The clop of hooves and creak of wooden carriages once resonated through Kingston’s limestone alleyways. While the equestrian channels are now obsolete, they stand as a reminder of the city’s long history.
The downtown film tour guides you through Springer Market Square, once bustling with canvas–topped trolleys transporting people and goods across the city, while the west-of-downtown literary tour takes you around Queen’s University’s campus. Long-standing homes in the University District are indented with wide arches originally designed for carriages.
Here are some other carriageways you may spot on your next jaunt around Kingston.
This building on Princess Street wasn’t always a fine dining establishment serving delicious Sunday brunch. Built in 1806, the space once operated as a horse stable.
The limestone stable withstood a devastating fire that swept through Kingston in 1840. After flames engulfed Kingston’s historical landmarks, all the city’s buildings were constructed from brick and stone in lieu of wood. Hence Kingston’s nickname, “the Limestone City.”
While the smell of mud and hay was replaced with the pleasant aroma of firewood and homemade marinades, Chez Piggy preserves the building’s history through its interior design. The restaurant resembles a cozy, turn-of-the-century tavern where men sporting baker’s boy caps, tool belts, and military uniforms drank beer after a long day of work.
With its exposed grey brick, brown furniture, warm lights, and a grand, curved staircase leading to the second floor of the restaurant, Chez Piggy transports customers hundreds of years in the past, while offering a delectable dining experience.
“Martello” not only refers to Kingston’s military towers but is an ode to the city’s rich heritage, serving as the name of a historic alleyway.
Today, Martello Alley resembles Rue du Trésor in Quebec’s old city, adorned with paintings, drawings, and postcards from local artists. However, when David and Wendy Dossett, the founders of the eclectic artisan alley, stumbled upon the limestone archway on Wellington Street, its condition was akin to its 19th–century state: a dark, dirty passageway for horse-drawn carriages.
In 1893, Kingston was home to 788 horses, meaning high and wide carriageways like Martello Alley were commonplace. When cars finally came to Kingston, horse-drawn carriages were phased out.
If you want to explore more of Kingston’s alleys, visit Antique Alley, a vintage shop bursting with unique home goods.
Rochleau Court
70-72 Princess Street
Tucked away behind the historic limestone buildings and alleys leading to Chez Piggy and The Toucan is Rochleau Court.
The historic area takes its name from François-Xavier Rocheleau, a prominent member of Kingston’s 19th-century elite. Rocheleau made his presence known both figuratively, cultivating a strong community by constructing several buildings in Kingston, including St. Joseph’s Church (392 Palace Road), and literally, etching his initials into the facade of his Princess Street home (70-72 Princess Street).
The Quebec native built his lavish house after moving to Kingston in 1790 with his wife and children. The building was later used in the 1840s by Alexander Campbell, a father of the Canadian Confederation.
Shop Kingston’s artisans and craftspeople this holiday season. Luckily, you can sample a wide range of unique, locally made products all in one place, at a few special markets and pop-up events this season.
Browse local, one-of-a-kind goods at Sun Harvest Greenhouses during their Holiday Makers Market. Meet new and returning vendors while taking in the beautiful holiday aromas of the greenhouses.
The annual Canadian Forces Base Kingston Fall Craft Sale returns for the 2024 season. This event will feature vendors with unique gifts and handmade items for all ages. All proceeds go towards the Military Veteran Program Plus (MVP+) and non-perishable items are being collected. Check out the event details on CFB Kingston’s Facebook event.
Nov. 21 (5 – 9 pm), 22 (10 am – 7 pm), 23 (10 am – 5 pm), 24 (10 am – 3 pm)
The Kingston Potters’ Guild has been part of the Kingston community for over 50 years. The Guild’s talented potters offer a variety of wares for sale to the public during the holiday season. Items on sale range from practical kitchen and dining items (mugs, platters, teapots, and more) to beautiful artistic pieces and holiday ornaments. Learn more about the sale on the Guild’s website.
Nov. 21 (5 – 9 pm), 22 (10 am – 6 pm), 23 (10 am – 5 pm), 24 (10 am – 3 pm)
Sponsored by the Kingston Lapidary and Mineral Club, the Fall Metal Rocks Show and Sale features one-of-a-kind rocks, minerals, handcrafted jewelry, home décor, and gifts. Admission is free! Learn more about the event on the Tett Centre’s website.
Nov. 22 (4 – 8 pm), 23 (10 am – 4 pm), 24 (10 am – 2 pm)
The Kingston Symphony is here to make your holiday shopping a breeze with their All Things Christmas, Gifts & Art Sale. Discover a treasure trove of gifts, from beautiful jewelry and glassware to delightful candles and decorations. All the proceeds go to support the Kingston Symphony. Learn more about the sale on their website.
Enjoy three weekends of local makers at the Kingston Holiday Market. With a variety of local artisans participating each weekend, you can get all your holiday shopping done in one place. Have your choice of festive goods, from holiday-themed toys to timeless handmade apparel. More details about the market can be found on the Kingston Holiday Market’s website.
