7 things to do on a winter weekend in Kingston (2023)

By Visit Kingston

Get outdoors or warm up inside: here are our picks for a fun winter weekend in Kingston.

1. Sip on some hot chocolate at Kingston Coffee House

322 King St.

If you’re looking for a winter warm-up, stop by Kingston Coffee House for a hot chocolate. Kingston Coffee House steps it up a notch with a variety of hot chocolates to choose from, as well as peppermint mochas and gingerbread lattes. Try a drink of your choice with one of their toppings (whipped cream, candy cane, toasted marshmallow).

Open: Mon – Fri 7 am – 7 pm, Sat 8 am – 6 pm, Sun 8 am – 5 pm

 

2. Snowshoe or ski at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area

1641 Perth Rd.

Enjoy the fresh snowfall at Little Cataraqui Creek by snowshoeing or skiing 13 kilometres of beautiful trails. Your first stop will be the Outdoor Centre, where you can rent a pair of snowshoes or a full set of ski equipment. Don’t forget to bring birdseed to feed the chickadees at rest stops!

 

3. Cozy up in a historic inn

Various locations (View all historic inns here)

Relax at one of Kingston’s many historic inns. Book a five-course fondue at the Secret Garden Inn or a Stoked and Chill Nordic Spa experience at the Frontenac Club for. You can also combine your culinary or wellness experience with an overnight stay. View all packages

 

4. Try a Kingston Food Tour

209 Ontario St.

This two-hour tour blends tastings at some of Kingston’s best downtown restaurants with an insider’s perspective on our city’s history and culture. The tour highlights unique shops, restaurants, artisans, and farmers that contribute to Kingston’s thriving local food movement. Expect to try new and familiar flavours while strolling through our charming downtown with a local guide. Check the website for availability.

 

5. Explore museums in Kingston

Various locations (View all Kingston museums, art galleries , and historic sites)

With more than 35 museums, art galleries, and historic sites, Kingston offers a variety of fun learning experiences. Explore the history of military communications at the Military Communications and Electronics Museum, or discover the story of placebo medications at the Museum of Healthcare. (The Military Communications and Electronics Museum will re-open Jan. 16.) Starting January 12, the PumpHouse is open Thursdays and Fridays. This museum, housed in one of Canada’s oldest original water works, has exhibits and activities for all ages.

View our guide to museums in Kingston

 

6. Try out an escape room or a board game café

Various locations (see websites listed for details)

Did you know Kingston is home to two escape rooms and a board game café? Get out of the cold and enjoy a themed escape room. Play a detective and solve crimes with Sherlock’s Escapes, or unlock your way through family-friendly or frightening rooms at Improbable Escapes. If you’re not up for an escape room, Improbable Escapes Wonderland offers more than 450 board games, as well as snacks and drinks.

 

7. Skate at Springer Market Square

325 King St.

Grab a friend, lace up your skates, and glide around the public skating rink under twinkling lights. After a couple of laps, walk across the street to snack on a Canadian classic: Beavertails. If you aren’t into skating but like the atmosphere, stop during the evenings and warm up by the fire pits in the square.

 

Bonus items:

 

Take a tour around historic Sydenham Ward

As you walk through the neighbourhood surrounding Kingston’s downtown, you’ll see beautiful architecture and buildings rich in history, like The Spire, a community arts hub located in Sydenham Street United Church and historic inns like Hochelaga Inn, Secret Garden Inn, and The Rosemount Inn.

 

Shop and socialize at Curate Social

340 King St. E.

Plan a mix and mingle, book a wine tasting party with sommelier Ian Nicholls, or keep it casual and have a drink while you shop for a new outfit. (See website for more details.)

 

Grab lunch at Kingston’s local burger bar

93 Princess St.

Head to Harper’s Burger Bar and choose from a variety of burgers (veggie 2.0 burger, blue burger, la la land burger). Pair your choice with a spiked milkshake (Grandma’s treat, Malibu colada, mint dream).

 

Looking for even more events to fill your winter weekends? How about 25?

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