisoner of war camp during the Second World War. 

Learn more about the fort’s history and explore its hidden passageways during the spring, summer, and fall. Along the way, you’ll encounter actors dressed up as schoolteachers and soldiers’ wives who traverse the fort’s limestone hallways alongside troops clad in red-and-white. You can also watch musical performances and military demonstrations—performed by university students dressed as British soldiers from 1867—all season long. 

Frontenac County Schools Museum

Frontenac County Schools Museum  

Learn about the history of local one-room schoolhouses at the Frontenac County School Museum. This museum features a replica of a school room from 100 years ago, where you can put your reading, writing, and arithmetic skills to the test. If you don’t feel like activating your academic skills, you can do a craft, practise writing with pen and ink, or browse through the museum’s book collection. 

The Frontenac County School Museum consistently rotates its display of artefacts and archival material. Check out the website for upcoming events and hours. 

Kingston Penitentiary Tours

Kingston Penitentiary  

You can walk the halls of this former maximum-security prison in Kingston throughout May to the end of October. Kingston Penitentiary opened in 1835 and was an active prison until 2013. Tour guides will reveal the Pen’s history including tales from its very early days (when it housed men, women, and even some children) as well as daring escapes of later years. Some of the tours are conducted by guides familiar with what went on within the Pen’s walls—former guards. 

Since shutting down, the Pen has been used as a location for popular TV shows such as Mayor of Kingstown and Murdoch Mysteries. Read “From limestone penitentiary walls to cinema screens” to learn about the movies and TV shows filmed in the halls you’ll traverse on your tour. 

Book your tickets today. 

Pumphouse Museum

PumpHouse Museum 

In 1851, this historic site started powering steam-driven pumps to bring 450,000 gallons of water daily to Kingston’s residents. Today, the PumpHouse stands as one of only six preserved water pumping stations in North America. It is also an active museum, offering kids’ activities and a variety of exhibitions. 

The PumpHouse Museum not only offers sweeping views of Kingston’s waterfront but also allows you to learn about the central role that steam power played in Kingston during the 19th and 20th centuries. 

In April 2025, the museum opened its “Dinosaurs Among Us” exhibition. Explore real dinosaur fossils, prehistoric ostrich skulls, and full raptor casts. Local fossils from the Miller Museum of Geology reveal Kingston’s deep historical roots.  “Dinosaurs Among Us” runs until April 2026.

Visit the PumpHouse website to learn more about their exhibits, events, and programs.

Military Communications and Electronics Museum 

Military Communications and Electronics Museum 

Home to encryption tools and gas masks used by Canadian troops during the First and Second World Wars, this impressive museum is perfect for those interested in learning about the development of military technology.  

The Military Communication and Electronics Musuem also boasts a collection of military jeeps and tanks as well as an original wireless radio set from the First World War and a German Enigma machine, used in the Second World War for coding military communications. 

Purchase your tickets to explore their most recent exhibition, which delves into the history of Cold War technology, featuring tools from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).  Read more about this museum in “Where history comes to life.” 

S.S. Keewatin & the Great Lakes Museum 

S.S. Keewatin & the Great Lakes Museum 

Experience what it was like to travel aboard an Edwardian-era passenger liner by taking a tour of the S.S. Keewatin at the Great Lakes Museum. The Great Lakes Museum offers tours of the liner’s elegant dining room and cramped crew quarters as well as the engine room, boasting a quad expansion reciprocating engine.  

After touring the S.S. Keewatin (open May to October), visit the Great Lakes Museum’s nautical exhibitions, which feature stories of tragic shipwrecks and tales about influential captains. 

Visit the Great Lakes Museum website to purchase your tickets. Read “S.S. Keewatin: visit the last remaining Edwardian-era passenger liner at Kingston’s Great Lakes Museums” to learn more about the one-of-a-kind vessel that calls Kingston home. 

Guided tours  

Haunted Walk of Kingston

The Haunted Walk  

Listen to spooky tales about Kingston’s landmarks while exploring the city’s limestone architecture on a Haunted Walk.  

The Haunted Walk offers various walking excursions around Kingston including a tour of the S.S. Keewatin, where ghostly figures have been spotted in the bellhop station and lavish ballroom. They also have walking tours featuring Fort Henry’s limestone tunnels—filled with cobwebs and dripping with condensation—and Queen’s University’s lecture halls boasting double staircases and tall clock towers. If ghost stories aren’t your thing, check out their Hidden Kingston tour which delves into the city’s eclectic history. 

Visit the Haunted Walk’s website to learn more about their various tours and purchase your tickets. 

Kingston Food Tour

Kingston Food Tours 

Taste Italian and Mexican fare from local restaurants and learn about the city’s history and culture on a Kingston Food Tour. On the walking tour, knowledgeable tour guides will explain the history behind beloved establishments located in downtown Kingston as well as the flavours infused into various dishes and drinks. You’ll leave each tour with a better understanding of Kingston culinary legacy and, of course, something sweet. 

Visit Kingston Food Tours website to purchase your tickets. 

Island Star

Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises 

Step aboard a sightseeing, brunch, lunch, or dinner cruise in Kingston and explore the world- famous 1000 Islands from the water. Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises offers cruises on its three vessels: the Island Queen, a triple-decker steamwheeler, the Island Belle, a replica St. Lawrence steamer, and the glass-enclosed Island Star. 

This summer, Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises partners with the Great Lakes Musuem to offer a new cruise exploring the shipwrecks dotting Kingston’s waterfront. Purchase a drink from the concession stand, grab a window seat on the Island Belle, and learn how century-old steamships ended up on the bottom of the St. Lawrence River. 

Read “Step aboard a 1000 Islands cruise in Kingston today” to learn more and visit their website to purchase your tickets.

Kingston Trolley Tours

Kingston Trolley Tours 

Step aboard this open red trolley throughout May to October for a one-hour guided tour through Kingston or purchase hop-on hop-off tickets, allowing you to easily get around the city and explore landmarks like Fort Henry and the Kingston Penitentiary.   

Kingston Trolley Tours also offers a Ghost & Mystery tour where a guide will explain the chilling history behind Rockwood Asylum and take you to a park teeming with skeletons. 

Visit their website to explore the tours and purchase your tickets today. 

 

Bonus activity: Stop by Kingston’s historic market square, located behind Kingston City Hall. This was the site of the proclamation of the Confederation of Canada, on July 1, 1867. It is also home to the Kingston Public Market, Ontario’s oldest public market, in operation since 1801. The Kingston Public Market is home to local market vendors selling produce, flowers, baked goods, maple syrup, and handmade crafts on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.   The market square also hosts a variety of community activities in the summer, including concerts, free movies, and cooking demonstrations. Learn about upcoming events in Springer Market Square and throughout downtown Kingston. 

Posted on

Treat your dad this Father’s Day in Kingston

Ahoy Rentals

Golf, beer, and bikes—Kingston offers all the essentials (and more) for a perfect Father’s Day celebration. Here’s a list of activities you can do with your father figure in Kingston.

We offer a variety of golf packages like one that includes a two or more-night stay at the Holiday Kingston Waterfront, three rounds at Smuggler’s Glen or Loyalist Golf Course, and some meals at Wharf and Feather restaurant. Visit our website to explore the other golf and hotel packages.

