Need some inspiration on what to do with the kiddos this fall in Kingston? Look no further! Whether you are a local Kingstonian or visiting Kingston for a few days, there are plenty of activities to enjoy with your family!
To ensure your family won’t stop talking about your fall adventure, check out our list of must-do activities below!
Museums and Attractions
Fort Henry
1 Fort Henry Dr, Kingston, ON K7K 5G8
Kids and adults alike will enjoy their time at Fort Henry! Here, tour Ontario’s 19th-century British military fort. Experience self-guided tours through a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Senior Fort Henry Guard stationed throughout the Fort to offer interpretation experiences.
If you’re up for some thrills with your teens, in the month of October you can experience Fort Fright – this year’s theme is “Darkness.” Plus, Terror Tuesdays, a new outdoor movie screening in the lower Fort featuring horror films, start September 29.
The PumpHouse
23 Ontario St, Kingston, ON K7L 2Y2
Discover Kingston’s first waterworks in operation from 1851 to 1952 by visiting the PumpHouse! The PumpHouse is offering two guided tours – a site tour and an Ontario Street walking tour (must be booked in advanced). On the site tour, be prepared to learn about large-scale industrial water pumps and learn about their importance in the development of Kingston. On the Ontario Street tour, visitors can expect to learn and ask questions about the history of the street. Stop by today and learn something new!
Frontenac County Schools Museum
414 Regent St, Kingston, ON K7K 5R1
There are plenty of things to explore at the Frontenac County Schools Museum! The Museum hosts a gallery of school textbooks, artefacts, memorabilia and photographs – you may even identify a great-grandparent! Additionally, the schoolroom itself is set in the style of a one-room rural schoolhouse from the 1900-1930 era. The desks and artefacts were collected from the schools which at one time dotted the countryside. Sit at a wooden desk, write on a slate with a slate pencil. Browse through old Ontario readers. Try your skill at some arithmetic facts and solve problems encountered in the past! Visits are currently by appointment only, please visit their website for more information on visiting.
Improbable Escapes HQ and Wonderland Escape Rooms & Board Game Lounge
LaSalle Mews, 303 Bagot St Suite 16B, Kingston, ON K7K 5W7
Offering online, live action, and outdoor games, Improbable Escapes is fun for the entire family! Games are 60+ minutes of intense and unique puzzles, in which you must work together as a team to solve! Improbable Escapes boasts of their many themes to satisfy every taste – whimsical, zombies, aliens – they have it all! They pride themselves on being family friendly and only offer private bookings to ensure you have the most fun with your team! In Kingston’s west end the offer both in-person escape rooms and a board game lounge. Check out their website for the full list of offerings and to book your game today!
Love Kingston Marketplace
Springer Market Square – 216 Ontario St, Kingston, ON K7L 2Z3
Join local musicians as they play live, Kingston Frontenac Library for Stories in the Square, or grab some food from a local restaurant on the contactless patio – all while enjoying the beautiful Love Kingston Marketplace! Not sure there will be enough to keep the kids entertained? There are also chalk art games in the Square for children to play and other activities schedule for the fall. Check out the full schedule of events here!
Read more: Your guide to Kingston’s guided tours
Farms and Agriculture
Fruition Berry Farm
3208 Hughes Rd, Kingston, ON K7L 4V3
If your favourite part of fall includes picking some fresh vegetables, picking the perfect pumpkin to carve, and completing a corn maze or two – then Fruition Berry Farm is the perfect place for your fall adventure! Pick your very own squash and pumpkin from their patch! While you’re there, don’t miss out on their “honey bees” themed corn maze! Be prepared to solve some puzzles and enjoy the fall colours at Fruition Berry Farm!
Waddell’s Apples
1345 Washburn Rd, Seeley’s Bay, ON K0H 2N0
Is apple picking one of your must-do activities in the fall? Waddell’s Apples has a scenic apple orchard located by the Rideau Canal with more than 20 varieties of apples. Need a pumpkin too? Waddell’s Apples also offers guests the opportunity to pick their very own pumpkin! Pick-your-own apples runs until mid-October. If you prefer someone else to pick your apples, they also have the option for curbside pick-up via their online store.
Hiking and Walking Trails
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Lemoine Point
1440 Coverdale Dr, Kingston
As a popular and heavily-used conservation area, Lemoine Point offers picnicking, cycling, swimming, and hiking. Lemoine Point is home to approximately 11km of hiking trails that cross flat to gently rolling woodland, field, and marsh area, much of it flat and very family friendly. As you hike the trails, you can find hidden gems such as scenic lookouts across the fall colours. This conservation area is bordered by Lake Ontario and Collins Bay, so you are sure to get a scenic fall view!
Price: Free, donations are accepted.
Hours of Operation: 7:30 am to dusk daily
Difficulty Level: Low
Little Cataraqui Creek
1641 Perth Rd, Glenburnie
At Little Cataraqui Creek you can connect with nature during all four seasons. Here, there are marsh, field, and forest habitats for nature appreciation. Additionally, there are opportunities for education and outdoor recreation. Little Cataraqui Creek offers picnicking, fishing, bird watching, and hiking trails for their visitors to enjoy. This conservation area is home to approximately 14km of hiking trails through mostly flat terrain. These trails are a great escape for the family to enjoy together!
Price: Adults: $5.00, children (12 & under): $3.50, max. fee per car: $15, annual pass: $85.
Hours of Operation: 7:30 am to dusk daily
Difficulty Level: Low
Read more: Awesome places to Hike around Kingston
Restaurants and Retail
Score Pizza
91 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1A6
There is one food that every kiddo loves – pizza! Treat the family to a make-your-own pizza night at Score Pizza! With a variety of different toppings, sauces, and finishing touches, you can’t go wrong with this family-friendly restaurant!
Harper’s Burger Bar
93 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1A6
Craving a burger? Maybe some fries or onion rings? Stop by Harper’s Burger Bar for one of the best tasting burgers in town! Offering beef, chicken, and veggie burgers – there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Mio Gelato
178 Ontario St, Kingston, ON K7L 2Y8
Need a little sugar after a day exploring Kingston’s local attractions? Mio Gelato has been locally owned and operated since 2010, brining authentic Italian gelato to Kingston. There are always new and exciting flavours, as well as the classics that you’ll love!
The Rocking Horse
193 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1B1
Shop for toys that inspire and promote discovery, curiosity, and imagination at The Rocking Horse! The Rocking Horse is a locally owned, independent toy store in the heart of downtown Kingston. The Rocking Horse is best known for their classic and retro toys, board games, wooden toys, stuffed animals, and unique novelty items! The Rocking Horse currently offers both in-store shopping and local delivery. Stop by today to learn more about what they offer!
Minotaur
78 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1A5
Minotaur is a locally owned and operated shop in the heart of Kingston. Minotaur has a wide variety of games for the entire family – Monopoly, Battleship, Settlers of Catan! Minotaur also carries toys, gadgets, crafting supplies, gifts, and puzzles. Not sure what to play for your next at-home game night? Stop by Minotaur today!
