Kingston Ontario is a college town with emphasis on casual and recreational activities. You don’t need to bring any dress clothes as it is a very low key place. Be sure to bring a fleece jacket and long pants as it can get chilly in the evenings and can be cold during the day as well. There are lots of biking opportunities so bring your bicycle to Kingston. You may also rent one there. There is ‘college town’ shopping in Princess Street and malls on the west side of town with chain stores. Having visited Kingston annually for the past ten years, I have included some of my favorite things to do in the area plus some new ones I’d like to try out. Keep in mind I was entertaining young boys with a passion for history, so historical sites are prevalent.
1. Visit nearby Wolfe Island by car or bicycle-( www.wolfeisland.com)- The Thousand Islands are scattered east of Kingston down the St. Lawrence River. Wolfe Island is the largest and is located where Lake Ontario ends and the St. Lawrence River begins. A free ferry will take you, your car and your bike on a 20 minute ride from Kingston to the island. Ferries run about every hour beginning at about 6:00 a.m. until 2 :00 a.m. Check the ferry schedule for precise times. (www.wolfeisland.com/ferry) The ferry is docks east of the Holiday Inn, just past the Tim Horton’s. Tour in your car or on your bike and spend the day enjoying the remote and rustic feel of the beaches and towns on this island. Have lunch or dinner in a restaurant with a beautiful view of the water. My favorite is the very casual Island Grill on Main Street. Mallard’s Dining Room at Brown’s Bay Inn was also recommended to me. If you are biking, it’s a good idea to bring water and bug spray as shopping is limited there. Every Friday is the ‘Taste of Wolfe Island’ which includes a farmer’s market with fresh produce.
2. Take a boat tour of the Thousand Islands located on the western edge of the St. Lawrence River, in Kingston’s backyard. (Learn the origin of the eponymous salad dressing!) The closest tour boats are operated by the Gananoque Boat Line (www.Ganboatline.com) with tours ranging in length from 1 hour to 8 hours. Day cruises on the 1000 Islands will include sights of Millionaire’s Row, Boldt Castle, the smallest international bridge in the world, and many quaint, rustic cabins nestled on the thousand islands which dot the St. Lawrence River. Tours depart from Gananoque and Ivy Lea, so check the website for departures and times. You may need to bring your passport if you take a tour which stops at Boldt Castle which is in the USA.
3.Tour a 106 ft houseboat, take a thrilling triple-cockpit runabout ride and see over 100 historic boats in The Wood Boat Museum, 750 Mary Street, Clayton, NY, USA.(www.abm.org) It is an hour and a half drive to Clayton NY to visit this museum, but well worth it if you enjoy seeing antique wooden boats ranging from rowing skiffs to turn of the century houseboats. Visit the website for directions and museum information and bring your passport.
4. Kayaking trips- check out (www.1000IKC.com). Get out on the river for a fun day of paddling. The trips are organized with beginners and families in mind. The outfit provides half day (9:00 to 12:00 or 1:00 to 4:00) and full day (9 :00-4 :00) kayak outings for adults and children. Trips depart from Gananoque. All equipment is included and can include gourmet lunches as well.
5. Visit Fort Henry-Located in Kingston, it’s a 19th century fort which includes a ‘living museum’ depicting period military life including musical performances and military demonstrations. Fort is open daily. (www.forthenry.com) A special Sunset Ceremony will be held June 30th from 7:30-9 :00 p.m. and will feature an evening military show featuring numerous performances, a fife and drum corps and a fireworks finale.
6. Rideau Canal-The Rideau Canal is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America. With 125 miles of canal it stretches from Kingston to Ottawa and has locks that operate much like when the system opened in 1832. Boat rentals ranging from kayaks to houseboats can be arranged by outside operators. Visit www.rideau-info.com for information and view the boat rentals page for resources. You may need to arrange for rentals in advance.
7. Murney Martello Tower- Kingston has four of these circular Martello towers built to defend Kingston between 1810 and 1847. The Murney Tower is located near the sailing center and contains a collection of antique weapons ranging from small guns to large cannons. Visit (www.incredible-Kingston.com/Martello-Towers) for more details. There is also a Martello Tower in the RMC (Royal Military College-Canada’s Military College) in Kingston, which is another great place to visit.
8. The Military Communications and Electronics Museum www.c-and-e-museum.org/eng)- This museum includes 10,000 sq. ft. of the development of military communications presented in the context of Canadian history. Actually a favorite of my sons who are military history buffs.
9. A great rainy day activity is a visit to the Hershey Chocolate Factory in Smiths Falls. There are tours and of course a yummy gift shop with a vast selection of goodies ranging from broken bars to gift sets. Smiths Falls is about an hour and 20 minute drive on Route 15 northeast of Kingston. (www.biline.ca/Ottawa/content/hershey)
