If you’re planning a day trip to Kingston and want to do some shopping, we’ve put together an afternoon itinerary you can follow that features a diverse array of stores in the downtown area. Start with a locally sourced brunch, explore the city’s downtown stores including a wellness hub and a vintage shop, and end your afternoon at a family-owned cookie store.
Quick guide to afternoon shopping in downtown Kingston
First grab brunch at Northside (198 Princess Street) or Lay Low Cafe (241 Princess Street)
On Kingston’s main road—Princess Street—you’ll find many clothing, wellness, and food shops
Brock Street is another popular area featuring an olive oil shop and cookie store
Go to the Visitor Information Center (209 Ontario Street) for Tragically Hip and Kingston merchandise
Start your day with brunch
Fuel your afternoon of shopping at Northside (198 Princess Street) or Lay Low Cafe (241 Princess Street), two brunch spots in downtown Kingston. Lay Low Cafe is a beloved local restaurant known for their seasonal lattes, crispy breakfast potatoes, and trendy interior fixed with a disco ball and green accents. Just down the street is Northside, an Australian inspired restaurant that features a rotating menu. They’re known for their avocado smash toast made with locally sourced ingredients. Both restaurants fill up quickly—especially on the weekends—so make sure you arrive early to avoid long waitlists.
If you’re looking for a quick grab-and-go option before hitting the shops, grab a smoothie bowl at HEAL Wellness (324 Princess Street), located about a block away from Lay Low.
Explore Princess Street
Start your day at Whit (239 Princess Street) and Agent 99 (237 Princess Street). Whit is the perfect store if you’re looking for unique Kingston apparel or Queen’s University merchandise. Agent 99 offers seasonal clothing items and an eclectic array of stationery and home goods, including Taylor Swift-themed pens and mugs with popular TV show references.
Move a few stores down to Holistically Hip (233 Princess Street), a wellness store offering Canadian-made self-care, home goods, supplements, and more. If you’re unsure what wellness products are best for you, employees at Holistically Hip will help you decide what works best with your goals and lifestyle.
After grabbing a new protein powder or supplement, visit Lazy Daisies (227 Princess Street)—a locally owned store offering a variety of home goods and accessories. Lazy Daisies is the perfect store if you’re looking for a unique gift for a friend or family member.
The next stop on your itinerary takes you left down Montreal Street towards Montreal Street Collective (39 Montreal Street). The store is filled with carefully curated vintage fashion and second-hand jewelry from 25 local vendors and makers.
Jump back onto Princess Street and take a stroll down to Studio 88 (70 Princess Street). Opened in 2026, Studio 88 boasts products from local artisans including soy coconut candles and upcycled scrunchies. The owner of Studio 88, Meghan Janke, makes jewelry and eco-friendly glass domes featuring preserved butterflies, dragonflies, bees, and items from local shorelines you can find in store.
Stop on Brock Street
Continue to walk down Princess Street, make a right into King Street East, and then make another right into Brock Street. The first store you’ll see is General Brock’s Commissary (55 Brock Street). Built in 1812, this historic landmark offers jams, jellies, pickled goods, soups, meats, cheeses, and more.
Cross the street and head to Kingston Olive Oil Company (62 Brock Street) whose interior is fixed with jugs of handmade, flavoured olive oils and vinegars you can sample and purchase. Their olive oil sets make great gifts.
End your afternoon of shopping with a sweet treat at 23 & Co. (60 Brock Street), a family-owned cookie shop serving house-made cookies including their famous chocolate chip, Oreo, and seasonal options. The name “23 & Co.” is a reference to owner Krista Gill’s husband, Todd Gill, who played for the Toronto Maple Leaf’s and whose jersey number was 23. You can read more about 23 & Co.’s story here.
If you want to leave the city with some Tragically Hip or Kingston themed merchandise, pop into the Visitor Information Centre (209 Ontario Street) before ending your shopping day. As well as apparel, knowledgeable employees at the VIC can help you plan the rest of your Kingston itinerary, providing dining options and attraction recommendations.
