In 2014, while working at Lululemon’s corporate office and store in downtown Kingston, Martha Williams pondered where she saw herself in 10 years.
“My goal was to create a space that included all the things I love–Spinning, yoga, art, and a café,” Martha says.
Martha made her dreams a reality and on December 7, 2023, opened Pedal Works Café & Studios (1412 Princess Street): a coffee shop with Spinning and yoga studios.
Walking through the double doors of Pedal Works, you’re met with a cozy living room, complete with a fireplace and large comfy chairs. To the left of the entrance is a bohemian coffee bar with rustic, wooden accents and warm lights. The café serves baked goods from Jobwell, a nonprofit organization supporting adults living with mental health challenges, teas from Kebaonish, a local Indigenous-led company, and of course, coffee. Pedal Works brews coffee from D’vine Connexions, a local women-led business that purchases its coffee beans from small farms in Honduras.
A strong supporter of small businesses, Martha invites local sellers to a monthly event called “First Fridays,” allowing them to share their products with the Pedal Works community. Customers are encouraged to unwind, sip on a cold glass of bubbly, and listen to R&B music, all while enjoying Pedal Work’s peaceful and inviting ambiance.
“I’ve had people say things like ‘it’s so welcoming. It’s the first time I’ve actually felt like I was part of something,’” Martha says.
Artwork from a diverse range of artists adorns the space’s walls, featuring vibrant animals and stunning greenspaces. Martha’s love for art is woven into every corner of the café.
Martha inherited her artistic flair from her mother; however, she describes her own journey into the world of watercolours as serendipitous. While in graduate school at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), she painted an aerial photo of herself and her rowing partner traversing tranquil waters in their boat.
“She’s Black and there’s not a lot of Black people in rowing. So, I painted a picture of us rowing doubles and posted it on social media,” Martha says.
A Toronto news outlet noticed her ability to perfectly capture the water’s blue and grey hues and wrote an article about the painting, launching Martha’s art career.
Martha is as passionate about Spinning as she is about art. The Master Spin instructor–equipped with the credentials to teach aspiring instructors–designed Pedal Work’s classes to be safe and educational, eschewing loud, EDM music, and excessively fast pedal strokes.
“We focus on visualization, meditation. It’s all science-based,” Martha says.
Martha’s interest in cycling and journey to become a Master Spin instructor–one of only three in Canada–began during her childhood in Kingston.
Needing a way to get to the waterfront by 5:30 am for rowing practice, Martha received a bike from her mother. She fell in love with cycling and refined her skills throughout her time at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.
After years of working in the fitness and cycling industry, Martha attended a Spinning conference in Miami. She was struck by the impact Spinning had on so many people’s lives–it made them feel as though they were a part of a larger community.
“I was blown away by what Spinning was to so many people, and I thought, ‘Oh, I definitely want to be able to train instructors and teach each of them the way spinning was always meant to be,” Martha says.
Here’s what to expect with your first class at Pedal Works.
After ensuring your bike seat is at the correct height for your size, Martha starts your class by explaining proper pedal stroke technique and breathing exercises. As the instrumental music picks up, she encourages you to close your eyes and picture yourself cycling through a tranquil valley, a placid lake to the right, evergreen trees to the left, and birds circling the clear blue sky above.
Soon, you’ll encounter the valley’s rolling hills. As you crank up the Spin bike’s resistance, Martha offers words of affirmation. You’ll be reminded of your strength and encouraged to turn complaints of pain and exhaustion into expressions of gratitude for your body’s ability to push through a challenging workout.
After completing the sweaty Spin class, pop over to the yoga studio and stretch out your muscles. Pedal Work’s yoga classes are restorative, focusing on mobility and functional movements.
From the yoga studio to the Spinning room to the coffee bar, each aspect of Pedal Works was designed with love. Martha turned an elusive blueprint in her mind into a tangible, warm space welcoming customers from all walks of life.
“Customers walk in and say, ‘This feels like I’m home,’” Martha says. “They feel safe. And I know every single person who walks through that door.”
Whether it’s a Mexican-fusion restaurant serving mouthwatering tacos or an authentic Texas barbeque offering platters of perfectly grilled meat, Kingston’s west-end restaurants are distinctive in their style and cuisine.
We’ve created a list of the best west-end patios you can visit today.
With Mesa Fresca’s patio open for the summer, the city has a new spot to sip on a hibiscus margarita and snack on house-made tortilla chips with fresh guacamole.
During the day, Mesa Fresca’s patio is dotted with bright yellow umbrellas and vibrant greenery. When the sun sets, string lights illuminate the outdoor space, creating a warm and intimate ambiance amplified by Mesa Fresca’s wooden bar and private location in the west end.
The restaurant serves Latin and Mexican-inspired dishes, such as their crowd-pleasing churros with bittersweet Mexican chocolate and gooey caramel. Mesa Fresca prides itself on using local suppliers to purchase its dairy, meat, produce, and alcohol products.
Mesa Fresca offers vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options. Plus, their kitchen is entirely peanut-free.
Call Mesa Fresca at 613-389-6372 and book your reservation today.
Founded on the mantra “Beer Without Boundaries,” this west-end brewery serves a variety of unique beers on their orange-accented patio.
Sitting outside in Spearhead Brewing Company’s beer garden, filled with orange umbrellas and placed on a neatly trimmed swath of grass, you can enjoy their signature brews, such as the Hawaiian Style Pale Ale, featuring pineapple and citrusy flavours, or Amber of the North, which has a warm chocolate molasses taste with undertones of caramel, vanilla, and dried fruit aroma.
Can’t pick just one beer? Expand your palate and purchase the flight of four beers.
If you’re not a fan of beer, Spearhead also serves classic cocktails, local wines, and non-alcoholic drinks, including their handcrafted sparkling beverage, Akwa, with notes of grapefruit, tropical fruit, and lemon. It’s the perfect drink to cool down on a hot summer’s day.
In addition to a wide variety of drinks, Spearhead serves kettle chips, smoked meat on rye bread, and a variety of mouthwatering flatbreads. Order their warm pretzel with mustard to go along with your pint.
Whether you come on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday from 2 to 6 pm for happy hour or on Sundays for $5.97 Caesars, you’re bound to have a great time on Spearhead’s patio chatting with friends over a cold drink. Book a table on their patio today!
Southern-style banana cream pie and authentic Texas barbeque has found a home in Kingston at Smoke ’N Barrel.
Smoke ’N Barrel’s spacious patio outfitted with whisky barrels, string lights, and rustic, wooden accents is the perfect place to sit back and enjoy a spiked lemonade. The restaurant, run by the owner of the iconic ’50s diner in downtown Kingston, Tommy’s (377 Princess Street), hosts happy hour on Monday to Friday from 2 to 5 pm.
In addition to its extensive whisky and drink menu, Smoke ’N Barrel serves huge BBQ meat plates, loaded mac and cheeses, and other delicious southern classics. Despite their expertise in brisket and pulled pork, Smoke ’N Barrel also has flavourful options for vegetarians, including their cornbread buttons with homemade honey butter.