Garrison Golf Club

Garrison Golf Club

12 Red Patch Avenue

Take your dad to play a round of golf at the Garrison Golf Club. You’ll play nine holes at this golf course surrounded by lush greenery.

After swinging clubs with dad, grab lunch at Garrison’s Pub inside their clbhouse, which boasts panoramic views of the course and an expansive outdoor deck. The clubhouse serves a variety of beverages, and their menu includes classic salads and hearty shareable plates. Let your server know of any allergies before ordering.

Visit their website for information on tee times.

YGK Craft Beer Fest

YGK Beer Fest

Fort Henry (June 14, noon—8 pm)

Head over to Fort Henry on Father’s Day weekend for waterfront views as well as beer, ciders, and non-alcoholic beverages from local Kingston businesses. In addition to beers from beloved local breweries like MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Co. and visiting beverage vendors like SIP Niagara, live music will reverberate across the historic 19th-century fort all day long.

Want to buy a gift for your dad or treat him to some local cuisine? YGK Beer Fest has several artisan and food vendors selling home goods, tacos, poutine, and more.

Kingston Brewing Company

Kingston breweries

Multiple locations

Kingston is home to many breweries serving handcrafted ales for you and your dad to sip on this Father’s Day.

Fine Balance Brewing Company in Kingston’s east end offers a free tour of their brewhouse where you’ll learn about the equipment used and process behind the creation of their signature ales. After the 15-minute tour, you’ll taste their beers in their taproom.

For a brewery in the heart of downtown Kingston that boasts live music from local artists, head over to Something in the Water Brewing Co. While enjoying the breweries interior decorated with neon signage, you can enjoy their loaded nachos and snack plates, including soft Bavarian pretzels.

For more on Kingston’s breweries, read A guide to Kingston’s breweries.

Ahoy Rentals

Ahoy Rentals

21 Ontario Street

This Father’s Day, rent a bike and pedal through the city’s downtown or grab a kayak and paddle along Kingston’s tranquil waterfront. Ahoy Rentals, located near downtown, offers daily bike, canoe, kayak, and sailboat rentals for you and your dad.

After visiting Ahoy Rentals, take your bike along Kingston’s waterfront pathway, which boasts landmarks such as Kingston Penitentiary & Museum and Portsmouth Olympic Harbour. If you decide to explore Kingston by canoe or kayak, you’ll most likely spot Fort Henry and Wolfe Island from the water.

Improbable Escapes

Downtown – Suite 16B, LaSalle Mews, 303 Bagot Street
West End – 500 Gardiners Road Unit 2A

Head over to Improbable Escapes and put your collective brains to the test with one of their interactive escape rooms.

Improbable Escapes’ downtown intricately designed escape rooms include “Legend of the Mayan Temple” where you’ll have to crawl and slide to uncover the ancient secrets of the Mayan people. There’s also “The Cure for the Common Zombie,” which requires you to save humanity from a deadly disease. If you and your dad share a love of storybooks and fairytales, visit Improbable Escapes west-end location and try their escape rooms inspired by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Peter Pan.

For dads with a taste for adventure, book an outdoor escape room. These excursions will have you and your father running through the limestone carriageways around downtown Kingston.

Improbable Escapes has escape rooms designed for as little as two to as many as fourteen players, so you can either bring just your dad or the whole family along for a mind-bending puzzle. Visit Improbable Escapes’ website to book your escape room today.

Shipwreck Cruise

Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises shipwreck cruise

Departs from Crawford Wharf (1 Brock Street)

If your dad is a history buff, book Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises’ new shipwreak cruise and discover the sunken vessels around the city’s waterfront.

You’ll board the Island Belle, which boasts an open observation deck, and listen to tour guides from the Great Lakes Musuem explain why so many steamships sit on the bottom of the St. Lawrence River. Tour guides will also give you and your dad insight into the historical secrets uncovered by divers who’ve explored the vessels.

After the one-and-a-half hour sightseeing cruise, take your father to one of Kingston’s downtown restaurants and discuss all the nautical knowledge you both acquired on the tour.

Kingston Food Tour

Kingston Food Tours

Multiple locations

For the foodie fathers, book a Kingston Food Tour and explore the city’s eclectic culinary scene. As you walk from restaurant to restaurant, your knowledgeable tour guide will explain the evolution of Kingston’s culinary scene as well as provide insight into the city’s architecture and history.

Visit Kingston Food Tours’ website to book either their classic or tapas tour today.

For dining options, check out 10 new restaurants in Kingston to add to your foodie bucket list in 2025.

Posted on

Athletes of Kingston: Amy Cuthbert

Amy Cuthbert

For more than two decades, teaching has been Amy Cuthbert’s passion, both in the classroom and in the gym.

Cuthbert is the principal at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in Kingston and a CrossFit coach/trainer at Limestone Athletics. During the week, she leads and supports young students at school. And on the weekends, she helps adults achieve their fitness and self-esteem goals.

Amy Cuthbert

Cuthbert started teaching in 2002 in the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board and has served as a principal the past four years. She is a third-generation educator, following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother. “My daughter is going into education at university next year,” Cuthbert says, “making her the fourth generation.”

A former national flatwater canoe champion, she has been a CrossFit athlete for 10 years. On Saturdays, Cuthbert transforms from elementary school educator and leader to CrossFit instructor.

CrossFit is described as a training regime involving constant and varied high-intensity functional movement. It encompasses exercises like calisthenics, Olympic-style weightlifting, powerlifting, strongman-type events, plyometrics, bodyweight exercises, indoor rowing, aerobic exercise, running, and swimming.

Cuthbert says that when she joined the gym, there was a gender unbalance when it came to the instructors. “I noticed there were only male coaches, but 75 percent of gym members were female.”

So Cuthbert approached the gym’s owner: “I noticed you don’t have any female coaches. I think I’d be a great addition; would you want to test me out?”

Her first venture into CrossFit coaching took place during COVID lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, when public athletic facilities were closed. So, Cuthbert led her first workout in the gym’s parking lot. “It was so nice to get everyone together, socialize and still get a work out in,” she says.

Amy Cuthbert

Since then, she’s been a constant presence every Saturday at the John Counter Boulevard facility.

Cuthbert is not one of those instructors who stands around ordering her students to perform the various CrossFit exercises; she’s much more active.

“I also coach mainly adults at my gym on Saturdays but do my own workouts in the class or with some younger, very fit friends/athletes during open gym time.”  

“I’ve known them for so many years, I know their potential,” she adds, saying that she enjoys challenging her CrossFit students to test their limits.

“Sometimes I say, ‘You’re flying through this. You need to add more weight. You can do more.’

By knowing them so well, I know their potential and can give them that extra push.”

Cuthbert is not only a CrossFit coach, she is a competitor in the sport. She made it to a CrossFit Games semi-finals this year in the 45–49 age category. In an online competition, she had to complete five different workouts in a short period of time under the supervision of two judges.

“I had to video all my workouts. They released five workouts for the semi-finals; I had to complete them in a weekend,” she says. “I had to submit my workout scores and videos and I ended up 55th in the world. If I finished in the top 30, I would have made the CrossFit Games!”

In her mid-forties, Cuthbert says that working out with younger people is both challenging and rewarding. She explains that CrossFit is functional fitness geared to a person’s age and abilities.

