If plenty of tours and attractions and a vibrant culinary and hospitality scene aren’t already enough to draw you to historic Kingston, Ontario, then the city’s close proximity to Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal should! Situated approximately 3 hours from each of these major cities, it’s easy to plan a weekend getaway in Kingston.
3 Hours from Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal
Accessible by car, train or bus, Kingston is located an ideal distance from most major cities. Arrive on a Friday, leave Sunday afternoon, and still have enough time to see, do and explore. Stay-cations are becoming increasingly popular and the city of Kingston is right in your backyard!
Food Made Fresh Daily
Kingston has more restaurants per capita than any other city in Canada, with options for everyone’s taste buds. From homemade burgers at Harper’s, to fine dining and waterfront views at AquaTerra, our restaurants prepare the best plates with fresh and local ingredients. Kingston’s food scene creates a sense of community that the city is known for – which will make you feel like coming back for more.
Waterfront
Being located at the intersection of three important waterways (Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River and the Rideau Canal) led Kingston to play an important role in Canada’s history. The city’s waterfront has many historical buildings, creating one of the nicest shores of Eastern Ontario. Plus, easy access to the water gives you endless opportunities to enjoy a hot summer day. If you love walking or biking, you can also follow waterfront pathways that connect Downtown Kingston to Lake Ontario Park or stop to enjoy a picnic in one of our many parks.
The 1000 Islands
For the best views of Kingston’s waterfront and the 1000 Islands, we suggest hopping aboard a Kingston 1000 Islands Cruise. Kingston is often called the gateway to the 1000 Islands Region, being the most westernly city upon where the islands begin. A sightseeing or dining cruise with Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises will take you out on the water along the St. Lawrence River to explore the best of the region.
Canadian History
Kingston was once the first capital of Canada. It is one of the oldest cities in Ontario and has over 200 years of history which has played an important role in Canadian history. Kingston was once home to our first Prime Minister and to some of most notorious maximum security inmates at the Kingston Penitentiary, but is now home to Canada’s oldest degree-granting university, Queen’s University. Kingston lives and breathes history, having the best cultural attractions, museums, galleries and National Historic Sites of the region. Today, most of the attractions that played an important role in Canada’s history are open for visitation so locals and visitors can learn and experience our city’s past.
We hope you’ll consider a trip to Kingston, Ontario for your next local getaway.