Take a trip to the American south in west-end Kingston and enjoy a plate of smoked meat on their patio!
Red House West’s seasonal menu items and weekly specials, featuring fresh ingredients like peach salsa, arugula, and cherry tomatoes, never disappoint. Nor does their patio on a sunny summer day.
Red House West’s food is both flavourful and versatile, making their sauces and marinades from scratch and serving dishes from a wide range of cultures. From burgers to fish tacos to jambalaya, there’s a dish for everyone to enjoy on the restaurant’s patio. Red House West also offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
The flavours of southeastern Ontario permeate all Red House West’s dishes; they purchase fresh garlic, incorporated into tasty dishes such as their seafood linguine, from A&B Elephant Garlic located in Central Frontenac. They also provide customers with a selection of locally crafted beers from Spearhead Brewing Company (featured in this list) and MacKinnon Brothers Brewing.
Red House West even collaborated with the MacKinnon Brothers on a signature brew you can order at the restaurant!
Check out their Instagram for updates on seasonal and weekly specials.
For a pool hall, restaurant, and bar wrapped into one establishment, head over to Raxx Bar and Grill. Its distinctive green and red exterior is hard to miss.
Raxx Bar and Grill’s patio offers a breezy, open atmosphere, contrasting the bar and grill’s intimate, dimly lit interior where customers can play a game of pool and listen to live music on Friday and Saturday.
In addition to staple menu items such as the King Kong Club and fajitas, Raxx Bar and Grill offers dinner specials during the week. Come down to Raxx on Tuesday for fish and chips, Wednesday for wings, Thursday for ribs, and Friday for steak. They also offer gluten-sensitive and vegetarian options.
Go to Raxx Bar and Grill’s website to make your patio reservation.
Besides visiting Kingston’s beaches, lounging in a Muskoka chair on Hard Way Cider’s patio while sipping on their Life’s a Peach Slushie is the perfect way to cool down this summer.
The only urban cidery in the west end, Hard Way Cider is serving their dry and barrel-aged ciders all summer long on their open patio. Cider flavours include the Loco Blanco, a tequila-infused cider featuring sweet notes of vanilla and caramel, and the Ramboozle, mixed with raspberry juice, giving the cider a fruit-focused taste.
To go along with your cold cider, Hard Way Cider serves General Assembly pizzas and small snack plates.
To learn more about the local cidery’s story, check out our profile on the business.
Try this English-style pub’s famous wings and wide selection of beers on their patio this summer.
The Loyal Oarsman, outfitted with an authentic British telephone booth, dim lights, deep brown furniture, and an intimate, old-timey bar, also has a large, shaded patio. Serving mouthwatering pub food, such as steak and Guinness pie and bangers and mash, The Loyal Oarsman is a welcoming spot for large groups and small intimate gatherings alike.
Head over to The Loyal Oarsman’s website and book your reservation on their patio.
Floating tours of Kingston’s waterfront and the 1000 Islands are welcoming passengers. Embark on one of the 1000 Islands Cruises’ three vessels and explore the famous archipelago.
1000 Islands Cruises offers a variety of tours along the St. Lawrence River all summer long. The Discovery Cruise on the Island Belle is a one-hour tour along Kingston’s waterfront. A tour guide will walk you through the history of Kingston’s notable landmarks like Fort Henry and Kingston Penitentiary.
When the sun sets, hop aboard the dinner cruise on the Island Star, offering passengers a delicious set-dinner menu with a side of stunning riverside views. On Saturday evening, board the Island Queen and eat a plated dinner on the second deck as the sun dips below the horizon.
The Heart of the Islands Cruise aboard the Island Queen departs at 10:30 am for its brunch cruise and 12:30 pm for its three-hour sightseeing tour around the 1000 Islands. You can enjoy lunch on the ship as it winds its way through the “Admiralty Group” islands for an additional cost.
Walking up to Crawford Wharf, you will see a ship reminiscent of a historic New Orleans steamship. Surrounded by regular sailboats docked in front of Kingston’s Shoal Martello tower, this charming vessel stands out.
A line of passengers, shaded by their sunhats and glasses, stand on the dock, taking photos in front of the ship’s red propeller and ornate white railings. A smiling crew member dressed in a suit and top hat guides you toward the vessel’s plank.
Boarding the ship, you’re immediately hit with the nostalgic smell of buttery popcorn. The scent emanates from the snack counter serving candies, chips, and beers from local breweries. Grab some popcorn and head upstairs.
The first floor of the ship serves as a panoramic viewing gallery and an intimate concert venue featuring live music from local Kingston artists like Spencer Evans and his son Oscar. The father-son duo serenade passengers with their jazz-funk repertoire.
Making your way up to the second floor, you’re met with a fine dining establishment featuring an oak bar and tables draped with white tablecloth and navy-blue napkins. For an additional charge, you can enjoy lunch on board the ship. Standouts from the set lunch menu include the gooey chocolate brownie and soft sponge cake dessert, garnished with a tart berry compote.
Sunlight floods the steps leading up to the third-floor open observation deck, teasing the experience to come. Once you’re on top of the ship, you’re met with a breathtaking view of both Wolfe Island and Fort Henry.
When the horn sounds and the ship gently moves away from the dock, Kingston’s historic landmarks turn into an uninterrupted view of the St. Lawrence River. You’ve finally started your journey towards the world-famous archipelago, the 1000 Islands.
The “Admiralty Group” of islands features several lavish cottages, including one mansion owned by a millionaire who made it big selling tree-shaped air fresheners. With 100 windows overlooking nature’s beauty, the mansion is a highlight of the tour.
Other notable landmarks include Napoleon’s Hat, a charming cottage that looks exactly as the name suggests, and a 12-bedroom fishing lodge donated to Kingston General Hospital (KGH) in 1911 and subsequently sold to the highest bidder. Try to guess how much the lodge was actioned off for in the early 20th century (hint, it’s lower than you think).
A knowledgeable tour guide will be sure to point out all the notable attractions, detailing the region’s history and wildlife, including the Great Lakes’ very own freshwater barracuda–the muskie fish. The muskie is a six-foot-long, 80-pound fish with needle-sharp teeth and a temper.
While you won’t see a muskie up close, you may be able to spot a double-crested cormorant and learn about the birds’ significant impact on the local island ecosystem.
Want to experience the natural and manmade wonders of the 1000 Islands yourself? Head over to the 1000 Islands Cruises website and choose your tour.
Starting at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour with a tour guide and 11 other passengers, you’ll step aboard Blue World’s pontoon boat for a 15-minute ride to Garden Island. As the wind and the spray of river water hits your face, tour guides will discuss Kingston Penitentiary, Isabel Bader Centre, and the history of Kingston’s tenure as the former capital of Canada.
Another boat, equipped with clear-bottom kayaks, will meet you at Garden Island. After your guide walks you through the safety brief, you’ll hop into your kayak and paddle out to the shipwrecks, visible through the clear blue waters surrounding Garden Island.
Having to traverse the Great Lakes’ rough waters, it’s no surprise that over 20 ships went down in the St. Lawrence River near Kingston.
