The local brewery hosts the biggest Oktoberfest in and around Kingston on September 28 from noon to 4 pm and 6 to 10 pm at the Riverhead Brewing Company (631 Fortune Cresent).
A piece of Germany at Riverhead Brewing Company
Emulating an authentic German party, Riverhead’s Oktoberfest starts with the tapping of the keg–someone will use a wooden hammer to crack open a keg of beer.
Riverhead has created an Oktoberfest lager inspired by the drinks served at Bavarian celebrations in Munich or Berlin. At Oktoberfest in Germany, the beer is clean, light, and bready, similar to the brews you’ll try at Riverhead Brewing Company. Arrive early as the first 500 customers receive a free stein to fill with their choice of Oktoberfest lager, Festbier lager, or gluten-free seltzer.
Once your stein is full of lager and you’ve grabbed a pretzel or slice of schnitzel, head to the communal tables adorned with a blue-and-white tablecloth, showcasing traditional Bavarian colours. You’ll meet fellow beer lovers at the family-style table nestled under a large white tent supplied by Encore Tents.
If you want guaranteed seating, purchase the VIP package. VIP customers receive a free stein upon entry and have their own pour station and private washroom.
More than just a beer festival
The celebration doesn’t end with smooth lager and salty snacks–there will be games to play, like cornhole and keg rolling. Test your muscular endurance during the stein-holding competition–you’ll hold a one-litre stein of beer in front of you for as long as possible. Challenge your strength with the hammer & nail game, in which you’ll drive a nail into a wooden beam.
As you challenge your friends to these German games, enjoy Bavarian music from Supersonic Hearts Band. When their accordions and horns cease, a DJ will take the stage to keep the party going.
So, strap on your lederhosen, put on your dirndls, grab your friends, and experience this grand display of German culture in Kingston. You can purchase your tickets online. You can also buy tickets in person at the Slush Puppie Place or Riverhead Brewing Company (631 Fortune Cresent).
For years,Stev George (head chef and co-owner of Olivea) and Robert Elvy mulled the idea of opening up an authentic Italian wine bar in downtown Kingston. When the perfect space across from Springer Market Square (326 King Street East) opened Bobbi Pecorino’s was born.
Wine, selected with care
Using 35 years of experience in the wine industry, Elvy carefully curated Pecorino’s selection of organic and biodynamic reds, whites, and rosés furnishing the wine bar’s back shelves and fridges. From the distinctive location where the grapes were grown to the origins of the families who planted them, each of the 120 bottles has a unique story, catalogued in the bar’s “wine bible.”
Elvy found the bestSoave Superiore white winehe’s ever tasted at aquaintboutique winery in Franchetto, Italy.In the heart of Chianti Classico, he tasted Sangiovese–based wines made by the Cappellini family.Luigi Cappellini,whom Elvy affectionately refers to as the “Pope of Sangiovese,”imports his Mini-Tuscanwine to Pecorino’s exclusively.
Reinforcing the strong bond between the Kingston owners and winemakers across the Atlantic, pictures of Pecorino’s staff with Italian producers adorn the exposed brick walls.
The wine bar is even named after the moniker “Bobbi Pecorino,” which Elvy’s Italian friends gave him.
Top-notch service
Pecorino’s offers three-to-five-ounce glasses, allowing you to enjoy a variety of wines amid the elegant and timeless ambiance. At Pecorino’s, you’re encouraged to be “wine curious”–try a grape you’ve never heard of or purchase a bottle from a region that intrigues you.
Whether you’re a vino newbie or a connoisseur, well-trained waiters will guide you through your journey tasting a Pinot Blanc “Ser Chario” from Emilia-Romagna, Tempranillo “La Secreta” from Rioja Alavesa, Spain, or Grillo “Bianco Maggiore” from Sicily.
All staff at Pecorino’s balance their tasks behind the bar and in the small, open kitchen, mirroring the operations of authentic Italian wine bars.
Further emulating the service you’d encounter at a wine bar in Sicily or Sardinia, your first bottle of wine at Pecorino’s will come with a bowl of crispy potato chips. Good wine is supposed to be enjoyed with and complement food, a sentiment that Elvy shares with wine bar owners in Italy.
Authentic Italian food
With the help of Stev George, Elvy created Pecorino’s menu featuring crostini, soft bruschetta, flavourful panini, and more.
Their crostini is served on soft bread, delicately drizzled with olive oil, and topped with fresh ingredients such as soleggiati tomatoes, pesto, honey, stracchino cheese, or prosciutto.
You can taste their cheeses and meats, sourced from Italian farms, by ordering the Tagliere–a plate covered in delectable dairy options such as gorgonzola and meats like soppressata. They rotate their meats and cheeses, offering you the freshest seasonal options.
A must-try appetizer, the Bobbi Bruschetta comes with soft, salty tomatoes and bread rubbed with garlic and olive oil–just how the Italians like it.
Specialty bottle shop and wine club
After snacking on Pecorino’s panini with fresh mozzarella and enjoying a few beverages, you can take home a bottle of crisp white or deep red wine.
Purchasing wine in the bottle shop, located at the back of Pecorino’s, is cheaper than ordering it at the table. You won’t find these bottles at the LCBO, so be sure to grab one before you leave.
Pecorino’s also hosts a Sunday Wine Club at 2:30 pm; you’ll taste four wines plus several dishes from Pecorino’s menu. To enjoy this casual way to experience wine, food, and Italian culture, you don’t need to pay a membership fee, simply a flat rate of $75.
Come by Pecorino’s for a glass of wine while you wait for your table or a nightcap after dinner on Monday to Wednesday from 3 to 9 pm, Thursday to Saturday from noon to 10 pm, and Sunday from 2 to 9 pm.
