Summer 2024 is officially here and it’s time to celebrate! With hot, sunny days and cool, relaxing evenings, July marks the return of a variety of attractions to Kingston. From our world-famous Buskers Rendezvous and music festivals to boat cruises and snorkeling, July is packed with events you won’t want to miss.
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 Buskers Rendezvous
2. 1000 Islands Treetop Trekking
3. Kingston Pen Tours
4. Flying Legends of Victory Tour: World War II bombers
5. Neptune & Salacia diving and snorkeling
6. Princess Street Promenade
7. Canada Day Parade
8. Canadian Little League Nationals
9. Fort Henry Tattoo
10. Rockin’ the Square
11. Movies in the Square
12 Sick City: outdoor guided tour
13. National Youth Orchestra of Canada
14. Visit Bellevue House
15. Michael Jackson HIStory Show
16. PumpHouse: Soil Superheroes exhibition
17. Bike rentals
18. Kingston Indigenous Market
19. Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises
20. Kingston Trolley Tours
21. Emilie Steele & Clem Chesterfield in concert
22. The Abstraction is Not the Reality: Peter Sramek solo exhibition
June is Pride Month and Kingston is welcoming an array of markets, events, and entertainment in celebration and support of the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community. To help you keep track of everything going on, we’ve put together a handy guide for all-things pride.
Are we missing a Kingston Pride experience? Contact peter@tourismkingston.com to let us know so we can add it to the list.
Between the start of Pride Month and the start of the summer, there’s plenty of reason to celebrate, so come join the festivities at the Brock St Block Party! Hosted by the many local businesses between Wellington and King, this party features music from Musiikki, thrifting at Closet Candy Consignment and Moxie & Mine, snacks from Black Dog Tavern, brews from Daft Brewing, and more.
A portion of the earnings from the party will also go to TransFamily Kingston, a local grassroots group of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals and their loved ones.
Presented by RT Collective in collaboration with ReelOut Queer Film Festival and Kingston Pride, In Your Pocket is a special screening of a series of short stories that showcase the funny, insightful, sexy, and mundane elements of queer life. Created with smartphones, tablets, and webcams, these short works aim to connect contemporary artists with the filmmakers that paved the way for queer cinema using the accessible technologies of their day, from consumer VHS cameras to Super 8 film.
Jeannie’s Place at Trellis/ReelOut Lending Library at 844a Princess Street is wheelchair accessible, and audiences are welcomed to bring their own snacks and beverages.
Hosted on the waterfront at Confederation Park, join hostesses Tyffanie Morgan and Rowena Whey for an evening of fabulous performances with special guests Sonny Rayz, ‘Show’pony, and Street Meat.
Volunteers will also be accepting cash and electronic donations for Trellis to benefit people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in our community.
While you’re at the park, stop by the Visitor Information Centre and grab some locally themed Pride merch to celebrate the rest of the festivities in style.
Trellis HIV & Community Care (844a Princess Street)
All ages
The annual Queer Art Show takes place at Trellis HIV & Community Care this month. Come to the opening night and be one of the first to experience this exciting show, with artwork by members of our local 2SLGBTQIA + community.
Tett Centre Creativity Studio B & Rehearsal Hall (370 King Street West)
Ages 12+
Join Meenakashi Ghadial, Tett Artist-in-Residence, for a special showcase spotlighting her most recent work. Combining a studio tour with a discussion of her paintings and a live performance, Heartbreak in the Driver’s Seat: Stories of Queer Heartbreak explores the car as a safe space for Queer people of colour. In her performance, Ghadial aims to provide a supportive environment for sharing experiences of loneliness and queer heartbreak.
This is a pay-what-you-can event, with a $5 donation suggested.
Take to Kingston’s east end and hit the pavement with the free Pride Run! Take off or take it easy and walk the route that starts at Kingston East Community Centre and moves up highway 15.
Get ready to take the party to the seas when the legendary Out on the Queen Boat Cruise makes its triumphant return for Kingston Pride 2024! Join Tyffanie Morgan, Rane St. Cloud, Yuni Verse, and Oktavia for an exceptional night of drag, dancing, and music out on the water. Make sure to book early because tickets sell quickly!
Saturday, June 8 & Saturday, June 15 (10 pm – 2 am)
University Tavern (285 Queen Street)
Ages 19+
In the mood for dancing? Look no further than these two parties!
Come by University Tavern (the lower level at Renaissance) on June 8 for their fourth annual Underwear Party. Or join the Pride Dance Party on June 15 and tear up the dance floor after the parade festivities. Grab a single pass for the series and catch both chances to dance the night away with DJ Tiger Styles.
Space will be limited, so check the website to purchase your tickets in advance and get a discount on admission.
Batter up! Pride Softball returns on Sunday, June 9 for what is sure to be a fun morning for everyone of all ages. Get out and enjoy a game at Victoria Park!
Delve into a critical moment in Canadian queer history and uncover the strength of early gay rights activists with this special event at The Screening Room. Presented in collaboration with Kingston Pride and ReelOut Arts Project, Kingston WritersFest invites you to sit down for a conversation with award-winning writer Michael Rowe on Pride, his new book that examines Toronto’s first gay rights march on its 50th anniversary.
Michael will be joined on stage by Trevor Campbell, host and creator of the You Made Me Queer podcast, for a discussion on how this important march laid the groundwork for one of the world’s largest gay festivals, and the challenges the queer community continues to face today.
Improbable Escapes Wonderland & Board Game Cafe (500 Gardiners Rd Unit 2A)
All ages
Join a game night with Kingston Pride! Bring some friends or join a table and meet new people at one of three locations: downtown at Kingston Nexus, or on the west end at either SBT Comics and Games or Improbable Escapes Wonderland & Board Game Cafe.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 560 (734 Montreal Street)
Ages 19+
Break out your sparkliest outfit or your finest nature-inspired attire for an unforgettable evening of dancing, drag, prizes, cake, and more! Fabulous Fantasy Forest Queer Prom promises to be an enchanting evening of celebration and excitement for the whole 2SLGBTQIA+ community and distinguished guests looking to celebrate in style.
Hosted by Kingston Pride and TransFamily Kingston, all proceeds from this pay-what-you-can event go to supporting people in the local gender-diverse community.
Queeraoke
Friday, June 14 (8 pm)
Daft Brewing (768 Princess Street)
Ages 19+
Back by popular demand, Kingston Pride and Daft Brewing have once again come together to host Queer-oke! Take to the floor and belt out the classics, enjoy Daft’s delicious drinks, and kick back on their brand-new patio if you need to take a breather between tracks.