Artifacts in Kingston’s underwater museum include the HMS Hercules, which met a fiery demise after an unfortunate incident in its boiler room; the HMS Prince Regent, which sank after encountering a particularly ferocious storm; and a little steamship known as the Comet, whose tumultuous and deadly history will be detailed by your tour guide.
Surprisingly, ships around Garden Island were purposely sunk by the toiling employees who used the vessels as piers and breakwaters.
History of Garden Island
From the confines of the small island, Delino Dexter Calvin created a timber-rafting empire.
Calvin was an American businessman whose eye was caught by Garden Island due to its prime location on the St. Lawrence River. Seeing this as the perfect opportunity to further his career building timber rafts, Calvin moved to Kingston in 1836.
The small, gun-shaped strip of land near Wolfe Island soon became the place for timber-rafting, with Calvin at the helm of operations. He became known as the “Governor” for his role in advancing the business endeavour and the island was subsequently outfitted with a smith’s shop, a sail loft, and a planing mill.
Garden Island was more than just the hub of Kingston’s lucrative timber-rafting business–it was an intimate community. At its peak, Garden Island was home to 750 people.
Calvin moved his entire family to the Island and equipped it with a post office, general store, library, school, and even its own currency. The school in the area was particularly impressive, boasting highly qualified teachers and accommodating up to 150 students.
Calvin soon gained prominence beyond Garden Island, fraternizing with prominent politicians and joining the provincial government in 1868. He died in 1884 at the age of 86.
While Garden Islands is not the booming business centre it once was, it’s still an important part of Kingston’s history as a 19th-century economic and political mecca.
It’s time to hit the beach! Whether you enjoy playing in the sand, jumping in the lake, or basking in the glorious rays of the sun, you’re sure to enjoy any (or all) of these five Kingston waterfront beaches.
Nestled along the shoreline of Lake Ontario, just west of downtown Kingston, you’ll find Breakwater Park. The park’s main highlight is the Gord Edgar Downie Pier, named in honour of the late Canadian musician and lead singer of the Tragically Hip, Gord Downie. The pier is a convenient entry point for swimmers to enjoy the water. It boasts an upland sand beach, ideal for building sandcastles or playing beach games, and an accessible cobble beach area to ensure everyone can enjoy the waterfront.
The park’s lakeside location makes it a popular destination for water activities, including kiteboarding and windsurfing. After enjoying a swim in Lake Ontario, you can take a stroll down the Waterfront Pathway, which runs through the park. If you are curious to see how busy the pier is, you can view the live webcam to see activity at the pier. For your convenience, washrooms and changing areas are open from 8 am to dusk daily.
Richardson Beach offers a welcoming cobblestone shoreline, making it a favoured destination for swimming. This beach has convenient access points to the water, comfortable wooden seating along the beachfront, and a picturesque lookout over Lake Ontario. Whether you bring your own kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, or opt to rent from the nearby Ahoy Rentals and paddle your way to the beach, the area is an ideal place to relax while exploring the lake.
Ascending from the beach, you will find the historic Richardson Bathhouse, which is open from 9 am to 9 pm daily and is home to accessible washrooms and changing rooms for public use. For your convenience, Richardson Beach also offers a live webcam, allowing you to check how busy the beach is before you visit.
Grass Creek Park, a 95-acre rural park about 20 minutes east of Kingston, is an ideal beach destination. Located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, the park boasts a spacious sandy beach with designated swimming areas. Notably, the park welcomes our four-legged furry companions as the area includes Kingston Dog Park, an off-leash haven for dogs to enjoy the outdoors.
The park also has a picnic area, boat launch, and playground perfect for family gatherings and children’s playdates. The park’s entrance is home to the MacLachlan Woodworking Museum, where you can enjoy woodworking workshops and learn more about the history of woodworking in Canada. The park operates daily from 9 am to 9 pm, with washrooms available until dusk.
Escape the heat of summer by venturing to Lake Ontario Park, Kingston’s largest urban waterfront park. With its natural attractions including a cobble beach, this park is a must-visit on scorching days. Accessing the beach is a breeze thanks to the park’s network of accessible trails that span the shoreline. After taking a refreshing dip in the lake, you can explore the park further by bike or on foot. For fishing enthusiasts, the park’s lookouts present numerous spots to cast your line and reel in one of the many fish species found in Lake Ontario.
Beyond the beach, the park has various outdoor activity areas to keep you entertained. Jump onto the splash pad, let your children enjoy the playground, launch your boat, have a delightful picnic, or engage in a friendly game of beach volleyball. For your comfort, washrooms are open daily from 8 am to dusk.
Discover a hidden beach in Kingston at Crerar Park. This park is situated along the shore in the city’s west end and is home to Reddendale Beach. The scenic sand and rock beach has a gradual sandbar leading into Lake Ontario. Facing southwest, the beach provides a tranquil ambiance accompanied by gentle breezes and waves that encourage you to unwind. It is an ideal site to launch your canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. Park amenities such as a play structure, swings, and picnic tables make it a perfect place for a picnic or get-together.
Embark on a short ferry trip from Kingston to Wolfe Island, where you’ll discover what some consider the most beautiful beach along Lake Ontario: Big Sandy Bay Beach. Whether you choose to bike or drive, board the ferry (295 Ontario Street) that crosses the river to Wolfe Island. If you need a bicycle for this adventure, visit Ahoy Rentals or Frontenac Cycle for bike rentals.
Once you arrive on Wolfe Island, a scenic 10 km journey to Big Sandy Bay Management Area awaits you. From there, a pleasant 1.3 km stroll guides you to the beach. The effort is worthwhile, as this tranquil shoreline provides an ideal escape to unwind and enjoy the pristine views. To access the area, you must obtain day or seasonal passes, available for purchase with cash. Wagon and wheelchair rentals are available on request.
They are timeless sentinels. Formidable giants, perched in a protective embrace of Kingston on the shores of Lake Ontario, monuments to an era of empire. Kingston’s Martello towers have captured the imagination of all who set foot in the Limestone City.
“We call these towers our big brothers – like Fort Henry, the Kingston Penitentiary, the Martello towers are a symbol of Kingston,” says Dr. Simge Erdogan-O’Connor, manager and curator at the Murney Tower Museum. “If you look at the Kingston city flag, there is a Martello tower on it. They are iconic of the beauty of our city. They define the history, character, and spirit of Kingston.”
Built in 1846 as part of a series of fortifications, explains Simge, Kingston’s Martello towers were constructed in response to the Oregon Crisis, a territorial dispute between the United States and what was then called British North America.
While the Oregon Territory stretched across the Pacific Northwest, far from the Limestone City, the British government shored up defences in Kingston, a strategically important metropolis at the point where the waters of the Cataraqui River, St. Lawrence River, and Lake Ontario meet. They constructed four Martello Towers: Shoal Tower, Fort Frederick, Cathcart Redoubt, and Murney Tower.
