Kingston: The City Older Than Canada
Why Ontario’s first capital is the perfect mix of haunted history, waterfront vibes, and a killer food scene.
The Architect’s Dream
Kingston doesn’t look like any other city in Ontario. Because of a massive fire in 1840, the city mandated that all new buildings be made of stone—specifically, the local grey-blue limestone. The result is a downtown core that looks like a rugged version of Edinburgh. It’s elegant, sturdy, and incredibly walkable.
The Morning Ritual: Market Square and Secret Coffee
Start your day at Springer Market Square. It’s the oldest public market in Canada (dating back to 1801). In the summer, it’s a bustling farmers’ market; in the winter, it’s a public skating rink surrounded by historic buildings.
The Coffee Stop: Find Crave Coffee House or NorthSide Espresso. Kingston has one of the highest numbers of restaurants per capita in Canada, and the coffee culture here is serious business.
The “Dark” Tourism: The Pen and The Hauntings
Kingston is famous for its prisons, and the Kingston Penitentiary is the most notorious of them all. Since it closed, they’ve opened it for tours. Walking through the massive iron gates and seeing the cells of Canada’s most famous inmates is a chilling, must-do experience.
The Ghost Walk: Because the city is so old, it is supposedly one of the most haunted in the country. Take a Haunted Walk of Kingston at night to hear stories about the “hanging graveyard” and the ghosts of the old sydenham ward.
The Waterfront & The 1000 Islands
Kingston is the gateway to the 1000 Islands. You can hop on a triple-decker cruise ship right from downtown.
The Pro-Tip: If you want to avoid the big tour boats, take the Wolfe Island Ferry. It’s free for pedestrians and gives you a perfect view of the skyline and the massive wind turbines of the island for $0. It’s the best “cheap date” in the province.
The Culinary Soul: Pints and Patios
The city has a massive student population thanks to Queen’s University, which means the pub scene is elite. The Kingston Brewing Company is Ontario’s oldest brewpub and is packed with vintage memorabilia. For something more refined, head to the waterfront for fresh seafood and views of the harbor.
Why We Stay
Kingston is a “goldilocks” city—not too big, not too small. It has the amenities of a major city but the pace of a small town. It’s a place where you can spend the morning exploring a 19th-century fort (Fort Henry) and the afternoon at a world-class live music venue. It’s the smart traveler’s choice for an Ontario weekend.