The Fat Goose Craft Fair is back for its 15th year at Grant Hall on Queen’s campus. You’ll find clothing, jewelry, art prints, food and drink, soaps, sculpture, and more. If it’s handmade with love locally, you can probably find it at Fat Goose.
Stop by the farm for some festive cheer, good food, great brews, and holiday gift items from more than 80 local artisans and food vendors over both weekends. Learn more about the holiday market by visiting the MacKinnon Brothers’ website.
The German Christmas Market is back in the Biergarten at Amadeus Café. Sip on a hot mug of Glühwein and munch on a pretzel while you explore an array of Christmas gifts and goods from local artisans. Follow Amadeus Café on Facebook for upcoming details.
Flint and Maple, a local Indigenous art business is hosting an Indigenous Holiday Market in the Modern Fuel space inside the Tett Centre this year. Come and shop hand-made items from Indigenous vendors, including painting, caribou tufting, quillwork, beadwork, pottery, and more.
Find the ingredients for your holiday meals by shopping for local veggies, meats, breads, and treats at this market presented by the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market. Purchase your last-minute artisan gifts and enjoy festive the festivities. After shopping, cozy up by the fire pit with complimentary cookies, warm apple cider, hot chocolate, and holiday music.
Nov. 7 (5 – 7 pm), Nov. 8 (10 am – 7 pm), Nov. 9 (10 am – 4 pm), Nov. 10 (11 am – 3 pm)
This family-friendly event showcases locally made fibre arts and one-of-a-kind gifts from small to large. All items are handmade by the group’s 100+ members spinning, weaving, felting, dyeing, and basket-making.
The Music Merch Market showcases the talents of Kingston’s local musicians and makers. Whether you are looking for a unique addition to your treasures or the ideal holiday gift, this market have you covered. And here’s the best part—every penny spent at the Music Merch Market goes directly to talented local artists, supporting them in their journey to grow and create.
One of Kingston’s finest furniture consignment shops is opening its doors for an exceptional artisan market! Drop by Carson House in Kingston’s west end for an array of over 15 local makers, a Christmas Choir performance, holiday treats and hot drinks, and draws for special prizes.
Stop by Kingston Gaming Nexus for a special market featuring a roster of local artisans! Walk through their indoor alley and browse the works of over 20 local artists specializing in unique gifts, art, and more.
From cheering on the local hockey team or taking in an exercise class to relaxing at a Kingston spa or enjoying live music, there’s so much to see and do in Kingston while you’re here for the 2024 Vanier Cup!
Looking for a great deal for your stay? Book one of our many hotel packages and receive exclusive offerings including $100 Visa gift cards, dining credits, vouchers, complimentary items, and more!
Make your way to Slush Puppie Place and catch one of two opportunities to see Kingston’s local OHL team in action. On November 22, watch the Kingston Frontenacs take on the Peterborough Petes, or join their game against the North Bay Battalion on November 24.
Take time to unwind during your weekend in Kingston. Enjoy a guided sauna experience, thermotherapy, rejuvenating facial, or soothing massage at one of our spas downtown.
3. Catch a concert
Every weekend the pubs and venues of Kingston come alive with music, from small jazz bands to singer songwriters to bands playing rock, country, pop, and more. Here are a few of the shows you can catch on the weekend:
Kingston’s independent cinema, The Screening Room, plays a variety of films, from new blockbusters and mid-budget movies to classics and independent films. Their concessions also offer movie classics like fresh popcorn and a fantastic mixture of local pop and craft beer, so you can get a taste of the city’s breweries while enjoying a movie. View upcoming shows on their website and book tickets.
The holiday season is here and with it come holiday markets. This year, several seasonal favourites make their return, including the Kingston Potters’ Guild Holiday Sale at the Tett Centre Nov. 21–23; All Things Christmas gifts & art sale at the Kingston Symphony Warehouse Nov. 22–24; the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market on Nov. 24, and more. Learn more about Kingston’s holiday markets in our 12+ holiday markets to visit in Kingston list.
Take a walk through Kingston’s downtown and learn about the city’s rich artistic history with a Creative Kingston Walking Tour. Discover the music venues where some of the biggest names in Canada’s music got their start, see behind-the-scenes of films shot here, and visit the places that inspired award-winning novels on the Music, Literary, and Film walking tours.
Starts at the Visitor Information Centre, 209 Ontario Street
Kingston Food Tours offers two guided food tours that include famous dishes at local restaurants, all presented with an insider’s perspective on our city’s history and culture. Learn about Kingston’s culinary legacy while enjoying local bites on the Classic Kingston Tour, or enjoy small tastings paired with an alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) beverage on a Tapas Tour.
Would you rather heat things up? Try Morro Yoga’s hot room yoga class, combines deep breathing with gentle stretching to boost strength, balance, and mobility.
Bonus:
See women’s flag football in action
Miklas McCarney Field, 246, 300 Sir John A. Macdonald Blvd.
Richardson Stadium, 366 Hargreaves Way
Watch some of the top teams in flag football from Ontario and Quebec compete in a two-day tournament! Check out the Canadian Collegiate Women’s Flag Showcase on November 23 at Miklas McCarney Field, and at Richardson Stadium on November 24 from 8:30 am–2 pm.