In the heart of downtown Kingston, a cozy bookseller offers customers a three-for two book deal. A local Italian bakery sells hearty hunks of their homemade focaccia for $1.
Here are 11 of Kingston’s best-kept secrets from our beloved local businesses.
YGK Thrift, offering quality vintage and modern clothes at a reasonable price on Princess Street, sells sleek heels and comfortable loafers for 50 percent off on Fridays.
By purchasing a pair of running shoes or flats, you’ll contribute to Almost Home, a non-profit organization that supports families with children receiving medical care in Kingston.
Each brunch dish you try at Dianne’s infuses the flavours of Mexico and Canada’s East Coast.
Head to the waterfront restaurant, adorned with nautical decorations and a sunny patio, on Saturday or Sunday for brunch. Dianne’s serves mouthwatering dishes such as their beef barbacoa breakfast sandwich–a butter-toasted bun topped with Oaxacan style slow-braised beef brisket, sunny side up eggs, homemade pickled tomatoes, bacon, fresh smashed guacamole, and arbol chili mayo.
For a combination of maritime zest and classic brunch fare, try the Eggs Dianne–fish cakes and two poached eggs topped with jalapeno hollandaise.
Their tres leches pancakes–a triple stack of sweet pancakes topped with chocolate sauce, fruit, and whipped cream–will satisfy your early afternoon sweet tooth.
Visit Miss Bāo for cute community-building events with a side of Japanese saké and sharable fusion plates.
Besides serving seasonal cocktails and soft bāo buns filled with locally sourced poultry and produce, Miss Bāo also hosts heart-warming events inside their building with the distinctive green and red awning. The zero-waste restaurant has previously held needle felting and bento cake-making workshops.
Head over to their Instagram to see which workshop the restaurant’s hosting next.
Stepping inside this quaint, local Italian business, you’re immediately hit with the smell of homemade tomato sauce and fresh focaccia.
Pasta Genova makes their focaccia in-store, selling hunks of the fluffy, crispy bread for $1. They make their sandwiches–filled with your choice of crisp vegetables or savory Italian meats–using the melt-in-your-mouth focaccia.
In addition to their famous bread, Pasta Genova sells ready-made products, fresh pastas, cheeses, and olive oils. Head to the charming store’s location on Wellington Street for a taste of Italy.
Boasting an uninterrupted view of the Kingston Harbour and Confederation Basin, The Vu Lounge in AquaTerra serves daily happy hour from 2 to 5 pm.
On Thursdays to Saturdays, the waterfront restaurant hosts extended happy hour until 12 am. Bring your date or your friend group for a $9 glass of house red or white wine, an $8 pint of house draft beer, or a $12 cocktail.
AquaTerra also offers 10 percent off their appetizers, including their Korean tater tots with gouchujang aioli, ponzu, bonito, scallions, sesame seeds, and toi phi, and street corn calamari–crispy fried squid with chipotle aioli, cilantro, lime crème fraîche, charred corn salsa, pickled onions, and cotija.
Settle into The Screening Room, a cozy cinema in the heart of downtown Kingston, with a bag of popcorn –drenched in real butter–and watch an edgy indie movie or hilarious comedy at a reduced price with the theatre’s membership card.
The Screening Room’s membership card allows both movie buffs and average cinemagoers to see films for $11 instead of the regular $14 price. Seniors and students receive discounts on the annual membership card’s initial fee.
You can purchase a membership card in person at The Screening Room or on their website.
This pizza joint has a secret back patio decorated with exposed brick, warm string lights, and wooden accents.
Gobble up their Arbre Amore pizza, doused in tomato sauce, sundried tomatoes, mozzarella, wood-roasted mushrooms, and artichoke, or the Nonna Mela pizza, topped with apple butter, roast garlic, cheddar, caramelized onions, and blackened chicken, on Wooden Head’s sunny and shaded courtyard patio today.
If you’re a Kingston local or visitor looking to explore the Limestone City’s secret gems, join the Haunted Walk’s new Hidden Kingston City Tour.
On this light-hearted, 90-minute walking excursion, tour guides will share surprising and fascinating stories from Kingston’s history, including the tale of two dueling doctors, bank robbers, and the city’s very own sea serpent. You can book the family-friendly adventure today on The Haunted Walk’s website.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a walking tour that will make the hairs on the back of your neck raise and send shivers down your spine, try their ghost tours.
Known for their perfectly chewy, slightly sweet, and delicious Montreal-style bagels, Nosh Kingston also sells 23 & Co. cookies filled with marshmallows, peanut butter cups, or Oreos.
Next time you’re picking up a batch of everything or poppy seed bagels and deli cream cheese, grab a few cookies for dessert.
Boasting two stories of classics, romances, and thrillers, Berry & Peterson Booksellers offers a “buy two books, get one free” deal.
Head inside the cozy used bookstore stuffed with a variety of genres, purchasea well-priced book (or multiple), then walk a few steps to Kingston Coffee House (322 King Street East), and enjoy your next read over a hot latte and pastry.
From1801onwards, the square behind Kingston City Hall hasbeenhome to a bustling public market. The Kingston Public Market is the longest-running market in Ontario.For220 yearsand counting,the market has brought people together-the beating heart of the limestone city. From April to November, on Tuesdays, Thursdays,and Saturdays,you can find local producers and artisans at their booths – stocked and ready to greet visitors. Here are some of the vendors you’ll find at the Kingston Public Market.
Selling prize-winning jams, jellies, and marmalades handcrafted ontheir farm onWolfe Island, this three-generation family business has a must–visit booth at the market. Henderson Farms offers over 58 varieties of jarred goods with enticing flavors likedandelion wine, ginger, elderberry, and rhubarb.Their pear and raspberry jam wasvoted best in Canada at Toronto’s Royal Agriculture Winter Fair, and the rest of their assorted jams haveearned themnumerousaccolades.They also offer freshly baked goods that are vegan, gluten-free, and prepared in a nut-free kitchen.