Murney Tower, in particular, has secrets to share, the echo of a nascent Canada, then a country in the making with uncertain borders. Yet unlike many other fortifications around the world, Murney Tower was never the theatre of battle. Rather, it served as military barracks that housed soldiers and their families, today reflected in the preserved living spaces and artifacts of the Murney Tower Museum.
“The Murney Tower Museum is unique, the only Martello tower that is open to the public,” says Simge. “When you enter into this space, you’re teleported into the social life of military families of the 19th century. We have an original stove that people used to cook their meals, we have baths and storage rooms.”
As powerful rifled artillery was introduced into warfare and defence, Martello towers became obsolete at the end of the 19th century. Abandoned in 1885, Murney Tower remained vacant for decades and fell into disrepair until tragedy struck in 1921, when a storm blew a piece of the Tower’s roof off, killing a young boy. It was the clarion call to a grieving community to restore and revive Murney Tower.
Under the leadership of the Kingston Historical Society, the Murney Tower Museum opened its doors in 1925 and was designated a National Historic Site five years later, in 1930. Today, Murney Tower is also part of the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site of Canada and the Rideau Canal World Heritage Site.
But perhaps most importantly, explains Simge, is the Murney Tower Museum’s importance as a community hub where Kingstonians and visitors have come together to learn, celebrate, and gather for nearly 100 years.
“We’re really excited about what we offer our community,” continues Simge. “For instance, we’re getting ready to launch the second edition of Murney Fest, a special summer event we created to celebrate Kingston’s museums and history. Imagine a full-day event that takes place inside and outside Murney Tower – like yoga and painting in the park, face painting for children, and dance shows. And at night, we will open the doors for dance and drinks.”
“We’re also really proud of our children’s summer programming. We already have six summer camp visits booked for the summer. One of them will be a curator-in-training camp, where we invite children to come into space, and as the curator, I showcase the collections and give them space to handle and examine the collections and create their own exhibit in the space. We also have a Kids Take Over the Museum Day, in which the space becomes theirs and we offer them a full day of arts and crafts.”
“We also hold a lot of seasonal events,” continues Simge. “This fall, we will hold a Halloween event where we decorate the tower, transforming it into a haunted house and put on a Halloween-themed treasure hunt. We will also host a holiday event in December where we invite our guests to decorate a Christmas tree, with holiday songs and holiday-themed arts and crafts. And finally, in the following spring again, we’ll hold an Easter treasure hunt.”
“For the spring and summer, visitors can expect really amazing guided tours with engaging tour guides. We’re really excited to be able to offer these in French and English, and we have prioritized French-speaking, bilingual, or second-language museum staff members to provide these services – that’s a priority for us.”
“We’re also committed to making the Murney Tower Museum as accessible as possible. Last year, in partnership with accessibility advocates in Kingston, we developed an accessible audio tour, and it is the first of its kind in our city. It’s free, and it includes detailed visual cues and navigational instructions – and it’s also available in French. There is no other Kingston site which offers such audio tours.”
“We believe that access to heritage is a human right,” says Simge. “We want our visitors to immerse themselves in the stories. Museums are here to provide a meaningful, memorable cultural service and should be available to everyone.”
On the eve of its centennial, marking 100 years since the museum’s establishment, the Murney Tower Museum is planning a series of events to celebrate its long-standing role in preserving and sharing Kingston’s history.
“Celebrations begin in January 2025,” emphasizes Simge. “Imagine twelve months of special community projects offered by the Murney Tower Museum!”
“One of our favourite projects includes an illustrated children’s storybook that will feature a mascot, the personification of the Murney Tower, called Mr. Murney, who will travel through time to different historical periods in Kingston,” she continues.
“We will also partner with the Kingston Public Library and invite children to work with an Ontario-based illustrator to create the visuals. It will be available in French and English, and we will distribute it to local schools, arts and cultural institutions. We will also partner with Blue Canoe Productions, a local performance arts organization, to create a drama workshop or a puppet show based on the book storybook, which will take place in Murney Tower and in the public park in the summer of 2025 so we can fully immerse children into the story.”
“We also want to open a call to amateur and professional photographers to capture Murney Tower,” continues Simge. “Winning photographs will be featured as part of a temporary exhibition on our platform in the summer and elsewhere across Kingston.”
“Finally, we will host a gala dinner to celebrate the centennial, and we’re thinking about the possibility of developing three or four films that will depict actual life in Murney Tower, showing how soldiers and their families lived. We would love that to be part of our permanent exhibit so that visitors can really imagine what life was like at Murney Tower in the 19th century. We are still looking for sponsors to support these activities!”
As the Murney Tower Museum prepares to celebrate its century-old legacy, Simge reflects on its cultural significance. “Murney Tower captures the imagination of visitors and Kingstonians alike,” she says. “Both as a historical site with its own history and significance, but also as Kingston’s oldest museum. This duality – as both a relic of history and a living, evolving space for community engagement – is what makes Murney Tower a true powerhouse in Kingston’s cultural landscape.”
Looking to unwind after a long, stressful work week? Or fun ways to stay active beyond going to the gym? Check out our ultimate guide to summer wellness in Kingston!
To learn more about Kingston’s scenic beaches and hiking trails, free dance and yoga classes, exhilarating kayak adventure, and relaxing thermotherapy spa, read on!
Hiking trails
Step away from the busyness of the downtown core and step into a green oasis by strolling along one of Kingston’s many hiking trails. Standouts include Lemoine Point, K&P Trail, and Little Cataraqui Creek.
Lemoine Point
Lemoine Point’s (1140 Coverdale Drive) 11 km hiking trail offers gorgeous lakeside views and an abundance of gorgeous greenery. Along the way, you’re sure to encounter scenic lookouts and beaches perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.
Craving a longer walk or run? Try the K&P 22 km-long trail, featuring wetlands, beautiful trees, and vast, open landscapes. Crossing through urban and rural areas, you’ll never get bored on your hike along the K&P trail. The trail is accessible at multiple points around Kingston.
Little Cataraqui Creek
Little Cataraqui Creek, located just 15 minutes away from downtown Kingston on 1641 Perth Road boasts a diverse array of natural beauty including marches, fields, and forest habitat. The flat, easy terrain trails make it the perfect location for a Sunday afternoon stroll. The trail costs $5 for adults, $3.50 for children, and around $15 for parking.
Lemoine Point and K&P trail are free to walk, run, or bike on. For more hiking trails, check out our list of top hiking spots in & around Kingston!
Salsa in the Square
Break a sweat and show off your spicy dance moves at Salsa in the Square, occurring every Tuesday in Springer Market Square from 6:30 to 8:30 pm from July 9 to August 27.
Salsa in the Square
A salsa dancing instructor will teach you how to connect with Latin music, jive to the rhythm, and navigate the dance floor like a pro. And the classes are completely free!
From 6:30 to 7:15 pm, instructors will teach you how to salsa dance with a partner, mastering the footwork and movement of the hips. Want to fly solo? From 7:15 to 7:30 pm, make your way down to the Square and learn how to salsa line dance.
Salsa in the Square
Show off your newly acquired skills from 7:30 to 8:30 pm when Market Square becomes an open dance floor. Come down and bust a move with your friends and family!