“It’s a pretty high-end, elite group of athletes and I’m the oldest one there by far,” she adds. “So, I find working out with the younger people really pushes me but I also have to be careful. Here I am trying to keep up with a 23-year-old and without hurting myself!”

Tourism Kingston is proud to celebrate local coaches like Amy Cuthbert who give their time and energy to help people of all ages lead healthy, active lives.

Posted on

Six local clothing and shoe stores to visit in downtown Kingston

Chris James

Now more than ever, Canadians are motivated to shop local. Lucky for Kingston visitors and locals looking to reinforce their national anthem’s call for a “true north strong,” the city is home to a plethora of locally owned clothing and shoe stores you can support. Here are some of our favourites.

Cloth

Cloth

131 Princess Street

Cloth is a downtown clothing and accessory shop boasting weekly discounts. From blazers to shorts to tote bags, Cloth offers a variety of items you can wear to your next business meeting or gift to a friend or family member. Browse their racks of clothes from a wide variety of brands in-person at their Princess Street location or online.

See something you like on their website? Cloth offers free delivery in Kingston and shipping across Canada and internationally for a fee.

City+Oak

City+Oak

212 Princess Street

City+Oak’s display window consistently features fashionable and unique shirts and bottoms that pique the interest of Kingston visitors and locals alike. The products inside City+Oak are no exception, including white and black stripped sweaters and white linen pants.

City+Oak has a online store selling discounted items. They have free curb side pick-up at their Princess Street location and ship their clothes internationally and within Canada.

Chris James

Chris James

253 Ontario Street

Need a suit or dress for an upcoming bridal shower as well as a gift to bring to the function? Visit Chris James during your next stroll around downtown Kingston.

Approach the clothing store’s sleek grey awning and step inside this local business selling suit jackets, cashmere sweaters, and long trench coats. They also offer unique lifestyle items—like wine totes and candles that smell of tonka bean and leather—you’ll have trouble finding elsewhere. If you can’t make it to their Ontario Street location, visit their online store. They offer in-store pick-up and shipping in Canada and the USA.

Fancy That

Fancy That and The Roundstone

48 Princess Street

Fancy That & The Roundstone have been selling quality clothing items at their location on Princess and King Street for over 50 years. The stores—located next to each other and run by the same family—boast new arrivals every season and offer an eclectic array of European-inspired clothing items.

Fancy That is perfect if you’re looking for trendy clothes like loungewear or thick scarves, while The Roundstone sells higher-end pieces for fancy dinner parties. At both stores, however, you can expect warm greetings and a smooth shopping experience guided by fashion experts.

Visit Fancy That and The Roundstone online store. They offer in-store pickup and shipping across Canada.

A-One Clothing

A-One Clothing

358 King Street East

Before your next outdoor expedition, visit A-One Clothing offering brands like Blundstone, Canada Goose, and Timberland. Since 1938, this downtown business has been selling women and men’s clothing, footwear, gear, accessories, as well as Big & Tall items at A1 prices, as their name suggests.

You can browse A-One’s most popular products on their website before visiting their online store. Make a list of items you’re interested in purchasing, submit the list on their website, and the store will check their inventory, getting back to you within one business day.

If they have the item you’re interested in, you can order it online and pick it up in-store. You can also have it shipped to you if you live in Kingston.

Heel Boy

Heel Boy

244 Princess Street

This beloved shoe store with locations in Toronto and Kingston sells men’s, women’s and kids’ shoes from brands like Steve Madden and Johnston & Murphy and they always stay up to date with the latest trends. So, the next time you need a shiny pair of heels, strappy sandals, or retro sneakers, visit Heel Boy. Their sign hanging over Princess Street’s sidewalk is hard to miss.

Heel Boy also offers free shipping to most provinces in Canada on orders over $150 and to the USA on orders over $200. Visit their website to browse their products and order yourself a new pair of pumps or running shoes today.

Pure Colour Baby

BONUS: Pure Colour Baby

Looking to shop for your kiddo from the comfort of your own home? Local Kingston business Pure Colour Baby is an online boutique selling children’s clothes for every season.

Each item of organic cotton clothing shipped to your doorstep—from their warm pullovers to comfy shorts—is designed and made in Kingston. Many of the prints on their high-quality items are hand-illustrated by local artist Found & Lost Art. And all of their kids’ clothing is designed with adjustable features that allow the items to last through several sizes. Visit Pure Colour Baby’s website today and receive free shipping on orders over $150 within Canada. For more local businesses in Kingston, read Unique Kingston Stores.

Posted on

Your guide to Kingston Pride

June is Pride Month and Kingston is welcoming an array of events and entertainment in celebration and support of the local 2SLGBTQI+ community. To help you keep track of everything going on, we’ve put together a handy guide for all-things pride. This year’s theme is “The Rainbow and Beyond: Stronger Together,” underscoring the 2SLGBTQI+ community’s unity and the importance of allyship. 

Are we missing a Kingston Pride experience? Contact emilyca@tourismkingston.com to let us know so we can add it to the list. 

Are you in need of some Pride merch to wear to these events? View our online shop for Kingston Pride merch. To see the full schedule and purchase your tickets to certain events, visit Kingston Pride’s website. Make sure to follow their Instagram and Facebook for updates about all the pride month festivities. 

Out on the Queen boat cruise

June 6 at 6 pm
Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises (248 Ontario Street)
19+ 

Kick off Pride by joining local drag queens on the Island Queen for a cruise along the St. Lawrence River. Enjoy drag, burlesque, and dancing performances hosted by Tyffanie Morgan and featuring talent like BeeWitched, Extraversion Olive Oil, Street Meat, and Jessie James. Purchase your tickets today.

Vibrant Voices

Vibrant Voices Song Circle

June 7 from 1 to 3 pm
Kingston Library central branch (130 Johnson Street)
All ages

Join Max Gries—local queer and non-binary piano teacher—in this song circle intended to build community and foster belonging.

Pride Run/Walk

Pride Run/Walk

June 8 from 11am to 2 pm
East end of Kingston
All ages 

Take to Kingston’s east end and hit the pavement with the free Pride Run! Take off or take it easy and walk the route that starts at Kingston East Community Centre and moves up Highway 15. 

Craft night with Beaded By Ari

June 9 from 5 to 7 pm
Jeannie’s Place (844a Princess Street)
All ages 

Bring your friends and family to this inclusive community centre in midtown Kingston to make your own colourful bracelet for Pride month. Beaded by Ari— a talented local artist who creates beaded bracelets from high-quality gemstones, clay, and seeds—will guide the creative process. 

Games and trivia nights

June 10 – Pride trivia at The Grad Club (162 Barrie Street) from 5 to 7 pm
June 10 – Game night at Kingston Nexus (270 Bagot Street) from 6 to 9 pm
June 11 – Game night at Wonderland (500 Gardiners Road Unit 2A) from 6 to 9 pm
All ages 

Join a game night with Kingston Pride! Bring some friends or join a table and meet new people at one of three locations: downtown at Kingston Nexus, The Grad Club located on Queen’s University campus, and Wonderland—Improbable Escapes west-end board game café. 

Drag makeup class with BeeWitched

June 11 from 4 to 7 pm
Kingston Library central branch (130 Johnson Street)
All ages 

Perfect your approach to eyeshadow at this makeup class with a local drag queen. Bring your own makeup products and listen as BeeWitched walks you through the step-by-step process of painting your face like a queen. 

