48 Hours In Kingston: The Perfect Weekend Getaway

If you’re planning a weekend getaway in Ontario, spending 48 hours in Kingston is one of the best decisions you can make (although you can easily stay longer). Sitting on the shores of Lake Ontario where the St. Lawrence River begins, Kingston offers a little bit of everything: historic sites, waterfront views, incredible food, unique shops, and some surprisingly charming hidden gems.

As a life-long resident of Ontario, I’m sad to say that I had never visited Kingston before until recently. I immediately fell in love!

While many visitors focus on the city’s famous attractions, I loved mixing the must-see spots with lesser-known places that give Kingston its character.

In this blog post, I outline exactly how I spent my 48 hours in Kingston, including what I did, tours I took, where I stayed, and where I ate. It’s important to note that my 48 hours in Kingston was extremely agressive so that I could see as much as possible. If I was to return, I would spend 3 full days so that I could explore more leisurely.

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Day 1: Explore Kingston’s Historic Downtown & Waterways

Start Your Morning with Coffee

The best way to begin your Kingston adventure is with a great cup of coffee. There are plenty of cute coffee shops scattered throughout Kingston’s downtown, but I highly recommend the Kingston Coffee House.

Downtown Kingston is incredibly walkable, making it easy to park your car and explore on foot for most of the day. Better yet, stay in Kingston’s downtown and you won’t have to worry about driving.

I throughly enjoyed wandering through the limestone-lined streets while sipping a coffee and taking in the historic architecture. Kingston’s nickname as the “Limestone City” becomes obvious almost immediately.

Visit Market Square

Once I grabbed my coffee, I crossed the street to the rear of City Hall. The beautiful 19th-century building sits right in the heart of downtown and serves as a perfect introduction to Kingston’s rich history.

Take some time to wander through Market Square, especially if you’re visiting during one of the seasonal markets. The atmosphere here feels lively yet relaxed, and it’s a great place to get your bearings.

Wander The Waterfront

One of the best things about Kingston is its waterfront. There are so many things to do along the waterfront that you can easily spend an entire day exploring.

After you’ve visited the market, head toward Confederation Basin and the waterfront pathways. The views across Lake Ontario are stunning. I love simply walking along the shoreline and watching the boats come and go.

Confederation Park

Take some time to slow down and simply enjoy the waterfront atmosphere.

Confederation Park often hosts events and performances during the summer months, making it a great place to relax. When I was in Kingston, there was a band playing in the park from early in the morning. I loved listening to the music and I found it to be quite entertaining.

Confederation Park is also where you’ll find the Kingston Tourist Center and the main pick up point for the hop on hop off trolley.

PURCHASE A TICKET FOR THE HOP ON HOP OFF TROLLEY

Lunch in Downtown Kingston

Kingston’s food scene is surprisingly impressive for a city its size. Downtown offers everything from casual cafés to upscale dining.

One of the things I love most is how many restaurants occupy historic limestone buildings, giving every meal a unique atmosphere.

Although we skipped lunch on day 1 in favour of exploring more, we did relax with a cocktail at the Helm Dockside Patio during happy hour while we were waiting to board our 1000 Island Cruise.

Afternoon: Take a 1000 Islands Cruise

If there’s one experience I recommend to every visitor, it’s taking a 1000 Islands cruise from Kingston.

The cruise offers incredible views of the islands, historic mansions, castles, and waterfront cottages. It also provides a completely different perspective of the region.

Whether you’re a photographer or simply want to relax on the water, it’s worth adding to your 48 hour Kingston itinerary.

Driver’s Tip: Arrive at the cruise dock early in time for happy hour at the Helm Dockside Patio. It’s right at the embarkation point.

BOOK A 3 HOUR 1000 ISLAND RIVERBOAT TOUR

Late Afternoon: Kingston History Tour

This history tour of Kingston was a pleasant surprise. It was a tour that I hadn’t initally planned on doing, but I’m sure glad I did it!

I found this short 1 hour walking tour was the best way to get acquainted with Kingston’s rich past. The tour brought the city’s history to life, taking us past beautifully preserved limestone buildings, historic churches, and landmarks that played an important role in shaping both Kingston and Canada.

What I enjoyed most was hearing the fascinating stories behind the buildings and streets that I might have otherwise walked past without a second thought. The knowledgeable guide was a lot of fun and shared tales of politicians, military leaders, merchants, and everyday residents who helped shape the city over the centuries.

Driver’s Tip: This tour is not one of the most popular tours to do in Kingston, but is well worth it and a lot of fun. It’s included in the Kingston K-Pass

Evening: Ghost Trolley Tour

For a unique evening experience in Kingston, I highly recommend the Kingston Ghost Trolley Tour. This popular tour combines local history with spine-tingling stories as you travel through some of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods and historic landmarks.

What I enjoyed most about the Ghost Trolley Tour was that it wasn’t just about ghosts. It was also a fascinating history lesson. The guide shares captivating tales from Kingston’s past while stopping at some of the city’s most iconic locations.

Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, the tour is entertaining, informative, and a fun way to see Kingston from a completely different perspective. It’s a great addition to any 48 hour Kingston itinerary, especially if you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary.

BOOK YOUR GHOST TROLLEY TOUR

Driver’s Tip: There is also a walking Ghost Tour which covers strictly the downtown core. It is also very good, but you’ll miss the most fascinating stop (the mental institution)

❓❓❓ Look closely! Can you see the “ghosts” in the top windows ❓❓❓

Waterfront Dining

After returning from the trolley ghost tour, enjoy a relaxing dinner near the waterfront and spend some time enjoying the views.