Since 1910, the Vaderfamilyhas been producing maple syrupon their local farm in Prince Edward County, less than 100 km away. Their products, ranging from decadent syrups to maple sugars, butters, and jellies are all hand–crafted and harvested, making Vader’s a single-source producer. They also offer a whisky barrel–aged dark maple syrup, their most popular item and of course, bestselling classic amber and dark maple syrups. Using heritage techniques on their over 3,000 tap farm, the Vaderfamily business brings you quality syrup straight from their maple bush.
Simple Country Pleasures is afamily–owned and operated business, running since 1985.Owner Lisa offers quality annuals, hanging baskets, planters, and unique perennials.Her stall also has locally grown organic and heirloom produce as well as outsourced goods from all over Ontario.Try some of her local corn, fresh blueberries from Sudbury, and other delicious fruits and vegetables from the Niagara, Toronto, and Picton regions.
Since 1984, the Wilsons have been bringing their home-harvested honey to the Kingston Public Market. With over 200 bee colonies anddecades of experience in beekeeping, their family farm has grown into a multi-generational business. Their stall is always lined with jars of honey, fresh flowers, candles, and beeswax hand–creams–made with a 60–year–old recipe. Stop to smell their fresh lilies and pick out one of their many varieties of authentic golden honey, harvested only 90 km away.
Baycrest Farms in Prince Edward County has been part of the Kingston Public Market since the 1970s. Owner Chris Ackerman grew up helping his mother run the stall. He prides himself on providing local food to the Kingston community, grown on Ontarian soil. Baycrest Farms sells apples and other Ontario fruit, as well as greenhouse-grown vegetables, apple cider, and flower bouquets.
In 1993, Iggy started crafting as a hobby. After retiring from his successful military career in 1995, he joined the public market and has been happily selling his quirky creations ever since. His stall is always full of a wide array of oddities made of repurposed materials. Working with wood, resin, bottlecaps, silverware, coins and more, Iggy’s work is motley and memorable with a little something for everyone. He enjoys what he does; it “keeps me out of my wife’s hair,” hesays and he hopes to do it for another 10 to15 years.His wife, Vera, the V in “I.V.” also likes to craft, creating jewelry out of beads, buttons, and other repurposed materials.
Passionate about the art of propagation and the durable nature of succulents, Angela is the smiling face you’ll meet at her booth “Limestone Succulents.”Displayed at her stall,you’ll find pastel-coloured plants of many varieties, beautifully arranged in equally colourful pots. The plant pots are sourced from a friend’s workshop in Toronto, and the wooden display stands from another market vendor.Angela also makes larger gift plant arrangements by commission, each one telling a story and made to order in her signaturewhimsicalstyle. Bring some more life into your home with a jolly potted succulent, one that will sprout flowers even if you don’t water it.
Carolina Rojas is a creative photographer whose work is hard to miss at the market.Inspired by natural elements and textures, her photos are up-beat captures of Kingston’s iconic sights. After her husband picked up photography as a hobby, Carolina instantly took a liking to it. Her husband jokes that she surpassed him in skill. Carolina always had an artistic eye, attending fashion design school in Chile before she immigrated here 32 years ago. For Carolina, photography is more than just her business or her hobby, it’s her meditation. She sells prints, tote-bags, bookmarks, mugs, and other reproductions of her vibrant captures.
Lesley Jardine, operating under the trademark Lily Mooncat, has participated in the public market for 15 years. She sellshand-made natural candles, soaps, bodyproducts, and hand-crafted jewelry. Her hand-made candles come in many scents and varieties, made with natural coconut wax, soy, and essential oils. Lesley’s candles are phthalate–free (meaning they contain no harmful chemicals or fragrances) and use wooden wicks that crackle when they burn.All her product ingredients and materials are sourced from Ontario. Her latest jelly candles preserve flowers sourced from another public market vendor.
Find a treasure trove of crystals, mineral specimens, tumbled stones, jewelry, gemstones, fossils, and decorative rocks at Rox’s Rock Shop.Running for 25 years, this booth specializes in local, Canadian, and Southwest American rocks.Its owners do all the polishing, cutting, and tumbling themselves. Stop by and take in the glittering stones.
Every Saturday at the market,you’ll notice a signature yellow booth pop-up.Inside the stall you’ll find hand-crafted mugs, plates, pots, bowls and other porcelain clay creations. Isabella Duc, the artist behind it all, has been coming to the public market from her studio on Wolfe Island since 2016. Isabella’s work is reflective of her background: she immigrated from France 32 years ago and studied art at a university in Versailles. Isabella loves meeting customers and has been involved with numerous craft shows and festivals over the past 30 years. Stop by her stall and admire her authentic, free-hand painted pottery collection.
Since 2003, Marian has been coming to the public market to sell her metal work creations, fine crafts, and paintings. Following in the footsteps of her father –whose metal sculptures can be found dotted about the city, Marianworks creatively with metal, copper, andenamel to create jewelry,and otheruniqueitems. It was at this public market that she met Dave Blair –The Stonecutter – another rock and craft enthusiast, and her future husband. Dave, an instructor and foreman at the Kingston Lapidary & Mineral Club, would sell his rock jewelry and silversmithing work at his booth under the name The Stonecutter. Now they run their booths together and have joined creative forces in crafting finejewelry out of both rock, stone, metal, tin, and copper materials.
Stop by Mehry Afnan’s glittering booth where she offers her fused–glass and stained–glass creations. Made by hand in her studio, each of her unique decorative pieces are individually cut, designed, and put together with love. Mehry creates hanging glass ornaments, framed arrangements, earrings, bracelets, pendants, and rings. By fusing multiple layers of glass into one, Mehry creates unique necklace pendants that shimmer and change colour in the sun.