The main event! Bring your family, friends, pets, and pride to this free parade. Join in on the annual march down Princess Street starting at Albert Street and down towards Ontario Street.
The Community Fair brings together a variety of local vendors and performers to beautiful Confederation Park. Shop the tables while enjoying music by Spectrum Voices, the Drag Power Hour with Dare De La Femme and guests, and much more!
Keep the post-parade party going with an evening at the Tir Nan Og Irish Pub. You can round out the night with a special event hosted by Beers for Queers and Kingston Pride, featuring music by DJ John Clement.
Want to keep the festivities going? How about brunch and a show? Come out to Wharf and Feather and top up your week with a special edition of Drag Me to Brunch! Join one of the two shows and enjoy the delicious brunch menu, table drink service, and performances by Rowena Whey and special guests.
Downtown Kingston BIA, Kingston Pride, and the ReelOut Queer Film Festival are back for another special edition of Movies in the Square! Break out your camping outfit, grab a chair, and bring your favorite snacks for a free, family-friendly screening of Summer Qamp, a feature documentary that spotlights Camp fYrefly, a safe and supportive camp in Alberta for 2SLGBTQIA+ teens.
The film, which premiered at TIFF in 2023 and won the Best Documentary award at the 2024 ReelOut Queer Film Festival, shares the experiences of the young campers as they enjoy simply being themselves in a supportive environment away from the noise, judgement, and explanations they face in their lives, and the steps the counsellors take to build that environment.
Are you looking for Pride merch? Shop our Pride merchandise at the Visitor Information Centre: 209 Ontario St or online https://www.visitkingston.ca/kingston-shop/. 25% of the sales will be donated to Kingston Pride.
Patricia Spencer Book Signing at Indigo
Saturday, June 29 (11 am – 2 pm)
Indigo (945 Gardiners Road, Unit Y011)
All ages
On Saturday, June 29, drop by Indigo at the Cataraqui Centre for a special book signing with Goldie Award winning author Patricia Spencer. Patricia specializes in sapphic romance and fiction, and through her novels explores the complexities of mature women in historic settings, living complex lives and navigating unfolding romances. Her latest, The Life Bestowed, is the second part of her ongoing Prince Edward County Series, set locally just west of Kingston, and delves into themes of love, identity, and the ways we’re shaped by those we keep close.
Make it a Pride Month getaway: select Rainbow Registered hotels will donate to Kingston Pride or Trellis HIV Community Care when you book an overnight stay in June. View Pride packages
Travelling just north of Princess Street, you’ll find beautiful green spaces, street art, and historic sites turned restaurants and cafés.
Inner Harbour, a historically rich and artsy neighbourhood in Kingston, boasts landmark sites such as Molly Brant Point, named after the influential Mohawk Clan Mother who lived in the area circa 1785. The beautiful lookout is right next to River Mill Restaurant and Dolce Bella Spa on the Rideau, overlooking the Cataraqui River.
There’s so much more to discover, so head down to Inner Harbour and visit its neighbourhood gems, including a delicious pizza place, Instagram-worthy café, and luxurious spa.
McBurney Park
This gorgeous and versatile greenspace, otherwise known as Skeleton Park, is perfect for an evening stroll or afternoon picnic. Play a round of hoops at the park’s basketball court or bring the kids down on a hot afternoon to play on the jungle gym.
In the fall when the weather cools down, McBurney Park turns into a cornucopia of red, gold, and orange leaves. Grab a hot latte from The Elm Café and take a stroll down to the park to snap some pictures for Instagram.
Underneath Skeleton Park are hundreds of 19th-century graves, hence its ominous name. The park’s spooky history makes it a key stop on Kingston’s Haunted Walk, a tour that takes you around the city’s ghost-infested locations.
Beyond its dark history, Skeleton Park serves as a hub for creatives, hosting an annual arts festival in June where local Kingston musicians and artist vendors come together to present their work.
Pizza Monster
With its eclectic and colourful street art, this local restaurant serving up loaded pizzas, stuffed cannolis, and local wines, is hard to miss.
Stop by Pizza Monster on 213 Montreal Street to try their cacio e pepe pizza, smothered in garlic butter, topped with cheese, lemon zest, and cracked pepper. If you’re feeling adventurous, order the mortadella or buffalo chicken pizza (swap the cauliflower for chicken if you’re vegetarian). Wash your pie down with a cold beer or chilled wine, and then finish off with a stuffed cannoli made in-house. Their pizza dough, sauce, and even their pickles are also homemade.
For vegans, order the vegan margherita and mushroom pizzas, or ask your server if they have any seasonal options.
Pizza Monster initially served their mouth-watering pies at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market. Customers went crazy for their pizzas and, due to popular demand, the owners moved to their permanent location in the Inner Harbour. You can check them out on Wednesday and Thursday from 4 pm to 8 pm and Saturday and Friday from 4 pm to 9 pm.
The Elm Café
Stop by The Elm Café at 303 Montreal Street for a hot or iced latte and an on-the-go breakfast sandwich made fresh. This café–which looks straight out of your personal Pinterest board, fixed with a cozy interior and spacious patio–offers customers a variety of baked goods including chocolate hazelnut croissants, fruit crumble squares, and a variety of cookies.
Feel like sitting down for some breakfast? The Elm Café serves a selection of breakfast options until 11 am including the “Whole ‘Sheabang,’” a sandwich topped with bacon, a fried egg, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. If you’re vegetarian, try the “Veg ‘Shebang’” instead.
Other vegetarian and vegan options include their overnight oats, hemp heart and toasted coconut bars, and chocolate chip cookies.
The café–formally a laundromat called “Laverne’s Laundry”– is open 7:30 am to 5 pm daily.
River Mill Restaurant
If you want dinner with a view, try River Mill Restaurant at 2 Cataraqui Street, just a few minutes from the heart of downtown Kingston. This stunning restaurant overlooking the Cataraqui River is in the 125–year–old Woolen Mill building. The historic building operated as a cotton mill in the early 20th century.
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If you stop by for lunch from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, try their local Wagyu beef burger made with crispy bacon, garlic aioli, caramelized onion cheddar, and arugula on a buttery brioche bun. The restaurant offers classic dishes like fish and chips and chicken sandwiches.
From 5 to 11 pm, River Mill Restaurant serves their dinner menu featuring mushroom ragu potato gnocchi and a grilled arctic char. They buy their produce locally and offer a large selection of wines including several options from local vineyards. Gluten-free and keto-friendly options are available.
With it’s old, red brick exterior and bright interior, River Mill Restaurant preserves the history of the building and incorporates fresh contemporary elements, making for a unique dining experience.