Create and resist: queer activism in mini-forms

June 12 from 4 to 7 pm
Kingston Library central branch (130 Johnson Street)
All ages 

Even small acts of opposition against oppressive forces are important in supporting the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Learn and embody what it takes to effectively enact queer activism at this event hosted at the downtown public library.

Drag Bingo

Drag Bingo

June 12 from 7:30 pm
Daft Brewing (768 Princess Street)
19+ 

Head over to Daft Brewing for a game of bingo hosted by local drag queen Rowena Whey. Enjoy Daft’s handcrafted brews while trying to fill a full row or column of your bingo sheet. The event also features performances and prizes, so be sure to stop by the local brewery on June 12 for some pride filled fun.

Queeraoke

June 13 from 8 to 11 pm
Daft Brewing (768 Princess Street)
19+ 

Kingston Pride and Daft Brewing come together to host Queeraoke! Take to the floor and belt out the classics, enjoy Daft’s delicious drinks, and kick back on the patio if you need to take a breather between tracks. 

Kingston Pride Parade

June 14 from noon to 1 pm
Downtown Kingston
All age

The main event! Bring your family, friends, pets, and pride to this free parade. Join in on the annual march, starting at the Memorial Centre track and travelling down Princess Street to Ontario Street. 

Community fair 

June 14 from 10 am to 5 pm
Confederation Park (next to Visitor Information Centre, 209 Ontario Street)
All ages 

The community fair brings together a variety of local vendors and performers to beautiful Confederation Park. Shop the tables while enjoying live music.

Drag storytime

June 14 from 1 to 1:30 pm
Kingston Library central branch (130 Johnson Street)
All ages 

After enjoying the high-energy Pride parade, sit back and listen to engaging tales read by inspiring drag queens. Kingston Frontenac Public Library and Gila Münster—a Toronto-based drag queen—host a drag storytime event. 

An Evening of Pride drag shows 

June 14 from 7 to 10 pm
Visitor Information Centre (209 Ontario Street)
All ages

Round out this pride-filled day and head down to the Kingston waterfront to watch performances from talented drag queens.

Drag queen extraordinaire Rowena Whey will guide you through performances from Perla, Blowponey, Yuni Verse, Dare De Lafemme, and Bekka Blake. After enjoying the performance in the park, stop in to the Visitor Information Centre and grab some locally themed Pride merch. 

Rowena Whey’s Pride recovery brunch 

Rowena Whey’s Pride recovery brunch 

June 15 from noon to 2 pm
Wharf & Feather (2 Princess Street)
All ages 

Want to keep the Pride festivities going? How about brunch and a show? 

Come out to Wharf and Feather and top up your week with a brunch hosted by local drag queen Rowena Whey. While you indulge in a caprese croissant or savour a smoked salmon bagel, enjoy drag performances from special guests like ProbleMatthew and Tyffanie Morgan. Purchase your tickets today. 

Movies in the Square

Movies in the Square 

June 19
Springer Market Square
All ages 

ReelOut and Kingston Pride are back for another special edition of Movies in the Square. Bring a chair and your favourite snacks for a free, family-friendly movie projected onto a massive screen erected in the historic Springer Market Square. 

Keep an eye on Downtown Kingston’s website to see what movie they’re screening. 

Are you looking for Pride merch? Shop our Pride merchandise at the Visitor Information Centre: 209 Ontario St or online. 25% of Pride merch sales in June will be donated to Kingston Pride.

Make it a Pride Month getaway: explore packages at local Rainbow Registered hotels. Rainbow Registered is a program of the CGLCC, Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce. Rainbow Registered businesses have demonstrated that they are LGBTQI+-friendly and provide a welcoming and inclusive customer and staff experience. Explore more Rainbow Registered businesses in Kingston. 

Posted on

Athletes of Kingston: Arthur and Brittany Laramie

Arthur and Brittany Laramie

Two former members of the Canadian Armed Forces will be managing a new minor football league this fall, one on the field and the other on the administration side.

Arthur Laramie, a former competitive football player, has brought his passion for coaching on the gridiron while Brittany Laramie will be the league commissioner. The married couple were both members of Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry. They have been involved in local football since they retired from the Armed Forces eight years ago.

Arthur and Brittany Laramie
Arthur and Brittany Laramie

They hope to create the Kingston Football League with the help of community partners including Tourism Kingston and BGC South East. The league will field teams in the Under 10, U12, and U14 divisions.

“We have a great board that just wants to bring an elevated house league for football players,” says Arthur. “I’m the background person who organizes thing with the help of the board of directors,” Brittany adds. Her duties will include fields and facilities bookings, organizing equipment, formulating the teams among other duties.

The league will be sanctioned by Football Ontario and Football Canada. The Laramies are looking for volunteer coaches and managers for the inaugural season. No football knowledge necessary. The couple have produced a handbook for coaches to teach young players the basics of minor football including drills and plays.

“They’ll help the kids flourish and get ready if they want to take the next step to the AAA Grenadiers football or high school and hopefully on to Queen’s University football,” says Arthur.

“We really want to make sure this league is an elevated football experience that we believe Kingston is ready for,” Brittany adds. “Kids who get into sports early build such incredible relationships –not only with their peers—but they also find mentorship with coaches, so the continuity is there. For kids to be able get into football young and know they’re supported all the way through to whatever level they want to compete at, that’s really important—specially in the Kingston community.

“Football is a great way for kids to find something to do in the fall,” Brittany continues. “Maybe they don’t necessarily fit into the hockey or basketball scene, it’s not their jam and they’re looking for something different.”

Arthur says the new league will build lasting relationships with high school football, the Kingston Grenadiers Football Club, and Queen’s University football.

“We can show an eight-year-old athlete there’s a local pathway for them through football. It’s super important for us for player development.”

Arthur played football as a young boy in Sherwood Park, Alberta and continued playing club football for the Edmonton Huskies until 2004 when the Huskies won the national championship. The couple moved to Kingston to be near Brittany’s family after their respective military careers ended.

“I did two tours of Afghanistan and on my way out I got into coaching in 2016,” says Arthur. He coached local high school teams the Ernestown Eagles and Frontenac Falcons as well as with the Kingston Grenadiers and the Queen’s women eleven-on-eleven contact flag football.

“I was an offensive lineman and defensive nose guard my entire career, so I lived in trenches,” says Arthur, “so it’s funny that I went into the infantry, the transition was seamless!”

And Arthur’s military experience feeds back into his philosophy as a coach.

“As I was transitioning out of the military I wanted to give back to young adults and give them the foundation of teamwork, selflessness, esprit de corps, and just being a good person on and off the field. Because these are the things that set me up for success.

“The first thing I like to do is find their limit and teach them how they can mentally push themselves past the physical limitations that they set on themselves.”

Brittany also sees the important life lessons learned by young athletes on the football field. “I see the teamwork and the relationships that are built on the field with kids who are supporting each other, making sure that they do their job and that they understand their responsibility. Those things are so important to the development of kids.”

“At the end of the day, the score doesn’t matter,” Arthur emphasizes. “What matters is the effort in the weeks of practice, the weeks at home visualizing the success, and the effort on the field on game day. If we lose, it’s with grace, eyes up, good handshakes, smiles, and thanks to our opponents for teaching us something about ourselves.”

For more information on the league contact brittany@kingstonfootball.ca.

