Guidebook for Kingston
Food Scene
This is a bakery AND an amazing spot for tasty brunch. It's in high demand, so we recommend making reservations ahead of time.
80 locals recommend
Pan Chancho Bakery & Café
44 Princess StreetThis is a bakery AND an amazing spot for tasty brunch. It's in high demand, so we recommend making reservations ahead of time.
Locally owned - awesome place to grab a delicious burger exactly the way you like it.
37 locals recommend
Harper's Burger Bar
93 Princess StLocally owned - awesome place to grab a delicious burger exactly the way you like it.
Locally owned - romantic atmosphere
Perfect place for a leisurely glass of wine and an evening of mind blowing tapas
Reservations recommended
65 locals recommend
Tango Nuevo
331 King St ELocally owned - romantic atmosphere
Perfect place for a leisurely glass of wine and an evening of mind blowing tapas
Reservations recommended
Locally owned - This pub offers an amazing selection of locally brewed beer & cider and has a delicious menu. Great for a late night bevie or for a bite to eat!
61 locals recommend
Red House
369 King St ELocally owned - This pub offers an amazing selection of locally brewed beer & cider and has a delicious menu. Great for a late night bevie or for a bite to eat!
Walk (recommended) or drive onto the ferry from the terminal downtown across the bay to Wolfe Island and have a bite to eat at the Wolfe Island Grill. Steps away from the ferry terminal on the Island, you can easily cross, eat and catch the next ferry back. Fantastic views of Kingston from a different perspective.
http://www.wolfeisland.com/ferry.php
14 locals recommend
The Wolfe Island Grill
1222 Main StWalk (recommended) or drive onto the ferry from the terminal downtown across the bay to Wolfe Island and have a bite to eat at the Wolfe Island Grill. Steps away from the ferry terminal on the Island, you can easily cross, eat and catch the next ferry back. Fantastic views of Kingston from a different perspective.
http://www.wolfeisland.com/ferry.php
Drinks & Nightlife
Locally owned - This iconic Kingston staple offers a full menu but is one of the best places in town to kick back with a drink and decant your day. Super rustic, it's definitely a piece of Kingston to tick off of your list.
37 locals recommend
The Kingston Brewing Company
34 Clarence StLocally owned - This iconic Kingston staple offers a full menu but is one of the best places in town to kick back with a drink and decant your day. Super rustic, it's definitely a piece of Kingston to tick off of your list.
This place often has live music and dancing that can be worth checking out.
9 locals recommend
BLU Martini
178 Ontario StThis place often has live music and dancing that can be worth checking out.
Locally owned - encompasses the flavour of Kingston from its limestone walls to its atmosphere. Looking for something low key and pubby? This is your place. Awesome patio in the summer!
21 locals recommend
The Merchant Tap House
6 Princess StLocally owned - encompasses the flavour of Kingston from its limestone walls to its atmosphere. Looking for something low key and pubby? This is your place. Awesome patio in the summer!
Sightseeing
This amazing walking tour weaves tales of Kingston's rich history and takes guests to the very places where epic moments took place. Totally worth the trip.
(On a "scary scale"? 2 out of 5)
28 locals recommend
The Haunted Walk of Kingston
200 Ontario StThis amazing walking tour weaves tales of Kingston's rich history and takes guests to the very places where epic moments took place. Totally worth the trip.
(On a "scary scale"? 2 out of 5)
Kingston's gem high on the hill, Fort Henry is the place to go if you want to soak in some history AND the most amazing sights in town.
129 locals recommend
Fort Henry National Historic Site
1 Fort Henry DrKingston's gem high on the hill, Fort Henry is the place to go if you want to soak in some history AND the most amazing sights in town.
Entertainment & Activities
Newly renovated "old school style" theatre is one of Kingston's gems that has stood the test of time. Perfect for an evening outing or as a rainy day option.
