Kingston
The Southeast - Ontario
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Our hotels
Our visits: So far 1 visit in October 2025
Things to know about Kingston
Description: In 1673, the French Fort Frontenac was built on the site of a Mississauga village called Cataraqui, becoming the first European settlement in the area. In 1758, the fort was captured by British and Iroquois soldiers led by Colonel Bradstreet. In 1784, the town was named “King's Town” in honor of King George III. This was changed to the current name of Kingston in 1788. From 1841 to 1844, Kingston was the capital of the largest British colony in North America. To this day, the city has retained its Victorian appearance from the late 19th century. Kingston is very easy to explore on foot. Many of the sights are close together and picturesquely located on Lake Ontario. You can discover historic Kingston on a walking tour and go on a little shopping spree on Princess Street. Afterwards, you can recharge your batteries in one of the many restaurants.
Our rating: We really liked downtown Kingston. You can easily spend a few hours here. The city is relaxed and offers everything a tourist could want.
Bellevue House NHS
Description: Bellevue House was the home of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. MacDonald, from 1848 to 1849. It was built in 1840 for Charles Hales, a wealthy merchant from Kingston. The house is one of the earliest examples of Italian villa architecture in Canada.
Entrance fees and opening hours
- 10 CAD per person per day
- Covered by the Discovery Pass*
- Open from mid-May to mid-October. July and August daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., otherwise Thursday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
*The Discovery Pass is a “flat-rate” pass for all areas managed by Parks Canada. It costs CAD 83.50 per person, or CAD 167.50 for up to 7 people in a single vehicle, and is valid for one calendar year, calculated on a day-to-day basis.
Our rating: We were able to explore the house on our own. There was also a staff member on site who gave a brief introduction to the history of the house. Anyone interested in the history of Kingston will certainly find this place enjoyable. We really liked it here.
Kingston Penitentiary
Description: Kingston Penitentiary was once Canada's oldest and most notorious maximum security prison, operating from 1867 to 2013. Within its stone walls, daring escape attempts and violent riots took place. Guided tours bring the past back to life and offer first-hand stories from former prison employees who know the facility best. Three different tours are offered, allowing visitors to explore different areas of the former prison.
Admission fees: CAD 42.13 per person for the standard tour
Opening hours: Seasonally open, usually from May to October
Our rating: We booked the standard tour for our visit. Although we were there at the end of the season, all tours were fully booked. We therefore definitely recommend booking in advance. The tour itself was very entertaining and interesting. For our taste, it could have been a little longer.
