Page 23 – Visit Kingston

December 10, 2020March 30, 2023

Kingston Culinary Guide: the Holidays

Last updated December 10, 2020.

Kingston is known for its vibrant culinary scene: holiday dinners are taken seriously here. From classic turkey dinners to snackable boxes with local goodies, discover what offerings Kingston restaurants have for you to enjoy for the holidays.

Are we missing a holiday special? Please contact Lexy (lexy@tourismkingston.com) to add it to the list.

AquaTerra

Christmas Day prix fixe

Includes one appetizer, one main, and a dessert trilogy. Dig into your choice of parsnip and apple soup or butternut squash and quinoa salad for an appetizer. A main of maple Dijon-crusted prime rib, pistachio and cranberry stuffed turkey, berbere Chinook salmon, or yam and mushroom arancini. Finally, finish off with three desserts: pumpkin and dark chocolate bread pudding, egg nog crème brulée, and peppermint bark cheesecake. Order by December 23 for pickup or eat in and make a reservation!

Price: $62 per person | $28 wine pairing

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New Year’s Eve tasting menus

Looking for the perfect New Year’s Eve feast? AquaTerra is hosting a six-course tasting menu with a vegan-friendly option. This menu has everything, from ceviche, soup, pastas, striploin or ponzu marinated seitan, and a triple chocolate dessert! Order by December 28 for pickup on New Year’s Eve or make a reservation to dine in!

NYE tasting menu price: $90 per person | $40 wine pairing

NYE vegan tasting menu: $70 per person | $40 wine pairing

The Grocery Basket

You’ll be the talk of the party when you bring along one of the Grocery Basket’s delicious charcuterie boards made with local meats, cheeses, and spreads. Choose between their regular board (serves 2–4) or try their large board (serves 6–8). These curated boards feature familiar local suppliers like Seed to Sausage, Stonetown Cheese, Bresaola, and Henderson Farms.

Price: $44 for a regular board, $125 for a large board

Black Dog Hospitality Group

All Black Dog Hospitality Group restaurant locations will be open for in-house dining and takeout. They will be offering their regular in-house menus along with special features. Want to dine at home for New Year’s Eve? They will be offering a take-home dinner to be re-heated at home. Check out these specials from Atomica, Black Dog Tavern, and Dianne’s Fish Shack and Smokehouse below!

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Atomica Kitchen and Cocktails

Start off with seared Nova Scotia scallops (with butternut squash velouté, chorizo jam, pea shoots) followed by delicious Enright Cattle Co. beef short ribs. Finally, dig into a chocolate dome (luxardo cherries, chocolate torte, whipped cream, chocolate shell) dessert! Email info@atomica.ca by Monday, December 27 at 5pm for pickup on Friday, December 31.

Price: $100 for two

Black Dog Tavern

Black Dog Tavern will be serving up a wedge salad (iceberg lettuce, bacon lardons, slow-roasted cherry tomatoes, blue cheese dressing, and crispy shallots), Enright Cattle Co. prime rib au jus, and a dessert of eggnog crème brulée! Email info@bdtavern.com by Monday, December 27 at 5pm for pickup on Friday, December 31.

Price: $110 for two

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Dianne’s Fish Shack & Smokehouse

Dig into a southwestern clam chowder, a slow-braised lamb (braising liquid reduction, garlic-spun mashed potatoes, and sauteed rapini) at Dianne’s Fish Shack & Smokehouse. Finally, finish off with an Opera Cake for dessert (almond cake, coffee buttercream, and chocolate ganache)! Email info@dianneskingston.com by Monday, December 27 at 5pm for pickup on Friday, December 31.

Price: $90 for two

Knifey Spooney Kingston

This year, Knifey Spooney Kingston will be offering packaged, ready-to-bake meals for an easy holiday feast! Their holiday menu includes a seitan wellington, pecan-orange sweet potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, pomegranate roast Brussels sprouts, and eggnog cheesecake with cranberry coulis! Order by December 17 or until they sell out.

Price: $50 for one, $150 for family

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Just looking for holiday treats? Try out their gluten-free cookie box featuring toasted walnut snowballs, almond peppermint brownies, Nanaimo bars, iced sugar cookies, and brownie cookie bars. Order by December 17 or until they sell out.

Price: $45

Jessup Food and Heritage, Renaissance

Christmas candlelight dining

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This year, Renaissance will be offering both Christmas candlelight dining and a turkey takeout dinner. Dine in and enjoy a three-course meal. The first course includes your choice of the chef’s soup of the day or holiday garden salad. For the second course, enjoy a roast turkey dinner, beef bourguignon, baked salmon napoleon, or mixed rustic mushroom étouffée. Finally, dig into French Canadian sugar pie, English sherry trifle, or apple-cranberry crumble for dessert! Reserve your spot online.

Price: $35 per person | $25 for main course only | $8 for any starter with dessert

Turkey takeout dinner

Enjoy a classic roast turkey dinner for $18.95 that includes dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, turnip casserole, and cranberry sauce (individually packed and chilled with reheat instructions). Order online or by phone (613-530-2550) for pickup from December 22 through December 23.

Price: $18.95 per person

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Pan Chancho Bakery

Let Pan Chancho Bakery & Café take care of you this holiday season. Their holiday feast for six includes roasted turkey breast with a pear-brandy glaze and stuffed with dried fruit chutney, plus cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, green beans with tarragon and orange zest, garlic-and-herb mashed potatoes, freshly baked buns, and dessert. Available December 22, 23, and 24 only. Order online.

Price: $40 holiday feast for one | $200 holiday feast for six

December 7, 2020March 24, 2023

The sights and sounds of the holidays

As the December days grow darker, downtown Kingston has grown a little – no, make that a lot – brighter. Now’s the perfect time to bundle up and take in – safely – the sights and sounds of the city.

Princess Street trees and lampposts from Division to Ontario Street have been festooned with lights. The street is lit up every night, making an evening stroll downtown feel a little more magical.