Football fundamentals for kids
Miklas McCarney Field, 246, 300 Sir John A. Macdonald Blvd.
Are your kids interested in football? Sign them up for the Football Canada 1st Down ‘Try Football’ Day on November 23 at Queen’s University’s Miklas-McCarney Field. Hosted from 11:30 am–1 pm, this free event encourages youth (ages 4–12) to get active and learn some of the fundamentals of the sport. Register for free online.
Kingston Frontenacs overage goaltender Nolan Lalonde has had a busy spring and summer. He won a national championship, and he celebrated a homecoming of sorts.
Last spring the former Saginaw Spirit goaltender’s name was added to an impressive list of local hockey players who have won the Memorial Cup, junior hockey’s most cherished trophy. Lalonde, an overage goaltender this season, was traded to the Frontenacs on June 21 for a couple of draft picks.
He joins other Memorial Cup champions from Kingston, including Gabe Vilardi and Aaron Luchuk of the Windsor Spitfires in 2017; Calgary born and Kingston-bred Taylor Hall also for the Spitfires in 2009; Scott Arniel, in 1980 and again in 1981 with Doug Gilmour for the Cornwall Royals; as well as Gary MacGregor, Bob Murray, and Gary Running, also for the 1972 Royals.
Kingston’s Don Cherry won the Cup in 1953 with the Barrie Flyers and goaltender Lorne Howes won it for the Flyers in 1951.
“It’s exciting and to play in my hometown and to give back to the city that gave me so much just growing up playing here and I’m super-proud to be from here,” Lalonde says. “It’s special putting that (Frontenacs) jersey on every time I get to do it.”
The Spirit won the 2024 Memorial Cup in dramatic fashion, defeating the London Knights 4–3 in the championship game on June 2, with the clinching goal scored with just 22 seconds remaining in the game.
In the deciding match, the Spirit went out to a 3–0 lead just past the halfway mark of the second period only to see the Knights storm back with a late second-period goal and a pair in the third period to tie the game. For the last 10 minutes of the third period the Spirit were able to hold off relentless pressure from the high-flying Knights, winning the game when the Spirit’s Josh Bloom scored in the dying seconds, creating a celebration Lalonde won’t soon forget.
“It was the coolest experience I think I’ve had playing hockey in a long time. We score with 22 seconds left to win the Memorial Cup – it doesn’t get better than that.”
The Spirit were the host team for the Memorial Cup last spring. Also appearing in the tournament were the Western Hockey League champions Moose Jaw Warriors and Quebec-Maritime Junior Hockey League champion Drummondville Voltigeurs.
Andrew Oke, the starting Spirit goalie and a good friend of Lalonde’s, played in the first six games of Saginaw’s playoff run before being injured: a four-game sweep over the Owen Sound Attack and the first two games of the Western Conference semi-final series against the Soo Greyhounds.
In relief, Lalonde played in a dozen games for the Spirit, compiling a five win-seven loss record, a goal against average of 2.79 and a save percentage of .893. The Spirit defeated Sault Ste. Marie in seven games but was eliminated from the playoffs by the Knights in six games in the OHL’s Western Conference final.
In his first game against the Greyhounds, Lalonde was selected the first star in a 7–2 win and received a second star and a pair of third-star selections over the remainder of the playoffs.
Oke was put back in the nets by Spirit coach Chris Lazary for game one of the Memorial Cup after recovering from his injury. He played all five games, sending Lalonde to the end of the Saginaw bench to watch from the sidelines.
Lalonde took the goalie change with a positive attitude.
“I’m competitive, I’d want to play every game,” he says. “I was just trying to be the best teammate I could in that scenario. I was trying to support Oke because at the end of the day. he’s one of my best friends on that team,” Lalonde says. “I was just trying to be the biggest cheerleader I could on the bench.”
Lalonde recently signed a free-agent contract with the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets and recently attended the team’s training camp and got to play in a rookie tournament game.
“They were pretty happy, all the feedback I got was positive and they told me to come back here and have a good year,” Lalonde says.
Back in March, Lalonde appeared via video at the Kingston Canadians minor hockey banquet to present the Steve Carter Memorial Award for community service. He recalled how much he loved playing one season for the Kingston Canadians major pee wee AA team (now U13) for coach Carter.
In the video, he described how he wasn’t having much fun and developing the way he liked playing in Kingston’s AAA hockey organization the year before, so he dropped down to play AA for the 2015–16 season.
“Without that one season and playing for him and with that group of guys, I wouldn’t be where I am playing hockey today,” he said of Carter, a Kingston Police sergeant who unexpectedly passed away in May of 2021 at the age of 46.
Lalonde moved back up to AAA for his minor bantam (13-year-old) year and was eventually drafted in the third round, 49th overall by the Erie Otters in 2020.
“The impact [Carter] had on me kind of allowed me to finally find the reason I actually played because I loved the game.”
Lalonde is looking forward to his last season of junior hockey.
“It’s really fun so far and exciting – we have a really good team and it’s been really cool to be back home.”
As the temperature drops and leaves turn orange and red, the beloved Canadian television show Murdoch Mysteries returns to Kingston for the fourth time.