Tourism Kingston is proud to support local coaches and volunteers like Arthur and Brittanie Laramie who give their time and energy to help young people connect to community through sport.

Posted on

Six festivals to check out this May and June in Kingston

Skeleton Park Arts Festival

As spring gives way to summer, Kingston hosts a variety of festivals including a two-day cheese-tasting experience and an immersive art exhibition exploring resistance and solidarity. Check out these six events taking place throughout May and June in Kingston.

Great Canadian Cheese Festival

The Great Canadian Cheese Festival

Fort Henry (1 Fort Henry Drive)
May 24, 10 am—5 pm & May 25, 10 am—4 pm

Taste creamy brie and sharp blue cheese at The Great Canadian Cheese Festival happening at Fort Henry. The two-day event will feature kids’ cheese-making workshops, tasting events, live music, and over 80 vendors who explain what it takes to make the perfect block of parmesan.

As well as making their own cheese, your kiddo will learn about the production and history behind Swiss, Limburger, blue, and cream cheeses during the kid’s cheese-making workshop. The festival also offers programming for adults, including a Canadian award-winning cheese tasting (May 24 at 11 am & May 25 at 1 pm) and Quebec cheese tasting (May 24 at 1 pm & May 25 at 11 am). They’re even hosting a tasting called “All Around the Farmyard” (May 24 at 3 pm) where you’ll get to try interesting cheeses made from sheep, goat, and cow’s milk, all produced on Canadian farms.

As you roam the historic military fort and snack on various cheeses, enjoy live jazz music from Toronto musician Howard Lopez.

Visit The Great Canadian Cheese Festival’s website to purchase your tickets and check out their full schedule.

Spring Reverb
Artist, Thanya Iyer at Musikkii (Photo credit: Virginia Maria)

Spring Reverb

Various locations
May 29 to June 1

Music reverberates throughout Kingston this May and June. The fourth annual Spring Reverb returns, featuring live-music events at local businesses.

Pop into Musiikki Café to hear original songs from Ash Malloy, Julia Finnegan, and Clara Smallman (May 30 at 7 pm). Or head over to the Broom Factory for CJ Wiley’s Big Gay Night featuring music from emerging indie-pop musician Mint Simon, queer line dancing with country tunes from the band SPURS, film screenings, and more (May 31 at 7 pm). While most of the shows are open to all ages, events at The Mansion—like the showcase of Montreal pop artists (May 31 at 9 pm)—and The Toucan are 19+.

Check out Spring Reverb’s full schedule online and purchase your advance tickets.

Festival of Live Digital Art (FOLDA): Seeds of Resistance and Solidarity
Kinnomics: Iman Datoo Co-presented by Festival of Live Digital Art (FOLDA) and Agnes Etherington Art Centre

Festival of Live Digital Art (FOLDA): Seeds of Resistance and Solidarity

Various locations
June 4 to 7

FOLDA’s theatre performances invite audiences to reflect upon our current social and political climate. This year’s festival of live digital art focuses on resistance and solidarity with shows that delve into topics such as migration, identity, inclusion, technology, and kinship. Audiences actively contribute to FOLDA’s shows, providing real-time feedback to artists that shape the final version of the performance.

FOLDA’s thought-provoking performances include “WindRush,” a live concept album exploring migration and identity by Marcel Stewart (June 4 & 6 at 8 pm) and “Kinnomics” by artist Iman Datoo (June 6 at 5:30 pm), an interactive art exhibition taking you on a journey examining economic problems and kinship.

Visit FOLDA’s website to learn more and purchase your tickets.

YGK Craft Beer Fest

YGK Craft Beer Fest

Fort Henry (1 Fort Henry Drive)
June 14 noon—8 pm

Kick off summer with YGK Craft Beer Fest, boasting craft beer vendors from local and visiting businesses like MacKinnon Brothers Brewing and SIPS Niagara. The festival features Kingston artisans and food vendors—including Mio Gelato and barbeque restaurant Smoke ’N’ Barrel—as well as lawn games for your kids to play. As you enjoy your cold brew, watch the sun dip below Kingston’s waterfront.

Visit the Fort Henry website to purchase your tickets and learn more about the festival. All ages are welcome.

Live music at Skeleton Park Arts Festival
Photo Credit: Martine Bresson

Skeleton Park Arts Festival

McBurney Park (30 Alma Street)
June 21 & 22

This free annual arts festival returns to Skeleton Park for its 20th year. The Skeleton Park Arts Festival has previously boasted live music from JUNO-nominated musicians, lively parades, local food vendors, community information booths, and vibrant art made by local artists.

Keep an eye on the festival’s website and Instagram for their programming schedule. In the meantime, check out their year-round programs, including art exhibitions at The Elm Cafe—a cozy coffee shop in Kingston’s Inner Harbour neighbourhood.

Artfest Kingston
Photo Credit: Garrett Elliott

Artfest Kingston

City Park
June 28 to July 1, 10 am—5 pm

City Park becomes a lively creative hub during Artfest Kingston. Take a stroll around the park to hear local poets present their works and explore booths selling handmade pottery, paintings, clothing and accessories, hot sauces and honey. The annual festival also offers programs for kids, where they’ll learn how to make prints and create cardboard sculptures.

Artfest features an Indigenous arts pavilion, featuring art, sculpture, demonstrations, and performances. Keep an eye on the festival’s website to learn which Indigenous artists will be featured at this year’s pavilion.

There are several businesses in Kingston hosting live musicians starting in May. Read your guide to patios, pubs, breweries, and bars with live music in Kingston to learn more about Kingston’s vibrant music scene.

Posted on

25 things to do in Kingston this June

There’s no better place to be in the summer than Kingston. The city comes alive with streetside patios, outdoor concerts, guided tours, and waterfront activities. Date night destination? Family-fun adventures? Girls’ trip inspo? Time in nature? You’ll find it all in the Limestone City.  

Visit Kingston with $100+ on us! Book a package at select hotels in Kingston and receive up to $200 to explore the rich history of Kingston, Canada’s first capital.

Do you have an event you’d like featured on our monthly list? Add it to our Kingston events calendar for consideration. If you’re looking to submit a French-language event, please use our French submission form. 

Click each image for information.

1. New shipwreck cruise

1. New shipwreck cruise

2. Princess Street Promenade

  • Shopping, unique finds, exclusive sales, interactive activities, and more

2. Princess Street Promenade

3. Cannonball Crush

  • Open to anyone ages 13+
  • New obstacle course for participants ages 13–17
  • Register now

3. Cannonball Crush

4. Tour the S.S. Keewatin

4. Tour the S.S. Keewatin

5. Pride Week

5. Pride Week

6. U19 Girls’ Pan-Am Cup (Volleyball)

6. U19 Girls' Pan-Am Cup (Volleyball)

7. Highway of Heroes kickoff event

  • June 22, 10 am–4 pm
  • At the RCEME Museum within the Military Communications And Electronics Museum
  • Learn more

7. Highway of Heroes kickoff event

8. Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

8. Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

9. YGK Craft Beer Fest

9. YGK Craft Beer Fest

10. Bellevue House National Historic Site

10. Bellevue House National Historic Site

11. Ontario Native Basketball Invitational

11. Ontario Native Basketball Invitational

12. Lobsterfest

  • Tickets $150
  • Tickets include all-you-can-eat lobster, wine, salad, and dessert
  • Learn more