Businesses all around the downtown core are showing their love for Kingston, each with a neon heart displayed in the window. If you want to show your own love for Kingston, walk over to Ontario Street and grab a selfie in front of the Love sign at Confederation Basin or with the giant heart next to the Kingston sign at the Visitor Information Centre. Across the street, Kingston City Hall is lit up each night with blue and white snowflake projections.

While the Visitor Information Centre will be lit up with festive decor, you can also experience a variety of live music at this iconic spot. Music Made in Kingston at the Visitor Information Centre takes place Saturday and Sunday from December 4th to December 19th, 12:00 pm to 2 pm. For more information, check out the Facebook Event page and discover who you’ll be listening to the next time you’d like to take a weekend, wintry stroll.

Starting December 13th right until the 24th participating downtown businesses will be keeping the lights on and doors open longer for extended shopping hours so you can take your time finding the perfect holiday gift. Don’t forget your Downtown Dollars – they work exactly like a gift card and can be purchased in $10, $20, and $50 increments. Downtown Dollars can be used at over 120 businesses in Downtown Kingston and are used just like cash. Not only are Downtown Dollars a great gift for someone you love, but they also help support our small businesses by encouraging local shopping and dining.

Looking for a way to make your holiday shopping even better? Shoppers can pick up their Holiday Shopping Passport at participating businesses and for a purchase of $10 or more collect a winter sticker to begin filling in their passport. Once you gather 5 stickers on your passport, you can submit it online or at participating businesses to win Downtown Kingston’s weekly $500 Downtown Dollar draw. All passports will also be entered into a grand prize draw for a $2500 Downtown Dollar Shopping Spree. Businesses will be giving out stickers and collecting passports until December 24th and winners are drawn weekly. You can view participating businesses and submit your Holiday Shopping passport here.

Just window shopping? A number of downtown businesses have put up special holiday window displays. Vote online for your favourite Window Wonderland display, and you’ll be entered into a draw for a $50 certificate to the winning store.

If you’re wandering around downtown, make sure to stop at Santa’s Village for a quick picture with the 24/7 Selfie Santa. Make sure to bring a letter for Santa to drop in the mailbox too — located on the corner of Brock St right next to the Zamboni hut at City Hall.

You can celebrate the season at the Holiday Market, featuring a variety of local artisans and musicians. From December 10th until the 12th, you can browse and shop at this family-friendly event while being serenaded by local musicians. The tented market will be located at the corner of Ontario St and Brock St, right beside City Hall. For more information about the market, live events, and opening hours, visit the Downtown Kingston website.

The skating rink at the square will be opening any day now, for you and your family to take a spin on the ice. (Check the City of Kingston website for rink hours and physical distancing guidelines.).

Looking for a new holiday playlist? Here it is: “A Very YGK Holiday,” featuring talented local musicians Miss Emily, Leonid Nediak, Cameron Wyatt, and Abby Stewart. Stream it on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/visitkingston/sets/a-very-ygk-holiday

Mondays just got a little more fun! Every Monday until December 13th, Downtown Kingston will release a new Pewter ornament from their annual five-piece series of historic Kingston buildings & landmarks. For $10 each, you can take home a limited edition item to celebrate your love for Kingston. For more information about where you can purchase and a glimpse at some of the ornaments that have been already released, visit the Downtown Kingston website.

If you’re craving more seasonal activities to do at home, check out the activities in the Together at Home video series holiday edition. Take in a concert, make spiced ginger cookies with the kids, create your own holiday wreath, or take a dance class with some of the Limestone City’s most talented artists and creators.

December 4, 2020March 29, 2023

Meet the Maker: Begin Again Group

A bag from Begin Again Group is elegant in its simplicity. Each sleek, black bag boasts subtle details: tiny silver rivets, a delicately braided handle, elegant hardware. Each bag also incorporates a small snowflake in its design, a symbol of its unique nature, and a connection with its maker.

Begin Again Group is a social enterprise that creates unique, stylish bags out of recycled rubber. But it’s more than that. It is also a small community of women, most of whom are new Canadians. Through the group, they have learned design, construction, marketing, and business skills, all while building their new lives in Kingston.

Designer Carolyn Butts has been working with recycled materials for several years at her studio Bon Eco Design in Tamworth. Her work, she says, “is rooted in appreciation of nature and honouring the material, the human resources, and the natural resources that go into making these commodities that we consume, and often discard.” By recycling materials in her design work, she says, “I’m respecting the materials, I’m respecting the people that made them, and I’m respecting nature.”

Members of the Begin Again Group putting together bags.

Carolyn started Begin Again Group in 2017 as a project with KEYS Employment Centre through its mentorship program for refugee women. The collaboration grew, becoming a profit-sharing social enterprise. It was incorporated last year.

The material used in the bags is rubber. So not only are the bags made from recycled material, they are also waterproof, easy to clean, and vegan. But that rubber is also from tractor tire inner tubes, adding another layer to the story of new beginnings. “Those tires once helped plough fields, and grow food,” says Carolyn. The material is imbued with identity, just as the purse is then imbued with the identity of the woman who manufactured it.

Each bag incorporates a snowflake pattern unique to its creator. “I wanted to celebrate each person, their uniqueness and style,” says Carolyn. On the Begin Again Group website, you can read about each of the creators. As well as Carolyn, there’s Eman, Farah, and Mariam, all originally from Syria; there’s Sitelbanat, from Sudan; there’s Fatima, from Morocco; and there’s Sanaa, who came to Kingston originally from Iraq and then Syria.

Sanaa Zaki is no stranger to starting over. In Iraq, she once had a career in public relations for a government ministry. But she and her family had to flee their country, leaving everything behind, their home, all their possessions. “I left with my family because of the miserable conditions there,” she says.” They found their way to Syria, where they lived for eight years. Then, in 2015, Sanaa and her family were able to come to Canada. In Kingston, she started studying English language classes, began volunteering at a retirement home, and also found her way to KEYS, where she became involved in the Begin Again Group.