Murdoch Mysteries is shooting scenes for its 300th episode at St. George’s Cathedral, The Rosemount Inn, and at a house on Emily Street from October 2 to 5. For Julie Lacey, producer of Murdoch Mysteries, Kingston is the perfect place to shoot the longtime series, which takes place at the turn of the 20th century.
“Kingston has beautifully preserved its historic buildings and is one of the most stunning physical settings in the country. We’ve had the pleasure of setting a Murdoch episode in Kingston, but this season our executive producer Peter Mitchell and producer Jenny Hood are transforming Kingston into historic England for our 300th episode of the series,” Lacey says.
The Murdoch Mysteries team has ventured to Kingston’s historic Market Square, Kingston Penitentiary, Sydenham Ward, and Queen’s University to shoot various scenes of the Canadian classic. The show also filmed on the S.S. Keewatin at the Great Lakes Museum, for the season 7-episode Murdoch Ahoy.
Bringing the script, written by Paul Aitken, and vision, cultivated by Laurie Lynd, of the nautical episode to life, the show’s team transformed the passenger liner back into an opulent, early-20th century vessel teeming with prominent aristocrats.
Lacey’s favourite episodes of Murdoch Mysteries filmed in Kingston include season 15 episode The Things We Do For Love (part 2), and season 7 episode Midnight Train to Kingston. The former follows the notorious gang The Black Hand as they traverse Market Square, while the latter features Kingston Penitentiary, where Murdoch encounters his arch-nemesis James Gillies.
Lacey’s return to Kingston isn’t simply a professional venture—it’s a homecoming. Born and raised in Kingston, Lacey is intimately familiar with the arched limestone alleyways dotting the downtown core. She went to Queen’s University for her undergraduate degree, and her two sisters both work at the Kingston General Hospital.
“Personally, I love [that Kingston is] so close to the lake. And the Kingston community is such a welcoming [community],” Lacey says.
Lacey enjoys seeing Kingstonians flock to the set of Murdoch Mysteries to watch the series film. Many of them are proud to see the beauty of their hometown displayed on the big screen, she says.
As the temperature drops and the cardigans come out, Kingston offers a variety of activities to explore the city’s fall foliage.
We’ve created an autumnal itinerary featuring brunch, a scenic boat ride, and a picturesque walking tour or trip to the farm.
Indulge in apple cider french toast or a chorizo breakfast wrap
Grab brunch at Lay Low Cafe (241 Princess Street), adorned with earthy green furniture and a marble coffee bar serving tiramisu lattes and nutrient-dense smoothies.
The Princess Street cafe serves classic brunch fare including a chorizo breakfast wrap, loaded with scrambled eggs, chorizo, cheddar, romaine lettuce, garlic aioli, and a side of bacon home fries. For a nourishing breakfast spread, order Lay Low’s Brekkie Board–smashed avocado toast on sourdough with goat cheese, a coconut yogurt bowl with seasonal fruit, and supreme house fries.
On Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm, Chez Piggy (68 Princess Street)–a 19th-century limestone horse stable turned fine dining establishment–serves brunch made with locally sourced ingredients.
Their apple cider French toast is the ultimate fall dish, topped with caramelized apples, Calavados, caramel crème fraïche, salted caramel, and fresh fruit. If you’re craving a savoury meal, order the breakfast ham-burger loaded with greens, a house sausage patty, cheddar cheese, peameal, fried egg, hollandaise sauce, crispy shallots, and a side of home fries.
Discover Kingston’s fall foliage from the water
After enjoying pancakes and a cup of coffee, walk to Crawford Wharf for your trip with Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises.
The Discovery Cruise on the Island Belle ship is a one-hour nautical tour around the 1000 Islands region. Admire the gold and orange leaves while gliding past Fort Henry and the Kingston Penitentiary.
Grab your tickets on the Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises’ website. The Discovery Cruise is available until October 27.
Visit a coffee shop
After travelling along Kingston’s waterfront, head to a local coffee shop for a pastry and a pumpkin spice latte. Crave Coffee House and Bakery (166 Princess Street) serves seasonal sweet treats, unique latte flavours, bagels, and ready-made meals.
Explore Kingston’s artistic scene or experience a pumpkin harvest
Kingston offers nine free walking tours that explore the city’s historical architecture and limestone alleyways.
The downtown film tour is a 75-minute excursion starting in Springer Market Square. You’ll learn how Market Square transformed into a turn-of-the-century marketplace for Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro’s movie Crimson Peak. The tour will also delve into the history of The Screening Room–a locally owned cinema serving buttered popcorn and a variety of sweets.
If you love to curl up with a cozy mystery novel or indulge in a romance book, the downtown literary tour is perfect for you. The 75-minute tour will take you to the buildings that inspired popular novelists’ work.
You’ll encounter local bookstore Novel Ideas and visit Skeleton Park–an artistic epicentre hosting summer festivals and pop-up events where creatives showcase their work. The park also boasts vibrant fall foliage in September and October.
If you want to learn about the Limestone City’s music scene, try the 60-minute downtown music tour. The tour digs into the history of The Tragically Hip–an iconic Canadian rock band who performed their first and last concerts in Kingston. You’ll also stop at the Kingston Grand Theatre, where a fair share of notable artists have graced the stage.