Glow Spa
Take a brain break and unwind at Glow Spa, located at 234 Princess Street. Their Thermotherapy Spa is the ultimate health and wellness experience. Thermotherapy has major health benefits, increasing your quality of sleep, stimulating your immune system, and relaxing muscle tension.
Glow Spa
Imagine this–wrapped in a luxurious robe, you step inside a silent, dim room with a large steaming hot tub glowing purple. After 15 minutes of soaking in the hot tub, lounging in the steam room, or relaxing in the sauna, you move over to a 60-second, invigorating cold plunge. Make this luxurious experience your reality.
Glow Spa also offers massages, facials, and skincare consultations. For more on their services, check out their website and book your spa retreat today.
Glow Spa
Beaches
Kingston’s beaches make for the perfect staycation. Breakwater Park and Gord Edgar Downie Pier feature an upland sandy beach perfect for tanning, spike ball, or sandcastles. If you want to move away from the crowds at Breakwater Park venture over to Crerar Park and Reddendale Beach.
Breakwater Park and Gord Edgar Downie Pier
This hidden oasis located at 39 Park Crescent is the perfect place to have an intimate picnic with family or peacefully unwind while watching the gentle waves lap against the rocky beach.
Other hidden gems include Richardson Beach, offering a gorgeous view of Lake Ontario. Richardson Beach, located at Macdonald Park (King Street East, near Barrie Street), underwent renovations last year to include a new lookout, seating areas, walkways, terraced water access, and a bathhouse.
Ahoy Rentals
Also, on the waterfront is Ahoy Rentals, located at 21 Ontario Street where you can rent a kayak, bike, canoe, or standup paddleboard for the day. Check out Ahoy Rentals’ website for more on their rentals and services.
Feeling adventurous? Hop on the ferry located at the foot of The Tragically Hip Way and cross the river to Big Sandy Bay Beach on Wolfe Island, one of the most stunning lookouts along Lake Ontario. With its tranquil and secluded location, this beach will make you feel like the main character in a whimsical movie.
Using clear-bottomed kayaks, tour guides will take you on a journey to see the sunken wooden sails and steamships from the early 1800s. The Clear Blue Kayak Garden Island Ship Graveyard Tour departs from 53 Yonge Street.
Blue World Marine Adventures
You don’t need any kayaking experience to participate in either of the adventures!
Sunday yoga class at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market
Sunday yoga classes are provided by Samatva Yoga and Better Balance Massage, starting at 10 am. Yoga is followed by Tai Chi–a form of exercise focused on flowing movements and breath work–offered by the local chapter of Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi at 11 am.
Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market
After downward dogging and tree posing your stress away, pick up some fresh produce from the farmers’ market for your healthy breakfast. If you’re in a rush, grab a ready-made steamed bun from Long Road Ecological Farm’s booth or a gluten-free baked good from Zia Rita’s Gluten-Free stand. Check out our Memorial Center Farmers’ Market vendor roundup (2024) for more information on the 40+ vendors you’ll be able to meet at the market.
Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market is open 9 am to 2 pm every Sunday at the Kingston Memorial Centre (303 York St.)
Collective Joy Farm, located at 477 MacDonnell Street, is a local business that doesn’t use herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers to grow its produce, priding itself on its low input and zero waste approach. In addition to sharing their expertise during their workshops, Collective Joy Farm offers customers a variety of ready-made, healthy food options including fresh produce, smoothies, cold-pressed juices, bowls, crackers, flatbreads, fresh dips, salad dressings, and desserts. You can order their products online on their website.
Collective Joy Farm at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market
They also have a stand at Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market on Sundays.
Collective Joy Farms provides their microgreens to several restaurants in Kingston. You’ve probably tasted their produce before, so take some home with you today.
To go out or to stay in. It’s an age-old question.
What do you do if you want to hang out with friends, but still go out on the town? A visit to one of Kingston’s great board game spots might be exactly what you need.
Whether you’re looking for a new game to play with friends or want to play the classics with some new people, you can find board game activities throughout Kingston.
When it comes to giving off the classic “Kingston vibe,” few can beat Minotaur: red brick and limestone interior, aged hardwood floors, and large arched windows to let in the light.
Since opening in 2005, Minotaur has carved out a unique niche in Kingston as a specialty games, gifts, and crafts store, offering one of the city’s best collections of fun finds you’re unlikely to encounter anywhere else. From fun mugs and cute journals to craft supplies and novelty socks, Minotaur has a huge selection.
Take a few steps into the store and you’ll also find one of Kingston’s top locally owned shops for fresh board games. Over the last several years, the team at Minotaur has also taken things a step further. In a cozy space at the back of the store, guests can take the opportunity to sit down and play games before making the choice to buy.
Every Thursday and Saturday, Minotaur offers its diverse collection of games to guests to try out. From shorter collaborative experiences to complex strategy games, Minotaur offers a welcoming environment for players of all ages and skill levels. Whether you want to get into store favorites like Splendor and Flamecraft or just to play a game of Clue with some friends, Minotaur makes for a great evening out in the heart of downtown.
Minotaur also hosts monthly intro sessions to Dungeons and Dragons, as well as board game tournaments. Make sure to check their website for full event listings.
Tucked away on Bagot Street halfway between Princess and Brock is not only downtown Kingston’s premiere comic shop, but also a fantastic space to gather and game. From your first steps into Kingston Gaming Nexus, you’ll be greeted with displays of comics, graphic novels, and trade paperbacks to your left, models, trading card games, and collectables to your right, and a wide array of board games steps into the shop. Shelf after shelf is lined with colourful boxes of games, ranging from variations on classics to new complex strategy games, all under the watchful eye of the store’s mounted dragon head.
Choosing a new game can be a daunting task. With so many to choose from, it’s hard to pick the game that’s right for you, and even harder to tell what you’ll really enjoy. Luckily Nexus makes it easy by opening their collection of 200+ board games for everyone to enjoy for free. Head to the back of the store on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 pm to take part in their weekly board game night. The staff at Nexus will be happy to help you find a great game, explain the rules, and get you laying down tiles, drawing cards, and rolling dice in no time.
If you’re interested in branching out into other types of games, Nexus also hosts events for Warhammer 40,000, Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, One Piece, and Dungeons and Dragons.
Nexus is also proudly a Rainbow Registered business and hosts a monthly Queer Board Game Night on the last Tuesday of every month. Check out their website for a full list of upcoming events and themed nights.
303 Bagot Street Daily, 2 – 9 pm Monday to Friday, 10:30 am – midnight Saturday, noon – 9 pm Sunday
Kingston’s west end has its own hotspot for games. Nestled in the Gardiners Town Centre at Gardiners and Bath Road, Improbable Escapes Wonderland Board Game Cafe has a lot going on behind their window-lined exterior. Wonderland combines an escape room with a cozy café.
With its Alice in Wonderland theme and colourful decor, Wonderland invites you into another world. On entering, you’re greeted by a café bar, lined with coloured bottles and rich with the smell of espresso. Further inside, the store reveals shelves and tables lined with displays of board games. Searching through all the games can be overwhelming if you don’t have one or two in mind already. Just take a few steps further towards the back, pull one of the hundreds of games off the shelf, and try it out.