“My work in my country was very different from this,” Sanaa says. “We all had to learn how to fabricate and to design the purses. But we all also brought something of our culture to the project. And with this project, I have learned to communicate with other people in English. I have developed my language skills.” She also credits her son and daughter for encouraging her not to give up. “And after a few months, we were able to produce handbags. Each of these purses carry the unique story of each of us, as well as the material we use.”

The communal aspect of their work has always been a big part of the enterprise. Friday afternoons were always when the group gathered, most recently at Cooke’s-Portsmouth United Church in Kingston. However, they haven’t been able to work together since March.

But you can still purchase the bags they each made before the pandemic started. On their website, you can explore their work and their stories, and become a part of new beginnings. www.beginagaingroup.ca

December 3, 2020January 14, 2025

A takeout food tour of Kingston

Bored with your own cooking? Want to sample some terrific local cuisine? Heather Ford, of Kingston Food Tours, helps us discover some of the best dining experiences in Kingston to take out.

Heather Ford has a passion for food, and she loves introducing people to the talented restaurateurs and chefs of Kingston. And though her in-person food tours of downtown Kingston are on hold for now, she wants to share some of her recommendations for your next dinner. And they include not just the restaurants of downtown Kingston, but some west end gems.

West End Restaurants

Days on Front

730 Front Road
Open Wednesday through Saturday
613-766-9000

“Days on Front is one of my favourite spots,” she says. “I think Matt [Day] is doing such an excellent job. he’s just true to the kind of cuisine; it’s fresh and local. The menu is not huge, but I respect that, because you know it’s going to be super fresh.”

Days on Front lists all the local ingredients used in its menu, from fruits and vegetables to meats and cheeses. Its takeout menu offers six appetizers (one vegetarian) and six mains (one vegetarian) with gluten-free options for some dishes. Wine and desserts are also available for takeout, for those who want to create a full romantic dinner at home.

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Bella Bistro/Bella Market

4050 Bath Road
613-634-4050
Open Wednesday through Saturday

Farther west, Heather recommends Bella Bistro. Family favourites include a variety of pizzas like arancine (risotto croquettes served with marinara sauce). Attached to the restaurant is Bella Market, where you can pick up many of the restaurant’s frozen entrees, from soups to pizza, as well as fresh baguettes and sourdough loaves.

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The Red House West

629 Fortune Crescent
613-384-3999
Open daily

The Red House Downtown

369 King Street East
613-767-2558
Open daily

In the mood for comfort food? Heather recommends The Red House (which has both downtown and west end locations). “They also have these most amazing buttermilk breaded chicken bites, which are delectable. So, they do a nice turn on things that are classic pub cuisine, but at a higher level. They really focus on local ingredients as well.”

Downtown Restaurants

“Downtown Kingston is perfect for a self-guided food tour,” says Heather. “It’s very easy to walk from place to place. Even before I did food tours, I would often have a bit of a progressive dinner: a drink and tapas here, a main course somewhere else, and stop somewhere for dessert on the way home. It’s a fun way to eat.”

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Pan Chancho Bakery

44 Princess Street
(613) 544-7790
Open daily

If you want to do a picnic at home, Heather recommends ordering online from Pan Chancho, where you can choose from a dizzying array of breads, cheeses, salads and sandwiches, prepared meals, and desserts. Heather’s favourite Pan Chancho treat is a decadent maple chômeur, a traditional Quebecois pudding cake.

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Tango Nuevo

331 King Street East
(613) 548-3778
Open Tuesday through Sunday

Tango Nuevo also offers many of its menu items to go, from charcuterie to tacos (and gluten-free options are available on request). So you can still enjoy the communal tapas experience at home with family: just pick up two or three small plates per person. “Tango Nuevo has so many interesting things,” says Heather, “not just Spanish tapas but tapas from all over the world. Their Brussels sprouts [served with garlic yoghurt, almond dukkah, and pomegranate jelly] are super. I’ve never been disappointed with any of their plates.”

Black Dog Tavern

69 Brock Street
613-549-5635
Open Tuesday through Sunday

Atomica

71 Brock Street
613-530-2118
Open daily

The Black Dog Tavern also offers a number of sharing plates that are perfect for an at-home picnic. It also offers main courses that you might want to keep all to yourself, like its lobster mac and cheese, a favourite of Heather’s. “Then you can go next door to Atomica, where they have a very interesting selection of vegan offerings. They’ve done a really good job of that. And I think their thin-crust pizza is the best in town.”

Olivea

39 Brock Street
613-547-5483
Open daily

Olivea offers a weekly dinner-for-two series (Friday and Saturday only: limited quantities available). Order ahead of time, pick up curbside, and reheat and enjoy at home. Check the website to see what the next special will be: past offerings have included lasagne al forno and osso buco with saffron risotto (one of Heather’s personal favourites). But if you miss out on the weekly special, you can still enjoy the restaurant’s regular offerings, in-house or to take out. The restaurant also now has an in-house pantry, where you can grab to-go salads and sandwiches as well as frozen entrees and more.

Restaurant hours and menu items are subject to change; contact each restaurant directly for up-to-date dining options.

November 30, 2020July 12, 2024

25 of our favourite things during the holidays

We’ll say it. Winter is the most wonderful time of the year, especially with a list as hot as this! This year, we asked you to share your favourite things to do during the holiday season. From brunching at your favourite restaurants to hiking snowy trails, Kingston will keep you busy all winter long.

The Tourism Kingston staff and partner organizations also picked their favourites for the holidays. You can get in touch with us here.

Do you have an event you’d like featured on our monthly list? Add it to our Kingston events calendar for consideration!

Click each image for more information.

