Is Kingston Worth Visiting: My Honest Opinion
If you’re planning a trip through Ontario, you may be wondering, is Kingston worth visiting? After spending time exploring the city, walking its historic streets, cruising through the Thousand Islands, and dining on waterfront patios, my answer is yes, but that’s said with a few caveats.
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Even though I have lived in Ontario for over 60 years, I have never been to Kingston. I have to admit that I was more than a little surprised by my visit. I definitely wasn’t expecting the beautiful waterfront, the vibrant atmosphere, or the plethora of quaint restaurants and patios.
Kingston is often overshadowed by larger destinations like Toronto, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls, but this charming waterfront city offers a unique mix of history, culture, food, and outdoor adventure. At the same time, it’s not a destination that’s perfect for everyone.
In this post, I provide my personal take on whether Kingston is worth visiting and what you should know before planning your trip.
Why Kingston Is Worth Visiting In My Opinion
There are many reasons why I personally feel that Kingston is worth visiting. In fact, I much preferred Kingston over Toronto and Niagara Falls for several reasons that I outline below.
The Waterfront Is Beautiful
One of the first things that struck me about Kingston was its stunning waterfront. Located where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River, the city offers endless views of the water.
I spent hours wandering along the waterfront pathways, watching sailboats drift by and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, sitting on a patio, or simply taking a stroll, the waterfront is one of Kingston’s biggest attractions, and the ideal place to relax and enjoy the views.
The city’s compact downtown makes it easy to explore on foot, and the water is never far away.
The History Is Fascinating
As Canada’s first capital city, Kingston is packed with history.
Even if you’re not usually a history buff, it’s hard not to appreciate the city’s impressive limestone buildings, historic churches, and military sites. Walking through downtown feels like stepping back in time.
One of my favorite experiences was touring Kingston Penitentiary. The stories, architecture, and history make it one of the most unique attractions in Ontario.
History lovers will also enjoy exploring Fort Henry and learning about Kingston’s role in Canada’s early development. I spent two hours exploring the Fort, but I highly recommend allowing more time so that you can experience some of the live demonstrations.
Driver’s Tip: If you purchase the Kingston K-Pass, I recommend booking the historic downtown walk. You will learn the city’s history, as well as the history and stories behind some of the older buildings.
The Thousand Islands Cruises Are Fantastic
If you’re visiting Kingston, I highly recommend taking a Thousand Islands cruise.
Seeing the islands, historic mansions, and waterfront properties from the water offers a completely different perspective of the region. It’s one of those experiences that feels relaxing while still being packed with sightseeing opportunities.
For many visitors, the cruise alone makes Kingston worth visiting.
The Food Scene Surprised Me
I wasn’t expecting Kingston’s restaurant scene to be as good as it is. In fact, I learned that Kingston has the most restaurants per capita in all of Canada. I would have liked to stay another day just to explore more cafes, craft breweries, and restaurants.
From waterfront dining to cozy cafés and locally owned restaurants, there are plenty of great places to eat. I found the city offers a nice balance between casual dining and upscale experiences.
Downtown Kingston is especially walkable, making it easy to hop from one restaurant to another while exploring the city.
It’s Easy to Explore
One thing I love about Kingston is how manageable it feels.
Unlike larger cities where you spend much of your day navigating traffic or public transit, Kingston’s major attractions are relatively close together. You can cover a lot of ground in just a weekend.
For road trippers, this makes Kingston an excellent stop on an Ontario itinerary.
Driver’s Tip: I recommend purchasing the Kingston K-Pass so you have access to the hop on hop off trolley which will take you to all of the major attractions.
The Downsides of Visiting Kingston
While I enjoyed my visit, Kingston isn’t perfect. Here are a few things potential visitors should know.
It Can Feel Small
If you’re looking for a city packed with major attractions, shopping districts, and nonstop entertainment, Kingston may feel a little small.
Many of the main attractions can be visited within a day or two. For some travellers, especially those accustomed to larger cities, Kingston might not provide enough activities for an extended stay.