One of the things that continually surprises me about Kingston is how accessible the waterfront is. You don’t have to go far to find scenic spots, parks, and places to sit and watch the boats.

We finished our ghost tour late on day 1 and we were soaking we and very hungry. We popped into Time Out which is just a block away from where the trolley tour ended. Time Out offered a relaxed vibe and a TON of food. It was impossible to eat even half of it, even though it was really good.

‼️ Hidden Gem Alert: Murney Tower

While many visitors head straight to the major attractions, Murney Tower often gets overlooked.

This historic defensive tower offers a glimpse into Kingston’s military past and typically attracts far fewer visitors than some of the city’s bigger landmarks. It’s a peaceful stop with fascinating exhibits and beautiful views.

‼️ Hidden Gem Alert: Springer Market Square at Night

After dinner, take another stroll through downtown.

The city feels completely different after dark. The limestone buildings are beautifully illuminated, and the streets have a welcoming small-city charm that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Day 2: Discover Kingston’s Past

Morning: Tour Kingston Penitentiary

No first visit to Kingston would be complete without touring the former Kingston Penitentiary.

The guided tours provide a fascinating look into one of Canada’s most infamous prisons. Even if you’re not typically interested in history, the stories shared by former staff make the experience incredibly engaging. I wasn’t sure what to expect on my first visit, but it quickly became one of the most memorable attractions in Kingston.

Be sure to book ahead if you’re visiting during peak season, as tours often sell out.

Afternoon: Visit Fort Henry If You Have 48 Hours In Kingston

Fort Henry is one of Kingston’s most iconic attractions and a place that truly brings Canadian history to life. Originally built to defend the region during the 19th century, the fort has been carefully restored and now gives visitors a chance to experience military life as it would have been in the 1800s.

One of my favourite parts of visiting Fort Henry was watching the live military demonstrations. The costumed guards perform drills, firing demonstrations, and reenactments that make history feel much more engaging than simply reading about it in a textbook.

If you’re visiting during the summer months, be sure to check the daily schedule for special events and performances. The fort is family-friendly, highly interactive, and easily one of the best attractions included with the Kingston K-Pass.

Driver’s Tip: If visiting Fort Henry is on your Kingston itinerary, plan to stay for at least 3 hours. I was there for 2 hours and it wasn’t near enough time to enjoy all of the live demonstrations.

BOOK A GHOST TOUR OF HAUNTED FORT HENRY

Drinks At Something In The Water, Dinner At Ghost Tacos

After visiting Fort Henry, we had worked up a thirst. We decided to use the free craft beer tasting flight which was included in our Kingston K-Pass. We didn’t realize that Ghost Tacos was also in the same location.

Although Something In The Water and Ghost Tacos aren’t located on the waterfront, it is close to the Alley’s that we wanted to visit – not to mention they had some of the best tacos I’ve ever had!

‼️ Hidden Gem Alert: Add Martello’s Alley To Your 48 Hours In Kingston

Tucked away in a charming courtyard just steps from Princess Street, a short walk from the main streets is one of Kingston’s most colourful hidden gems.

Martello Alley is a tiny alleyway transformed into an outdoor art gallery filled with murals, local artwork, and creative displays. It’s easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there, but it’s one of the most photogenic spots in the city.

‼️ Hidden Gem Alert: Theresa’s Alley

Theresa’s Alley is one of downtown Kingston’s charming hidden gems, tucked away among the city’s historic limestone buildings.

I learned about Theresa’s Alley while on my haunted trolley tour, otherwise I would have never found this spot. According to local legends, the alley is connected to tales of a young Irish immigrant named Theresa. Some visitors have reported an eerie feeling while walking through the historic corridor.

While the stories remain part of local folklore rather than proven fact, the alley’s age, atmosphere, and connection to Kingston’s past make it a fascinating stop for anyone interested in the city’s haunted history.

‼️ Hidden Gem Alert: Breakwater Park

If you’re looking for a quieter waterfront experience, head to Breakwater Park.

This local favourite offers beautiful lake views without the crowds found downtown. It’s the perfect place to sit, reflect on your weekend, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

S.S. Keewatin And Great Lakes Museum

After exploring the alleys, we headed back to the waterfront towards our hotel. We decided to continue on to get photos of the S.S. Keewatin.

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to visit while the ship and museum were open for tours, but we did get some pictures. Next time I visit Kingston, this will be the first thing I do.

Where to Stay in Kingston

For a 48-hour visit, I recommend staying downtown along the waterfront whenever possible.

Being within walking distance of the waterfront, restaurants, shops, and attractions makes exploring much easier and allows you to maximize your time in the city.

I stayed at the Residence Inn Kingston Waterfront and for me it was the perfect location. It’s located on the fringe of the touristy downtown area so it wasn’t too busy, but still very walkable to the downtown attractions. I parked my car when I arrived and didn’t use it again until it was time to leave.

Book Your Stay At The Residence Inn Kingston Waterfront

Is 48 Hours In Kingston Enough?

While you could easily spend longer exploring Kingston and the surrounding 1000 Islands region, 48 hours is enough time to experience many of the city’s highlights while discovering a few hidden gems along the way. I spent a full 48 hours exploring Kingston, but when it came time to leave, I wish I had arranged to stay one more day to explore more of Kingston’s food scene.

What I love most about Kingston is its balance. It has the history and attractions of a larger city but retains the relaxed atmosphere of a small waterfront community.

If you’re interested in history, food, photography, waterfront views, or simply escaping for a weekend, Kingston delivers it all.

Kingston has become one of my favourite Ontario road trip destinations. I can’t wait until my next trip back!

SAVE 48 HOURS IN KINGSTON: A WEEKEND ITINERARY