1. Kingston Brew Pub’s delish wings + the best grilled cheese

2. Skating downtown with City Hall as the backdrop

3. Picking up baked goodies at Card’s Bakery

4. Listening to the latest Miss Emily Album “Live at the Isabel”

5. Wagon Rides and Carolers on Saturdays

6. Enjoying cheesecake from Milestones

7. Grab a chai latte from Coffee & Company + walk along the Waterfront Path

8. Enjoying a warm bowl of soup from The Soup Can on a cold day

9. Lunch and a pint at Red House

10. Brunch at Northside

11. Collect all four of Kingston’s Classic Pewter Ornaments

12. Shop vintage finds at What’ll I Wear

13. Together at Home for the Holidays videos

14. Exploring the Creativity Studios at the Tett Centre

15. In-person and online performances at the Isabel Bader Centre

16. Snowy walks + feeding chickadees

17. Deluxe red dragon rolls from Sima Sushi

18. PumpHouse museum tours

19. Perusing the cool toys at Minotaur

20. Spa treatment + pampering at Cher-Mere

21. Enjoying the lights + tree at Market Square

22. Playing board games at Wonderland Kingston

23. Walking the shoreline at Lemoine Point

24. Shopping and viewing decorated window displays

25. Craft beer from Daft Brewing Company

November 30, 2020June 17, 2024

On location in Kingston: Locke & Key

Series filmed partially in Kingston airs on Netflix Oct. 22

Eleven months ago, the block around Springer Market Square was transformed, thanks to a television production crew. The lower half of the square was cordoned off to foot traffic. Ontario Street was lined with mobile units, cranes, and lighting equipment. The sunken basin directly behind Kingston City Hall had been turned into a modern, unmistakably British, outdoor market, with booths featuring Union Jack flags and souvenir T-shirts promoting the English city of Bath.

But for several hours that day, all attention was focused just across the street, just next to the Tir Nan Og. Dozens of film crew, all wearing PPE, worked among the cameras and lighting equipment focused on one doorway. Two actors, dressed in contemporary clothes, moved in and out of the doorway, doing take after take. Just out of frame, extras dressed in Georgian period costume stood patiently, waiting for their cues. Around the corner, in front of City Hall, a double-decker bus promoted scenic tours of Bath. Was this a time travel scene? A flashback? The storyline is still a closely guarded secret, but for one day, a single Kingston block was transported in both time and space for an episode of the Netflix series Locke & Key.

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This month, catch the second season of Locke & Key on Netflix and, in episode 4, see if you can spot some familiar places…and faces. if you’ve ever taken a winter wagon ride through downtown Kingston, then you’ve already met some of the cast of Locke & Key. Rick White, of White’s Rides on Wolfe Island, and his horses Kate and Allie were extras in the episode shot in Kingston.

The second season of Locke & Key premieres on Netflix on October 22.

Dennis Chapman, production manager on Locke & Key | Credit: Garrett Elliott

Production manager Dennis Chapman gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how the shoot came together:

“The script inspires the location, obviously,” he said, “and this script is set in Bath, England. But we’re not going to take our crew there for just a one-day shoot. So, the locations people do a lot of research; they look at all the resources in locations that might substitute for Bath. From the beginning, the designer of the show liked Kingston for the location…We always do what we can to honour the script and the vision of the director and the designer.”

“We showed the pictures [of Kingston] to the showrunners in Los Angeles; the director loved it. So, we did a scout here to see how it would all work out. Then the location manager took over and dealt with all the logistics. We brought in the key grip, the key gaffer, his riggers, the art department, the set decorators, and everyone figured out – in one day – how we are going to make this block of Kingston look like Bath. Then we went back to Toronto and got on with the rest of the shoot.”

“A few days before we started shooting in Kingston, the decorators and rigging grips landed here. [Members of the Locke & Key crew stayed in Kingston for six days in total, although the shoot itself was only one day.] They put up all the towers, they put up the lights for the night shoot, and they dressed the set. The whole process takes weeks to put together, and on a feature film, you might work on a scene for three months. Not continuously – you’re working on other scenes at the same time. I remember when I was working on [the 1997 film] Mimic with Guillermo del Toro: he had one shot set in Union Station in New York. I worked on that one shot for two or three months. I never accomplished exactly what Guillermo wanted in that shot, but I got close!” [The shot involved a crane balanced on a scaffold to allow a camera to pull back, moving from a frame of a single person to one showing a crowd of 700 people.]

Chapman, a 1975 Queen’s film graduate, loved being back in Kingston for the shoot. “Everybody has been enthusiastic about us being here. I would love to come back, to bring other shows here.”

The economic impact of the production for the local economy was significant. The cast and crew booked more than 500 hotel rooms during their stay. Overall, the shoot had more than $150,000 in direct economic impact for the community. And the Kingston community was so welcoming, the production team wanted to say thank you.

“We were consistently impressed with the welcome that the city offered to us,” says producer Kevin Lafferty. “We found it to be a fantastic place to work and the shoot was a total success. We wanted to give back some of the goodwill we felt from the city, and as several of our crew members are graduates of Film and Media at Queen’s, we felt making a donation to the school to aid the up-and-coming filmmakers there was the best way of paying it forward.” The $10,000 donation will go towards workshops and other training for film students at Queen’s.

After the Kingston shoot wrapped up, the crew of Locke & Key moved on to their next location. This episode had shoots in both Toronto and Cambridge. Season two of the supernatural drama series is scheduled to air on Netflix in late 2021.

November 19, 2020March 21, 2023

Pure Colour Baby: room to grow, built to last

Pure Colour Baby | 837 Norwest Road in Kingston | purecolourbaby.ca

If you’re shopping for kids’ clothes, you know how frustrating it can be. Kids grow so quickly! How much wear will they get out of that cute new outfit you’ve had your eye on? Well, if you buy that outfit at Pure Colour Baby, the answer is “a few years!”

Pure Colour Baby specializes in hand-made “grow with me” clothing for kids, designed by Lindsay Down, and manufactured in her Kingston studio.

