Kingston, Ontario, Canada – The Clever Boater

Location

Region: St. Lawrence Seaway/Lake Ontario
Latitude: 44.2290° N
Longitude: -76.4792° W
Waterway Guide: Kingston

Destination: Kingston

Kingstion on the north side of Lake Ontario at the entrance to the St. Lawrence Seaway and the 1000 Islands is one of our favorite stops in Canada! It’s bustling college town with Queens University and the Royal Military College of Canada. There is a rich history especially surrounding the war of 1812. Held by both the French and British there are influences and artifacts from both cultures.

There are two large marinas with good services avaiable and extended stays are available so that you can explore the area. Transportation is excellent with economical bus service, a hop-on-hop-off Trolley, and wide sidewalks and bike paths. Kingston also has a VIARail train station if you want to take a side trip to Montreal or Toronto (with the Toronto Airport).

Most of the attractions, restaurants, and shops are located along the lake front and are easily walkable from the marinas. Wolfe Island which approaching boaters will have noticed from it’s huge wind farm, is just across the St. Lawrence River and is accessible by ferry.

There are many tours and museums celebrating the rich history of Kingston including the impressive Fort Henry, the Martello Towers that dot the shoreline, and two former prisons now open for tours.

If you are a book lover, you will find several used bookshops, especially along Princess Street.

2024 Note: The Lasalle Causeway lift bridge that connects Downtown Kingston with Fort Henry and the Military College was broken for most of the year, and a multi-year replacement is in progress. This is also a bridge that must be lifted when entering or exiting the Rideau Canal. Double check its status before you plan travel on the Rideau Canal, a stay at Kingston Marina, or an excursion to Fort Henry.

Where To Eat

Dining choices abound! Princess Street the main shopping district has a large selection of unique eateries. The past British influence is also present in the large number of British Style Pubs.

A few of our favorite spots were:

Tir Nan Og – Located just across the street from Confederation Basin Marina. A British Style Pub serving traditional Pub Fare.
The Kingston Brewing Company – Also across from Confederation Basin Marina, serving pub fare and a large selection of local and imported beer.
A&W Rootbeer & Hamburgers – Behind Kingston City Hall. A tradition!
Morrison’s Restaurant – A great breakfast spot behind Kingston City Hall.
Chez Piggy – Restaurant & Bar tucked in a historic courtyard accessed through arched alleyways.
Harper’s – A gourmet hamburger restaurant on Princess Street.
Black Dog Tavern – Serving excellent food on Princess Street.
Lone Star Texas Grill – A Tex-Mex restaurant just North of the Visitor Center.
Bobbi Pecorino’s Italian Wine Bar – Excellent Italian food, located behind City Hall.
The Mansion Restaurant & Bar – A low-key restaurant, bar & live music venue with a pub menu, a patio & TVs showing sports. A mile up Princess Street from the waterfront. A local favorite!
Beaver Tails Kingston – Canadian Beaver Tails! Great with powdered sugar and cinnamon!
Portsmouth Tavern – A tavern with traditional Pub food. Located next to the Portsmouth Olympic Harbor Marina.
Wheat Kings – A bakery also next to the Portsmouth Olympic Harbor.
Battery Bistro and Beaver Tails at Fort Henry – If you visit Fort Henry, there is a nice little bistro serving light lunch fare and a Beaver Tails stop inside the Fort.
The Grizzly Grill – A great steak house with a decidely rustic Canadian theme. We had a great time and the food was excellent. It’s about 1-mile up Princess Street from Confederation Basin Marina.

These are but a few! Kingston has a large number of ethnic resturants as well including Vietnamise and Indian food. Of course being a college town, pizza joints abound!

Shopping Therapy

There is a Food Basics grocery store and LCBO (Liquor Store) a few blocks from the Confederation Basin Marina. While you are there be sure to walk down “The Tragically Hip Way” a street named for a local Kingston Rock Band that made good.

Martello Alley – An area of art galleries and shops just north of Princess Street.

Princess Street – The main shopping and resturant row in Kingston. One block over from the Confederation Basin Marina it has many unique gift shops, used book stores, botiques, outfitters, and lots, and lots of places to eat! It is also one of the main arteries and is the bus transfer center for the Kingston bus service.

The Garrison Store – A group of artist shops located inside of Fort Henry National Historic Site.

Queens University Bookstore – Features clothing, gifts relating to Queens University. It also has a nice selection of locally authored books.

Getting Around On Shore

Getting around Kingston is easy! Most of the attractions are along the lakefront, and there are nice sidewalks and waterfront paths to get you there from either marina.

Being a college town, Kingston has a great, economical bus service that will get you to (or near) all of the attractions and downtown. The bus stops right in front of both of the main marinas. The only exception is Fort Henry. The bus stops at the bottom of the hill, and it’s a half-mile hike up to the Fort.

Kingston is also very accessible by bike. Again, being a college town, there are many bike paths and sidewalks. Parts of Kingston can be hilly, but none of them are too bad except the climb up to Fort Henry.

There is also a hop-on-hop-off Kingston Trolley Service that makes a loop through the city and will take you to all of the attractions, including Fort Henry. The service stops in front of both marinas. The passes are CA$44.50 for one day, CA$56.60 for two days, and $68.50 for three days. While it may seem a bit pricy, it’s a great service, and you get a guided tour between the stops. The Trolley company also offers some special tours like a fully narrated City Tour and a Ghost & Mystery Tour.

Uber is very active in Kingston and are also Taxi services.

If you are looking to go a bit farther afield while staying in Kingston, there is a VIARail Canada Train Station on the outside of town. Trains run on a regular schedule to Montreal and Toronto. We took the train to Toronto (about 2 hours) and then a flight home during our stay.