Not everyvendorhas an online presence, so thevery best way to get to know them is to come out and meet them for yourself. Become a part of a 220+year Kingston tradition and come out to the Kingston Public Market today.
Other activities in Market Square
Every Sundays June 2 through September 22, the square is also host to the Indigenous Market. Come by Springer Market Square between 10 am and 2 pm to meet the vendors and enjoy food and crafts.
Visitors can also rock out to live music concerts, watch free movies throughout the summer, and skate in the square in the winter. Visit Downtown Kingston to learn about upcoming activities in the square.
If you want to treat yourself to a new, reasonably priced outfit for that Friday night dinner date or purchase retro decor for your new apartment, look no further than Kingston’s thrift stores. The Limestone City boasts a plethora of recycled clothing stores for customers wanting to make ethical fashion choices, all while looking stylish in their new outfits.
From downtown to west-end Kingston, here are some of our favourite thrift stores in the city.
YGK thrift offers customers vintage and modern clothes for a good cause–all sale proceeds are donated to Almost Home, a non-profit organization providing a place for families to stay while their ill or injured children receive treatment in the Kingston area.
The Princess Street thrift store’s brick-walled, clean interior boasts frequent discounts on their already well-priced accessories and clothes. On Fridays, footwear, from sleek loafers to fashionable heels, is 50 percent off.
Follow their Instagram account for in-store promotions and pop-ups around Kingston.
Montreal Street Collective’s black-painted exterior, decorated with white chalk art, stands out against the red brick building surrounding the thrift, vintage, and antique store.
Inside, Montreal Street Collective is adorned with colourful art, western-style trinkets, and, of course, racks of trendy vintage and modern clothes. Each rack is curated by one of 10 clothing vendors, like Specadirt Vintage, so your perfect summer, winter, or fall lookbook is already laid out for you.
In addition to clothes, Montreal Street Collective invites 25 makers and vendors to sell their houseware and handmade goodies. Buy a vase for your kitchen table or a small ceramic dish for your jewelry.
During the summer months, the thrift store hosts Vintage Markets outside their Montreal Street location. Follow their Instagram for updates.
844 Division Street | Monday – Wednesday 9 am – 5 pm, Thursday – Friday 9 am – 6 pm, Saturday 9 am – 4 pm, Sunday closed
Add The Goodway to your list of reliable thrift stores in Kingston. From clothes to CDs, artwork to maternity wear, everyday and obscure products line The Goodway’s racks and shelves. If you’re a student, senior, or in the military, you’ll receive a discount on your purchase.
All sale proceeds go towards organizations which help people get re-trained, re-educated, and re-employed in Kingston. The Goodway has donated sale proceeds to several Kingston-based organizations including The Mess Studio–providing a safe space for community members to connect over art–and Breast Cancer Action Kingston–a non-profit organization providing support, empowerment, and education to Kingstonians impacted by breast cancer.
Threads & Co. boasts walls of heels, sandals, and flats, as well as a wide selection of vintage and new clothes.
The thrift store is owned by Dress for Success Kingston (700 Dalton Avenue), an organization that helps women achieve economic independence, providing them with support and professional attire. All sale proceeds are donated to the non-profit organization.
1440 Princess Street | Wednesday – Saturday 10 am – 4 pm, Sunday – Tuesday closed
Need a cute onesie for your best friend’s baby shower or a cozy sweater for your kiddo? Visit Simply New to You for well-priced, high-quality children’s clothes, footwear, games, puzzles, and movies.
Simply New to You’s charming location on Princess Street also offers a plethora of maternity and nursing clothes for soon-to-be and new mothers.
If you can’t make the trip down to the store, you can order their handmade, recycled clothes online at Simply New to You’s website.
As the name suggests, this thrift store has a revolving door of upscale women’s clothes.
The Revolving Door sells a variety of women’s clothes and accessories, ranging from Christian Louboutin pumps to Michael Kors handbags. All items are priced at one-third of their original retail value, and occasionally even less.
Cementing their commitment to quality merchandise, the west-end thrift store only accepts clean and laundered donations. So, grab a dress shirt for the office or a flowy dress for your next brunch date at The Revolving Door.
94 Brock Street | Monday – Friday 11 am – 5 pm, Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday 11 am – 4 pm
Looking to spice up your style? Head over to Closettcandy Consignment for a fashion refresh.
Owner Jesse Whale has created a body-positive, inclusive style consultation business helping women tackle their wardrobe demons and discover their personal flair.
Devoted to sustainability, all ClosettCandy’s clothes are purchased second-hand. They accept donations from a select number of higher-end stores, such as Aritzia, Calvin Klein, and Oak + Fort.
The consignment store offers closet audits–helping you dig through the heaps of clothes on your bedroom floor– and outfit styling sessions. Their personal style transformation package includes the closet audit and outfit styling services, in addition to a wardrobe planning and shopping session during which Jesse will design you a new lookbook. For more on their services, check out ClosettCandy Consignment’s website.
You’ll leave feeling empowered and ready to show off your new wardrobe.
207B Wellington Street | Friday–Monday 11 am – 5 pm, Tuesday–Thursday closed
Tucked away in an arched alleyway on Wellington Street is a 4,000-square-foot treasure-trove of quirky retro items and vintage clothes.
Antique Alley offers a unique selection of high-quality vintage goods, including a Coca-Cola machine from the mid-20th century, tiffany blue drawers, and a jukebox. For everyday household items and decor, the retro store sells rocking chairs, candle holders, and delicate China pots.
Within Antique Alley is Kate’s Vintage Kloset, offering elaborate, old-timey shoes, purses, costume jewelry, and clothes. Indulge in the store’s ’50s-style glamour.
Owners Gayle and Gary will gladly help you find whatever items you need.
