Just 40 minutes north of Kingston by car, the vast 13,000-acre Frontenac Provincial Park is a great place to visit for those who want a taste of nature. Slated as a "natural environment park," it straddles a unique area known as the Frontenac Axis, the meeting place of the rugged Canadian Shield to the north, and the Adirondack Mountains to the south. Visitors can also partake in guided wilderness adventures, or begin their adventure with instruction on basic survival techniques. Along the way, you might be lucky enough to see wildlife, including grey wolves, red foxes and otters.

The Provincial Park has 22 lakes for you to paddle and explore. All of the interior lakes do not permit motors, apart from Big Salmon Lake, which allows electric motors. But, if you prefer to use your motorboat to go camping, you are allowed on all exterior lakes, such as Birch Lake, Buck Lake and South Otter Lake. In Frontenac Provincial Park, the campsites come with a few extra amenities that are not always offered in backcountry sites, including a food storage bin, outhouses, and tent pads, along with some of the others you'd expect, such as a fire pit with a metal ring.

Location: Kingston, Canada

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrontenacPP/

Tel: 1 613-376-3489

Hour: 8:30 AM - 16:00 PM

Google Rating: 4.8/5

Bordered by Lake Ontario and Collins Bay, Lemoine Point is 136 hectares of forest, field and marsh, with a spectacular waterfront that attracts those seeking solitude along the spectacular 2,500 metres of shoreline, a brisk walk through the delightful and abundant plant and animal life, and a place to recharge the emotional and spiritual batteries alone or with the companionship of friends and family. Lemoine Point is also the home of Cataraqui Conservation's tree planting program, including the native plant nursery run by the Friends of Lemoine Point, as well as a special climate change research project.

For those looking to have a wonderful outdoor get-together with family or friends, picnic tables are available at several locations. The stone beach of Lemoine Point Conservation Area is perfect for a meditative experience close to the water or for splashing around on hot days. Many species of resident and migratory birds can also be seen in the area. It is the perfect place for nature photographers or painters to find limitless inspiration. The parking area is big and the trails are well-marked. If you want to get out for a nature day in Kingston, Lemoine Point is where you should go with a rental car or bike!

Location: 1441 Coverdale Drive, Kingston, Canada

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LemoinePoint/

Tel: 1 877-956-2722

Hour: 9:00 AM - 20:00 PM

Google Rating: 4.7/5

Kingston Penitentiary National Historic Site of Canada is located in the western suburbs of the City of Kingston, Ontario, on the east side of Portsmouth Harbour. Built-in 1835 as a maximum security prison, it was at the time of its closure in 2013 the world's oldest serving prison to have been in continuous use. Now a museum, "Kingston Pen" offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of prisoners, as well as prison guards in the 1800s to the late 1900s. A variety of great guest experiences are offered here, including informative guided tours.

Original components of the prison include the south wing, the north wing, the east wing, the west wing, the kitchen and dining hall, the hospital, and the Rotunda. Kingston Penitentiary once occupied an 80-hectare site that included a 4-hectare prison compound, a series of stone quarries and a farm, which allows the prison to be self-sustaining. Although some of the associated property has been alienated over the years and the structures within the prison walls have been altered, essential components of the Kingston Penitentiary’s original design remain legible.

Location: 560 King St, Kingston, Canada

Website: https://www.kingstonpentour.com/

Hour: 8:00 AM - 18:00 PM

Google Rating: 4.6/5

One of the most popular things to do in Kingston is making a visit to the historic Fort Henry. This historic site was originally built between 1812 and 1814 before being completely rebuilt between 1832 and 1837 to protect the brand-new Rideau Canal from American aggression. The Fort Henry National Historic Site was named after Henry Hamilton, former Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Quebec. It was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2007.

In addition to these displays of trades and crafts from the period, staff provide historical military re-enactments and drills, including the thrilling Garrison Parade. Other highlights for families include the chance to enroll kids in an authentic Victorian schoolroom experience, including period costumes and lessons. For a deeper look into Fort Henry, consider the Sunset Ceremony which takes place on Wednesday nights. The whole event culminates in a brilliant fireworks display over the St. Lawrence River.

Location: Kingston, Canada
Website: https://www.forthenry.com/
Tel: 1 800-437-2233
Hour: 10:00 AM - 18:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.5/5

Downtown Kingston is the hub of prime attractions including Kingston City Hall and Springer Market Square. You'll find plenty of great places to stay here, many of them with views over the water and within easy striking distance of key attractions. Set overlooking historic Market Square, this wide-open public space is reminiscent of the traditional city squares of Europe and is the scene of numerous events year-round, as well as regular farmers' markets. In the summer months, free movies are screened here, while in winter, a skating rink provides plenty of family fun.

In addition to its great shopping and dining experiences, the area of Downtown Kingston is also home to a number of other important landmarks. These include Fort Frontenac, parts of which date back to the time of the French settlement in 1673, and two splendid churches: St. George's Anglican Cathedral and St. Mary's Cathedral. For those wanting to park their car and use public transit, the handy hop-on, hop-off "K-Pass" can be purchased at various locations around the city.

Downtown Kingston is also for the kids! Events like Maple Madness, 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. Grass Creek Park and Breakwater Park, which features an accessible beach, are both favourites.