12.Lobsterfest

13. Leonid & Friends

  • The world’s greatest Chicago tribute 2025 tour
  • Book tickets

13. Leonid & Friends

14. Kingston bike tours

14. Kingston bike tours

15. FOLDA: Festival of Live Digital Art

15. FOLDA: Festival of Live Digital Art

16. Neptune & Salacia diving

16. Neptune & Salacia diving

17. MUSEUM OF HEALTH CARE TOURS

17. Guided tours

18. Montreal Street vintage market

  • A vibrant street market
  • Find handmade, vintage, and thrift items

19. Inclusive Fun Fair

  • Free, family-friendly event
  • Includes inclusive activities, live entertainment, vendor market featuring local artisans and businesses, KidsZone with inflatables and games, and BBQ and food vendors

19. Inclusive Fun Fair

20. Housewife

20. Housewife

21. Kingston Waters Cleanup 2025

21. Kingston Waters Cleanup 2025

22. Dinosaurs Among Us

  • April 15, 2025 to April 15, 2026
  • Access included with museum admission
  • Designed for all ages

22. Dinosaurs Among Us

23. Kingston Food Tours

  • Classic Kingston Tours available Wed.–Sun.
  • Tapas Tour available Fri. & Sat.
  • Book tickets online

23. Kingston Food Tours

24. Outdoor adventures

24. Outdoor adventures

25. Artfest Kingston

  • Includes art, activities, food, and more.
  • Learn more

25. Artfest Kingston

Events just in

Are you looking for more things to do, packaged experiences, and places to dine in Kingston?

Eat and Drink
Learn more
Packages
Learn more
See and Do
Learn more
Posted on

Spring Reverb: a Kingston music festival

Artist, Thanya Iyer

The fourth annual edition of SPRING REVERB takes place May 29 to June 1, 2025 throughout downtown Kingston and the Inner Harbour. The unique Kingston music festival features a variety of live music shows plus professional development opportunities for musicians.

Showcases

Menno Versteeg (of Hollerado) with special guest Anthea Feaver

Friday, May 31

Menno Versteeg (of Hollerado) with special guest Anthea Feaver

  • BSE Skate Shop
  • 1:30 to 3:15 pm (doors open 1 pm)
  • All ages: $22.50
  • Get tickets

Menno Versteeg:
set time: 2:15–3:15 pm
With a stellar career spanning two decades as the leader of Hollerado and one-quarter of supergroup Anyway Gang, Menno Versteeg is no stranger to the stage and the airwaves, ten Top 10 singles, one gold record and one #1 alternative single. Why We Run is his first solo album.

Anthea Fever:
set time: 1:30–2 pm
Anthea Feaver is a songwriter passionate about traditional folk music; a teacher with a degree in community arts education; and an old-time fiddle and banjo player. On stage, she is as likely to sing a bittersweet love song as she is to give a quick history lesson, tell a long-winded joke, or break into an upbeat tune. What shines throughout is her ability to draw people together. Whether at an intimate house concert or on a festival stage, Anthea has her audience singing and laughing along

Snotty Nose Rez Kids with special guest KaKaow

Sunday, June 1

Snotty Nose Rez Kids with special guest KaKaow

  • Broom Factory
  • 2–4 pm (doors open 1:30 pm)
  • All ages: $30
  • Get tickets

Snotty Nose Rez Kids:
set time: 2–45-3:45pm
Snotty Nose Rez Kids are the First Nations hip hop duo Darren “Young D” Metz and Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce. Since their debut in 2017, they have gained recognition for their politically charged lyrics and high-energy performances. Their album The Average Savage was shortlisted for the 2018 Polaris Music Prize and a Juno Award, marking their rise in the Canadian music scene. This year, Snotty Nose Rez Kids became the first Indigenous group to win the Juno award for rap album of the year (for the album Red Future).

KaKaow:
set time: 2-2:30 pm
KaKaow is a Kingston psychedelic and funk-infused multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, performer and creator. Drawing from a wide array of influences from Parliament-Funkadelic and Hendrix to K+Lab and Stickybuds, KaKaow is an up-and-coming contemporary Indigenous artist not to be missed.

See the full music line-up on the Spring Reverb website.

Industry events

Building a career: levelling up your music business

Friday, May 30

Building a career: levelling up your music business

So, you’ve got the songs—but what about the strategy? This isn’t your average workshop. Join us for a refreshingly real convo on the business side of music. With over a decade of experience delivering this program at schools and conferences, music industry veterans Ian Nichols and Brock Tinsley provide actionable strategies to help artists turn their passion into a sustainable career. Learn how to monetize your talent and navigate the business side of the arts with confidence and leave this presentation with your very own blueprint you can immediately apply to your chosen career in the arts.

Co-presented by the Kingston Music Office.

Know your rights: Canadian music law 101

Friday, May 30

Know your rights: Canadian music law 101

Copyrights, contracts, royalties—oh my! Don’t let legal stuff trip you up. Join Ian Harris from Edwards Creative Law for a friendly breakdown of the essentials every Canadian musician (and manager!) should understand. Learn the basics, ask your questions, and leave feeling empowered.

Co-presented by the Kingston Music Office.

Mentorship Café

Saturday, May 31

Mentorship Café

Pull up a chair and meet the music pros. The Mentorship Café is your chance to connect with industry guests— indie label reps, booking agents, sync supervisors, A&R experts, and more. Free to attend, but registration is required.

Co-presented by the Kingston Music Office

DIY merch and sustainable fashion drop-in

Friday, May 30

DIY merch and sustainable fashion drop-in

Give your merch table a glow-up. From 1 to 4 pm, drop into the Wherehouse (Unit 15, 12 Cataraqui St.) for a hands-on workshop with designers and makers Eron One, emske design studio, Die Twice, and Born 2 Decay. Learn to screenprint, customize your own pieces, make buttons and more, all on the spot. Bring your own tee or purchase from a selection of thrifted ones onsite. Free, fun, and wildly useful.

Co-presented by the Kingston Music Office

TikTok marketing tips with Ash Malloy

Friday, May 30

TikTok marketing tips with Ash Malloy

Want to level up your TikTok game? Join TikTok phenom Ash Malloy for an intimate pre-show roundtable in Musiikki’s courtyard. Whether you’re a bedroom popstar or a seasoned artist, learn what actually works. Limited capacity and packed with insight.

Please note that while this conversation is free and open to everyone, a paid ticket ($15) is required for those wishing to stay for Ash’s performance, starting at 7:30 pm. Get your ticket for Ash Malloy in concert.

Co-presented by the Kingston Music Office

Check out all the weekend’s events on the Spring Reverb website.

Posted on

Get a taste of Kingston: local food and drink experiences

From discovering new flavours at upcoming festivals to enjoying local dishes on a guided tour, Kingston’s food scene offers delicious experiences.

Festivals and markets

YGK Craft Beer Fest

YGK Craft Beer Fest

Fort Henry

June 14

Kick off the summer in Kingston at YGK Craft Beer Fest, the city’s annual celebration of live music, local food, and delicious brews. Take in the scenic waterfront and downtown skyline from Fort Henry Hill while sipping on locally made drinks, including beers, ciders, and non-alcoholic beverages, and enjoy a stellar musical lineup. Keep an eye on the Fort Henry website for updates, tickets, and vendors.