23 locals recommend
The Screening Room
120 Princess StNewly renovated "old school style" theatre is one of Kingston's gems that has stood the test of time. Perfect for an evening outing or as a rainy day option.
This Escape Room is an adventure for the whole family!
https://www.sherlocksescapes.com/
Sherlock's Escapes
298 Bagot StThis Escape Room is an adventure for the whole family!
https://www.sherlocksescapes.com/
Essentials
Super close to our place - budget friendly
Can walk if you wish
*NOTE* The liquor store is right beside it
52 locals recommend
Food Basics
33 Barrack StSuper close to our place - budget friendly
Can walk if you wish
*NOTE* The liquor store is right beside it
Arts & Culture
How many universities can say they've got an Art Gallery? Queen's can!
Totally worth taking a wander through this awesome space.
10 locals recommend
Agnes Etherington Art Centre
36 University AveHow many universities can say they've got an Art Gallery? Queen's can!
Totally worth taking a wander through this awesome space.
This state of the art theatre hosts amazing musicians and artists alike. Check out their line up of performances and get your tickets! You won't regret it.
23 locals recommend
Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts
390 King St WThis state of the art theatre hosts amazing musicians and artists alike. Check out their line up of performances and get your tickets! You won't regret it.
Shopping
One of Kingston's "must-see" stops to check out the fantastic selection of gourmet preserves, international tasty treats and if nothing else, grab a pound or two of their legendary home-roasted coffee blends.
11 locals recommend
Cooke's Fine Foods and Coffee
61 Brock StOne of Kingston's "must-see" stops to check out the fantastic selection of gourmet preserves, international tasty treats and if nothing else, grab a pound or two of their legendary home-roasted coffee blends.
Stop by this little treasure trove and take home your choice of an overwhelming selection of locally made regular and flavoured olive oil and/or balsamic vinegar.
*Local Tip* Anything from here goes AMAZINGLY well with a loaf of bread or baguette from Pan Chancho!
Kingston Olive Oil Company
62 Brock StStop by this little treasure trove and take home your choice of an overwhelming selection of locally made regular and flavoured olive oil and/or balsamic vinegar.
*Local Tip* Anything from here goes AMAZINGLY well with a loaf of bread or baguette from Pan Chancho!
This funky and quirky little store has one of the most fantastic selection of board games we've ever seen. They cater their inventory to suite the wants and needs of pretty well anyone in your family. It's a cool place to pop into with kids and adults alike.
Minotaur
78 Princess StThis funky and quirky little store has one of the most fantastic selection of board games we've ever seen. They cater their inventory to suite the wants and needs of pretty well anyone in your family. It's a cool place to pop into with kids and adults alike.
MAY-OCTOBER
On Saturdays & Wednesdays this area comes alive with a robust, locally run farmer's market full of all of the different tastes of Kingston and surrounding areas.
Sundays offers a fulsome selection of antique vendors for those who are interested in pursuing and wandering through tables of other people's history.
JUNE-SEPTEMBER
On Thursday evenings, the Square turns into an outdoor movie theatre! Check out https://www.downtownkingston.ca/events for more information.
EARLY DECEMBER (until weather permits)
A skating rink is created in the middle of the square! For more information on this opportunity and skate rentals: https://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/recreation/facilitie
62 locals recommend
Springer Market Square
216 Ontario StMAY-OCTOBER
On Saturdays & Wednesdays this area comes alive with a robust, locally run farmer's market full of all of the different tastes of Kingston and surrounding areas.
Sundays offers a fulsome selection of antique vendors for those who are interested in pursuing and wandering through tables of other people's history.
JUNE-SEPTEMBER
On Thursday evenings, the Square turns into an outdoor movie theatre! Check out https://www.downtownkingston.ca/events for more information.
EARLY DECEMBER (until weather permits)
A skating rink is created in the middle of the square! For more information on this opportunity and skate rentals: https://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/recreation/facilitie