You can explore additional tours by visiting the Kingston Creative Walking Tour’s website.
If you want to venture outside downtown Kingston, drive 20 minutes to Fruition Berry Farms (3208 Hughes Road) for a pumpkin harvest and corn maze, starting Sept. 14. The family-run farm offers a five-to-six acre themed corn maze, wagon rides, and pumpkin picking. The price of admission is $6 per adult and $4 per child.
Bundle up in your cozy scarf, grab a steaming hot chocolate, and head north to enjoy the autumn vibes.
Fireplaces carved from dark brown wood, terra cotta panels, and grand staircases. Kingston’s historic inns amalgamate vintage infrastructure and lush, modern elements to deliver a comfortable and charming experience.
We’ve created a list of Kingston’s historic inns to help you plan your next trip to the Limestone City.
Surrounded by stunning greenery and backdropped by the St. Lawrence River, this 19th-century manor boasts five spacious rooms adorned with ornate chandeliers and heated marble floors.
The All Suites Whitney Manor has a vintage-modern vibe, captured in the estate’s interior design.
The Chapel Suite features exposed limestone brick and a fully equipped chef’s kitchen. As the name implies, the room was the estate’s chapel in the early 1800s. Like the Chapel Suite, the Whitney Suite includes two bedrooms, high ceilings, and a furnished patio akin to a country club’s outdoor oasis.
Moving to the top of the manor, you’ll come across the cozy Penthouse Suite with its mix of marble and pine flooring. When the temperature cools and the leaves turn orange, the suite offers panoramic views of the fall foliage along the St. Lawrence River.
Visit the All Suites Whitney Manor’s website to learn about the Greystone Suite – which boasts a private patio – and the Sopwell Suite. The Sopwell Suite features a rustic, four-poster bed, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, and a soaking tub.
The manor was built by steamship captain James McKenzie in 1817. The estate was then purchased by National Hockey League player Bill Cook, and later, the illustrious Whitney family, after whom the manor is named.
Just steps away from Springer Market Square, this former bank and private club features opulent accommodations and a swanky bar.
The Frontenac Club retains the sophisticated ambiance of an early 20th-century gentlemen’s club where the upper echelons of Kingston society gathered to play billiards and drink scotch. Each hotel room includes a large marble bathroom, white linens, and black-accented decor.
The Locomotive Room boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and a huge soaker tub you can enjoy on a cold winter evening. The Gardini Room provides views of Kingston’s waterfront and easy access to the Club’s guest-only rooftop patio.
Like the Frontenac Club’s expansive patio, the Spire Room overlooks Kingston historic landmarks. While most of the Club’s suites are in the Bank Wing–named after the building’s 19th-century role as a Bank of Montreal–the Cartwright Suite is in the private Cartwright Wing, the perfect room for an intimate couple’s getaway.
The Secret Garden Inn’s rooms are an ode to Kingston’s history in both their names and their vintage decor.
The Inn, built by John McKay in 1888, features seven meticulously designed rooms named after Kingston’s historic landmarks and distinguished community members.
The Coverdale Room, named after the architect who designed The Spire and the Kingston Penitentiary, is adorned with elegant blue accents and has a seating area next to the room’s windows.
Named after the mansion’s former owner, the McKay room features violet decorations and overlooks the inn’s gardens and koi pond. The Martello Room–a tribute to Kingston’s historic military fortifications–also offers views of the inn’s lush foliage.
In addition to their elegant accommodations, The Secret Garden Inn hosts afternoon tea. You can snack on buttery scones, soft cakes, and petit fours amidst the inn’s terra cotta panels and floral motifs. Reservations are required, so call 613-548-1081 to book your Victorian tea experience.
And if you’re looking to enjoy a meal at a local restaurant, downtown Kingston is a seven-minute walk away.
From the mind of famous Kingston architect William Coverdale came this Georgian-style mansion with an eccentric chimney stack and sweeping French windows.
The Rosemount Inn boasts 11 guest rooms that retain original design elements from the 1850s.
Tucked away in the Inn’s coach house, the Edward Suite includes pine floorboards installed by Coverdale, along with a private living room, large fireplace, and whirlpool bath. Next to the spacious, lodge-like suite is the quaint Studio room, featuring elegant limestone brick and an exposed beam ceiling, emulating the warmth and charm of a cozy cottage.
Aside from the rooms nestled in the coach house, The Rosemount Inn offers a variety of king and queen suites, equipped with memory foam mattresses, walk-in showers, and private balconies. Each of the Inn’s rooms are unique; the premium king suite is bold, lush, and spacious, while the classic king suite is moody and atmospheric.
Like some other inns featured on this list, The Rosemount Inn is mere minutes from the heart of downtown Kingston.
Visit The Rosemount Inn’s website to explore their eclectic accommodations.
The sumptuous home of former Kingston mayor John McIntyre is now the Hochelaga Inn.
Built-in 1879, the 19-roomed boutique hotel contains vintage elements, like the ostentatious double fireplace and ornate “M,” for McIntyre engraved in the inn’s stained-glass door panel.