Dolce Bella Spa on the Rideau
This five-star spa experience located in the Woolen Mill Building next to the River Mill Restaurant will help you find your inner Zen. Dolce Bella Spa on the Rideau features a gorgeous, modern interior with exposed brick and large windows overlooking the Cataraqui River.
Dolce Bella Spa on the Rideau offers customers a variety of refreshing facials including a deep European Pore Cleansing and Hydration Infusion. Facials range from $150 to $220.
They also offer massages, manicures, pedicures, waxing, body treatments, and hair treatments. Want to experience a little bit of everything? Buy one of their spa packages starting at $260.
Check out Dolce Bella’s website to learn more about their services and book your appointment today!
Daughters General Store
This family-owned business located at 63 John Street offers a diverse array of delicious food items and snacks.
Pop over to Daughters General Store, blooming with greenery and a warm atmosphere to buy an elevated frozen pizza from Libretto or General Assembly.
Want a refreshing, bubbly drink while on your afternoon walk, oat milk for your coffee, hot dogs for that BBQ you’re hosting, or a pint of ice cream on a hot summer day? Daughters General Store has you covered. They sell a variety of vegan and vegetarian food options as well.
Daughters General Store is open 9 am to 6:30 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am to 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Broom Factory (TULA café)
From the outside, the Broom Factory located at 305 Rideau Street looks like a trendy storage facility with colourful street art spotting its exterior. However, stepping inside the 1894 broom factory turned concert venue and café, visitors are met with an intimate, rustic interior brimming with activity.
TULA café and the concert venue inside the Broom Factory are separated by a glass wall. On one side, patrons can grab a latte and baked goods infused with adaptogens–which balance the body and mind–while admiring the earthy, pink interior of the café. TULA café offers a wide range of vegan and gluten-free options. Check them out 8 am to 3 pm on Tuesdays to Saturdays.
On the other side of the glass is a concert venue that hosts events weekly. From comedy shows to rock artists, films to drag shows, the Broom Factory features a wide variety of creatives who come to the heart of the Inner Harbour to share their talents with audiences.
Check out their website for upcoming events and tickets!
Time appears suspended aboard the S.S. Keewatin. Once you step aboard, you’ll be transported back to the era of Edwardian opulence.
Spanning 350 feet across the water, the last remaining Edwardian-era passenger liner in the world is now permanently located at the dry dock next to the Great Lakes Museum in Kingston. The museum is offering tours of the S.S. Keewatin’s decks, cabins, first-class, and luxury accommodations, and the ship’s engine room.
Just like the aristocratic passengers who once travelled on the century-old ship, you too can traverse the lavish ballroom, elegant flowerpot lounge, and see the stained-glass windows from Italy, bathing the ship’s interior in warm sunlight.
Tour guides will walk you from bow to stern through the old-fashioned barber shop, the formal dining room, where you’ll hear a story about a haughty group of passengers, and the kitchen – which has an interesting contraption used to cook eggs.
Oh, and before departing, take a look at the ship’s clocks. See if you notice anything interesting about the time each of the clocks is set to.
Below deck, you will encounter the S.S. Keewatin’s powerful and gargantuan steam engine, the same one used on the Titanic.
By walking the halls where the ship’s firemen, oilers, and engineers used to work, you’ll picture what it was like to shovel coal into furnaces for hours on end. When the ship was in operation, the crew would have tirelessly worked in the steaming hot space to keep the S.S. Keewatin up and running.
The museum will offer tours of the ship’s wheelhouse and officers’ quarters, featuring fantastic views of the S.S. Keewatin’s expansive deck in the future.
“I know tourists will be amazed by our Keewatin experience and we look forward to welcoming them,” Bep Schippers, executive director of Great Lakes Museum, says.
Nowhere else but Kingston can you experience a Titanic-era ship as grand as the S.S. Keewatin. So come aboard!
HISTORY OF THE S.S. KEEWATIN
S.S. Keewatin was built in 1907 in Scotland by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company of Glasgow, making the ship two years older than the Titanic. Named after a district in present-day northern Ontario and Nunavut, the S.S Keewatin and her sistership S.S. Assiniboia were commissioned by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR).
S.S. Keewatin set sail on her first Canadian voyage in October 1908 from Owen Sound to Fort William (now part of Thunder Bay). The S.S. Keewatin transported both passengers and cargo alike, including immigrants new to Canada looking for work around the Great Lakes and beyond.
Shortly after her arrival in Canada, the S.S. Keewatin became a popular luxury steamship and operated out of Port McNicol north of Barrie starting in 1912. The ship provided all paying passengers with top-notch service while traversing Canada’s Great Lakes. The S.S. Keewatin had electricity and hot water, a novelty for ships in the early 20th century.
“The S.S. Keewatin conveys the same Edwardian elegance as other passenger liners of the early 20th century,” Doug Cowie, museum manager and curator at Great Lakes Museum, says.
A strong and powerful liner, the S.S. Keewatin survived the Great Lake Storm of 1913 whose strong winds and snow capsized 12 other ships. During another particularly rough night, a large wave crashed into a window on board, shattering the glass. Nonetheless, S.S. Keewatin survived and continued to serve passengers until the mid-20th century.
The future of S.S. Keewatin as a popular passenger vessel was jeopardized after tragedy struck the Toronto Harbour in 1949. The ship S.S. Noronic went up in flames and sank, taking 100 passengers down with her.
Due to S.S. Keewatin’s flammable wooden interior, similar to the sunken S.S. Noronic’s design, a sprinkler system, and steel doors were installed on the ship to contain potential fires. Likewise, after the Titanic sank into the Atlantic Ocean, the S.S. Keewatin’s owners added more lifeboats to the ship.
Despite the increased safety precautions, in 1965 the S.S. Keewatin was retired from service.
The ship was then purchased by American entrepreneur Ronald J. Peterson, who had it moved to Michigan where in 1967, the Keewatin it began her career as a maritime attraction. She returned to Port McNicol in 2012.
REFURBISHING THE S.S. KEEWATIN
In 2020, the ship’s owners at the time, Skyline Investments, pitched Kingston as a sustainable home for the aging ship due to its historic dry dock. It was decided the Great Lakes Museum, located right next to the dry dock, would acquire the Edwardian-era passenger liner.
In early 2023, the ship then made her way to Hamilton, where she underwent heavy industrial repairs to her funnel and promenade deck before she was tugged to the Limestone City. In October of that year, the ship arrived in Kingston. Throughout the winter, a core group of 60 volunteers helped to clean, polish, and prepare the ship for visitors. Volunteers from Port McNicol also came down to help stage the ship.
