This realistic List of Best Places to Visit in Kingston, Ontario helps you plan an adventure in “The Limestone City”.

Kingston is a paradise for history lovers. The city has a handful of historic buildings that date back to the mid 19th century. You could choose to visit a prison, a hospital, a city hall, or a courthouse.

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Sights & Places of Interest

Kingston, Ontario is a notable place to visit with a long history. It all started in 1673 with a fort at the mouth of the Great Cataraqui River. But the golden age of the city came in the 19th century.

Kingston became the first capital of the Province of Canada in 1841. It only stayed the capital for 3 years. But a few historic buildings in “The Limestone City” date back to that time.

Even the city nickname has to do with these landmarks. Most historic buildings in Kingston are made of local limestone. This way, the building material gave the city its nickname.

The best places to visit in Kingston, Ontario are quite unique. They include Kingston Penitentiary, Rockwood Asylum, Bellevue House, Court House, and City Hall. It is quite an interesting list.

1. Kingston Penitentiary

Kingston Penitentiary is the best place to visit in Kingston, Ontario. You heard it right. A former maximum security prison is, in fact, the top attraction in this historic city.

Few tourists see prisons as must-see places. But there are a handful of historic prisons around the world. Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, Ireland and Alcatraz in San Francisco, California are similar to Kingston Pen.

This prison dates back to 1834. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city. Kingston Pen opened its doors to inmates on 1835. The prison was in use for some 178 years. It only became a museum in 2013.

Kingston Pen is open from late April to early September for the main season. Fall season runs from early September to late November.

You could only visit the prison on a guided tour during these times. There are four tours for you to choose from. They differ in cost and duration.

• Express Tour: a 45-minute guided tour at $26.13 CAD (~$20 USD) per person.
• Standard Tour: a 90-minute guided tour at $41.13 CAD (~$31 USD) per person.
• Extended Tour: a 2.5-hour guided tour at $81.13 CAD (~$60 USD) per person.
• Prisoners of Age Exhibit: a 60-minute semi-guided tour at $10 CAD (~$7 USD) per person.

You could also choose to add the Prisoners of Age Exhibit to a Standard Tour. This package might give you a small discount. Otherwise, you could only save as a Kingston resident or a military member.

Canada’s Penitentiary Museum is across the street from Kingston Pen. You could explore its exhibits by making a donation to the museum. A self-guided tour takes about 45 minutes.

2. Rockwood Asylum

Kingston Penitentiary is next to Portsmouth Olympic Harbor. This harbor was a place of sailing competition during 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. You will find another landmark across the harbor.

It is hard to imagine Rockwood Asylum as one of the best places to visit in Kingston, Ontario. But could you really be surprised after the prison claimed the top spot?

Give this former asylum and hospital turned museum a chance. You might find it to be a surprising destination in the end.

This asylum for the criminally insane dates back to 1859. Just like the prison, the hospital was open all the way until the turn of the 21st century.

All buildings of Rockwood Asylum have been closed to public since 2000. But the grounds of this historic hospital are open and a worthwhile place to visit.

2.1. Main Building

A four-story building with a few wings is the main part of Rockwood Asylum. You could not enter this building. It is unsafe due to asbestos inside.

It is a bit mind-boggling to think that patients walked its hallways less than 25 years ago. And few in the community saw this as a problem.

Even without visiting the interior, you might feel uneasy about this eerie place. A lot of people had to undergo treatment inside these walls.

2.2. Beechgrove Cottage

You should take a walk around the grounds of this asylum. You will see a couple of smaller limestone buildings next to the main complex.

Make sure to stop at the Beechgrove Cottage. This building dates back to 1893. It was a full service medical facility for Rockwood.

The Beechgrove Cottage is the best looking building on campus. The forged fence, windows, and lights are in a great condition.

2.3. Leahurst Building

You could hardly say the same about the nearby Leahurst Building. This cottage looks a bit like the Walter Gale House by Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park, Illinois.

Yet, it is in a dire state. Its iron fences have rust. A couple of windows have no glass. Paint chips away from the wooden panels. And it looks as if the roof leaks.

The Leahurst Buildings seems to get little maintenance outside of a new sign. Its neglected state could add to an already uneasy feeling about this place.

An oval stained glass window with a beautiful pattern is the only bright spot. You are certain to notice and admire this item on your visit to Rockwood.

2.4. Mural Wall

You should make a Mural Wall a stop during your visit to this hospital. The name says it all. It is wall of murals on Lakewatch Lane near the Waterfront Pathway.

Street art lovers would enjoy this living exhibit. Landmarks, machines, animals, and people tell a story of Kingston, Ontario.

All murals use the same colors. Different shades of grey and blue make a good combination. The Mural Wall livens up the mood of this dark place.