Ribfest & Craft Beer Show

Ribfest & Craft Beer Show

Memorial Centre

September 5–7

The air around the Memorial Centre will be rich with the smell of barbeque in early September when the Ribfest & Craft Beer Show arrives in town. Returning for its twelfth year, this festival is the best spot to enjoy mouth-watering barbequed ribs and chicken, paired with Ontario craft beers, ciders, and more. Grab some grub and a nice spot in the sun, and make sure to stick around for live entertainment and activities for kids. Learn more on their website.

Poutine Feast

Poutine Feast

Memorial Centre

September 18–21

An annual tradition returns in September as vendors from all over set up at the grounds of the Memorial Centre to serve an iconic Canadian dish – poutine! Poutine Feast brings together a variety of vendors offering their takes on poutine, featuring the magical combination of French fries, gravy, and cheese curds. This culinary celebration also offers games, competitions, and activities for both kids and adults.

Memorial Centre Farmers' Market

Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market

Memorial Centre

Sundays

Find delicious, local food and a friendly, community atmosphere at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market. This Sunday market brings together local makers, producers, and artisans offering a wide range of fresh produce, hot meals, and tasty treats. In the warmer months, the market is hosted in the park in front of the Memorial Centre, where vendors set up tables under shady trees, musicians perform for shoppers and picnickers, and you might even catch some morning yoga! The market runs from 9 am to 2 pm from May to October. Take a look at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market website to see who will be there next Sunday.

Tastings

Bobbi Pecorino’s Sunday afternoon wine tastings

Bobbi Pecorino’s Sunday afternoon wine tastings

326 King St. E.

Sundays

Whether you fancy yourself a casual wine drinker or an amateur sommelier, a visit to Bobbi Pecorino’s Italian Wine Bar on a Sunday afternoon offers an experience for the senses. Each tasting consists of four wines plus pairings from their food menu as well as an educational exploration of the lands and cultures behind each wine. Find more details on their website, and check out our feature on Bobbi Pecorino’s for a look behind the glass.

Guided tours

walking wine tour

City Sips: A walking wine tour in Kingston

Tuesdays–Sundays

Sip your way through historic locales in downtown Kingston on a leisurely wine tour with sommelier Ian Nicholls. Whether you’re new to the region or have lived here your whole life, this walking tour gives you a thorough introduction to wines from all across the world, hosted at charming restaurants, bars, and shops in downtown Kingston. Each day of the week features a different tour of four spots, so you can experience something new each time. Check out the list of stops and book your spot on the County Sips website.

Sunset Sail

Picnic and Sail with Ahoy Rentals

21 Ontario St.

Weekends, May 17– October 12

For a different take on seafaring dining, a sail and picnic charter from Ahoy Rentals offers groups from two to five a weekend voyage and lunch aboard a sailboat. Board the Pommie Bee, a 26-foot sailing sloop and take in the views of Kingston’s picturesque waterfront while enjoying a delicious lunch from Pan Chancho, including a platter of cheese, fruit, and spreads, an entrée of your choice, and assorted desserts. Visit the Ahoy Rentals website for more details and to book your spot.

Fine Balance Brewing Company

Brewery tours at Fine Balance Brewing

677 Innovation Dr.

By appointment

Get the inside look at beer-making with a visit to Fine Balance Brewing Company in Kingston’s east end. Groups of up to four can take a guided tour through the on-site brewhouse and learn about their process for crafting beer. This 15-minute tour comes full circle with a visit to their taproom for a tasting. Check out their website for details and to book your visit.

Kingston Food Tour

Kingston Food Tours

Start at the Visitor Information Centre

Wednesdays–Sundays

There’s no better way to get acquainted with Kingston’s famous food scene than to join a delicious Kingston Food Tour. Offered Wednesdays through Sundays, the Classic Kingston tour takes you on a stroll through the limestone streets of downtown and into restaurants and shops, tasting hand-picked dishes and learning local history along the way. For a different flavour, check out the Tapas Tour on Fridays and Saturdays, in which small plates are paired with alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) beverages. Read our feature on Kingston Food Tours to get the inside scoop.

Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises: Sunset Dinner Cruise

Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises: dining cruises

Depart from Crawford Wharf

Daily; April 18–fall

If you enjoy a good view while you eat, Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises brunch, lunch, and sunset dinner cruises are a must-try. Take in stunning views of the 1000 Islands aboard the Island Queen while enjoying a three-course plated lunch or brunch or take to the river aboard the glass-topped Island Star for a sunset dinner cruise. On top of unbeatable vistas, all cruises include live music and a full-service bar. Read our story to check out what it’s like to dine on board. Check out the Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises website for details and bookings.

Bonus:

Brunch at Academy Food + Drink

285 King St.

Try featured items from Academy’s new spring menu while listening to a three-piece jazz band at the Easter Brunch on April 20, enjoy breakfast for dinner with specialty cocktails at Sunset Brunch on May 3 & 31, or treat your mom to Mother’s Day Brunch on May 11. More details will be available soon. Follow their Instagram or Facebook to stay updated on these upcoming events.

Posted on

Mocktail May launches in downtown Kingston

This May, take a stroll around downtown Kingston and visit these local businesses serving mocktails with eclectic flavour profiles—from coconut strawberry to cucumber.

During Downtown Kingston’s Mocktail May, pick up your “Mocktail Passport” at any of the participating businesses, order the signature mocktail featured on this list, and receive a sticker on your passport. Once you’ve collected five stickers, submit a picture of your passport to the Downtown Kingston website for the chance to win a $500 Downtown Kingston gift card, an overnight stay in a downtown accommodation, and 2 K-Passes, allowing you to experience a 1000 Islands Cruise, the hop-on hop-off trolley tour, and the city’s museums.

Mocktail May ends May 31 so visit these businesses and order their alcohol-free beverages soon!

Aperitivo Spritz

Olivea – Aperitivo Spritz

39 Brock Street

This authentic Italian restaurant has created a refreshing mocktail to enjoy on their patio overlooking Springer Market Square. Olivea’s Aperitivzo Spritz includes Bella Aperitif, Cordoniu Zero, sparkling wine, and soda.

Golden Gale mocktail

Something in the Water Brewing Co. – Golden Gale mocktail

275 Princess Street

Step into this local brewery decorated with colourful wall art and neon signage to enjoy their Golden Gale while watching a hockey game. The mocktail—infused with Earl Grey tea, maple syrup, and apple cider—is perfect if you’re looking for a sweeter drink to enjoy on a spring day.

Cloud Nine

Bar Mayla – Cloud Nine

343 King Street East

To go with their tapas (made with local produce and poultry), Bar Mayla created a fruit-forward beverage for May. Their Cloud Nine mocktail is infused with a berry shrub, lime, vanilla, egg whites, and hibiscus tea—the perfect drink to complement your table’s small plate of street corn nachos and chicken empanadas.

Cucumber Crush

Union Kitchen + Cocktails – Cucumber Crush

184 Princess Street

Union Kitchen + Cocktails has added another mocktail to their eclectic drink menu to satisfy customers’ taste buds. Their refreshing Cucumber Crush includes cucumber, lime juice, maple syrup, mint leaves, and egg whites. Union recently updated their menu to include Italian fare so stop by the local restaurant this weekend to try their new dishes and drinks.

