New exhibits, programs, and tours in 2024!
Open May – October
Bellevue House National Historic Site speaks about the complex and lasting legacies of Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald.
Your visit begins in the visitor centre, where Parks Canada staff provide orientation, and exhibits introduce Macdonald and Confederation.
Visitors have self-guided or guided tour options to choose from.
Self-guided visitors can experience the historic site at their own pace. Those choosing to explore on their own may also be interested in self-guided content available for Bellevue House on the free Parks Canada App (parks.canada.ca/app). Families and children also enjoy the challenge of completing the Xplorer activity, and the prize received upon completion.
Those seeking a more engaging experience may choose to participate in one of the new guided tour options being offered:
· The Bellevue, in Brief tour offers a short introduction to the historic significance of the national historic site. This 20–30-minute tour is designed to provide the basic history of Macdonald and his legacies, and empower a visitor to continue their experience of the site on their own after the tour. Program fees apply.
Daily schedule: 10:30 & 11:30 AM 2:30 & 3:30 PM
· Unpacking Macdonald is a 60–90-minute guided tour that immerses visitors into history by walking a path that follows 1840s Victorian class and social structures. Participants are engaged with dialogue, interactive activities, and audio recordings of period debates. Program fees apply.
Schedule: 1:00 PM Monday, Thursday & Saturday
· The site also offers an immersive and interactive program for individuals, groups and school tours called Keeping Up Appearances where participants are invited to challenge themselves and experience different levels of class and segregation in 1840s Kingston. This tour includes a culinary option and reservations are required: 613 545 8666. Program fees apply.
Schedule: July – August 1:00 PM Tuesday & Sunday
All experiences at the site are offered in English and French.
Visit parks.canada.ca/Bellevue to learn more about Bellevue House National Historic Site and to access a full listing of the new regular visitor experience opportunities and associated fees.