3. Bellevue House

Bellevue House claims the third spot on this List of the Best Places to Visit in Kingston, Ontario. The house is a short drive or walk from Kingston Pen.

Bellevue House was home to Sir John A. Macdonald for two years in the mid 19th century. Sir Macdonald was the first Prime Minister of Canada. He is an iconic figure in the country.

This house dates back to 1840. It was built in Italian Villa style. Compare it to the far simpler houses in Waterloo Village. Yet, they all date to the same era. Bellevue House became a museum in 1967.

The museum gives you an idea what life of a middle-class family was in the 1840s. You could learn more about the life and legacy of the Prime Minister.

The museum is open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Monday from mid May to early October. The summer is an exception. You could visit the house daily from July to September.

It costs $9 CAD (~$7 USD) per adult to visit the Bellevue House. Seniors pay $7.5 CAD (~$6 USD). Kids and youth visit the house for free. The fees are quite low if you compare them to other house museums.

But you should not get your hopes up. The house museum is closed for restoration. Still, its grounds remain open. On the bright side, admission fees do not apply until the museum reopens its doors.

4. Frontenac County Court House

You should visit the Frontenac County Court House on your trip to Kingston, Ontario. This building is 1.2 miles (2 km) northeast of the Bellevue House. It is a sight to see in “The Limestone City”.

The Court House is further inland from Lake Ontario than most other places to visit in Kingston. You could find it just outside of Queen’s University campus.

The Court House is a Neoclassical limestone building. It dates back to 1858. This building has been a courthouse since its opening. It is also a National Historic Site.

The courthouse has an impressive trial history that spans 160+ years. A handful of high profile cases were heard in this building over the years.

An active court house status presents a few challenges to a visit. Police will be near the building around the clock. You should follow all the rules by the book to avoid fines.

There is no way to see the interior of the historic courthouse. You could only admire this building from the outside as a tourist. It might be a good time to head to other places in the city.

5. Murney Tower Museum

As you make your way up King Street towards Kingston Downtown, you should visit the Murney Tower Museum. It is one of the best places to visit in Kingston, Ontario. Murney Tower is a Martello tower.

These towers are not unique to Ontario or Canada. They were a common defense structure all over the British Empire. There are Martello towers in Portmarnock and Dalkey Island near Dublin, Ireland.

You could find similar towers all over Kingston and its surroundings. But the other towers are far more difficult to reach. Shoal Tower and Cathcart Tower are on the islands. You need a boat to reach them.

Fort Frederick and Fort Henry are across Kingston Harbor. It is a bit of a drive to get there. On the other hand, Murney Tower is a centerpiece of Macdonald Park. You could walk to this tower on foot.

The tower dates back to 1846. It became a museum in 1925 and a National Historic Site in 1989. UNESCO made this tower and other forts along the Rideau Canal a World Heritage Site in 2007.

You could see the interior of Murney Tower from late May to early September of each year. The tower museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for self guided and guided tours.

The museum has a recommended donation of $5 CAD (~$4 USD) per person. You should also budget at least $2 (~$1.5 USD) for parking at the nearby Waterfront and Richardson Beach lots.

6. Kingston City Hall

Kingston City Hall is a natural next stop when exploring the city. It is among the best historical places to visit in Kingston, Ontario. You would not regret making a stop at this landmark.

Kingston City Hall is another Neoclassical landmark of the city. It dates back to 1844. The city was the first capital of the Province of Canada back then.

This massive building tried to reflect the power and status of the city. But the capital moved to Montreal soon after the completion of the City Hall.

Kingston City Hall has been a National Historic Site since 1961. It is still a seat of the city’s government. This status creates some challenges for visitors. But the City Hall is not entirely off limits.

Unlike the Frontenac County Court House, parts of Kingston City Hall are open to public. You could take a guided or self-guided tour of this building.

The guided tours take about 45 minutes and are open to 20 visitors per tour. These tours run on a seasonal schedule. Both guided and self-guided tour of the City Hall is by donation.

7. Lake Ontario

No visit to Kingston, Ontario could be complete without a stop at Lake Ontario waterfront. The lake played a major role in the development of the city throughout its history.

Kingston is at the mouth of the Great Cataraqui River. It is also at the start of the St. Lawrence River. This location helped Kingston get a status of the first capital of Canada.

The Kingston Waterfront spans 5 miles (8 km) from Emma Martin Park to Lake Ontario Park. Not all parts of the waterfront are connected. This is similar to the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway in New Jersey.

You could choose to explore the Waterfront Pathway between Lake Ontario Park and Portsmouth Olympic Harbor. This is a great way to visit Rockwood Asylum and Kingston Pen.

Macdonald Park is a perfect place to see Murney Tower. Or you could decide to stop by Confederation Park in front of Kingston City Hall. No matter your access point, you should enjoy the large lake.