732 Princess Street | Sunday – Tuesday 12 pm – 5 pm, Wednesday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
For over 25 years, What’ll I Wear has provided customers with well-priced retro and modern clothes for Christmas parties, Halloween costumes, and everyday wear.
This small but well-organized thrift store boasts all types of clothes, from sweater vests decorated with cats to fluffy jackets, keeping you warm during the cold winter months. They also have a variety of shoes, coloured hairsprays, eye masks, gloves–anything you can think of.
Decorated with a colourful block lettered sign, What’ll I Wear is hard to miss, and their well-priced clothes are hard to pass up.
353 Princess Street | Monday – Saturday 10 am – 4 pm, Sunday closed
This large Princess Street clothing store is the perfect place to complete your Queen’s Homecoming look for cheap.
Phase 2 has been selling recycled clothes to Kingston community members and visitors since 1981. Explore the racks upon racks of clothes and discover their quality T-shirts, pants, dresses, scrubs, chef uniforms, and Queen’s sweaters.
This Canadian-owned thrift store chain has all the discounted clothes, accessories, and home goods you need to complete your closet and decorate your home.
Inside Talize’s orange-accented exterior is a large thrift store with daily deals. On top of in-store promotions, Talize provides students and seniors with a 10 percent discount.
If you’re looking for a dinner-date outfit or a pair of well-fitting jeans, Talize has you covered.
2455 Princess Street | Monday – Friday 10 am – 6 pm, Saturday 10 am – 4 pm, Sunday closed
You’ll find exactly what you need at this green thrift store for a fraction of the price.
A beloved thrifting chain, Mission Thrift sells discounted clothes for a good cause–all net proceeds to go BFM Foundation Canada and Bible League Canada. If you’re looking to declutter your closet, the Princess Street thrift store accepts donations.
Refresh your closet and create a positive impact on the environment at Mission Thrift.
From electrifying concerts and local tours to farm experiences and food and drink festivals, there’s no shortage of excitement in Kingston this September!
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. Kingston WritersFest
2. Riverhead Brewing Company Oktoberfest
3. Pumpkinferno
4. Doors Open Kingston & Area
5. Open Farm Days
6. The golden age of Hollywood – Masterworks Kingston Symphony
7. Whose Live Anyway?
8. Art After Dark
9. Kingston Fall Fair
10. Poutine Feast
11. Kingston Ribfest and Craft Beer Show
12. Feast On® the Farm
13. Hidden Kingston City Tour
14. Kingston Comic Con
15. Princess Street Promenade
16. Jeremy Dutcher in concert
17. Julie Arsenault: an intimate show
18. Creative Kingston Walking Tours
19. Kingston Indigenous Market
20. Classic Lightfoot Live: the Gordon Lightfoot tribute
Starting on July 30, the sound of the crack of the bat will resonate throughout City Park – and will continue through August 8, as some of the country’s best 11- and 12-year-old baseball players play for the Canadian Little League Championship.
This will be the first time Kingston has hosted the Little League Nationals.
All games will take place at the recently renovated Cricket Field, a home for local hard ball for over 100 years.
The 2023 Canadian Little League Championship was originally awarded to the Kingston Baseball Association in 2019, but when the COVID-19 pandemic came in 2020, all of the championships were pushed back a year.
Transformation of the Cricket Field took place last summer and the bright green outfield grass and red clay infield were christened on July 21 with a pair of exhibition games between the Kingston Colts and the Ottawa West Twins.
As hosts, the Colts have a spot in the tournament, providing the chance to compete against the country’s top teams for a national title and a berth to the Little League World Series.
Working with the organizing committee made up of parents from the Kingston Baseball Association, the City of Kingston hired a contractor to reconfigure the diamond at the southwest end of the park. The diamond – with a new backstop – was moved back from its former location in the park, closer to the corner of Barrie and Bagot streets. Permanent and covered dugouts were built for the diamond and bleachers have also been installed along with foul poles.
An outfield fence was also constructed to meet Little League field standards, and an electronic scoreboard will be erected. Both will be taken down after the championship games.
Washroom and dressing room facilities will be available at the existing city-owned building across Bagot Street and an accessible path will be made from the diamond to the washrooms and facilities.
“Both Tourism Kingston and the City of Kingston have been a huge part of planning for this tournament,” said Kingston Baseball Association president Tori Boshart. “The city started by renovating Cricket Field for us to host the tournament downtown. It’s such a cool venue for a tournament of that size because the dorms at Queen’s are so close.”
Participating teams, coaches, and umpires will be staying in the newest Queen’s University residences while the Holiday Inn Kingston-Waterfront in downtown Kingston will be the host hotel for players’ families.
“We are so thrilled to be welcoming Canada’s best young baseball players to Kingston for the Canadian Little League Championship,” said Emma Lambert, Manager, Sport Partnerships, for Tourism Kingston. “It’s been incredibly energizing to see the Kingston community rally together to support this event. The strength of the Kingston Baseball Association has shone throughout the planning process. Local businesses have made significant contributions to help cover event costs, and so many Kingstonians have raised their hands to take on volunteer roles over this 11-day tournament.
“Sport events have an incredible impact on our community and the Little League Championship is a perfect example,”continued Lambert. “We’re expecting the tournament to generate $1.75 million in economic impact this summer. Sport hosting also allows us to further develop a local base of skilled sport volunteers, inspire a new generation of athletes, and can enable the renovation of sport facilities as we see with the new state-of-the-art Little League diamond at the historic Cricket Field. In hosting this tournament, we’re providing a national platform and development opportunity for youth from our community… from players to officials to aspiring sport media professionals, furthering the legacy of this iconic event and the strength of our local sport system”.
With special offers at restaurants, trolley tours, a curated K-Pass available from Kingston Destination Group, and plenty of action taking place at City Park throughout the tournament, visiting athletes and their fans will be experiencing all that our beautiful city has to offer.