Rooms at the Hochelaga Inn include the Sydenham Tower Suite, tucked inside the estate’s octagonal steeple. The most sought-after suite spans three floors and offers 360-degree views of the waterfront and the neighbouring Queen’s University campus.
Hochelaga Inn’s premium queen rooms also features white linens and large windows overlooking McIntosh Castle, built in a Gothic Revival-style and surrounded by blooming flowers in the summer.
In the wintertime, watch the snow fall from one of the inn’s cottage queen rooms–featuring an antique work desk and a rustic bedframe–as you enjoy their complimentary breakfast.
Go to Hochelaga Inn’s website to learn more about their rooms and amenities.
The Belvedere Hotel begins a phased reopening in 2024. The newly renovated hotel will eventually boast 29 guest rooms, a large spa, and dining area.
In the first phase of the hotel’s reopening, nine guest rooms will become available. During the second and third phases, additional guest rooms, the dining area, and the indoor/outdoor spa open. The spa will feature a rejuvenating thermal therapy experience, offering hot and cold treatments.
Originally built as a private home in 1880, the hotel’s interior design exudes the lavishness and warmth of the Art Deco revival. With its black marble soapstone floors and pea green and ochre accents, The Belvedere transports you back to the 1960s.
Follow The Belvedere’s Instagram account and check their website for updates on the hotel’s reopening.
Winter is just around the corner but things are heating up in Kingston! With live music, pop-up markets, and the return of seasonal favourites like the Santa Claus Parade, November is a great time to get out and enjoy the city!
Do you have an event you’d like featured on our monthly list? Add it to our Kingston events calendar for consideration. If you’re looking to submit a French-language event, please use our French submission form.
Click each image for information.
1. The Holiday Market
2. Guided sauna experience
3. Hockey Helps the Homeless
4. Autumn forest therapy walk
5. November Art Drops: ELEMENTAL by Teri Wing
6. Fall colours trolley tours
7. Nighttime Santa Claus parade
8. Motown Soul
9. Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market
10. Viano String Quartet with MILOŠ
11. 2024 Vanier Cup
12. Joel Plaskett
13. Kingston Frontenacs games
14. All Things Christmas gifts & art sale
15. The Kingdom Choir
16. The Haunted Walk
17. Botanical moss art workshop
18. Drag roulette
19. Creative Kingston Walking Tours
20. Trivia with Riley Jabour
21. Kingston Food Tours
22. Escape room: The Triwizard Trials
23. Snowman candy tray workshop
24. Christmas with the Ennis Sisters
25. Soil Superheroes exhibition
Events just in
Public Skating | Nov. 17, noon–1 pm | Slush Puppie Place
Kingston Potters’ Guild Holiday Sale | Nov. 21 (5 – 9 pm), 22 (10 am – 7 pm), 23 (10 am – 5 pm), 24 (10 am – 3 pm) | Tett Centre, 370 King St W.
October brings mystery and music, cruises and walking tours, and much more!
Do you have an event you’d like featured on our monthly list? Add it to our Kingston events calendar for consideration! If you’re looking to submit a French language event, please use our French submission form.
Garnering literary sensations from across the country, Kingston WritersFest returns for its 18th year from September 25 to 29.
The festival features a diverse array of writers, including an author who survived both the Vietnam War and the Iranian Revolution, and a cookbook creator who tells the stories of Toronto through food. There will be a panel discussion about the state of democracy in North America moderated by journalist Carol Off, whose guests include Rob Goodman, a former speechwriter for the members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.
In addition to speaker events, WritersFest hosts programs for youth and immersive workshops; award-winning authors teach you how to write the first sentence of a book or fictionalize reality.
Visit Kingston WritersFest’s website to learn more about the events and purchase your tickets. The festival offers various pay-what-you-can options so cost doesn’t prevent you from attending.
Here are just a few authors attending Kingston WritersFest this year. You can go to Novel Idea (156 Princess Street) to purchase their books.
Danny Ramadan opens the festival by taking audiences through Syria’s underground network of queer safe homes.
Crooked Teeth: A Queer Syrian Refugee Memoir is about Ramadan’s experience fleeing persecution in Syria. As well as discussing his story, the novelist and activist shares his experience writing seven books and how he raised $300,000 for LGBTQI+ identifying refugees.
The Screening Room, Cameo | September 27 (1:15–2:15 pm)
Anh N. Duong bore witness to the horrors of both the Vietnam War and the Iranian Revolution.
He recounted the experience to his daughter, award-winning documentarian Ashley Da-Lê Duong, in a series of letters which became his memoir, Dear Da-Lê: A Father’s Memoir of the Vietnam War and the Iranian Revolution.
Anh comes to Kingston to discuss his time in conflict-torn Vietnam and Iran. Ashley, who’s making a film about her father’s journey from Asia to Canada, will be onstage with Anh to help share his story.
The Screening Room, Cameo | September 27 (2:30–3:30 pm)
Ernest Hemingway wasn’t always a renowned author–he was once a scrappy journalist for the Toronto Star.