Lindsay creates kids’ clothes in five sizes, covering newborns to age 8. She discovered the need for adaptable clothing when she had her son and saw how quickly he grew out of his clothes. All Pure Colour Baby outfits leave room to grow. The pants have stretchy waistbands and adjustable cuffs. Baby dresses are designed to evolve into toddler tunics. Even the hats have an adjustable knot at the top and a foldable brim, allowing them to be worn year after year.

Lindsay Down in her studio/store, Pure Colour Baby | Photo: Lindsay Down

Lindsay’s designs are built to last in other ways, too. She is very particular about the fabrics she uses: they must be durable, breathable, and washable. All Pure Colour Baby clothes are pre-shrunk, so parents won’t have any unpleasant surprises after the item undergoes the first of many washes. Lindsay goes the extra step in sourcing sustainable fabrics, certified organic, with non-toxic inks and dyes. It’s not just her own customers she’s looking out for. Textile manufacturing can be extremely polluting, generating both air and water pollution. Lindsay doesn’t want her creations to add to the global problem.

“There are chemicals found in many fabrics used for children’s clothes,” she explains, some to make them fire-retardant. But those chemicals can absorb into skin, and babies’ skin is particularly sensitive. Lindsay works closely with her manufacturers, purchasing only certified organic, ethically made fabrics.

A young customer models a narwhal tunic from Pure Colour Baby’s new collection. — A young customer models a narwhal tunic from Pure Colour Baby’s new collection | Photo: Lindsay Down

Lindsay’s face lights up as she describes her recent collaboration with local artist Christine Jamieson of Found and Lost Art. Christine worked with Lindsay to create four bright new prints, each featuring different animals: llamas, foxes, narwhals, and sloths. Although the process of creating custom fabrics was a lot of work, Lindsay took great satisfaction in the level of control she had in adding subtle touches to each design. “All the colours flow,” she says with satisfaction, her background in interior design showing. “For instance, the detail in the narwhal print picks up some of the accents from the llama print.”

A selection of Pure Colour Baby’s new collection, featuring animal designs by Found and Lost Art. | Photo: Lindsay Down

A manufacturer in Germany printed the limited run of these fun animal fabrics for her autumn-winter 20/21 collection, which features rompers, tunics, pants, hats, and bibs. They can be found on the store’s website, on its Etsy site, and in person at the studio/retail store at 837 Norwest Road in Kingston.

Discover more only-in-Kingston maker finds and shop online with our Maker Holiday Gift Guide.

November 17, 2020March 27, 2023

Strategic holiday shopping in downtown Kingston

You’ve got some hard-to-buy-for friends and relatives on your holiday shopping list and you want to shop locally. Take a tour of downtown Kingston and do some strategic shopping in some of the city’s many unique stores.

Pack your mask, bring your hand sanitizer, and approach your shopping with kindness and patience. The staff at downtown stores will be very happy to see you, but you can expect to be asked to wait outside if the business is at capacity, to wear your mask and physically distance when inside, and to use hand sanitizer on your way in and out.

Berry & Peterson Booksellers

348 King Street East

If you’ve got 20 minutes to spare in Berry & Peterson (348 King Street E.), here’s what you do. Check out the window displays first: they always feature interesting new additions, often film or art books and hard-to-find biographies. Once inside, the display on your left features local and regional history books; on your right are the newest additions to the store. Lining the right-hand wall is the literature section, where you can pick up a few classics, from Folio Society illustrated hardcover books to Penguin paperbacks. Don’t forget to pick up something for yourself in preparation for some winter cocooning. Move to your left and you’ll find both vintage and recent children’s and YA books (from Nancy Drew to Twilight) and a mouth-watering selection of cookbooks.

If you’ve got an hour (or two) to spend in Berry & Peterson, and don’t mind a few stairs, move farther into the store to discover history, mystery, philosophy, and more. The stock is always changing, so snap up those books that catch your eye while you can.

Dive into a few good books at Berry & Peterson | Credit: Tim Forbes

Kingston Olive Oil Company

62 Brock Street

Around the corner on Brock Street, you have a number of great shopping options, on both sides of the block. The Kingston OIive Oil Company (62 Brock St.) offers its own spin on an Advent Calendar, the “Olivent,” containing 24 miniature hand-filled bottles: 12 olive oils and 12 balsamic vinegars. The limited-edition Olivent sells out quickly every year, so if you miss out, there are still plenty of options for the gourmand on your shopping list. Sample-sized oil and vinegar pairings are neatly packaged in organza pouches: just the thing for stocking stuffers. Larger four-pack pairings feature oils and vinegars from Italy, Spain, Greece, or Syria. (You can also pick up the corresponding cookbooks for each country.) If all the choices of extra virgin and infused oils and specialty vinegars are a little overwhelming, don’t be afraid to ask the knowledgeable staff for advice. They can advise you on which oils are best for cooking and which will make the dullest salad come to life.

Kingston Olive Oil Co. offers free delivery in Kingston (and curbside pick-up in the County) and cross-Canada delivery.

Kingston Olive Oil six pack gift sampler — Kingston Olive Oil’s six pack gift sampler. Perfect for bread dipping, or drizzling over roast veggies or your favourite grilled meats. | Credit: Garrett Elliott

Agent 99

237 Princess Street | Temporarily moved to 259 Princess Street

If you’re looking for a combination of glam and fun, wander a little farther up Princess Street (between Sydenham and Clergy). * Look for the hot-pink Christmas tree in the window. That’s your cue to go into Agent 99 and pick up something for the fashionista in your life. As well as hip women’s clothing, from cozy loungewear to sparkling evening wear, Agent 99 has a whole array of accessories, from scarves to jewelry to masks. Did I mention the sequined masks? Yes, you can stay safe while staying fabulous.

