Things to Do in Kingston
41 curated spots from Kingston itineraries
Activities & Attractions
22 curated experiences
Fort Henry National Historic Site
Tour the 19th-century fortress with guided walks, demonstrations, cannons and scenic ramparts overlooking the water; enjoy the performances and explore the tunnels and courtyards at your own pace.
2h 30m · $20-30 per person (entry)
Agnes Etherington Art Centre (Queen’s University)
Explore small but interesting art collections and then wander the leafy university campus with big lawns and mature trees.
2h · Often Free or by donation
Bellevue House National Historic Site
Tour the house and enjoy the gardens for a quieter morning with greenery, history, and space to slow down.
2h · $10-15 per personBellevue House National Historic Site Gardens
Explore the historic house’s grounds and gardens with tall trees, old gardens, and a slight feeling of a tucked-away estate in the greenery.
1h 30m · $10-20 per person
Confederation Park & City Hall
Check out the historic City Hall, fountains, and boats in the marina; it’s a great place to sit under trees and get oriented.
45m · FreeConfederation Park & Waterfront Walk
Stroll through this landscaped park by the lake, see the historic train and fountain, and walk along the waterfront paths with views of boats and the harbour. Find a leafy corner for a mini-picnic or just sit together watching the water.
1h 30m · Free
Downtown Kingston Mural Walk
Stroll the streets around Water Lane and Fleet Street to see large, colorful murals; bring a camera and wander slowly.
1h 30m · Free
Fleet Street Weekend Street Party
Join free sound system nightlife (starts ~9 PM weekends); dance to live reggae – high-energy yet safe with locals. Walk back from Devon House area.
3h · Free (drinks $2-5)
Free Explore: Lake Ontario Park
Take a short taxi or rideshare from downtown (about 10 minutes) and wander forested paths, shaded lawns, and the natural shoreline with lots of trees.
2h · Free (plus transport)
Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises
Take the family-friendly scenic boat cruise from the harbor for island views, fresh air, and a relaxed start to the trip.
2h · $35-55 per personKingston City Hall and Confederation Park
Walk the harborfront, enjoy the park, and let the kids have an easy reset time with benches, open space, and photo-friendly views.
1h 30m · Free
Kingston Penitentiary Tour
Join a guided tour of the historic penitentiary and learn about its architecture, inmates, and infamous stories.
2h · $35-45 per person
Kingston Public Market & Springer Market Square
On market days, wander produce and craft stalls; otherwise, enjoy the open square, old stone buildings, and trees around it.
1h · FreeKingston Public Market and Downtown Free Explore
Spend a relaxed afternoon browsing the market area and nearby streets, looking for local produce, small shops, street performance energy, and harbor views.
2h 30m · Free
Kingston Waterfront & Victoria Pier
Walk along the harbor’s edge, watch the boats, and sit under the trees along the promenade.
45m · Free
Kingston Waterfront Sunset Stroll
Walk along the harbourfront promenade near Victoria Pier in the early evening to catch the changing light over the water and distant mountains.
1h · Free
Kingston Waterfront Trail (Downtown Section)
Walk the paved path from Confederation Park west toward Breakwater Park under mature trees with constant lake views and plenty of benches.
1h 30m · Free
Last-Minute Shopping on Princess Street
Pick up small gifts or local snacks (checking labels for halal-friendly ingredients) and take a final walk through your favorite blocks.
1h 30m · Free (shopping extra)
Lemoine Point Conservation Area
Walk shaded forest trails, boardwalks, and lakeside paths through a mix of woods and open meadows; choose an easy loop based on your energy.
2h 30m · Free (parking donation suggested)
Princess Street Evening People-Watching
Sit on a bench or wander slowly up the main street, taking in buskers, shop windows, and the evening energy.
1h · Free
Springer Market Square & Kingston City Hall
Wander the historic square with its limestone city hall backdrop, seasonal market stalls and, in winter, an outdoor skating rink. Sit on a bench, people-watch and photograph the stone buildings with splashes of greenery and seasonal decorations.
1h · Free
Thousand Islands Cruise (from Kingston Waterfront)
Board a daytime sightseeing cruise to weave between forested islands, rocky shorelines, and lighthouses; choose a simple sightseeing-only option without meals for easier halal control.