Though their selection of games is extensive, the team at Wonderland makes it easy to pick the perfect game for the occasion by adding colour-coded stickers to each box, displaying key information like player count and level of difficulty. Plus, if you find one that you’re interested in but don’t have the time to play, Wonderland offers rentals for a minimum of three days.
In addition to their café, game tables, and escape room, Wonderland also specializes in trading cards and tabletop role-playing games. They are Kingston’s only Wizards Play Network (WPN) Premium store in the region, making them one of the very few places around to host official WPN events with exclusive prizes from Wizards of the Coast. For a full list of their events and tournaments, take a look at their website.
In addition to the businesses that host their own board game events, a handful of other opportunities have been popping up around town, thanks to The Board Bartender, a local board game delivery service.
Since launching in 2020, this family-run business has been bringing their eclectic collection of games to local businesses that want to host events and offer something fun and special.
The Board Bartender runs game nights all across the city. At One Eyed Jack Restaurant and Bar (417 Weller Ave.), you can catch trivia games evening on Mondays and party games on Wednesdays. Dino’s Barbershop will be hosting The Board Bartender during each Princess Street Promenade event this summer. You can also join a board game night at Daft Brewing and at Studio 330. Check out The Board Bartender’s website for all events, as well as information on how to host a game night of your own.
Summer 2024 is officially here and it’s time to celebrate! With hot, sunny days and cool, relaxing evenings, July marks the return of a variety of attractions to Kingston. From our world-famous Buskers Rendezvous and music festivals to boat cruises and snorkeling, July is packed with events you won’t want to miss.
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. Kingston Buskers Rendezvous
2. 1000 Islands Treetop Trekking
3. Kingston Pen Tours
4. Flying Legends of Victory Tour: World War II bombers
5. Neptune & Salacia diving and snorkeling
6. Princess Street Promenade
7. Canada Day Parade
8. Canadian Little League Nationals
9. Fort Henry Tattoo
10. Rockin’ the Square
11. Movies in the Square
12 Sick City: outdoor guided tour
13. National Youth Orchestra of Canada
14. Visit Bellevue House
15. Michael Jackson HIStory Show
16. PumpHouse: Soil Superheroes exhibition
17. Bike rentals
18. Kingston Indigenous Market
19. Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises
20. Kingston Trolley Tours
21. Emilie Steele & Clem Chesterfield in concert
22. The Abstraction is Not the Reality: Peter Sramek solo exhibition
June is Pride Month and Kingston is welcoming an array of markets, events, and entertainment in celebration and support of the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community. To help you keep track of everything going on, we’ve put together a handy guide for all-things pride.
Are we missing a Kingston Pride experience? Contact emilyca@tourismkingston.com to let us know so we can add it to the list.
Between the start of Pride Month and the start of the summer, there’s plenty of reason to celebrate, so come join the festivities at the Brock St Block Party! Hosted by the many local businesses between Wellington and King, this party features music from Musiikki, thrifting at Closet Candy Consignment and Moxie & Mine, snacks from Black Dog Tavern, brews from Daft Brewing, and more.
A portion of the earnings from the party will also go to TransFamily Kingston, a local grassroots group of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals and their loved ones.
Presented by RT Collective in collaboration with ReelOut Queer Film Festival and Kingston Pride, In Your Pocket is a special screening of a series of short stories that showcase the funny, insightful, sexy, and mundane elements of queer life. Created with smartphones, tablets, and webcams, these short works aim to connect contemporary artists with the filmmakers that paved the way for queer cinema using the accessible technologies of their day, from consumer VHS cameras to Super 8 film.
Jeannie’s Place at Trellis/ReelOut Lending Library at 844a Princess Street is wheelchair accessible, and audiences are welcomed to bring their own snacks and beverages.
Hosted on the waterfront at Confederation Park, join hostesses Tyffanie Morgan and Rowena Whey for an evening of fabulous performances with special guests Sonny Rayz, ‘Show’pony, and Street Meat.
Volunteers will also be accepting cash and electronic donations for Trellis to benefit people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in our community.
While you’re at the park, stop by the Visitor Information Centre and grab some locally themed Pride merch to celebrate the rest of the festivities in style.
Trellis HIV & Community Care (844a Princess Street)
All ages
The annual Queer Art Show takes place at Trellis HIV & Community Care this month. Come to the opening night and be one of the first to experience this exciting show, with artwork by members of our local 2SLGBTQIA + community.
Tett Centre Creativity Studio B & Rehearsal Hall (370 King Street West)
Ages 12+
Join Meenakashi Ghadial, Tett Artist-in-Residence, for a special showcase spotlighting her most recent work. Combining a studio tour with a discussion of her paintings and a live performance, Heartbreak in the Driver’s Seat: Stories of Queer Heartbreak explores the car as a safe space for Queer people of colour. In her performance, Ghadial aims to provide a supportive environment for sharing experiences of loneliness and queer heartbreak.
This is a pay-what-you-can event, with a $5 donation suggested.
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.
Get ready to take the party to the seas when the legendary Out on the Queen Boat Cruise makes its triumphant return for Kingston Pride 2024! Join Tyffanie Morgan, Rane St. Cloud, Yuni Verse, and Oktavia for an exceptional night of drag, dancing, and music out on the water. Make sure to book early because tickets sell quickly!
Saturday, June 8 & Saturday, June 15 (10 pm – 2 am)
University Tavern (285 Queen Street)
Ages 19+
In the mood for dancing? Look no further than these two parties!
Come by University Tavern (the lower level at Renaissance) on June 8 for their fourth annual Underwear Party. Or join the Pride Dance Party on June 15 and tear up the dance floor after the parade festivities. Grab a single pass for the series and catch both chances to dance the night away with DJ Tiger Styles.
Space will be limited, so check the website to purchase your tickets in advance and get a discount on admission.
Batter up! Pride Softball returns on Sunday, June 9 for what is sure to be a fun morning for everyone of all ages. Get out and enjoy a game at Victoria Park!
Delve into a critical moment in Canadian queer history and uncover the strength of early gay rights activists with this special event at The Screening Room. Presented in collaboration with Kingston Pride and ReelOut Arts Project, Kingston WritersFest invites you to sit down for a conversation with award-winning writer Michael Rowe on Pride, his new book that examines Toronto’s first gay rights march on its 50th anniversary.
Michael will be joined on stage by Trevor Campbell, host and creator of the You Made Me Queer podcast, for a discussion on how this important march laid the groundwork for one of the world’s largest gay festivals, and the challenges the queer community continues to face today.
Improbable Escapes Wonderland & Board Game Cafe (500 Gardiners Rd Unit 2A)
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, or on the west end at either SBT Comics and Games or Improbable Escapes Wonderland & Board Game Cafe.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 560 (734 Montreal Street)
Ages 19+
Break out your sparkliest outfit or your finest nature-inspired attire for an unforgettable evening of dancing, drag, prizes, cake, and more! Fabulous Fantasy Forest Queer Prom promises to be an enchanting evening of celebration and excitement for the whole 2SLGBTQIA+ community and distinguished guests looking to celebrate in style.