The games are free to attend and members of the community are encouraged to stop by and check out the action. The full schedule can be found at kingstonbaseball.ca.
The Kingston Baseball Association has hosted three provincial Little League championships over the last few years, most recently the Intermediate division championship, which was won by the Kingston Colts on July 11.
The Colts had a majority of minor-aged first-year players on their roster during the 2023 season to expose them to the higher competition a year early, Boshart said.
“The competition is going to be stiffer than any competition we’ve ever met before, but I think they’ll do really well. They’ve done as much as they can and have been practising almost on a daily basis. I think they’re as ready as they can be,” she said.
The winner of the 10-team tournament will represent Canada in the iconic International Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania from August 14 to 25.
These gritty female athletes from Kingston are taking their tenacity to the world stage this July and August for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
You can watch them run the basketball court or hit the swimming pool during the Olympics, from July 26 to August 11, and the Paralympics, from August 28 to September 8, on CBC or CBC Gem.
Aaliyah Edward’s career hitting jump shots and locking down rebounds began on Kingston’s basketball courts where she played for both the Kingston Impact club and the Frontenac Falcons, her high school team.
Edwards is now a powerhouse rookie in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Kingston native plays for the Washington Mystics, ranking sixth on her squad in scoring and second in rebounds.
She’s taking a break from her illustrious WNBA career to play for Team Canada in Paris. This isn’t Edwards’s first-time shooting hoops for her home country–she was the youngest member of Canada’s women’s basketball team at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
In that same year, Edwards won the BIG EAST Sixth Women of the Year while playing for the University of Connecticut’s (UCONN) women’s basketball team. With Edward’s determination, UCONN made it to the championship semifinals game this year where they ended their season after a heartbreaking loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Edwards finished her tenure at UCONN with 1,861 career points. She’s one of six UCONN female basketball players in franchise history with over 1,800 baskets and 1,000 rebounds.
Hitting the water for Team Canada is rower Jennifer (Jenny) Casson.
Casson spent her teenage years traversing Kingston’s waterways at 5 a.m. with the Kingston Rowing Club (KRC). But her childhood dream wasn’t to row for Team Canada–she stumbled upon the sport while recovering from a running injury and eventually developed an affinity for gliding across the St. Lawrence River perched in her racing shell.
The Kingston native left the city in 2014 to pursue rowing and a degree in exercise and sport science at the University of Tulsa. While attending university in Oklahoma, Casson placed second in the Lightweight 8+ Petite Final at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association’s National Championship.
Casson went on to receive several accolades with her lightweight double sculls rowing partner, Jill Moffatt, who she’s been racing with since 2018. They won the B final at the 2018 World Cup in Serbia. A year later, at the 2019 World Cup, Casson and Moffatt clinched the gold medal in the B final.
Most recently, the duo advanced to the A final at the 2023 World Rowing Championships where they placed fourth, securing their spot in Paris 2024. They placed twelfth overall in the B finals at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Strongly bonded and equally competitive, Casson and Moffatt are going for the podium on July 28.
Rewatch live recordings of Jennifer Casson in the Olympic games:
From the flat, calm waters next to her family’s farm on Wolfe Island to the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, Kristina Walker is taking her racing shell to the international stage.
The former KRC member is competing in her second Olympic Games this summer. Walker participated in the 2023 Rowing World Cup II in Italy, where her team of four won the B final gold. She clinched a second-place spot in the women’s eights event at the 2023 World Cup III and a first-place spot at the 2024 World Cup II.
Prior to her career winning gold medals, Walker competed with the University of British Columbia’s rowing team. She’s been a member of Rowing Canada’s National Team since 2018.
Catch Walker gliding across the water on July 29 during the women’s eights rowing race.
Rewatch live recordings of Kristina Walker in the Olympic games:
Day 3: Rowing – Preliminaries, women’s eights rowing race (fast forward to 2h 33 min): https://bit.ly/3ym0hHW
Abi Tripp honed her freestyle in the heart of the Limestone City, and now she’s bringing her perfected stroke to Paris 2024. Tripp swam for the Kingston Y Penguins, which provides a safe swimming environment for youth with disabilities and their able-bodied siblings. After years of early morning swim lessons, Tripp became one of two 14-year-olds on the 2015 national Para-swimming team.
Tripp has been striving for the podium ever since, taking home the silver medal in the SB7 100-metre breaststroke at the 2023 Para Swimming Championships in Manchester. At the London 2019 World Para Swimming Championships, she snagged the bronze medal in the 4 x 100-meter freestyle relay.
The Kingston-local competed for Team Canada at the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo and was nominated to her second Games following the 2024 Paralympic team trials in Toronto.
You can watch Tripp compete during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, taking place August 28 to September 8.
Kingston’s music scene is growing, and we’ve got plenty of patios, pubs, bars, and breweries with live music lineups to keep you busy. Our curated list of venues offers everything from jazz brunch to rock performances to dance nights with live DJs.
On Brock Street, you’ll find Musiikki Café, a gathering place focused on serving up the best coffee, whiskey, music, and art. Musiikki offers live music every day of the week. On Wednesday nights, listen to local musician Frank Ryan perform from 8:30 to 11 pm. Live music usually starts at 8 pm, but Frank is likely coming from another gig at one of the various Kingston locations he plays at. Don’t forget that Musiikki doesn’t serve food and suggests bringing takeout if you’re hungry to enjoy on their patio while watching the show. Follow their Instagram or Facebook to stay updated on live music details.
