It’s hard to ignore the call of the water’s beckoning waves. Here in Kingston, it’s easy to stay active and inspired with Lake Ontario right at your doorstep. So, lace up your sneakers and come explore the waterfront trail, where every landmark, building, and hidden treasure tells a story.
Eastbound along Breakwater Park
Taking off from the Gord Edgar Downie Pier south of Queen’s Campus, be sure to take in Lake Ontario’s glistening horizon, jeweled with the spinning white windmills of Wolfe Island. Named after the late frontman of The Tragically Hip, the Gord Edgar Downie Pier at Breakwater Park is a popular summer beach and gathering space.
Heading east along the shore you’ll pass by a massive shimmering sculpture called Time. Created by Russian-born artist Kosso Eloul, the aluminum sculpture was built to honour Kingston’s tercentenary (its 300th anniversary) in 1973.
As you walk along the path hugged by mature trees, take in the fresh air, the sounds of gull’s calls, and the crashing waves against the rocky shore. At the foot of each tree trunk you’ll find a dedication to a loved one or a notable local. Stop and take a moment to read their stories and gentle affections.
Towering over the trail ahead stands the KGH smokestack, a major power source for the Queen’s campus buildings and the general hospital. Continuing along you’ll pass by another art installation – Pollution; two massive pipes built in 1973, also for the city’s tercentenary.
Highlights of Macdonald Park
Weaving around the KGH helicopter pad you’ll enter Macdonald Park, home to the Murney Tower museum, Richardson Beach, and the Gaskin Lion, one of Kingston’s most beloved statues. An ideal rest-stop, the park offers public restrooms, a newly renovated beach, and the Newlands Pavilion.
Named in honour of its designer William Newlands, this beautiful bandstand was built in the late 19th century and later restored by another renowned architect, Lily Inglis, in 1979. Built to shelter musicians from the elements while exposing them to the cool lake breeze, this pavilion offers the perfect spot for a selfie on the water, framed by ornate columns and balusters. Looking inland from inside the stand, you’ll take in the Murney Tower Museum, the first of multiple military towers you’ll spot throughout Kingston.
A stroll through Sydenham Ward
Winding up Emily Street towards City Park, turn right on King Street and continue east.
Brace yourself for a wealthy display of some of the city’s finest historical architecture. The six homes you’ll see on this little segment of the street boast exteriors of raw limestone and rare (to Kingston) yellow brick. Victorian, Queen Anne, and charming cottage designs adorn the street. Their smiling windows hold 200 years’ worth of memories.
Proceed back down towards the water by turning right on Simcoe Street. Awaiting you by the shore you’ll find the Kingston Yacht Club. Passing under weeping willows, you’ll find their sweeping branches perfectly frame the club’s marina, chock-full of gleaming ships, buoys, and sails.
Continuing along the paved path, you’ll find a wooden dock that leads into An Gorta Mor Park, typically populated with ducks, geese, gulls, and the odd fisherman. Facing the water behind the maple tree, notice the Celtic Cross. Erected by The Kingston Irish Famine Commemoration Association in 1998, it stands to commemorates the more than 1,500 people that died of typhus in Kingston in 1847 after fleeing the Great Hunger in Ireland. Landed and interred on these very shores, the Irish people and the Kingstonians who cared for them are remembered in An Gorta Mor Park. “An Gorta Mor” is Gaelic for “the Great Hunger.”
Waterfront museums and more
Crossing the little metal bridge next to Ahoy Rentals, you’ll notice a large red brick 19th- century building – the PumpHouse Museum, which exhibits the early ingenuity of the city’s first waterworks. On the subject of man-made wonders, continue east to the end of Lower Union Street, where you’ll come upon a striking sight on the Kingston waterfront: the S.S. Keewatin.
The last of her kind, this Titanic-era treasure is beautiful inside and out. Newly open to the public via the Great Lakes Museum’s tours, the Keewatin is a relic not to be missed. Standing in its wake, you’ll find the vessel an altogether humbling and awe-inspiring sight. Once you’ve finished taking in the wonder of the great ship, cut through Navy Memorial Park.
Leading back down to the water, Gore Street will take you to Battery Park, yet another lovely place to stop for a rest in a red Adirondack chair and take in the lake. Try to spot the Wolfe Island ferry cruising by or the Fort Frederick tower in the distance.
Hidden pathways to historic sites
Continuing along the waterfront path, you’ll find the Delta Hotel with a stunning spray-paint mural wrapping around its walls. This is the work of Kingston’s own EronOne, whose work colours many walls throughout the city.
Turning the corner on the hotel’s integrated pathway, you’ll see the last marina of this tour, the Confederation Basin. As you loop around, you’ll see an arrestingly picturesque view of the Shoal Tower, adorned with ordered rows of stately ships and elegant sailboats. Passing by AquaTerra Restaurant’s lively outdoor patio, you’ll come to the heart of Kingston’s downtown core. Here you’ll find City Hall, Confederation Park, and the Visitor Information Centre (VIC). For a free water refill, stop at the VIC, nestled inside the city’s former train station.
As your waterfront expedition comes to a close, venture over to the Crawford Wharf dock for a perfect final view of the lake. This is where your four-km. waterfront trail walk ends, but your adventure doesn’t have to end here. Head north into Kingston’s downtown core, where the city’s rich history collides with all things new.
To read more about the city’s architectural treasures find guided tours on our website.
Read up on the Murney Tower, a rare national historic site, on the museum’s website.
Depart from the Crawford Wharf dock on a 1000 Islands cruise adventure.
See more cool public art exhibits through the city website’s map.
Read our article on the Keewatin’s tours and recent opening at Great Lakes Museum
Find out about Kingston’s music history with our extensive walking tour.
Check out the latest exhibits at the Pumphouse museum.
Read about Kingston artist EronOne on our maker’s page.