I spent 3 nights and two and half days exploring the city and personally, I found that to be the ideal amount of time to see the attractions without feeling too rushed.
Some Attractions Can Be Expensive
While Kingston offers plenty of free activities, some of its most popular attractions can add up quickly. Between attraction admissions, Thousand Islands cruises, and dining out, costs can rise faster than you might expect.
The Kingston K-Pass will help save money if you plan to visit multiple attractions, but budget-conscious travellers should still plan ahead.
The Weather Can Impact Your Experience
Kingston shines during the warmer months, but weather plays a big role in the experience.
A rainy weekend can limit outdoor activities, waterfront walks, and cruise opportunities. If you’re visiting specifically for outdoor attractions, poor weather can make the city feel much less exciting. I got caught in a rain storm while waiting for the trolley to do the evening Ghost Tour. I was soaked, but thankfully, I spent 2 hours on the trolley and the rain had stopped by the time the tour was over. Make sure you pack a jacket and an umbrella.
Limited Nightlife Compared to Larger Cities
Kingston has pubs, bars, and live music venues, but it doesn’t offer the same nightlife scene you’ll find in Toronto, Montreal, or Ottawa.
If your ideal getaway revolves around late-night entertainment, you will find Kingston a little quiet. For me, the relaxed atmosphere was part of the appeal, but it depends on your travel style.
Who Will Love Kingston?
I personally fell in love with Kingston. It will appeal to you if you are interested in history and heritage attractions, love waterfront destinations, great restaurants, boat cruises and a walkable downtown. If this is you, Kingston is well worth the visit.
It’s also an excellent destination for couples, retirees, solo travelers, and weekend getaways.
Who Might Not Enjoy Kingston?
As previously mentioned, Kingston might not be for everyone. It definitely won’t be the right fit if you’re looking for nightlife, luxury shopping, theme parks or fast-paced urban experiences. I also don’t think that young children will enjoy the city as the experiences are not necessilary kid-friendly.
My Final Verdict: Is Kingston Worth Visiting?
After spending almost three full days exploring the city, I absolutely think Kingston is worth visiting. In fact, I fell in love with the city and already want to return.
What I enjoyed most was the combination of history, waterfront scenery, excellent dining, and the relaxed pace. It felt authentic, welcoming, and easy to explore, which I felt it made it one of Ontario’s most enjoyable weekend destinations.
That said, Kingston isn’t a city overflowing with attractions, and some travellers may find it a little quiet after a couple of days. For me, that’s part of its charm. It’s a place where you can slow down, enjoy the waterfront, discover local history, and simply appreciate one of Ontario’s most underrated cities.
If you’re planning an Ontario road trip, I’d definitely recommend adding Kingston to your itinerary.
Are you in the midst of planning a vacation in Ontario, Canada? Let me help you out. As a life-long resident, the following are the platforms that I generally use when I’m road tripping around my beautiful Province:
🏡 Rentals: Ontario has every style of accommodation rental imaginable, to suit every budget and travel style. For my vacation rentals, I use VRBO. This platform provides a wide variety of accommodations for every budget.
🏢 Hotels: Sometimes, I prefer to stay at a hotel, especially if I’m just staying in the area for a night or two. My go-to platform for booking hotels in Ontario is always Booking.com
🚴♀️ Activities: Ontario has so many activities to offer that it’s often difficult to choose. My favourite platform to find activities in each area of Ontario is Get Your Guide
🚗 Car Rentals: Ontario is so massive that’s it’s literally impossible to explore everything without a vehicle. Although I do have my own car, there have been times that I’ve rented a vehicle – especially for longer road trips. When in doubt, I’ve used Booking.com to find the best deal on rentals.
💰 Insurance: When travelling abroad, I purchase my medical insurance through Advisor Max, as well as my cancellation and trip-interruption insurance. Advisor Max is also the ideal company for visitors to Ontario, or any part of Canada, to purchase their travel insurance.