Whit Kingston

239 Princess Street | Temporarily moved to 259 Princess Street

Sharing this space with Agent 99 is Whit Kingston, which features seriously hip casual streetwear for men and women as well as a host of cute must-have items (including toques, pillows, and Christmas decorations) celebrating Kingston, its neighbourhoods, and surrounding cottage country. Whit Kingston also features some fun dog accessories: celebrate the good doggo in your life with a dog birthday kit, featuring a treat recipe book, a bone-shaped cookie cutter, and a party hat.

* Whit Kingston and Agent 99 are usually located one block south, at 237/239 Princess Street. But while their permanent space is being renovated, and throughout the holiday season, you can find them both at 259 Princess Street.

Kingston Glass Studio and Gallery

56 Queen Street

While Princess Street is an obvious choice for holiday shopping, don’t forget the artisanal gems just one block over, on Queen Street between King and Wellington. Kingston Glass Studio and Gallery (56 Queen Street) features the works of many local and regional artists. Glass offerings include jewel-like drinking glasses that will brighten up any breakfast table, whimsical Christmas tree decorations, delicate wire-wrapped glass earrings, and adorable heart-shaped (and acorn, and pumpkin) decorative pieces. Artworks from Kingston Glass Studio can be found in galleries, museums, and gift shops worldwide. Stop in and see where it all had its start. While the space (which features a working glassblowing studio) is obviously known for its glass art, both functional and sculptural, do spend a little time exploring the other works of art on display, from paintings to pottery, from 20 or so artisans.

Kingston Glass Studio and Gallery offers an array of functional and sculptural glass items. | Credit: Tim Forbes

Happy Thoughts

95 Clarence Street

Happy Thoughts, on the corner of Clarence at Wellington, is possibly the most aptly named store in Kingston. Just step through the doorway and you’ll feel your spirits lift. In this tiny shop (limit of three customers inside at a time, these days), you’ll find a little bit of everything you need for gift-giving, from puzzles to mugs to totes to greeting cards (both adorable and sarcastic varieties available), eco-friendly household supplies, and apparel. Scattered throughout the store are the creations from indie Canadian jewelry makers. When I was in, I saw lovely pieces from artisans from Kingston and Napanee as well as Vancouver. Which brings me to my next point…

Don’t be surprised if – when picking up a “Draw your own comic” book for your niece and a William Morris-inspired travel mug for your dad – you spot a number of items you wouldn’t mind receiving yourself. That’s why there’s a “Happy Thoughts wish list” card you can pick up just inside the entrance. Jot down the items that make you happy and give the list to that person who’s flummoxed at what to get you.

Happy Thoughts Kingston — Feel uplifted with the inspirational gift choices at Happy Thoughts. | Credit: Tim Forbes

Downtown Kingston businesses are committed to making your shopping experience a safe and satisfactory one. If you’re shopping in person, please observe store notices about number of customers allowed at any one time, wear a mask inside the store, and use hand sanitizer once inside. And please, ask questions! Local store owners and staff are happy to help you find exactly what you want.

While you’re picking up some unique finds, you can also collect stamps on your Downtown Kingston holiday passport (one stamp for every purchase of $10 or more). From now until December 24, collect five stamps and you’ll be entered into a weekly draw for one of two $500 vouchers, plus a grand prize of $2,000 to spend in Downtown Kingston businesses. Look for the Destination Downtown holiday passport signs in participating stores and restaurants.

Looking for the perfect gift? Downtown Kingston is excited to announce the launch of Downtown Dollars. Downtown Dollars work exactly like a gift card and can be used in many downtown shops, restaurants, and services. Until December 24th, Downtown Dollars are available with a huge bonus! Purchase $100 worth of Downtown Dollars for only $80, purchase $50 worth of Downtown Dollars for $40 and so on. Learn more here.

Discover more only-in-Kingston maker finds and shop online with our Maker Holiday Gift Guide.

October 15, 2020July 12, 2024

Walkable Kingston

Whether it’s sweater weather, parka season, or the sunny days of summer, Kingston has some beautiful places to go for a stroll. If you’re looking for a break from your workday or need a weekend adventure for you and the family, here are some unique places to explore Kingston’s spectacular natural assets and the city’s rich history.

Waterfront Pathway

Looking for a scenic view of Kingston’s waterfront? Kingston’s Waterfront Pathway is a picturesque 8 km walk from Lake Ontario Park to the downtown core. Along this path you will have the opportunity to see Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, Kingston Penitentiary, the Tett Centre, Fort Frontenac, and many other historic locations in the Kingston area. Accessible parking and pathway access are available. For more information on the path, please visit this link.

Barriefield Village

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Barriefield Village was established near the Naval Shipyards and prospered for many decades as an important part in the boatbuilding industry. Did you know that in 1980 Barriefield became the first village in Ontario to become a Heritage Conservation District? It is no secret that Barriefield is filled with rich history and you can explore it on a self-guided walking tour of area. On this self-guided tour, you will be able to relive the history of the village – see where the blacksmith lived and where Peters Grocery resided. For more information on the tour and for a detailed map, please visit this link.

Sydenham Ward

Known for its beautiful architecture and historic setting, Sydenham Ward is home to some of the finest 19th-century architecture in Canada. Old Sydenham was designated a historic district in 2015. On your walk through Sydenham Ward, you will stop by some notable buildings including Frontenac County Court House, a building originally designed to house the Parliament of Canada when Kingston was Canada’s capital city; the Spire, a notable 160-year-old landmark that is now a community hub for the arts and not for profit; and Chalmers United Church, which sits on a unique triangular lot where Clergy, Barrie and Earl streets meet. Lace up your sneakers and go take in the beauty of Sydenham Ward today!

Queen’s University

Queen’s University was established in 1841 by a Royal Charter signed by Queen Victoria. Queen’s main campus is located on roughly 100 acres of land on the southwestern edge of downtown Kingston. Its approximate boundaries are King Street in the south, Earl Street in the north, Collingwood Street in the west, and Barrie Street in the east. The campus is home to many beautiful limestone buildings and, given its age, a history full of interesting anecdotes. Did you know that Queen’s landmark building, Grant Hall, was a military hospital during the First World War and used as an entertainment centre for troops and a meal hall during WWII?