“It’s really a joint venture with the amount of work that those in Port McNicol did,” Cowie says.
S.S. Keewatin opened for visitors in May 2024, however the refurbishing process is still ongoing. The goal is to eventually get the ship back to her original 1907 condition.
Justyne Bennett thinks like an athlete, trains like an athlete and hasn’t let a life-changing accident interfere with her goal of being the best athlete she can be.
Bennett, 20, was injured in October 2021 during a lunch break from Frontenac Secondary School. She was riding her Ninja motorcycle along Front Road in Kingston when a vehicle made an unsafe left turn in front of her. As a result of the crash Bennett broke her spine at her T4 and was unable to walk again.
“I knew as soon as I hit that car and couldn’t use my legs, I was even saying that while I was on the ground, ‘I’m paralyzed,’” Bennett said during a recent interview at the Tourism Kingston office.
Before the accident, Bennett was a busy young person who played hockey and other sports. Afterwards, she says, “I wasn’t in my right mind set – I’m paralyzed, I can’t walk, I can’t do the things I love anymore, I can’t play hockey anymore or any sport, I’m useless in the world. “But as time went by, I had to accept myself more. But it was really hard at first, I just really didn’t want to live life anymore after I got hit.”
It took time.
“Eventually, with all the right people around me, I realized I still have my arms I can use and I can do so much, but I have to do things in a different way.”
Flash forward to early March 2024. Bennett made her national sport debut for Canada as one of three goalies named to the Women’s Para Hockey Canada team. Prior to the accident Bennett was what she calls “a stand-up goaltender” playing competitive hockey with the Kingston Ice Wolves. When she was undergoing rehabilitation at Providence Care, staff knew she played hockey and suggested she eventually try sledge hockey, also known as Para Ice Hockey.
Then she met Dave Baldwin – also a wheelchair user; Dave encouraged and mentored Bennett on how to be a goaltender in sledge hockey. “He helped me make a lot of adjustments so I felt I could play a lot better. When the national team were up in Ottawa, Dave told the people there I used to play stand-up competitive hockey. That’s when they kind of took a look at me. I was playing for an American team, but they noticed I was a Canadian.”
After the game Bennett was told the Canadian national team would be in touch with her. “Dave was a big part to help me get to that point.”
Sadly, Baldwin died in 2023, before he was able to witness Bennett’s evolution in the sport.
Bennett was invited to tryouts in the Niagara Falls area in January and made the team as one of three goalies. After that she went to Minot, North Dakota for a three-game series against the United States received playing time. She returned from a three-day training camp in Calgary in mid-May.
“It was my first experience playing at the national level; I got a few minutes out of it and it was a good learning experience of what they’re capable of and how they can pinpoint where to shoot.”
She has also attended a Paralympic goaltender clinic. Bennett explains the difference between stand-up and Para goaltending. With stand-up goaltending, a player can use their legs to move back and forth and their gloves to hold the stick and catch or block the puck. In sledge hockey, a player can’t use their legs and their arms are for movement as well as making saves. So, arm strength is extremely important.
“You have to have a fast reaction time and get your arms up there to make a save.
I had to re-learn how to play the position. In a sense it’s the same as stand-up hockey with all the hockey sense but positioning-wise, just the movement is completely different.”
Playing sledge hockey is not easy, Bennett says, adding that junior hockey players have tried the sport and had a difficult time adapting to it. “It really inspired me too, watching these people and what they can overcome.”
Off-ice, Bennett is in her second year at Loyalist College in Belleville taking the welding and fabrication program. There, she is adapting to a program and occupation that can have some obstacles for wheelchair users.
Initially, in her welding and fabrication program, she found that the machines were not accessible; welding tables were set too high for her to use.
But Bennett had help from Loyalist staff and other students. “They were very lovely there; they would move down the machine and adjust the table,” she says. “After I’m done with my apprenticeship, I want to start my own business and have it fully accessible for people who have disabilities to come in [and work].”
Over two-and-a-half years after her accident, Bennett is philosophical about her situation.
“This happened to me but in a sense, I’m not disabled, it’s just I can’t use these,” she says, gesturing to her legs. “I’m still going to do the same thing, just in a different way. It’s not going to stop me or anything.”
“I always try to surround myself with good people, otherwise you’re not going to be in the right mindset,” she continues. “You’re always going to have down days, but you just have to push through it. What I always say to people is you’re only going to live once; you don’t know what’s down the road for you and if something presents itself to you, just take the opportunity. There’s always going to be risks involved with anything you do, so just see where it leads you.”
At the newly re-opened Bellevue House National Historic Site, experience history, engage, and reflect while you take in the complex story of Sir John A. Macdonald from various viewpoints. Take a self-guided tour or any of their three guided tours: Bellevue, in Brief; Keeping Up Appearances; and Unpacking Macdonald. For more information about Bellevue House tours, please visit their website.
Fort Henry was built from 1832 to 1837 to replace an existing fortification from the War of 1812 era. The site served as a military fortress during the War of 1812 and later as a barracks for British troops. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction that offers visitors a glimpse into Canada’s past. With its impressive limestone walls, military demonstrations, and scenic views of Lake Ontario, Fort Henry is a must-see destination for history buffs and families.
A museum for anyone interested in military history and families who will enjoy live demonstrations.
Appropriately located in the former Warden’s residence across the street from the Kingston Pen, Canada’s Penitentiary Museum has many unexpected facts about Canada’s Corrections system. Expect to see confiscated weapons, officer regalia, and works of art created by inmates.
A museum for anyone interested in criminology, Canadian history, or just unusual places and experiences.
Open: daily 9 am – 4 pm (from early May to early November)
Perfect for students who want a true throwback to the past; experience educational life in the early 1900s through displays of school textbooks, artifacts, memorabilia and photographs. There’s even a schoolroom stocked with slates and wooden desks! See upcoming events and closures for class visits on the museum’s website.
A museum for those interested in the educational system, lifelong learners, or those who want to learn more about Kingston’s history.
Fittingly located on the second floor of the INVISTA Centre, the Original Hockey Hall of Fame is filled with interesting facts and artifacts. The hall contains items like jerseys from Canadian hockey greats Wayne Gretzky, Rocket Richard, and Gordie Howe as well as Kingston-specific exhibits on hometown favourites like Doug Gilmour and Jayna Hefford. A museum for hockey fans and sports lovers.
The Queen’s Archives holds collections of manuscripts, photographs, genealogical resources, and more. Registration is required for new researchers. A museum for researchers and anyone wanting to learn more about the history of Kingston.