Marianne K. Miller hits The Screening Room’s stage to discuss her book We Were the Bullfighters which explores Hemingway’s career as a journalist in Canada. In Miller’s new historical fiction novel, Hemingway is transfixed by Norman “Red” Ryan’s escape from the Kingston Penitentiary.
The Screening Room, Cameo | September 27 (3:45–4:45 pm)
After attending an all-boys Catholic school, Oliveira intimately understands the intersection between sexuality and religion.
Oliveira’s book, Dayspring, is a queer coming-of-age story about Christ and his beloved disciples. Visit The Screening Room in September to learn how the author has reimagined and revealed historical narratives to be queer.
This award-winning author and journalist comes to Kingston Market Square Hotel to discuss the oppression Indigenous people face in Canada.
A retelling of Canada’s history through an Indigenous lens, The Knowing tells Tanya Talaga’s family’s endurance of cultural genocide and government sanctions.
The Screening Room, Cameo | September 28 (11 am–noon)
As a health researcher, Misty Pratt is familiar with the diminishment of women as “crazy” or “hysterical.”
All in Her Head: How Gender Bias Harms Women’s Health by Pratt explores the connection between women and “hysteria,” a condition coined in Ancient Greece. Using scientific facts and humour, Pratt explains how the medical system must change to better address women’s mental health concerns.
The Screening Room, Cameo | September 28 (3:30–4:30 pm)
Jack Whalen suffered extensive abuse at a reform school in Newfoundland, detailed in Lisa Moore’s book, Invisible Prisons. The Giller Prize nominee explores Jack’s ability to turn his life around following the traumatic experience, becoming a dedicated father and husband
Jack’s daughter, Brittney, was appalled by his past treatment and vowed to seek justice for her father. Now a lawyer, she’s doing so in court. As Brittney continues to advocate for Jack, Moore poses the question to audiences in Kingston, what’s justice from a broken system?
The Screening Room, Cameo | September 28 (4:45–5:45 pm)
An addict’s love for pottery, a ghost’s delight at her grief-stricken partner, and contentions between staff and students at a boarding school.
Anioke hits The Screening Room’s stage to talk about his book of short stories, Perfect Little Angels. The Austin Clark Fiction Prize winner discusses how experiences of mourning and memory, love and longing, and marginalization and community are captured in the pages of his debut book.
The Screening Room, Cameo | September 29 (9:30–10:30 am)
How do we define “belonging”? M.G. Vassanji explores this question in his recent book of essays, Nowhere, Exactly: On Identity and Belonging.
The Order of Canada recipient is no stranger to the WritersFest stage, returning to Kingston this year to discuss the themes explored in his new book. Nowhere, Exactly offers personal explorations of the grief, loss, and hope that comes with the immigrant experience.
Grandview, Delta Hotel | September 29 (noon–1:30 pm)
Closing out the festival is Len Senater, founder of The Depanneur–an event venue hosting chefs, cooking classes, and weekly brunches in Toronto.
The Depanneur Cookbook celebrates Toronto’s cultural diversity, featuring 100 recipes from various chefs across the city. Senatar’s cookbook includes a crispy-skin red braised pork belly recipe made by Taiwanese chef Alex Chen. Flipping to another page of the cookbook, you’ll encounter Mark Kusitor’s Soup Bouyon ak Legumes or vegan Haitian soup.
Enjoy brunch while the photographer and food enthusiast shares tales from The Depanneur, recounts the chefs he has met, and the squid ink gnocchi he’s savoured along the way.
From the owners of the west-end Mexican restaurant Mesa Fresca, comes a mouthwatering craft burger joint.
Burger 347 serves loaded burgers with meat supplied by Barriefield Market, a top-quality Kingston-based butcher.
The new restaurant makes classic burgers topped with cheddar cheese, smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and a special sauce. If you’re looking to expand your palate, try the poutine extreme burger–a grilled patty on a brioche bun loaded with St. Albert’s cheese curd, house poutine gravy, and potato straws.
For vegans and vegetarians, order the O.G. veggie burger–a plant-based bun stuffed with a house-made black bean patty, plant-based jalapeño mayo, seared red onion, shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, and Mesa Fresca’s fresh guacamole.
Beyond their flavourful burgers, the restaurant serves mac and cheese, poutine, and dessert, including apple wonton cups and brownie sundaes made with gluten-free brownies, whipped cream, and vanilla ice cream. They also offer a dedicated kid’s menu.
Complement your meal with a mocktail, glass of wine, or cocktail. Special cocktails include the 347 Lemonade with citron rum, Cointreau, lemon juice, and fresh mint, and the Creamsicle, infused with Galliano, citron vodka, orange crush, and coconut milk. Burger 347 also serves on-tap beers from local breweries like MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company and Riverhead Brewing Company.
Settle into their sunny patio on a hot summer’s day, or rustic, spacious interior on a chilly winter evening. Call 613-384-0377 for takeout.
675 Development Drive | Sun–Wed (12-9 pm), Thu–Sat (12-11 pm)
Spearhead Brewing Company has partnered with Skeleton Park Brewery to create the ultimate destination for beer lovers.
