With so much to see and do, a good place to start gathering information is the city’s tourist information office on the waterfront in Confederation Park. To get an overview of the city’s attractions, climb aboard the Kingston Trolley Tours‘ one-hour hop-on, hop-off tour now offered in a variety of languages.

A stop at Fort Henry is a must during your visit. This extraordinary garrison on the lakeshore was built to ward off potential enemy forces after the War of 1812. Daily performances by the Fort Henry Guard feature rifle and cannon drills and marches of soldiers stationed here in the 1800s. On Wednesday nights in July and August, enjoy Fort Henry’s Sunset Ceremonies, a spectacular celebration of the fife and drum, cannon fire and fireworks.

Year-round, Kingston is alive with cultural celebrations and more than two dozen museums, historic sites, and art galleries. Home to sailing events during the 21st Olympic Games, Kingston is known as the freshwater sailing capital of the world. Catch a ferry to Wolfe Island for a day of biking.

Kingston letter sign

With menu selections from places spanning the globe, Kingston’s impressive collection of restaurants numbers in the hundreds. Nightlife features dance clubs and delightful pubs with live music. Home of the rock group Tragically Hip and actor Dan Aykroyd, you never know who you’ll bump into in Kingston.

Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises

Set sail for the heart of the 1000 Islands from downtown Kingston, Ontario, on the Food, Fun & Entertainment Ships of the 1000 Islands. 1h Discovery Cruises and 3h Heart of the Islands Cruises set sail throughout the day from April to October, including brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises in the 1000 Islands. Advance reservations are recommended, call 1-800-848-0011 or visit www.ktic.ca  

Fort Henry

Step through the gates of this 19th-century military fortress and enter the realm of the 1867 garrison life. Enjoy guided tours, performances by the Fort Henry Guard, muster parades, heritage dining and more. The season includes Spectacular Sunset Ceremonies every Wednesday and Saturday evenings in July and August complete with fireworks, plus many other events and concerts.