This museum features a collection of the Earth’s rocks, minerals, and fossils (including a dinosaur exhibit with a fossil dig box), an overview of the geological history of the Kingston area, and exhibits about the oldest known animal fossils. You’ll love their newest exhibit featuring an Augmented Reality Sandbox display (perfect for kids who want to get their hands dirty!) Instructor-led educational programs presented in the Dr. Richard Milne Geo-science Education Classroom are available to pre-book for school groups, summer camp groups, and any other group of 10–30 people. Contact the museum by email at MillerMuseum@queensu.ca for more information.
A museum for geology lovers, mineral collectors, and those interested in the study of the Earth.
Housed in an 1855 log cabin, this one-of-a-kind museum offers “hands-on history” with woodworking and other workshops for visitors of all ages. Visit their website at https://www.woodworkingmuseum.ca/events-programs for a complete list of activities and registration details.
A kid-friendly museum for creators who love hands-on experiences.
Open: Currently open only for scheduled workshops and events. See their website for registration details.
Home to an artifact collection of over 4,000 objects and art, expect to find a broad range of instruments, tools, and equipment used by mariners and shipbuilders. There’s also a photo collection that includes images documenting ships and shipwrecks, the marine industry, shipping company advertising, and more. Small groups can also sign up for the Shipwrights game, a partnership between the museum and Improbable Escapes.
S.S. Keewatin is now open. Located at the Great Lakes Museum, this Titanic-era ship is a new attraction offering tours daily. The Passenger Experience, the Engine Room Experience, and the Combination Tour. On these tours, you’ll explore the decks, cabins, first-class accommodations, and the steamed powered engine of the historic Great Lakes steamship. Book ahead online.
A museum for marine lovers, sailors, and anyone interested in the story of Kingston and the Great Lakes.
If you haven’t been to this museum, you’ll be surprised by how large it is. Explore displays that showcase military communications and the development and application of communications technology. One of the museum’s newest exhibitions, Below! Norad’s Underground Fortresses, highlights the engineering, computer technology, and operational history of the Cold War. The museum also offers two interactive games (in partnership with Improbable Escapes) that lead small groups through the exhibits in search of clues.
A museum for those interested in the Canadian military and communications technology.
Housed in one of Canada’s oldest waterworks, which provided running water to Kingston residents in the 1850s, this eye-catching museum offers a mix of old and new. Stunning old pumps and model train displays fill the space. The newest interactive exhibit, Soil Superheroes, features the importance of soil science and conservation (opening June 5). See upcoming special events and programming on their website.
A kid-friendly museum for anyone interested in science, engineering, and technology.
Appropriately located in the Ann Baillie Building, a former residence for student nurses, the Museum of Health Care explores medical innovations in the 1800s, the influence of electricity in health care, and an inside look at the history of Kingston General Hospital. The museum has a number of exhibits and activities specifically for kids.
From hidden west-end gems to downtown restaurants off the beaten path, here are some of the best-kept secret restaurants to try during your next visit to Kingston.
Tucked inside Fine Balance Brewing Company you will find Patriam Coffee, a locally owned business that began as a mobile coffee bar. Patriam offers a huge variety of coffee and tea drinks, plus fresh sandwiches and biscuits using ingredients from local producers.
Must try: Chai latte
Hours of operation: Tuesday – Friday, 8 am – 3 pm; Saturday, 9 am – 3 pm
One of the newest spots in Kingston, Lay Low Cafe will satisfy your brunch cravings. The cafe offers a variety of beverages, from lattes to smoothies and mimosas. Savour eggs benny with maple-glazed bacon or sample the brekkie board with smashed avocado on sourdough, yogurt granola bowl, and house fries.
Must try: Chili eggs – a fun spin on huevos rancheros!
Founded by the owners of Days on Front, Nora’s Coffee and Sandwiches offers a variety of coffee drinks, sandwiches, bagels and pastries. Stay updated on special features available throughout the week on their Facebook page. In a rush? Try Nora’s drive-through.
Must try: any of their fresh donuts
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 7 am – 3 pm, Saturday – Sunday 9 am – 4 pm
Classics Tea Lounge is the ideal stop for lunch. From dim sum to ramen, here you’ll find classic Pan-Asian flavours to fuel your day. If you are looking for bubble tea, this is the spot. After your meal, be sure to check out the store in the back where you will find a variety of confections and souvenirs.
Kiln Crust Co is making moves while making fresh wood-fired pizzas. The newest restaurant on the scene can be found parked at local breweries including Hard Way Cider Co and Fine Balance Brewing Company. Kiln Crust Co can also be booked for your own private event.
Must try: current menu faves the Fun Guy or Spicy-Za
Hours of operation: For the latest location, check their Instagram. Locations are updated weekly.
Located on Wellington Street between Queen and Barrack, you’ll find Mermaid Avenue Sandwich Shop. A downtown staple since 2018, Mermaid Avenue Sandwich Shop offers breakfast and lunch sandwiches for $12 for a full sandwich, $6.50 for a half sandwich, and $12 for a half sandwich and a side.
Must try: the Casino Queen, made with slices of deli turkey, balsamic onion marmalade, bacon, mayo, and avocado.
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 3:30 pm
You can find Baja Craft Kitchen on Ontario Street between Princess and Brock. Baja offers Mexican-inspired dishes, including nine different types of tacos. Baja’s mission is to create “good vibes” while serving up dishes made with local and sustainable ingredients. To make a reservation, call 613-766-1694.
Must try: Baja fish taco with cerveza-battered cod, house slaw, cilantro, sambal aioli, on a flour tortilla.
Hours of operation: Monday – Saturday, 11:30 am – late
Red House is a favourite in downtown Kingston, but did you know they have a west-end location? Head to Fortune Crescent off Gardiners Road for lunch with family or a late night out with your friends. Red House West offers vegan and vegetarian options and changes its menu seasonally to highlight local produce.
Must try: Red House burger, with beef, tomato, mixed greens, pickles, and house sauce
Hours of operation: Thursday – Saturday 11 am – 1 am, Sunday – Wednesday 11 am – midnight
Enter Bar Mayla and head upstairs to Le Jardin, which offers an elegant atmosphere inspired by earth, fire, and water. Watch your meal being prepared on Le Jardin’s signature wood-fire grill, then savour the sweet and smoky flavours that the grill imbues into both meat and vegetarian dishes (and some desserts!)
Must try: Steak with smoked bone marrow jus and green garlic butter (note: their menu changes frequently)
Hours of operation: Wednesday – Saturday, 4:30 pm – late
Pat’s Restaurant is family owned and operated and serves up award-winning Cambodian and Thai cuisine. The menu includes a variety of curry dishes, stir fries, and soups, with plenty of vegetarian options.