Spearhead is now serving beer from Skeleton Park in their cozy taproom and on their expansive, orange-accented patio. New brews include Skeleton Park’s Sol Juice, a dry brew with a citrus aroma and lychee fruit taste, and Proper English Ale, an earthy, floral beer with notes of Sauvignon Blanc.
The expanded menu still features classic brews like Spearhead’s Hawaiian Style Pale Ale, a bold beer with vibrant pineapple and citrusy flavours.
A popular place to dine on Canada’s east coast, The Cannery Kitchen & Social has opened a new location inside the DoubleTree by Hilton Kingston.
Step inside the restaurant’s modern interior and indulge in their signature dishes, including the Cannery burger–a bistro bun with herb butter, bacon, Swiss cheese, tomato, onion straws, and garlic mayonnaise–or the seafood linguini with shrimp, mussels, scallops, calamari, red peppers, garlic, olive oil, shallots, and white wine.
Try the grilled Dijon salmon with garlic mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and a Dijon butter sauce, or the creamy shrimp & scallop risotto finished with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, baby spinach, and parmesan cheese.
Continue your culinary journey through the eastern provinces with the maritime mule, infused with vodka, ginger beer, lime, and mint. The Cannery boasts a plethora of classic cocktails, mocktails, wines, and beers on tap.
The restaurant also serves breakfast, featuring savoury and sweet meals such as the cinnamon French toast topped with whipped cream, butter, and maple syrup.
If you have dietary restrictions, The Cannery offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-friendly options. They even boast a delicious kids’ menu, so you can take the whole family to this west-end restaurant.
This eclectic west-end restaurant boasts daily deals, from 25 percent off their signature burgers on Tuesdays to $16 stuffed Yorkshire pudding on Sundays.
Stop by Rhodes Restro + Bar for lunch when every menu item, from chicken carbonara to their signature burger, is $15.
Their early morning menu boasts pancakes, waffles, omelettes, and their famous corned beef benedict–three poached eggs on toasted marble-rye bread with braised corned beef, caramelized onions, and sautéed mushrooms, smothered in a hollandaise sauce.
For dinner, Rhodes serves a variety of appetizers–25 percent off on Mondays–and entrées like the steak & lobster dish that’s $25 on Fridays and $28 on Saturdays. For dessert, indulge in Rhodes apple crisp melt-away, infused with a coconut cinnamon streusel and topped with a homemade caramel sauce.
Visit Rhode’s website to learn more about the restaurant’s daily deals and explore their menu.
Whether it’s a chilly September morning gathering Mcintosh apples or a crisp October afternoon purchasing jugs of cider from the farm store, Waddell Apples is the place to be this fall.
For over two decades, Waddell Apples (1345 Washburn Road) has opened its orchard to the public on Labour Day weekend. Their pick-your-own orchard is open daily until the end of October from 10 am to 4:30 pm and features several varieties throughout the fall season.
Steeped in tradition
The Waddell family has been in the apple farming industry for over 130 years. The family-run farm in Kingston opened in 2003 when Charlie and Marita Waddell purchased the property. Charlie and Marita utilized sustainable and environmentally friendly practices to cultivate their apples. After running the orchard for 20 years, they passed Waddell’s off to their eldest daughter, Carmen, and her husband, Rik Vanderlinde.
While the face of Waddell’s changed in 2022, loyal customers stayed. Families have made Waddell’s part of their fall tradition, taking the 20-minute drive from downtown Kingston through lush country roads to the farm every September and October.
An idyllic visit to the orchard
If you’re a newcomer, here’s what to expect during your first visit to Waddell’s.
Before hitting the orchard, you’ll walk into the farm store–an 1830s log cabin adorned with cedar logs and exposed beams. The farm store, open 10 am to 5 pm daily, sells a variety of locally made sweet treats, including Mrs. Garrett’s butter tarts, chocolates from Ridgway Confections, and Wilton Cheese Factory cheeses.
After exploring the assortment of goodies, you’ll head down to the apple picking kiosk to meet Nicky who’s worked at Waddell’s since the beginning; she’ll hand you your an apple-picking bag. Using her extensive experience, she’ll tell you where to locate the best apple trees.
Bundled in your sweater and scarf, it’s time to go apple picking. Trees are tagged to indicate the type of apple they offer. If you visit Waddell’s in October, you can pick Rik’s favorite apple, the vibrant, semi-sweet Macoun apples. If you come to the farm in September, be sure to grab Carmen’s preference—the Cortland apple.
Once your basket is full, take a stroll along the Rideau Canal or head back to the farm store and snack on a fresh apple at one of the picnic tables.
No apple left unpicked
After the orchard closes in late October, bakers in and around Kingston visit the farm to grab late-season apples, incorporating them into sauces and preserves. Waddell’s also collaborates with Loving Spoonful, whose volunteers glean apples and distribute them to Kingston community partners, working towards a resilient and equitable food system.
As Carmen and Rik, with the help of their two young children, Owen and Charlotte, as well as their family and other longtime employees, prepare the orchard for its grand opening, they’re reminded of the farm’s rich history and the deep value it holds in the hearts of both Kingston community members and visitors.
Make this multi-generational farm a part of your fall tradition and visit Waddell Apples.
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