Lake Ontario Park

Providing a natural landscape drawing both visitors and locals, Lake Ontario Park is the largest urban waterfront park in Kingston. Lake Ontario is great for picnicking and scenic walks along the waterfront, including access to the Waterfront Pathway. The park was extensively renovated in recent years and includes accessible walkways to the lakeshore, a cobblestone beach, playground equipment and a sandy beach area.

Portsmouth Village

Portsmouth Village was founded in 1784 and grew alongside the Kingston Penitentiary, which was located nearby. In its early years, the area included tanneries, breweries and shipyards. The village is also home to Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, which hosted the yachting and boating events for the 1976 Summer Olympics. In present day, the area retains a quaint historic charm with stone and brick homes. A walk through this area will take you along the lakeshore marina and through charming side streets dotted historic homes, ultimately connecting with the Waterfront Pathway.

September 17, 2020January 14, 2025

Family Fun in Kingston This Fall

Need some inspiration on what to do with the kiddos this fall in Kingston? Look no further! Whether you are a local Kingstonian or visiting Kingston for a few days, there are plenty of activities to enjoy with your family!

To ensure your family won’t stop talking about your fall adventure, check out our list of must-do activities below!

Museums and Attractions

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Fort Henry

1 Fort Henry Dr, Kingston, ON K7K 5G8

Kids and adults alike will enjoy their time at Fort Henry! Here, tour Ontario’s 19th-century British military fort. Experience self-guided tours through a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Senior Fort Henry Guard stationed throughout the Fort to offer interpretation experiences.

If you’re up for some thrills with your teens, in the month of October you can experience Fort Fright – this year’s theme is “Darkness.” Plus, Terror Tuesdays, a new outdoor movie screening in the lower Fort featuring horror films, start September 29.

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The PumpHouse

23 Ontario St, Kingston, ON K7L 2Y2

Discover Kingston’s first waterworks in operation from 1851 to 1952 by visiting the PumpHouse! The PumpHouse is offering two guided tours – a site tour and an Ontario Street walking tour (must be booked in advanced). On the site tour, be prepared to learn about large-scale industrial water pumps and learn about their importance in the development of Kingston. On the Ontario Street tour, visitors can expect to learn and ask questions about the history of the street. Stop by today and learn something new!

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Frontenac County Schools Museum

414 Regent St, Kingston, ON K7K 5R1

There are plenty of things to explore at the Frontenac County Schools Museum! The Museum hosts a gallery of school textbooks, artefacts, memorabilia and photographs – you may even identify a great-grandparent! Additionally, the schoolroom itself is set in the style of a one-room rural schoolhouse from the 1900-1930 era. The desks and artefacts were collected from the schools which at one time dotted the countryside. Sit at a wooden desk, write on a slate with a slate pencil. Browse through old Ontario readers. Try your skill at some arithmetic facts and solve problems encountered in the past! Visits are currently by appointment only, please visit their website for more information on visiting.

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Improbable Escapes HQ and Wonderland Escape Rooms & Board Game Lounge

LaSalle Mews, 303 Bagot St Suite 16B, Kingston, ON K7K 5W7

Offering online, live action, and outdoor games, Improbable Escapes is fun for the entire family! Games are 60+ minutes of intense and unique puzzles, in which you must work together as a team to solve! Improbable Escapes boasts of their many themes to satisfy every taste – whimsical, zombies, aliens – they have it all! They pride themselves on being family friendly and only offer private bookings to ensure you have the most fun with your team! In Kingston’s west end the offer both in-person escape rooms and a board game lounge. Check out their website for the full list of offerings and to book your game today!

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Love Kingston Marketplace

Springer Market Square – 216 Ontario St, Kingston, ON K7L 2Z3

Join local musicians as they play live, Kingston Frontenac Library for Stories in the Square, or grab some food from a local restaurant on the contactless patio – all while enjoying the beautiful Love Kingston Marketplace! Not sure there will be enough to keep the kids entertained? There are also chalk art games in the Square for children to play and other activities schedule for the fall.

Farms and Agriculture

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Fruition Berry Farm

3208 Hughes Rd, Kingston, ON K7L 4V3

If your favourite part of fall includes picking some fresh vegetables, picking the perfect pumpkin to carve, and completing a corn maze or two – then Fruition Berry Farm is the perfect place for your fall adventure! Pick your very own squash and pumpkin from their patch! While you’re there, don’t miss out on their “honey bees” themed corn maze! Be prepared to solve some puzzles and enjoy the fall colours at Fruition Berry Farm!

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Waddell’s Apples

1345 Washburn Rd, Seeley’s Bay, ON K0H 2N0

Is apple picking one of your must-do activities in the fall? Waddell’s Apples has a scenic apple orchard located by the Rideau Canal with more than 20 varieties of apples. Need a pumpkin too? Waddell’s Apples also offers guests the opportunity to pick their very own pumpkin! Pick-your-own apples runs until mid-October. If you prefer someone else to pick your apples, they also have the option for curbside pick-up via their online store.

Hiking and Walking Trails

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Lemoine Point

1440 Coverdale Dr, Kingston

As a popular and heavily-used conservation area, Lemoine Point offers picnicking, cycling, swimming, and hiking. Lemoine Point is home to approximately 11km of hiking trails that cross flat to gently rolling woodland, field, and marsh area, much of it flat and very family friendly. As you hike the trails, you can find hidden gems such as scenic lookouts across the fall colours. This conservation area is bordered by Lake Ontario and Collins Bay, so you are sure to get a scenic fall view!

Price: Free, donations are accepted.
Hours of Operation: 7:30 am to dusk daily
Difficulty Level: Low

Little Cataraqui Creek

1641 Perth Rd, Glenburnie

At Little Cataraqui Creek you can connect with nature during all four seasons. Here, there are marsh, field, and forest habitats for nature appreciation. Additionally, there are opportunities for education and outdoor recreation. Little Cataraqui Creek offers picnicking, fishing, bird watching, and hiking trails for their visitors to enjoy. This conservation area is home to approximately 14km of hiking trails through mostly flat terrain. These trails are a great escape for the family to enjoy together!