Must try: Green Curry To-Fu cooked with green curry paste, pineapple, coconut milk, and basil served with rice.
Hours of operation: Tuesday – Saturday, 11:30 am – 8 pm
Before now, Kingstonians had to travel to Gananoque or go to the Sunday Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market to get curries from 1000 Curry. Now they can go to 1000 Curry’s west-end Kingston location, too. Every dish is prepared fresh to order with freshly ground spice blends. Dine in or take-out.
Must try: Jhal Farazi, a mildly spicy dish with your choice of veggies, paneer, or choice of meat, simmered with ginger, garlic, onions, spices, bell peppers, tomatoes, and finished with ginger and cilantro
Hours of operation: Monday & Wednesday – Friday 3 – 9 pm; Saturday – Sunday, 11:30 am – 9 pm
CocoaBistro was founded in 2016 in Kingston by local chocolatier Audrey Brown. CocoaBistro offers high- quality handmade chocolates at their west end location and a variety of businesses including General Brock’s Commissary, Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market, the Rosemount Inn, and the Strata Hotel. Audrey’s chocolates are peanut-free and include vegan, non-dairy, and gluten-free options.
Must try: Any truffle! Try Almond Amaretto, Funky Monky, orKalamansi Dream
Hours of operation: Tuesday – Friday, 10 am – 6 pm; Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
Where can you find crisp lettuce, savoury dumplings, cold apple cider, raw milk cheeses, bison steaks, upcycled jewelry, and much more, all in one location? The Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market in Kingston! This year-round, producer-run market is home to growers and artists who live in Kingston or within 100 kilometres of the city. Every Sunday, the market takes over the Memorial Centre lawn for shopping and live music from 9 am to 2 pm.
Did you know downtown Kingston is home to an urban farmstead? Main Street Urban Farm grows organic vegetables, such as potatoes, garlic, asparagus, and lettuce, in downtown Kingston. You can find them at the market, selling their veggie baskets or serving up ready-to-eat food such as savoury Japanese pancakes called Okonomiyaki, and a selection of hummus and sauces. If you can’t visit the market, Main street also does bicycle delivery!
The Kitchen Garden at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market / Credit: Garrett Elliott
The Kitchen Garden is a small-scale organic vegetable farm located 25 minutes by car from Kingston. The farm is on 10 acres of deep sandy soil, allowing for rich biodiversity. Crops are planted and harvested year-round with a mission to grow high-quality organic produce. The Kitchen Garden grows a variety of greens, carrots, beets, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, and squash.
Ready-to-enjoy bites
Collective Joy Farm at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market / Credit: Garrett Elliott
Experience the joy of fresh microgreens and veggie-filled food at Collective Joy Farm. Tammara, owner of Collective Joy Farm, grows microgreens, lettuces, and herbs at her urban farm on Macdonnell Street. She also offers cold-pressed juice and ready-to-eat foods, such as Eat Local bowls, crackers and flatbread, salad dressings, dips, and desserts. Tammara believes in increasing access to nourishing food and loves seeing new faces at the market every Sunday
Visit the Farm Sum stand at the market for the most delectable Chinese peasant food. Farm Sum offers freshly cooked steamed buns and dumplings, made from pork, eggs, vegetables, and herbs from their farm, Long Road Ecological Farm. Xiaobing, owner of Long Road Ecological Farm and chef extraordinaire, also sells fresh vegetables, including Asian varieties, and fresh ginger.
Looking for sustainable, plant-based bites in Kingston? Check out Knifey Spooney for their famous vegan lobster rolls, breakfast sandwiches, Korean barbeque sandwiches, baked goods, and much more. Rad and Christina’s rotating menu uses seasonal and local ingredients to help make plant-based food more accessible and delicious in the Kingston region. They also offer a selection of frozen meals, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Lynn-Marie of Bee-Youtiful Beads is one of the many skilled artisans at the market. She repurposes beads and glass to make one-of-a-kind jewelry, including bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and ornaments. Visit Bee-Youtiful Beads to find a gift for someone special or to buy new accessories to elevate your style.
Find the best gluten-free baked products at Zia Rita’s Gluten-Free stand. Market regulars will know that Zia Rita, the original baker of Zia Rita’s Gluten-Free, retired in 2022. Luckily, Mona has taken over the business and continues to sell gluten-free bread, desserts, pizza crusts, fruit desserts, and more. Whether you are gluten-free or not, you will love this local baking.
Nutritious cheese and eggs
Bushgarden Farmstead Cheese at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market / Credit: Garrett Elliott
Take home some organic raw milk cheese from Bushgarden Farmstead Cheese. Their cheese is made on the farmstead in Rideau Lakes by Nigel Smith, a fifth-generation farmer. He uses milk from his certified-organic cows to hand-make a variety of cheeses. Bushgarden’s best-selling cheese is Pilgrimage, a gouda-style cheese.
No breakfast would be complete without eggs from Reinink Family Farms on Varty Lake. After many years of selling at markets and supplying Kingston establishments, Hank-John and Janet now sell eggs exclusively at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market every Sunday. Reinink eggs are certified organic and full of essential nutrients.
Indulge in the delicious taste of bison meat, a flavourful choice high in natural minerals and low in fat. Try grass-fed bison meat steaks, burgers, salami, pepperettes, or jerky offered by Harald at Featherstone Farm. With over 25 years of dedicated care for a small herd of bison near Gananoque, Featherstone offers trusted, high-quality products; no pharmaceuticals, sprays or fertilizers are used.
Pick up some ecologically raised meats from Haanover View Farms, a family farm in Marysville. Oliver, Renate, and family are proud to run their sustainable farm, contributing to the food security of the region. They offer meats such as pork, beef, rabbit, and chicken at the market. Their meats are also on the menus of Bella Bistro and Northside Espresso + Kitchen in Kingston.
Located in the east end of Kingston, Fine Balance Brewing Company was founded on the philosophy that both life and beer require balance to be at their best. Fine Balance brews a variety of innovative beers, from gelato sours to IPAs. You can pick up a four-pack of your favourite brew at the market or mix and match from current selections. You can grab a pint or a flight at their taproom, 677 Innovation Drive Unit 4.
Bergeron Estates in Prince Edward County boasts the ideal growing conditions for grapes such as Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Vidal, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer. Each of these wines has its flavour profile, with the most popular, according to David and Mary, being the Gamay Noir which pairs well with beef, lamb, and Italian cuisine.
Grant Millard’s small-batch artisanal vinegar begins by making wine using the finest ingredients. The wine is then fermented into vinegar using a technique based on the traditional French Orleans method. Stop by his market stall to sample a variety of flavours, including banana, Mennonite maple, Muskoka strawberry, and Perry cider.