Black Dog Tavern has been a Kingston favourite for 20 years. Their back patio opens up to the Rochleau Court, adding a European esthetic to your dining experience. To add to the charm, Black Dog’s Jazz Brunch is back every Sunday this summer. Enjoy jazz music by Black Dog Allstars, featuring local favourite Chantal Thompson. While you take in live music en plein air, dig into brunch treats like “Hair of the Black Dog” – pulled confit duck, two poached eggs, triple cream brie, caramelized onions, brown butter Béarnaise, and andouille-spiced home fries). Follow Black Dog Tavern on Instagram or Facebook for updates on upcoming live music events.
Jazz Brunch with Black Dog Allstars (Rich Barnard, Zak Colbert, Carl Marenick, John “Bunny” Stewart, and Chantal Thompson) runs Sundays from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm until Labour Day weekend.
Whether you enjoy sitting on a patio or inside away from the sun, you can enjoy live music at The Caesar Co. Big garage doors open at the front of the building, allowing all customers to be part of the action. This summer, you can see Danny Derue, who also plays in the band Ambush, on Sundays from 6 to 8 pm. While listening, try something new like one of Caesar Co.’s many specialty Caesars, lie their Surf ‘n’Turf Caesar, For more details about upcoming live music lineups, follow their Facebook or Instagram page.
Attached to the Holiday Inn Kingston-Waterfront is the Wharf and Feather Restaurant and Patio, where you can listen to live music while you take in the beautiful waterfront view. Wharf and Feather’s live music series runs throughout the summer on the patio stage. If it’s a late show, as the sun goes down, lights will illuminate the patio – but that’s not the only thing that comes to life. You can also spot Kingston City Hall illuminated from across Confederation Basin. Follow their Instagram or Facebook to stay updated on upcoming live music events.
If you’re walking around Springer Market Square, take time to check out the Tir Nan Og. This spacious Irish pub offers live music on Fridays and Saturdays. Enjoy pub fare and a pint while you take in the music. Follow their Instagram for updates on live music lineups.
Check out The Toucan & Kirkpatrick’s for another exceptional Irish pub experience. This pub has two levels: to listen to live music up close and personal, make your way downstairs for a stage view. The Toucan offers a variety of musical genres, from folk to rock to jazz. View their live music webpage or follow them on Instagram and Facebook for more details.
Upcoming live music:
The Wild Rose Orchestra: July 25, 9:30 pm–1 am
Sweet Pete & The Heat: July 26, 10:30 pm–2 am
Sunshine Makers + Disaster Pony + Amanda Movio: July 27, 10:30 pm–2 am
Check out Daft Brewing’s new patio on their next karaoke night. Whether you want to join in to share your talent or sit back and listen to others perform, karaoke nights are always fun. At night, neon lights brighten up the space and the vibrant art throughout the brewery. Daft Brewing is a happening spot with many events lined up including their Queeraoke nights, Blues Dance Socials, and more. View Daft Brewing’s events webpage or follow them on Instagram or Facebook more details.
Upcoming live music:
Queeraoke: Third Thursday of every month, 8–11 pm
Karaoke: Fridays, 9 pm–2 am
Blues Dance and Social (Live DJ): Last Sunday of every month, 4–7 pm
Sing-a-long karaoke with JoJo: July 28, 6:30–9:30 pm
In Kingston’s west end, Spearhead Brewing Company has a large patio hosting live music from Fridays to Sundays. On Fridays, come to open mic nights and listen to a variety of people showcase their talent. On the weekend,enjoy a rotating selection of live music, from country to rock to R&B. Follow Spearhead Brewing Company on Instagram for weekly updates on upcoming live music lineups.
Upcoming live music:
Open mic night with the Garvin Brothers: July 26, 7–8 pm
The Merchant Tap House is a live music staple in Kingston. Located a few steps from the waterfront, here you can enjoy a bite to eat on their patio. As nighttime approaches, head inside where you will be greeted with large rustic beams and a bar setting perfect for live music. See regulars like Scott Owen a local Canadian country artist or attend a Live DJ night to get your dance on. View their live music event page for more details.
Blu Martini showcases both touring and local musicians, including Christopher Jackson & Friends, a regular at the venue. Christopher is a talented Kingstonian and entertainer who never fails to include his audience in his performances. Blu Martini’s large space makes it the perfect spot to plan your next birthday, anniversary, or other celebrations during live music nights. View Blu Martini’s live music webpage or follow them on Instagram or Facebook for more upcoming performances.
Upcoming live music:
The Kildeers: July 25, 8:30–11:30 pm
BLU Saloon Country Jamboree: July 27, 8–11:30 pm
The Royal Jam: August 1, 9–11:30 pm
Five Dollar Dates: August 9, 7–10 pm
Frank Ryan Band: August 10, 9:30–11:30 pm
Christopher Jackson and Friends: August 16, 23, 30, 7–10 pm
Emancipation Day, celebrated on August 1, marks the enactment of the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 across the British Empire. Though that was many years ago, it’s important to celebrate and amplify local Black culture that enriches the fabric of the Kingston community and ensures a sense of belonging and acceptance for all. Between August 1 and 3, there will be events dedicated to capturing Black joy, strength, and resilience in Kingston. Find out more about all of the Emancipation Day events on the City of Kingston website.
The three days of events will culminate with a special celebration on August 3: the Emancipation Day Black Block Party. Happening right in the heart of the city, in front of City Hall on Ontario Street, this block party will feature 20+ Black-owned businesses including four food vendors, as well as local artists, live musical performances, dance workshops, readings, and activities for kids. Many of the businesses featured are listed on this local Black-owned business list. I’ve asked a few of the vendors what Emancipation Day means to them and what folks can expect from them on August 3 at the Block Party!
Ella’s Cuisine is one of the three food vendors that will be selling delicious and authentic African dishes. Christiana Adewale is the founder and chef who moved to Kingston as a new mom during the COVID 19 pandemic. “It was tough navigating a new city during COVID without knowing anyone,” she says. “The absence of an African restaurant was even more shocking, as I had no access to the comfort food that my palate was familiar with.” Thus, Ella’s cuisine was born out of the need for community. Adewale adds, “We started Ella’s Cuisine a little over two years ago and it’s been a ride. We hope to open the first dine-in African restaurant in Kingston.”