2h 30m · $40-70 per personRestaurants & Food
19 local favorites
Sima Sushi
Cozy sushi restaurant with wood accents; choose vegetarian and seafood-only dishes like avocado rolls, vegetable tempura, salmon maki, and grilled fish — avoid any items cooked with mirin or alcohol and double-check sauces with staff.
1h 30m · $25-40 per person
Akira Sushi
Simple Japanese spot — keep it halal by choosing vegetarian rolls (avocado, cucumber, veggie tempura), egg dishes, and cooked or raw fish rolls without any alcohol-based sauces; confirm ingredients for miso soup and sauces.
1h · $18-30 per person
Ali Baba Kabab (Return Visit or Takeout Picnic)
Grab a mix of halal chicken shawarma, beef doner, falafel wraps, rice and salad boxes, and take it to a nearby park; confirm the meat is halal and avoid any questionable sauces.
45m · $15-25 per personAli Baba Kabab Kingston
Casual Middle Eastern spot with a jungle-green, slightly eclectic fast-casual vibe. Order chicken shawarma platters, beef doner, falafel platters, hummus and salads — the meat is served as halal, but still confirm and avoid any non-halal add-ons.
1h · $15-25 per personAli Baba Kabab Kingston Downtown
Casual Middle Eastern spot; order a falafel wrap, veggie platter, or grilled chicken shawarma prepared in a halal-friendly way (they focus on halal meats and can confirm no pork or alcohol in your dish).
45m · $12-20 per personAli Baba Kabab Kingston Downtown (Repeat Option)
Have a final halal-style meal of falafel, veggie platters, or grilled chicken prepared according to their halal practices; reconfirm details with staff.
1h · $12-20 per person
Amadeus Café
Choose vegetarian German-influenced dishes like potato pancakes, salads, and veggie sides; confirm no pork, lard, or alcohol in your selections.
1h 15m · $20-35 per person
Coffee & Company
Choose vegetarian sandwiches, soups, salads, and bakery items; confirm no bacon-based add-ons and stick to clearly meat-free options.
45m · $15-25 per person
Curry Original
Indian restaurant overlooking the water; focus on vegetarian dishes and seafood. Good options include chana masala, dal, aloo gobi, mixed vegetable curries, paneer dishes, and fish curries cooked without alcohol — specify no alcohol in cooking and avoid any meat that is not confirmed halal.
1h 30m · $25-40 per person
Devon House I-Scream
Iconic rum-raisin or soursop ice cream from street stall; pair with festival patties nearby.
45m · $3-7 per person
Harper's Burger Bar
Order the vegetarian burger, fries, salads, and other meat-free sides; confirm no bacon toppings and ask about separate prep for halal-safe ordering.
1h · $20-35 per person
Mio Gelato
Have a light lunch stop with halal-safe vegetarian items if available that day, plus gelato made from clearly meat-free ingredients; check labels and choose fruit-based or dairy options.
30m · $10-20 per person
Morrison’s Restaurant
Classic diner; stick to vegetarian options like grilled cheese, veggie omelettes, pancakes, or salads and confirm no pork or alcohol ingredients in your order.
1h · $15-25 per person
Namaste Kingston
Choose vegetarian curries, chana dishes, lentils, naan, and rice; explicitly avoid any meat dishes and ask for no non-halal ingredients in sauces.
1h · $18-30 per person
Pan Chancho Bakery & Café
Order vegetarian breakfast dishes like avocado toast, veggie frittatas, or baked goods; confirm items are free from pork and alcohol-based ingredients.
1h · $15-25 per person
Tango Nuevo
Order halal-safe vegetarian breakfast options, eggs, potatoes, and fresh juices; ask for no pork products or cross-contact on your plate.
1h · $20-35 per person
The Pita Pit (Downtown Princess Street Location)
Build your own vegetarian pita (falafel, hummus, grilled veggies) or seafood-based option, explicitly requesting no pork, no bacon, and no alcohol-based sauces.
45m · $12-18 per person
Tim Hortons (Princess Street or Downtown Location)
Grab coffee, tea, hash browns, and vegetarian baked goods; double-check ingredients on any egg sandwiches or wraps and avoid bacon or sausage.
30m · $8-15 per person
Tir Nan Og
Choose fish, vegetarian plates, salads, and sides that are clearly meat-free; avoid any pork items and confirm the kitchen can keep your order halal-safe.
1h 15m · $25-45 per person