Hosted by Kingston Pride and TransFamily Kingston, all proceeds from this pay-what-you-can event go to supporting people in the local gender-diverse community.
Queeraoke
Friday, June 14 (8 pm)
Daft Brewing (768 Princess Street)
Ages 19+
Back by popular demand, Kingston Pride and Daft Brewing have once again come together to host Queer-oke! Take to the floor and belt out the classics, enjoy Daft’s delicious drinks, and kick back on their brand-new patio if you need to take a breather between tracks.
The main event! Bring your family, friends, pets, and pride to this free parade. Join in on the annual march down Princess Street starting at Albert Street and down towards Ontario Street.
The Community Fair brings together a variety of local vendors and performers to beautiful Confederation Park. Shop the tables while enjoying music by Spectrum Voices, the Drag Power Hour with Dare De La Femme and guests, and much more!
Keep the post-parade party going with an evening at the Tir Nan Og Irish Pub. You can round out the night with a special event hosted by Beers for Queers and Kingston Pride, featuring music by DJ John Clement.
Want to keep the festivities going? How about brunch and a show? Come out to Wharf and Feather and top up your week with a special edition of Drag Me to Brunch! Join one of the two shows and enjoy the delicious brunch menu, table drink service, and performances by Rowena Whey and special guests.
Downtown Kingston BIA, Kingston Pride, and the ReelOut Queer Film Festival are back for another special edition of Movies in the Square! Break out your camping outfit, grab a chair, and bring your favorite snacks for a free, family-friendly screening of Summer Qamp, a feature documentary that spotlights Camp fYrefly, a safe and supportive camp in Alberta for 2SLGBTQIA+ teens.
The film, which premiered at TIFF in 2023 and won the Best Documentary award at the 2024 ReelOut Queer Film Festival, shares the experiences of the young campers as they enjoy simply being themselves in a supportive environment away from the noise, judgement, and explanations they face in their lives, and the steps the counsellors take to build that environment.
Are you looking for Pride merch? Shop our Pride merchandise at the Visitor Information Centre: 209 Ontario St or online https://www.visitkingston.ca/kingston-shop/. 25% of the sales will be donated to Kingston Pride.
Patricia Spencer Book Signing at Indigo
Saturday, June 29 (11 am – 2 pm)
Indigo (945 Gardiners Road, Unit Y011)
All ages
On Saturday, June 29, drop by Indigo at the Cataraqui Centre for a special book signing with Goldie Award winning author Patricia Spencer. Patricia specializes in sapphic romance and fiction, and through her novels explores the complexities of mature women in historic settings, living complex lives and navigating unfolding romances. Her latest, The Life Bestowed, is the second part of her ongoing Prince Edward County Series, set locally just west of Kingston, and delves into themes of love, identity, and the ways we’re shaped by those we keep close.
Make it a Pride Month getaway: select Rainbow Registered hotels will donate to Kingston Pride or Trellis HIV Community Care when you book an overnight stay in June. View Pride packages
Travelling just north of Princess Street, you’ll find beautiful green spaces, street art, and historic sites turned restaurants and cafés.
Inner Harbour, a historically rich and artsy neighbourhood in Kingston, boasts landmark sites such as Molly Brant Point, named after the influential Mohawk Clan Mother who lived in the area circa 1785. The beautiful lookout is right next to River Mill Restaurant and Dolce Bella Spa on the Rideau, overlooking the Cataraqui River.
There’s so much more to discover, so head down to Inner Harbour and visit its neighbourhood gems, including a delicious pizza place, Instagram-worthy café, and luxurious spa.
McBurney Park
This gorgeous and versatile greenspace, otherwise known as Skeleton Park, is perfect for an evening stroll or afternoon picnic. Play a round of hoops at the park’s basketball court or bring the kids down on a hot afternoon to play on the jungle gym.
In the fall when the weather cools down, McBurney Park turns into a cornucopia of red, gold, and orange leaves. Grab a hot latte from The Elm Café and take a stroll down to the park to snap some pictures for Instagram.
Underneath Skeleton Park are hundreds of 19th-century graves, hence its ominous name. The park’s spooky history makes it a key stop on Kingston’s Haunted Walk, a tour that takes you around the city’s ghost-infested locations.
Beyond its dark history, Skeleton Park serves as a hub for creatives, hosting an annual arts festival in June where local Kingston musicians and artist vendors come together to present their work.
Pizza Monster
With its eclectic and colourful street art, this local restaurant serving up loaded pizzas, stuffed cannolis, and local wines, is hard to miss.
Stop by Pizza Monster on 213 Montreal Street to try their cacio e pepe pizza, smothered in garlic butter, topped with cheese, lemon zest, and cracked pepper. If you’re feeling adventurous, order the mortadella or buffalo chicken pizza (swap the cauliflower for chicken if you’re vegetarian). Wash your pie down with a cold beer or chilled wine, and then finish off with a stuffed cannoli made in-house. Their pizza dough, sauce, and even their pickles are also homemade.
For vegans, order the vegan margherita and mushroom pizzas, or ask your server if they have any seasonal options.
Pizza Monster initially served their mouth-watering pies at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market. Customers went crazy for their pizzas and, due to popular demand, the owners moved to their permanent location in the Inner Harbour. You can check them out on Wednesday and Thursday from 4 pm to 8 pm and Saturday and Friday from 4 pm to 9 pm.
The Elm Café
Stop by The Elm Café at 303 Montreal Street for a hot or iced latte and an on-the-go breakfast sandwich made fresh. This café–which looks straight out of your personal Pinterest board, fixed with a cozy interior and spacious patio–offers customers a variety of baked goods including chocolate hazelnut croissants, fruit crumble squares, and a variety of cookies.
Feel like sitting down for some breakfast? The Elm Café serves a selection of breakfast options until 11 am including the “Whole ‘Sheabang,’” a sandwich topped with bacon, a fried egg, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. If you’re vegetarian, try the “Veg ‘Shebang’” instead.
Other vegetarian and vegan options include their overnight oats, hemp heart and toasted coconut bars, and chocolate chip cookies.
The café–formally a laundromat called “Laverne’s Laundry”– is open 7:30 am to 5 pm daily.
River Mill Restaurant
If you want dinner with a view, try River Mill Restaurant at 2 Cataraqui Street, just a few minutes from the heart of downtown Kingston. This stunning restaurant overlooking the Cataraqui River is in the 125–year–old Woolen Mill building. The historic building operated as a cotton mill in the early 20th century.
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If you stop by for lunch from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, try their local Wagyu beef burger made with crispy bacon, garlic aioli, caramelized onion cheddar, and arugula on a buttery brioche bun. The restaurant offers classic dishes like fish and chips and chicken sandwiches.
From 5 to 11 pm, River Mill Restaurant serves their dinner menu featuring mushroom ragu potato gnocchi and a grilled arctic char. They buy their produce locally and offer a large selection of wines including several options from local vineyards. Gluten-free and keto-friendly options are available.