What Emancipation Day means to Adewale: “We are most excited about meeting new people and showcasing the authentic flavour of African cuisine at the Emancipation Day event. Remembering the sacrifices of the past and being grateful for the opportunities we have as a people is definitely something to reflect on as we celebrate,” says Adewale.
Three other food vendors you’ll find at the block party:
CB butterlicious Founder Chanelle Blair moved to Kingston almost two years ago and launched her all-natural skincare products in March 2022. Blair explains, “The reason for starting my own skincare line dates to when I had my first child at a young age. I wanted all-natural products but couldn’t afford them, so I began making skincare products at home. These homemade products turned out even better than commercial options and didn’t contain chemicals. My friends and family started requesting the products I made, and years later, I transformed this passion into the business it is today.” Blair adds, “CB Butterlicious caters to all skin types, including sensitive skin.”
What Emancipation Day means to Blair: “This event means a lot to me, as it celebrates Black entrepreneurs and provides a platform to showcase our hard work and amazing creations. Emancipation Day holds a special place in our history, marking the end of slavery and the beginning of freedom. It’s a day to honour our ancestors’ resilience and achievements. Participating in this event allows us to connect with the community, share our passion, and inspire others. It’s a chance to highlight the diversity and creativity within our community and to celebrate our shared heritage. This Emancipation Day is particularly special because it emphasizes the importance of economic empowerment and the entrepreneurial spirit within the Black community.”
What you’ll find at the CB Butterlicious booth: People can find all-natural skincare products, including black soap, whipped shea butter, body scrubs, body oils, lip balms and gloss, hand soap, and face oil made from prickly seed oil.
More skincare vendors you’ll find at the block party:
QCC is a collage art collective that runs programs that interweave creativity and education, centering Black, racialized, and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and their learning for social justice, community building, and making creative spaces with a culture of anti-racism and anti-oppression. QCC’s work is guided by the principles of anti-oppression, anti-racism, and 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion.
What Emancipation Day means to QCC founder Alyssa Vernon: “Emancipation Day is a reminder of the cost of freedom. It is a reminder to maintain our freedom through celebration of our Blackness, as many of our ancestors did not get the chance to in their lifetimes. Through participating in the Emancipation Day Block Party, I hope to give Black folks of all ages the opportunity to reflect on their Blackness and freedom through creating art.”
What you’ll find at their booth: In addition to having a collage-making station, QCC will sell prints and offer a customizable sticker/photo booth, with proceeds going to Roots & Wings.
Yellow House Student Centre for Equity and Inclusion at Queen’s University is a campus space of belonging and inclusion for students who are Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour. Yellow House will be promoting their programming that supports Black inclusion and Black student entrepreneurs; they will also host a raffle that supports a local Black business. Queen’s student Rukevwe Inikori works at the Yellow House as a Black Student Initiative Student Assistant. She shares, “I moved to Kingston for university, and I genuinely feel like I can call Kingston home. After immigrating to Canada with my parents in 2019, I struggled to find a place where I could build a community and make friends. I often felt behind or like I was missing something, as most people already had established connections. However, coming to university was a turning point. Everyone was at the same stage as me, and we all had to build our communities together. As a result, I was able to create a community that I now consider family. Kingston holds a special place in my heart because it is the place where I finally found a sense of belonging since moving to Canada.”
What Emancipation Day means to Inikori: “To be honest, the first time I heard about Emancipation Day was through the Yellow House last summer. I am excited to participate in an event that celebrates Black freedom and liberation in Canada. The opportunity to share and experience different aspects of the diverse Black cultures in Kingston excites me immensely. I look forward to empowering Black Kingston businesses and learning about the diversity of the Black experience outside of Queen’s. I am particularly excited about the Black Block Party, as it offers a chance to meet various Black community members in Kingston, mingle, learn, and chat with them. As a student, it is easy to remain within the Queen’s bubble, but this event provides a wonderful opportunity to branch out and appreciate the beauty of Kingston beyond the university. To me, Emancipation Day is a chance to celebrate the history and resilience of the Black community. It represents a time to honour our heritage, recognize our struggles, and rejoice in our achievements.”
Roots and Wings is a grassroots working group of OPIRG Kingston, that serves youth of colour between the ages of 8 and 14. Their free programming is targeted towards femme, trans, Two-Spirit, and gender non-conforming adolescents. Through Roots and Wings, youth engage in structured and enjoyable activities centered around heritage-building, community engagement, identity exploration, skill development, and social justice. You can find them at the Queer Collage Collective booth. “Through participating in the Emancipation Day Block Party, we hope to reach more BIPOC families and youth, as well as potential volunteers, and sign them up for our 2024–2025 Roots & Wings programming!” says Alyssa Vernon on behalf of the Roots & Wings collective.
The summer season rolls on into another exciting month of activity in Kingston. Between summer festivals, live music, sports, and the return of the Kick & Push Festival, there’s no shortage of opportunities to make the most of the season!
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. Murney Fest
2. Movie Night
3. Emancipation Day celebrations
4. Doors Open Kingston & Area
5. Kick & Push Festival
6. Princess Street Promenade
7. Women’s Art Festival
8. Candlelight tributes: Coldplay and ABBA
9. Back to the Farm
10. Sheep Dog Trials Festival
11. Salsa in the Square
12. Sick City outdoor guided tour
13. Sunset Ceremony
14. Live music at Juniper Cafe
15. Greek Fest
16. Tunes 4 Tails: Miss Emily, The Wildnerness, Evan Rotella
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.
Read about Kingston artist EronOne on our maker’s page.
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