Kingston

Kingston is located on the traditional lands of the Huron-Wendat and the Mississauga of the Ojibways. To the local Indigenous Peoples, this place has long been known as Katarokwi, meaning “a place where there is clay.” In Anishinaabemowin, it is “Gaadanokwii.” In Mohawk, it is “Ken’tarókwen.”

Kingston/Katarokwi acknowledges the everlasting presence of other Indigenous nations, the Métis, Inuit, and other First Nations. We are grateful to reside in and visit this territory and acknowledge that each of us has a responsibility to honour these lands by walking gently and respectfully upon them and enjoying the immense beauty of the natural landscape.

Kingston boasts four Rembrandt paintings, two film festivals, and one vibrant downtown shopping scene. Home to Ontario’s oldest public market and Canada’s hippest live music scene, Kingston is a walkable city, where hidden alleyways contain antique markets and restaurant patios. With dozens of museums and historic sites, and dozens more unique shopping and dining experiences, Kingston offers you something old and something new around every corner.

Nestled where the St. Lawrence River, Rideau Canal, and Lake Ontario meet, the city’s lakeshore location has earned it a reputation for some of the best freshwater sailing in the world and – as one of the oldest cities in the country – Kingston is also home to the world-renowned 1000 Islands, and UNESCO-designated Rideau Canal and Fort Henry.

Pair the grand heritage, history, and architecture of Kingston with the city’s dynamic cultural life for a truly distinct getaway. Leave the car behind as you explore the pedestrian-friendly downtown core’s limestone streetscapes dotted with restaurants and bars offering some of the best food and drink you’ll find anywhere, and an abundance of independent shops and boutiques offering only-in-Kingston finds.

Enriched by an active arts and culture scene, Kingston offers dynamic festivals and events year-round. Cinephile? Experience the country’s best films at the Kingston Canadian Film Festival or explore issues of identity at Reelout Queer Film Festival. Bookworm? Connect with your favourite authors at Kingston WritersFest. Foodie? Check out Kingston’s Multicultural Arts Festival, YGK Craft Beer Fest, or Corks & Forks. Music lover? Limestone City Blues Festival and Back to the Farm Beer and Music Festival are must-dos, plus you can find live music wafting from Kingston’s many pubs, taverns, and cafes pretty much any night of the week.

Kingston is also for the kids! Events like Maple Madness, Feb Fest, Buskers Rendezvous, and Movies in the Square offer family-friendly fare, while Kingston’s many museums have engaging children’s exhibits and programming that the whole family can enjoy, including the Museum of Healthcare, the PumpHouse, and Frontenac County Schools Museum. Or pack a picnic and hit up one of the city’s many beaches, parks, or hiking trails. Grass Creek Park and Breakwater Park, which features an accessible beach, are both favourites.

Historic and hip. Kingston has it all.