Continue with this Guide to Best Places to Visit in Kingston, Ontario. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to Kingston, Ontario

Kingston, Ontario is the largest city in the Thousand Islands. This region spans across the St. Lawrence River between Ontario, Canada and New York, U.S.

Kingston is at the mouth of Great Cataraqui River and Lake Ontario. The city is a short ferry ride away from Wolfe Island. It is the largest island of the region.

Kingston is about halfway between Toronto and Montreal. But Ottawa is the closest major city. A key route through the region, ON-401 or Macdonald-Cartier Freeway, passes through Kingston.

The city is 32 miles (52 km) southwest from U.S. Border Crossing at Alexandria Bay. This location gives away all of the main ways to reach Kingston as an out-of-province visitor.

The former capital has an airport (YGK). But no passenger airlines fly to this regional airport at this time. Until the service resumes, you need to consider other airports when visiting Kingston.

You could fly to Ottawa (YOW) and get to Kingston in 2 hours by car. A drive from Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Billy Bishop Toronto City (YTZ), and Montreal (YUL) takes between 2.5 and 3 hours.

A car is not the only way to reach Kingston. You could board a Via Rail train from Ottawa, Toronto, or Montreal. It is a convenient option if Kingston is your main destination.

A train ride from Ottawa is less than 2 hours. Toronto or Montreal are about 2.5 hours away. A ride starts at $48 CAD (~$36 USD) per person each way.

The train connection is best at Montreal Airport. You would need to reach city center in Toronto or Ottawa first before boarding the train.

You could use public transport to travel between the best places to visit in Kingston, Ontario. Buses and trolleys are a great way to travel within the city limits.

Where to Stay in Kingston, Ontario

Kingston is the largest city in the region. There is no need to look beyond the city limits when searching for a place to stay.

In fact, there is a good number of places to stay in Kingston, Ontario. You would not need to travel far to find a great place to stay when visiting “The Limestone City”.

You could choose between your preferred chain hotels and independent places to stay. Newer hotels and more affordable properties are mixed in together in Kingston, Ontario.

The Smith Hotel, Rosemount Inn, and Residence Inn by Marriott Kingston Water’s Edge are in the heart of the city. You could reach Kingston City Hall and Frontenac County Court House on foot from them.

Donald Gordon Hotel and Conference Centre is a bit further west. It is an excellent place to stay for visiting Kingston Pen, Bellevue House, and Rockwood Asylum.

There are even more options if you do not mind a short drive. In this case, check out Holiday Inn Express Kingston Central, an IHG Hotel and Courtyard by Marriott Kingston Highway 401.

Best Western Fireside Inn and Hampton Inn By Hilton Kingston are also solid options. The same is true for Holiday Inn Express – Kingston West, an IHG Hotel and Comfort Inn & Suites in Kingston.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

Kingston, Ontario has a handful of the best places to visit. These destinations are National Historic Sites. But different entities manage all of these sites.

Each of them has different operating seasons and admission requirements. This List of the Best Places to Visit in Kingston, Ontario documents key information. All prices are in Canadian Dollars (CAD).

• Kingston Penitentiary: open to visitors from late April to late November. Admission is $26.13 (Express Tour), $41.13 (Standard Tour), or $81.13 (Extended Tour) per person.
• Rockwood Asylum: you could only explore this historic hospital from the outside.
• Bellevue House: open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from mid May to early October. Admission is $9 per adult, $7.5 per senior, and free for youth. Fees do not apply during the house restoration.
• Frontenac County Court House: you could only explore this historic court house from the outside.
• Murney Tower Museum: open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between late May to early September. Admission: $5 per person (recommended donation) and $2 per hour for parking.
• Kingston City Hall: open to visitors from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. between late May to early September. Guided and self-guided tours are by donation.
• Kingston Waterfront/Lake Ontario: open 24/7 year round. Free admission but budget for parking in the city center.

Takeaways: Best Places to Visit in Kingston, Ontario

Kingston, Ontario is a unique city. There are few places around the world where a prison, an asylum, and a courthouse are the top destinations. Yet, all of them are the best places to visit in Kingston, Ontario.

Kingston Pen, Rockwood Asylum, Frontenac County Court House, and Kingston City Hall are amazing landmarks. They have a long and complex history that dates back to mid 19th century.

These historic buildings often have a dark history. Some of them are still in use to this day. Others just recently became museums.

Nearly all of the best places to visit in Kingston, Ontario are open from late May to early September. The summer time is the best season to visit the city.

But there is also another side to these opening hours. You could not tour the top destinations during most of the year. You have to see them from the outside during the coldest seasons.

As a result, it is wise to skip Kingston if you visit Ontario in the winter or early spring. But you could decide to visit the city during early June to beat the crowd.

Take a look at this Video Guide to the Best Places to Visit in Kingston, Ontario. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

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