CocoaBistro is a local artisan chocolate shop in Kingston. Audrey, chocolatier and owner of CocoaBistro, creates delicious creations using quality chocolate, locally sourced cream and butter, and natural flavours. For every new season, Audrey develops a new collection of chocolates and treats, with varieties of vegan, non-dairy, and gluten-free options. You can also visit Audrey at her storefront location on 840 Development Drive.
Owners Mark and Amanda enter their tenth year of business at Salmon River Sugar Bush, tapping 2,000 maple trees on their 20-acre sugar bush. This family-owned and operated maple producer sells sweet confection from pure maple syrup, sugar, and sweet treats shaped like maple leaves at the market.
Puppers Pastries was founded by dog lovers who saw a need for high-quality, all-natural treats for their four-legged friends. They create treats that cater to dietary needs of dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds. These freshly baked treats range from Blueberry Bone Bites to grain-free Golden Carrot Crunchies, all at affordable prices.
Visit the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market at the Memorial Centre, every Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm, and outdoors for the spring and summer season. Looking for more ways to experience the local Kingston and region farming scene? Visit the zucchini car-making party at Minotaur Games and Gifts on July 20 and then set those cars to the races at the Zucchini 500 at Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market on July 21. Later in the season, join Loving Spoonful at the sixth annual Night Market on Thursday, August 22 from 6 to 10 pm, featuring live music, farm-fresh food, and an alcohol garden.
If you’re looking for your next favourite coffee place in Kingston, you have to try The Elm Café – even if you don’t drink coffee. Located at the corner of Montreal and Charles streets, The Elm Café has been a local favourite of the Inner Harbour neighbourhood since it opened in 2015. The café, open at 7:30 am daily, offers a selection of made-to-order breakfast sandwiches, assorted baked goods, and some of the best lattes in town. Breakfast is served until 11 am; after that, a variety of fresh sandwiches is available from the grab-and-go fridge.
The Elm Café is located in a red brick building that used to house a laundromat – a “Laverne’s Laundry” sign is prominently displayed near the front. Seating 18 people inside, but with room for more outside on the back patio in the warmer months, the café offers a cozy, welcoming ambiance. You can grab your order to go, but if you dine in, you can sink into one of the vintage armchairs, people-watch, and enjoy the local artwork hanging on the walls. Savour a beverage served to you in a china teacup from the café’s eclectic collection, while you nibble on a chocolate hazelnut croissant or the café’s most popular breakfast sandwich, “The whole shebang.” Café owners Logan and Matthew source many of their menu ingredients locally, from places including Tara Foods and Pig & Olive.
The café is open until 5 pm daily, but on the first Tuesday of every month, it reopens from 7 to 9:30 pm for a poetry open mic night, hosted by local poet Bruce Kauffman.
Before you leave, check out the tote bags and T-shirts for sale; they feature an Inner Harbour-inspired design by local graphic designer Benjamin Nelson (who also did the café’s outside mural on the Charles Street side of the building).
On Monday April 15, Aaliyah Edwards was selected sixth by the Washington Mystics in the 2024 WNBA draft.
On April 5, Kingston-born basketball player Aaliyah Edwards played her last college game in Cleveland, in a tense National College Athletic Association (NCAA) championship semi-final game between the University of Connecticut Huskies and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Credit: University of Connecticut
Not since Jayna Hefford’s four-straight hockey Olympic gold medals between 2002 and 2014, Simon Whitfield’s triathlon gold in the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics, and pitcher Matt Brash’s Major League Baseball debut in 2022 has a Kingston born and bred athlete competed in such a high-profile sports event.
Edwards, 21, a Senior at UConn, has come a long way from playing minor basketball for the Kingston Impact and high school hoops for the Frontenac Falcons.
Unfortunately, Edwards’ college career ended on the Cleveland hardcourt, a 71–69 loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes. A controversial offensive foul call on her in the dying seconds of the game ended the Huskies’ chances at a national championship. Iowa went on to play the South Carolina Gamecocks in the NCAA final, losing 87–75.
Back home in Kingston this week for a few days between the NCAA tournament and the WNBA draft, Edwards was busy signing with a sports representative agency and agreeing to endorsement deals. Her parents – mother Jackie and father Eddie – have been supporting her through the transition from a college athlete to a professional.
She’ll be in New York City on Monday for the WNBA draft. Speculation is that Edwards will be selected in the top five.
She also graduates from UConn this spring. Edwards majored in communications and minored in human development and family studies.
Credit: University of Connecticut
Edwards said she loved her time in Storrs, Connecticut. “I have a lot of great memories and the opportunity to have coach [Geno Auriemma], play with those girls, and be a part of that culture really just shaped me and helped me transition into what I’m trying to be which is a pro player.”
“Even though it was very far from home, I did feel the love here in Canada and especially Kingston.”
This season, the six-foot-three Edwards started all 37 games she appeared in, was second on the team with career-high 17.6 points per game, and led the team with a career-high 9.2 rebounds per game.
Over her four years at UConn, Edwards ranks 15th in program history with 1,861 career points, eighth in career rebounds with 1,020, earned 35 career double-doubles (sixth in team history), and was the sixth Huskies player with 1,800 points and 1,000 rebounds.
The two-time BIG EAST Player of the Week also made 76 assists, 36 blocks, recorded career-high 62 steals, and had 18 double-doubles in 2023–24.
Credit: Ian Macalpine
Edwards is easily noticeable when she plays, with her long and colourful braids swaying around her face while she’s attacking the basket or eluding an opponent.
“I definitely rock the purple and gold braids; it started in grade eight right before I came to Frontenac. The reason I did it was my passion for Kobe [Bryant] and everything he meant to me growing up. He was my childhood hero and also [for] my oldest brother Jermaine. We had a love for him and the passion he had for the game.” Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash in 2020 and Jermaine passed away in 2017. Edwards has another brother, Jahmal.
“I know I’ve earned a platform but also I’m very fortunate to be able to inspire and grow women’s basketball, not only here but across Canada.”
The WNBA will be paused while the Paris Summer Olympics is underway, and Edwards hopes to be a contributing member to the women’s team. She was on the Canadian team for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo in 2021 (delayed one year due to COVID-19).
Last year Edwards ran a youth basketball camp for kids out of Frontenac Secondary School and hopes to do more voluntary work in her hometown and make the camp an annual event. “I haven’t really had a big opportunity to give back to my community and that’s really a big thing that’s help motivate me and push me to excel and push me just to do better for myself because I’m kind of paving the way for the next generation and those that want to become and be a part of the opportunities that were given to me.”