Keeping Entertained

Fort Henry Garrison – A large British-era fort just outside town on the top of the hill. Museum, tours, and re-enactments, cannon firing. It’s up a big hill across the Causeway (which has been closed for most of 2024). It is best to take public transportation or one of the hop-on-hop-off bus services.
Royal Military College of Canada Museum – Canada’s West Point. Tour the original docks and take a self-guided tour.
Engine 1095 – In Kingston Downtown Park next to the Kingston sign and the Kingston Visitors Center.
SS Keewatin at the Great Lakes Museum – A fantastic tour of an Edwardian Liner that sailed the waters of the Georgian Bay, The North Channel, and Lake Superior, shuttling rail passengers between the two ends of the trans-Canadian rail line. You can see cabins staged for each era that the ship operated from 1908 to 1965. It’s a fascinating piece of history. We visited it before it moved from near Midland, Ontario. Make sure to book in advance!
The Pump House – History, science & technology museum in a 19th-century pumping station with a discovery center. See the huge steam-powered water pump that served the City of Kingston, as well as an excellent Model Railroad display.
Murney Tower Museum – 19th-century defensive tower featuring canon & military barracks, plus exhibits. Self-guided tour. Built after the War of 1812 (along with several others around Kingston) to defend against the American invasion that never came.
Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts – This sleek, contemporary theatre hosts orchestras, classical and jazz musicians, and other performances. Check the website for events when you are visiting.
Canada’s Penitentiary Museum – This museum shows the history of Canada’s prison system. While this may not sound very interesting, we found it fascinating. You can also tour the former Maximum Security Penitentiary across the street.
Kingston Penitentiary – Famed maximum-security prison, in operation from 1830–2013, with tours led by former guards. A fascinating look inside prison life. Canada’s version of Alcatraz. Book your tour in advance.
Rockwood Asylum for the Criminally Insane – A beautiful 1800s building that now houses the Museum of Health Care. You can take a docent or self-guided tour, then browse through exhibits on the history of mental health care.
Portsmouth Olympic Harbour – Built for the 1976 Olympics it is now a marina and sailing center. If you are not staying here walk from the Prison (it’s right next door) and take a look at this facility.
Bellevue House National Historic Site – Tours of John A. Macdonald’s restored Italianate-style villa and gardens are conducted by guides in period costumes.
Queens University – One of Canada, and the world’s premier Universities. Dating to 1841, this public research school is known for its engineering & business programs. It has a beautiful, walkable campus.
Wolfe Island Ferry – The ferry runs between Kingston and Wolfe Island just across the channel. You can take the 20-minute ferry ride and visit Marysville, a small town on the island. Wolfe Island is famous for its gigantic 86 turbine Wind Farm. From the main street, you can hear the sweep of the blades in the distance. Be sure to stop at the Tourist Information Center and Gallery. Also visit Wolfe Island Bakery, the Best Butter Tarts in Kingston!

Getting There

There are four main approaches to Kingston depending on where you are coming from. Kingston is a convenient stop on the way to (or from) the Trent-Severn Waterway. It’s right along the route from the exit of the Oswego Canal in Oswego, NY. From the St. Lawrence Seaway, the 1000 Islands, and Clayton, NY. And from the south end of the Rideau Canal which starts/ends in Kingston.

Direct From Oswego, NY. If you are headed directly to the Trent-Severn from Oswego, Kingston is just a few miles off the direct line. Leaving Oswego, head almost due north 52-miles across Lake Ontario and you can’t help but see it!
From Clayton, NY and the 1000 Islands area. – Follow the St. Lawrence River South toward Wolf Island. There is a cut-through channel at the northern tip of Wolf Island, that will bring you into the Northern arm of the St. Lawrence and right to Kingston. Otherwise, follow the main river channel to Lake Ontario, then head north around Wolf Island.
From the Rideau Canal. If you are coming south on the Rideau Canal from Ottawa, the southern part of the canal is The Great Cataraqui River which ends in Kingston Inner Harbour. Pass under the lift bridge and Kingston is on your Starboard side. Kingston is also a great stop if you are headed north toward Ottawa on the Rideau.
From/To the Trent-Severn Canal. Kingston to Trent-Port and Trent-Port Marina, is about 60 miles. You will travel part of Lake Ontario, then follow a twisty side channel into Big Bay and Trent Port.

Marinas and Anchorages

Confederation Basin Marina – This is the main marina and is right downtown. The City of Kingston runs it. If you can, get in; this is the best place to stay. It’s near almost everything and is right next to the central restaurant, shopping district, and the major bus terminal. This marina does fill up, especially if there are boat races on Lake Ontario, so book ahead. Power and water are available, but there is no fuel or pump-out. For that, you need to go to Portsmouth Olympic Park, about 2.5 miles away. The dock structure here is very large, so if you have any issues walking, make sure that they know when you reserve. It can be over 1/4 mile hike from shore to the normal transient slips.
Portsmouth Olympic Harbor – The Olympic Harbor was used during the 1976 Olympics for the sailing events. It is smaller than Confederation Basin, but has both Fuel and Pumpout available. Olympic Harbor is conveniently located between the Federal Prison and the Prison for the Insane (both closed and now museums!) There is a convenient bus service to downtown (about 2 miles by bike or walking) that leaves from in front of the marina.
Kingston Marina – Kingston Marina is right at the end of the Rideau Canal, just before you pass under the lift bridge. It is full-service with Gas, Diesel, and Pumpout. It is within walking distance of downtown.