With it’s old, red brick exterior and bright interior, River Mill Restaurant preserves the history of the building and incorporates fresh contemporary elements, making for a unique dining experience.
Dolce Bella Spa on the Rideau
This five-star spa experience located in the Woolen Mill Building next to the River Mill Restaurant will help you find your inner Zen. Dolce Bella Spa on the Rideau features a gorgeous, modern interior with exposed brick and large windows overlooking the Cataraqui River.
Dolce Bella Spa on the Rideau offers customers a variety of refreshing facials including a deep European Pore Cleansing and Hydration Infusion. Facials range from $150 to $220.
They also offer massages, manicures, pedicures, waxing, body treatments, and hair treatments. Want to experience a little bit of everything? Buy one of their spa packages starting at $260.
Check out Dolce Bella’s website to learn more about their services and book your appointment today!
Daughters General Store
This family-owned business located at 63 John Street offers a diverse array of delicious food items and snacks.
Pop over to Daughters General Store, blooming with greenery and a warm atmosphere to buy an elevated frozen pizza from Libretto or General Assembly.
Want a refreshing, bubbly drink while on your afternoon walk, oat milk for your coffee, hot dogs for that BBQ you’re hosting, or a pint of ice cream on a hot summer day? Daughters General Store has you covered. They sell a variety of vegan and vegetarian food options as well.
Daughters General Store is open 9 am to 6:30 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am to 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Broom Factory (TULA café)
From the outside, the Broom Factory located at 305 Rideau Street looks like a trendy storage facility with colourful street art spotting its exterior. However, stepping inside the 1894 broom factory turned concert venue and café, visitors are met with an intimate, rustic interior brimming with activity.
TULA café and the concert venue inside the Broom Factory are separated by a glass wall. On one side, patrons can grab a latte and baked goods infused with adaptogens–which balance the body and mind–while admiring the earthy, pink interior of the café. TULA café offers a wide range of vegan and gluten-free options. Check them out 8 am to 3 pm on Tuesdays to Saturdays.
On the other side of the glass is a concert venue that hosts events weekly. From comedy shows to rock artists, films to drag shows, the Broom Factory features a wide variety of creatives who come to the heart of the Inner Harbour to share their talents with audiences.
Check out their website for upcoming events and tickets!
Time appears suspended aboard the S.S. Keewatin. Once you step aboard, you’ll be transported back to the era of Edwardian opulence.
Spanning 350 feet across the water, the last remaining Edwardian-era passenger liner in the world is now permanently located at the dry dock next to the Great Lakes Museum in Kingston. The museum is offering tours of the S.S. Keewatin’s decks, cabins, first-class, and luxury accommodations, and the ship’s engine room.
Just like the aristocratic passengers who once travelled on the century-old ship, you too can traverse the lavish ballroom, elegant flowerpot lounge, and see the stained-glass windows from Italy, bathing the ship’s interior in warm sunlight.
Tour guides will walk you from bow to stern through the old-fashioned barber shop, the formal dining room, where you’ll hear a story about a haughty group of passengers, and the kitchen – which has an interesting contraption used to cook eggs.
Oh, and before departing, take a look at the ship’s clocks. See if you notice anything interesting about the time each of the clocks is set to.
Below deck, you will encounter the S.S. Keewatin’s powerful and gargantuan steam engine, the same one used on the Titanic.
By walking the halls where the ship’s firemen, oilers, and engineers used to work, you’ll picture what it was like to shovel coal into furnaces for hours on end. When the ship was in operation, the crew would have tirelessly worked in the steaming hot space to keep the S.S. Keewatin up and running.
The museum will offer tours of the ship’s wheelhouse and officers’ quarters, featuring fantastic views of the S.S. Keewatin’s expansive deck in the future.
“I know tourists will be amazed by our Keewatin experience and we look forward to welcoming them,” Bep Schippers, executive director of Great Lakes Museum, says.
Nowhere else but Kingston can you experience a Titanic-era ship as grand as the S.S. Keewatin. So come aboard!
HISTORY OF THE S.S. KEEWATIN
S.S. Keewatin was built in 1907 in Scotland by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company of Glasgow, making the ship two years older than the Titanic. Named after a district in present-day northern Ontario and Nunavut, the S.S Keewatin and her sistership S.S. Assiniboia were commissioned by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR).
S.S. Keewatin set sail on her first Canadian voyage in October 1908 from Owen Sound to Fort William (now part of Thunder Bay). The S.S. Keewatin transported both passengers and cargo alike, including immigrants new to Canada looking for work around the Great Lakes and beyond.
Shortly after her arrival in Canada, the S.S. Keewatin became a popular luxury steamship and operated out of Port McNicol north of Barrie starting in 1912. The ship provided all paying passengers with top-notch service while traversing Canada’s Great Lakes. The S.S. Keewatin had electricity and hot water, a novelty for ships in the early 20th century.
“The S.S. Keewatin conveys the same Edwardian elegance as other passenger liners of the early 20th century,” Doug Cowie, museum manager and curator at Great Lakes Museum, says.
A strong and powerful liner, the S.S. Keewatin survived the Great Lake Storm of 1913 whose strong winds and snow capsized 12 other ships. During another particularly rough night, a large wave crashed into a window on board, shattering the glass. Nonetheless, S.S. Keewatin survived and continued to serve passengers until the mid-20th century.
The future of S.S. Keewatin as a popular passenger vessel was jeopardized after tragedy struck the Toronto Harbour in 1949. The ship S.S. Noronic went up in flames and sank, taking 100 passengers down with her.
Due to S.S. Keewatin’s flammable wooden interior, similar to the sunken S.S. Noronic’s design, a sprinkler system, and steel doors were installed on the ship to contain potential fires. Likewise, after the Titanic sank into the Atlantic Ocean, the S.S. Keewatin’s owners added more lifeboats to the ship.
Despite the increased safety precautions, in 1965 the S.S. Keewatin was retired from service.
The ship was then purchased by American entrepreneur Ronald J. Peterson, who had it moved to Michigan where in 1967, the Keewatin it began her career as a maritime attraction. She returned to Port McNicol in 2012.
REFURBISHING THE S.S. KEEWATIN
In 2020, the ship’s owners at the time, Skyline Investments, pitched Kingston as a sustainable home for the aging ship due to its historic dry dock. It was decided the Great Lakes Museum, located right next to the dry dock, would acquire the Edwardian-era passenger liner.
In early 2023, the ship then made her way to Hamilton, where she underwent heavy industrial repairs to her funnel and promenade deck before she was tugged to the Limestone City. In October of that year, the ship arrived in Kingston. Throughout the winter, a core group of 60 volunteers helped to clean, polish, and prepare the ship for visitors. Volunteers from Port McNicol also came down to help stage the ship.
“It’s really a joint venture with the amount of work that those in Port McNicol did,” Cowie says.
S.S. Keewatin opened for visitors in May 2024, however the refurbishing process is still ongoing. The goal is to eventually get the ship back to her original 1907 condition.
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