Credit: University of Connecticut
She was appreciative that a large contingent from Frontenac and Kingston came down to UConn this past season to watch her play. “It was just so special, you remove yourself from high school and going to pursue your dreams in Division 1 and the relationships I’ve built especially here in Kingston where it was all started, the love and support was still there.”
With Edwards transitioning into the professional ranks and an Olympics this summer, it appears she’ll be competing on the world stage for years to come.
Summer is just around the corner and Kingston is already buzzing with activities. From music and arts festivals to Kingston Pride and historic attractions, there’s something for everyone in June.
Do you have an event you’d like featured on our monthly list? Add it to our Kingston events calendar for consideration!
1. Spring Reverb (music festival)
2. The Alan Jackson Experience
3. YGK Craft Beer Fest
4. Artfest Kingston
5. Skeleton Park Arts Festival
6. Brighton Beach Memoirs
7. Neptune & Salacia diving and snorkeling
8. Kingston Food Tours
9. Kingston Waters Cleanup 2024
10. Cannonball Crush
11. Explore Bellevue House
12. Tour the S.S. Keewatin
13. Pride Parade
14. Drag Me to Brunch Pride Edition
15. Live 365: Summer Music Series
16. FOLDA: Festival of Live Digital Art
17. Princess Street Promenade
18. Kingston Pen Tours
19. Steve Miller Band
20. Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market
21. Movies in the Square
22. Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour
23. Sunday Jazz with Standards@7
24. Kayak & canoe rentals
25. Visit the Military Communications & Electronics Museum
Are you looking for more things to do, packaged experiences, and places to dine in Kingston?
As the sun sets over Kingston, a mysterious transformation envelops the labyrinth of cobblestone streets and historic buildings. Shadows rise, casting an otherworldly glow on the enigmatic corridors and alleyways of the Limestone City.
Gathered in anticipation, a group of the curious assembles, ready to embark on The Haunted Walk of Kingston. A spectral figure, a spooky storyteller shrouded in a dark cloak, beckons them on, weaving tales of haunted hotels, hidden burial grounds, notorious grave robbings, and other eerie local hauntings.
The allure of ghost stories lies in the art of storytelling itself, believes Jax Harripersad, manager of The Haunted Walk in Kingston. But, she muses, the human fascination with ghost stories also shines a light on what makes us human.
“The Haunted Walk of Kingston features great performers sharing spooky stories that make your heart race and pump adrenaline,” says Jax. “But above all, ghost stories make us wonder what happens after this life.”
“What appeals to our visitors is that these stories are rooted in truth,” says Jax. “Before a story is included in the tour, Kingston Haunted Walk conducts thorough research to substantiate its origins, pouring over newspaper articles and other convincing documents at the city archives and local libraries and even interviewing people who have experienced the supernatural firsthand.”
It is a phantom ballet, a dance between the living and the departed, explains Jax. A canvas upon which The Haunted Walk paints its spectral narrative, shining a light on the shadowy, paranormal side of Kingston.
“All of our tour guides are fitted with a cloak and a lantern, and we ask them to wear all black – it cultivates that creepy, Grim Reaper vibe,” explains Jax. “Our goal at The Haunted Walk and our broader company, which is called Hidden InSite, is to show you the secrets of the city, often hidden in plain sight.”
The Haunted Walk offers several tours, including the original Haunted Walk, which uncovers the secrets of haunted hotels, hidden burial grounds, grave robbings, hangings at the old courthouse, and Kingston’s famous haunted courtyard.
The original Haunted Walk features one of Kingston’s most notorious ghost stories, that of Theresa Ignace Beam, murdered by her nephew John Napier in 1868. Theresa’s spirit haunts the dark pathway between Princess Street and King Street East leading to Rochleau Court, where she has been known to ask passersby to help her find her bones so that she might finally rest, her tragic tale resonating through time and unfolding like a haunting melody.
“Hauntings have also been reported at the Prince George Hotel, which ceased operation in 2004 and today houses The Haunted Walk, with apartments replacing the old hotel rooms,” continues Jax. “Paranormal activity seems to be focused around the third floor, and Room 304 in particular, with people bearing witness to the spectre of a shadowy woman drifting down the hallways, a ghostly child playing with toys, and strange things occurring, such as lights and radios turning on or off in the rooms, and doors locking, unlocking, or slamming shut.”
And yet, many of Kingston’s spooky secrets are hidden underneath the city, with many places scattered throughout the city that conceal unmarked graves. The most famous hidden burial ground in Kingston is known as Skeleton Park, originally the site of one of Kingston’s earliest and largest cemeteries.
“Skeleton Park has become notorious for hauntings in Kingston,” affirms Jax. “In the 1990s two students moved into a house quite close to the park. After dropping off her things at her new apartment, one of the students had to rush off to class right away. When she returned later that night, she found that she had to pass an old graveyard filled with a dense fog. She was certain it wasn’t there before and she wondered if she was lost, but eventually did find her apartment just a little way down the street.
“In the morning, she found the graveyard was gone, and there was a city park in its place. This had been her very first day in Kingston. And she had never heard of Skeleton Park.”
If the original Haunted Walk delivers excitement for thrill-seekers, visitors to Kingston can also opt for the Ghosts of Queen’s University, which recounts eerie tales of student grave robbers, professors reaching out from the beyond, heists gone wrong, and streets shrouded in mystery.
There is also an unforgettable tour of Fort Henry, Kingston’s famous 19th-century fortress, where expert storytellers share the tragic history that still haunts its grounds, sending shivers down the spine with its dark twists and turns.
On hiatus during the December holiday season, The Haunted Walk runs weekends from February and seven nights a week from May to September, also accepting requests for private tours. Tours of the Queen’s University campus resume in time for March break and for the Fort Henry tour when the fort opens in the spring. While tours are conceived to appeal to families, The Haunted Walk encourages parents to assess their child’s tolerance level for the spectral and spooky.
“We are proud to offer the original Haunted Walk in French,” underscores Jax. “Canada is a bilingual country and we have a high demand for our tours, particularly in summer, from French-speaking tourists. We want to reach the widest audience that we possibly can.
In the heart of Kingston, where shadows are entangled with the echoes of the past, The Haunted Walk weaves a tapestry of spooky tales, historical narratives, and spectral whispers. It invites the curious to explore the city’s enigmatic history and become part of the haunting symphony that resonates through time.
As the lanterns flicker and the tales weave through the streets, The Haunted Walk becomes an exploration of not just the paranormal but also a celebration of the city’s hidden gems, connecting the living – and the departed.
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