Heather Ford understands good food and hospitality. Owner and founder of Green Acres Inn and Kingston Food Tours, Heather knows how to showcase the best of Kingston’s culinary scene to visitors and locals alike. Her goal and emphasis is on local and artisanal – sharing her passion for supporting community and sourcing locally wherever possible.
These are ten of her favourite (and delicious) things to do in Kingston.
1. Le Chien Noir
69 Brock Street
Enjoy Sunday brunch at Le Chien Noir where the eggs benny and mimosas are second-to-none. In the warmer months, their leafy back patio is lovely and there is sometimes a jazz trio that plays — making it all feel very cosmopolitan. There’s also feature seasonal cocktails, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options!
2. Wolfe Island Day Trips
Walk along the waterfront by Battery Park and then past Confederation Basin to the Wolfe Island Ferry. When I have a bit of time to escape, I jump on the ferry and head across the lake enjoying the Kingston skyline from the water. 20 minutes later, the ferry docks on Wolfe Island where the Wolfe Island Grill (next door to the dock) often beckons for a drink and a bit more view-gazing from their terraced patio.
3. Springer Market Square
216 Ontario Street
Enjoy all of the excellent activities in Springer Market Square — skating and Feb Fest activities in the winter, antique and farmers’ markets, movies in the Square Thursday in the summer, and so, so much more. This truly is the centre of activity for Kingston’s downtown.
4. Summer Chef Cooking Demos
216 Ontario Street
If you are a foodie, this event is for you. In July and August at 11am on Saturdays there are chef demos and tastings behind City Hall in the Amphitheatre. It’s a fun place to meet other food fanatics, learn trade secrets from Kingston’s best chefs, and enjoy yummy bites of whatever the chef is demonstrating.
5. Jazz Nights at Olivea
39 Brock Street
A hidden gem of Kingston is Tuesday Jazz nights at Olivea. You can enjoy excellent martinis, charcuterie boards and in-house made pasta with great views year round of Market Square while you take in the music. There is no cover charge for these events – check out their lineup here.
6. Frontenac Park Outfitters
6674 Bedford Road
Head north of Kingston for a half hour to Frontenac Provincial Park with a stop in to see Zack at Frontenac Outfitters who will rent you a canoe or kayak and he will give you advice on which trail is perfectly suited to your skill level. Zack’s passion for the amazing park is contagious. Frontenac Provincial Park has canoe routes through 22 lakes and over 100 km of looped backpacking and hiking trails. This is also a great spot for fishing, wildlife viewing, camping, paddling, and swimming!
7. Backyard BBQ Nights at Pan Chancho
44 Princess Street
Pan Chancho hosts Backyard BBQ Thursday nights in July and August on their back patio where local bands play and the food and sides are excellent! This is a great way to get in the mood for the weekend ahead. A favourite from Pan Chancho is their takeaway cookies; fresh, soft, and delicious.
8. The Screening Room + Tapas
120 Princess Street (Second Floor)
I enjoy seeing any film at the downtown Screening Room where things are casual and volunteer-run. The Screening Room specializes in art-house, indie, foreign, and classic cinema. I love the excellent tea selection served in a china mug! It’s great to pair an evening film with tapas and smart cocktails at Tango Nuevo. My personal favourite is the Carnas Picante and a Mojito.
10. Lemoine Point Conservation Area
1440 Coverdale Drive
Another way to relax and get connected with nature is walking the beautiful wooded trails of Lemoine Point Conservation Area. Some trails are very accessible for wheelchairs and strollers and there are benches placed along the way to enjoy the water views. This is also a wonderful spot for picnics – stock up at Pan Chancho, Bread and Butter Bakery, or Bella Bistro Market before you set off.