Location: Kingston, Canada

Website: https://downtownkingston.ca/

Tel: 1 613-542-8677

Hour: 8:30 AM - 16:30 PM

Google Rating: 4.4/5

Notable as Canada's oldest original waterworks, the PumpHouse is a must-visit when in Kingston for those who get excited about old machinery — and especially old steam-powered machinery. Built in 1851 in response to devastating fires and cholera outbreaks, the museum is one of only six such facilities to have survived in North America. In 1973 the Pump House Steam Museum was presented to the city as a gift for the city’s Tercentenary celebrations. Given its rich history, the museum has significant cultural value.

The PumpHouse is an integral component in the architectural heritage of Kingston’s waterfront and demonstrates a high degree of craftsmanship. The incongruous shed-roofed 1950s addition, in brown brick that clashed with the red brick found on the rest of the building, was demolished. The glass envelope of the new structure gives a direct view of the masonry wall from the 1917 portion of the museum. By retaining this important feature, visitors who arrive at the Pump House Steam Museum from the rear pass through a threshold upon entering that clearly distinguishes the old and new.

Location: 23 Ontario St, Kingston, Canada
Website: https://www.kingstonpumphouse.ca/
Tel: 1 613-544-7867
Hour: 10:00 AM - 16:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.4/5

Kingston City Hall is home to the city's government in Ontario. It was completed in 1844 at a cost of almost £20,000. This hall was designated a national historic site in 1961 because it is an outstanding example of the Neoclassical style in Canada, and it is a representative example of a function hall. The City Hall provided two large meeting halls, offices and meeting space for city officials, and quarters for the custom house, post office, police station and jail.

A rear section contained market space. This rear wing was rebuilt in 1865 and again in 1973 and the dome was rebuilt in 1910. The Tuscan portico was reconstructed in 1966. The Kingston City Hall's interior is equally compelling and can be visited as part of a guided tour, available on a first-come, first-served basis. When Kingston’s selection as the provincial capital was revoked and the city’s fortunes changed, surplus space in the City Hall was rented out to a variety of private interests, including saloons, shops, churches, private associations, a bank and a small theatre.

Location: 216 Ontario Street, Kingston, Canada
Website: https://www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall
Tel: 1 613-546-4291
Hour: 08:30 AM –16:30 PM
Google Rating: 4.4/5

The Murney Tower Museum is located in one of the four Martello Towers of Ontario and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rideau Canal and Kingston Fortifications. It is the oldest operating museum in Kingston with over a thousand domestic and military artefacts. Built-in 1846 in the style of the famous Martello Towers of southern England, the Murney Tower was a response by the British to growing tensions with the USA. An integral part of the Kingston Fortifications built to protect the city's Royal Naval dockyard, the tower continues to dominate the shoreline.

The heritage value of Murney Tower National Historic Site resides in its excellent portrayal of the martello tower, a type of military structure. The value also lies in its strategic design, its built and landscaped forms, its materials, craftsmanship, construction technology, and functions. Although in regular use as a barracks after 1849, Murney Tower was not fully armed until 1862, when it had already become obsolete because of rapid advances in offensive military technology. Its guns were intended to cover the western approaches to Kingston.

Location: 2 King Street W, Kingston, Ontario
Website: https://www.murneytower.com/
Tel: 1 613-217-8235
Hour: 10:00 AM - 16:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.4/5

Bellevue House National Historic Site was the former residence of Canada’s First Prime Minister, Sir John A MacDonald. It is located in a neighbourhood between downtown and the Kingston Penitentiary. Built about 1840, Bellevue House is one of the most interesting examples surviving in Canada of Italian Villa architecture, a style that was new in the country and novel in Kingston. As a Father of Confederation and Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald has had a direct impact on how Canada has grown from a small colony into a world-leading democratic country.

In Bellevue House, visitors can explore The Many Voices of Confederation exhibit presented in the Visitor Centre to hear stories about Macdonald, his challenges and accomplishments and the evolving story of Confederation that continues today. The exhibit features an interactive photo booth with an invitation to “Imagine a Country” and share your dream for Canada’s future. You can explore the juicy deets of Canadian history through an interactive discussion led by an interpreter while jumping on an Alternative Facts Tour or simply sip a cup of tea relaxing on the grounds and enjoying the view.

Location: 35 Centre Street, Kingston, Canada

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BellevueHouseNHS/

Tel: 1 613-545-8666

Hour: 10:00 AM - 16:00 PM

Google Rating: 4.3/5

Straddling both the Canadian and US sides of the mighty St. Lawrence River, Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises consists of more than 1,800 islands of all sizes, many of them home to huge cottages belonging to wealthy elites from both sides of the border. The islands range in size from over 40 square miles to smaller islands occupied by a single residence, or uninhabited outcroppings of rocks. To count as one of the Thousand Islands, emergent land within the river channel must have at least one square foot of land above water level year-round, and support at least two living trees.

The Island Queen has three floors: the first floor has indoor seating, a bar, and live music; the second floor is a dining floor; and the third floor is an open-air deck with magnificent panoramic scenery. Home to sailing events during the 21st Olympic Games, Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises is known as the freshwater sailing capital of the world. You can take a trip on the Island Queen around the world-famous Islands. It’s a sunset cruise that departs Kingston Harbour and takes you on a three-hour voyage around the spectacular 1000 Islands region.

Location: 248 Ontario St, Kingston, Canada
Website: https://www.1000islandscruises.ca/
Tel: 1 613-549-5544
Hour: 10:00 AM - 17:00 PM
Google Rating: 4.2/5