Price: Adults: $5.00, children (12 & under): $3.50, max. fee per car: $15, annual pass: $85.
Hours of Operation: 7:30 am to dusk daily
Difficulty Level: Low

Read more: Awesome places to Hike around Kingston

Restaurants and Retail

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Score Pizza

91 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1A6

There is one food that every kiddo loves – pizza! Treat the family to a make-your-own pizza night at Score Pizza! With a variety of different toppings, sauces, and finishing touches, you can’t go wrong with this family-friendly restaurant!

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Harper’s Burger Bar

93 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1A6

Craving a burger? Maybe some fries or onion rings? Stop by Harper’s Burger Bar for one of the best tasting burgers in town! Offering beef, chicken, and veggie burgers – there is something for everyone to enjoy!

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Mio Gelato

178 Ontario St, Kingston, ON K7L 2Y8

Need a little sugar after a day exploring Kingston’s local attractions? Mio Gelato has been locally owned and operated since 2010, brining authentic Italian gelato to Kingston. There are always new and exciting flavours, as well as the classics that you’ll love!

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The Rocking Horse

193 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1B1

Shop for toys that inspire and promote discovery, curiosity, and imagination at The Rocking Horse! The Rocking Horse is a locally owned, independent toy store in the heart of downtown Kingston. The Rocking Horse is best known for their classic and retro toys, board games, wooden toys, stuffed animals, and unique novelty items! The Rocking Horse currently offers both in-store shopping and local delivery. Stop by today to learn more about what they offer!

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Minotaur

78 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1A5

Minotaur is a locally owned and operated shop in the heart of Kingston. Minotaur has a wide variety of games for the entire family – Monopoly, Battleship, Settlers of Catan! Minotaur also carries toys, gadgets, crafting supplies, gifts, and puzzles. Not sure what to play for your next at-home game night? Stop by Minotaur today!

September 10, 2020March 27, 2023

6 Ways to See Kingston’s Fall Colours

Part of the 1000 Islands, Kingston is full of hidden gems for you to discover all year-round! This fall, there is no shortage of activities for you and the family to enjoy. Think spectacular autumnal colours, walks in the crisp fall air, and apple and pumpkin picking with the kids. To help you create your fall bucket list, we’ve highlighted six things to do in Kingston to experience the best of fall’s bounty.

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Cruise the Fall Colours

Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises
248 Ontario St

Experience beauty like no other with a sightseeing cruise this fall aboard Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises. Enjoy breathtaking views of the natural and historic scenery along Kingston’s spectacular waterfront. Offering 60-minute sightseeing and 90-minute cocktail cruises, look no further for your next unique fall adventure!

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Pick Your Own Harvest

Fruition Berry Farm
3208 Hughes Rd

Waddell Apples
1345 Washburn Road

Get ready because it is soon to be corn maze season! Be prepared to solve some puzzles and enjoy the fall colours at Fruition Berry Farm’s incredible corn maze. The 2020 theme is “honey bees.” Fruition Berry Farm is also very well known for their fresh, locally grown produce. Pick your very own pumpkin or squash from their patch. Open Saturday and Sunday 10 am-4 pm from September 5 to October 31.

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Waddell Apples also offers the chance to pick your own pumpkins. Plus, they have a scenic apple orchard located by the Rideau Canal with more than 20 different varieties of apples. They also offer curbside pick-up via their online store, if you would prefer someone else does the picking. Pick-your-own apples start September 7 and usually lasts until mid-October.

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The Rideau Canal

What better way to see the fall colours than to go hiking? The Rideau Trail is a 387 km trail network between Kingston and Ottawa. This trail network is located in the general area of the Rideau Canal and its tributary waters. Along the trail, explore the rugged Canadian Shield and placid farmland. In Kingston, the trail starts at City Hall on Ontario St, running west along the lakeshore before veering north at the King St West access point, which also has parking, as does the McIvor Road access point.

Check out other places to hike in Kingston

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Rideau Canal, Kingston Mills

Kingston Mills Rd

Explore the fall colours by taking a drive out to Kingston Mills to see the Rideau Canal’s Locks 46 – 49. The canal is a UNESCO World Heritage site first opened in 1832 and designed to connect Ottawa to Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence River. Here, you will have the opportunity to walk along the historic limestone locks and view the beautiful fall foliage. Bring a picnic lunch and relax by the water’s edge.

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Kingston Trolley Tours

248 Ontario St with pick- up at 209 Ontario St (Visitor Information Centre)

Hop aboard a comfy, physically distanced trolley to experience the fall colours in the heart of the city. Kingston Trolley Tours offer an engaging overview of Kingston’s more than three hundred years of history through their one-hour city tour. It’s an ideal way to comfortably experience Kingston’s history and attractions among the fall scenery. Please remember to bring your mask!

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Kingston Bike Tours

5 Brock St

Looking for a one-of-a-kind experience this fall? Look no further! Explore Kingston by bike. Kingston Bike Tours offer group, private, or custom bike tours to fit your needs. On these leisurely, relaxed historical bike tours of downtown you will explore many historical landmarks and attractions. You will bike to the notorious Kingston Penitentiary, through Queen’s University Campus, beside Lake Ontario and its stunning view, and to Gord Edgar Downie Pier.

September 2, 2020March 20, 2023

25 things to do in Kingston this fall

Fall is in the air! Let’s celebrate the changing of the seasons in Kingston with 25 exciting experiences. Enjoy live music, Kingston festivals, haunted walks and ghost and mystery trolley tours, the return of Pumpkinferno, museums in Kingston, and more!

Be sure to see Kingston’s hotels, B&B’s and other accommodations – why not stay the night?