Ginger & Juice

Black Dog Tavern – Ginger & Juice

69 Brock Street

This local establishment (featuring a secret back patio) created a mocktail to go along with their French-inspired dishes like steak frites and duck cassoulet. Served in a frosty glass, their Ginger & Juice includes NOA London Dry “gin,” guava, lime, and ginger beer.

Harper's Refresher

Harper’s – Harper’s Refresher

93 Princess Street

Harper’s—a local joint serving classic cheeseburgers and innovative burger creations—is serving their Harper’s Refresher all month long. This bright red drink is garnished with fresh fruit and made with muddled berries, 7 Up, lime, and cranberry juice.

Mango Mule

Atomica – Mango Mule

71 Brock Street

A summery spin on the Moscow Mule, Atomica is offering their Mango Mule all month long. Infused with ginger beer, mango & lime juice, and simple syrup.

Mermaid Mocktail

Dianne’s –

195 Ontario Street

Dianne’s made a drink alluding to the East-Coast-Mexican fusion restaurant’s iconic mermaid logo—the Mermaid Mocktail. This fruity mocktail includes blueberries, soda limonada, guava juice, and lemonade, and is garnished with fresh mint. Enjoy the drink on their patio located next to Confederation Basin or sip on the mocktail inside Dianne’s interior adorned with nautical decor.

Blackberry Thyme Mojito

Baja Craft Kitchen – Blackberry Thyme Mojito

235 Ontario Street A.

Enjoy Baja’s spin on a mojito, featuring classic ingredients like mint, thyme, and simple syrup, soda, and fresh lime along with juicy blackberries. Wash down your tacos with this fresh mocktail on the Mexican restaurant’s back patio overlooking Kingston’s waterfront.

Bright & Sunny

Tango Nuevo – Bright & Sunny

331 King Street East

This restaurant’s mocktail’s name speaks to its taste, featuring “spiced rum,” pineapple, lime, ginger beer and mint. Pair this refreshing mocktail with Tango Nuevo’s tapas like roasted Brussels sprouts and Thai cod curry.

Summer Daze

Symphony Spa & Yoga – Summer Daze

295 Brock Street

The most fruit-forward mocktail on this list, head over to Symphony Spa & Yoga and order the Summer Daze. This local yoga studio, smoothie, and raw bar’s mocktail includes orange juice, guava juice, lemon juice, raspberry, blueberry, and sparkling water. After grabbing your Summer Daze, take a short walk to Confederation Basin and enjoy your alcohol-free beverage by the waterfront.

Coconut Strawberry Lemonade

AquaTerra – Coconut Strawberry Lemonade

1 Johnson Street

Both indulgent and fresh, creamy and fruity, AquaTerra’s coconut strawberry lemonade is the perfect drink to sip on as spring gives way to summer. The fine-dining establishment’s mocktail features local ingredients like muddled strawberries alongside lemon juice, simple syrup, lemonade & coconut water, soda, and a strawberry garnish. Enjoy the lemonade on their patio or interior that boasts panoramic views of the water.

Arnold Gets Roasted

The Bank at The Frontenac Club – Arnold Gets Roasted

225 King Street

Another spin on a classic cocktail, this gastro-bar created a smokey and fresh drink to enjoy inside their blue-accented interior. Akin to an Arnold Palmer, Arnold Gets Roasted mocktail includes roasted black tea leaves and lemon juice and is crowned with a crunchy lemon Earl Grey sugar rim, fresh mint, and dehydrated lemon.

Posted on

Pottery. Prints. Art galleries. Local makers. Discover local art in Kingston.

Art in Kingston: Martello Alley

Kingston is an artistic city. Read on to find your next stop to shop for local art in Kingston, plus upcoming events and exhibits.

Pottery

Black Dog Pottery
Credit: Anna Ruck

Black Dog Pottery

58 Queen St.

Open: Mon.–Fri., 10 am–5 pm

Take a walk over to Queen Street to shop for handmade porcelain and stoneware pottery by local artist and owner Marc Lemieux at Black Dog Pottery. He has been making pottery in downtown Kingston for 25 years. You’ll find a variety of kitchenware items, art pieces to display, and more. If you see a cute black dog while you’re there, that’s Pepper, the black dog that gives Black Dog Pottery its name.

A Girl And Her Puppy pottery classes

A Girl And Her Puppy Pottery Studio

1786 Bath Rd. Unit 8

Open: Tues.–Fri., noon–6 pm

Looking to take part in some pottery classes? Take part in a two-hour hand building and throwing classes, two-hour children pottery classes (for ages 7–12), or other classes and bring home a piece of art. Only interested in shopping? Here, you’ll find everything from garden and home items that elevate your space to jewelry and pet products you and your furry friend will fall in love with, all crafted right in their Kingston studio.

Art galleries

Gallery Raymond

Gallery Raymond

334 Princess St.

Open: Mon.–Fri., 9:30 am–5:30 pm & Sat.,10 am–5 pm

For decades, Gallery Raymond has been the spot to go for framing services, purchasing or renting local art, and art exhibitions. The gallery boasts a large commercial gallery representing local artists and a selection of over 400 works of art. Next time you visit downtown Kingston, stop in and find a unique art piece, or attend their next art exhibition to see a new artist’s work and meet the artist. Follow them on Facebook to stay updated on upcoming exhibitions.

Martello Alley

Martello Alley

203 B Wellington St.

Open: Daily, 10 am–5 pm

One of Kingston’s hidden gems, Martello Alley is an art gallery-themed historic alley in downtown Kingston. As you make your way through this unique gallery, you will find work by more than 20 local artists, including paintings, postcards, pottery, jewelry, and more. While you’re browsing in the alley, take a look at the ground. Notice anything? The ground is covered in brick, but not real bricks: each brick was painted on by the owner, David Dossett.

And, if you didn’t find a piece that spoke to you, head over to their newest location, Martello on Brock (66 Brock St.), to find more local artwork (only a three-minute walk from Martello Alley).

Other art finds

General Brock's Commissary

General Brock’s Commissary

55 Brock St.

Open: Tues.–Sat., 10 am–5 pm & Sun., noon–4 pm

Find items inspired by history and heritage at General Brock’s Commissary. The shop showcases and sources local products in Ontario, including products by Oscardo Canadian Indigenous Art Gifts. From fashion and travel accessories to home and kitchen items, you’ll find creative art to wear and display. In-store you’ll also find their War of 1812 gallery. Be sure to ask about these pieces while you’re shopping to get a mini art gallery tour.

When the weather is warmer, you might even find local artist Joanne Gervais working on a new creation outside the store.

Something Else Records

Something Else Records

207A Wellington St.

Open: Mon.–Sat., 11 am–6 pm & Sun. noon–4 pm

At Something Else Records, in addition to a wide selection of music, you’ll also find posters, prints, and hand-painted cards created by local artists. Check them out in-store and online.

Makers
Credit: Anna Ruck

The VIC makers section

209 Ontario St.

Open: Sun.–Wed., 10 am–5 pm & Thurs.–Sat., 10 am–6 pm

Make sure to check out the makers’ section at the Visitor Information Centre. They feature a variety of local makers in their shop. Stay tuned for new makers being featured at the VIC by following Visit Kingston on Facebook and Instagram.

Bonus: upcoming art events

Find more local art at these upcoming events: