Kingston is UNESCO world heritage site, perched at the meeting point of Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and the Rideau Canal. Often called the “Limestone City” because of its many beautiful 19th-century buildings built from local limestone, Kingston and the surrounding region offers many activities to explore.
History
Kingston is located on the territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek, who have called the Kingston region home for over 1000 years. French settlers began occupying the region in 1673, followed by British settlers who renamed the area Kingston in 1788. In 1841, Kingston was named the first capital of what was then known as the United Province of Canada. Kingston's time as capital was short lived, however, and ended in 1844 due to a combination of a lack of amenities and fear of attack from their southern neighbours due to Kingston's proximity to the border. Today, Kingston is a popular tourist destination in the summer, home to three institutions of higher education, and has a population size of ~132,000.
Weather
The daytime high temperature in early June averages around 20˚C (~68˚F), with nighttime lows averaging 12˚C (~54˚F). For up-to-date weather information, you can check The Weather Network and other sites. While there may be rain, you won't have to worry about snow at this time of year!
Things To Do
Kingston and the surrounding region offer many exciting things to see or do. A small list is provided below, and you can check out the Visit Kingston page for more information on events happening during the conference week.
Kingston Penitentiary
Opened in 1835, the Kingston Pen was a maximum security prison and one of the oldest prisons in continuous use in the world when it closed in 2013. Nowadays, tours are offered, where you can explore the prison and learn about its history
Fort Henry
Fort Henry is a National Historic Site, constructed during the War of 1812. Nowadays, it is possible to tour the site, and many events are held on site throughout the year.
Downtown Kingston
Downtown Kingston is a walkable space mostly centred along two main streets. It is filled with shops, restaurants, city hall, and more, all right next to the water. Don't forget to snap a photo with the Kingston sign!
Kingston Brewing Company
The Kingston Brewing Company is Ontario's oldest brew pub, opened in 1986 in an historic building dating back to the 1800s.
Frontenac Provincial Park
The Frontenac Provincial Park is about a 45 minute drive north from Kingston. This is a great option if you are looking to explore nature during your time in Kingston. This 5,350 ha park is located within the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve and the Frontenac Forests Important Bird Area, and offers over 100 km of trails.
Lemoine Point
If looking for nature a little closer to home, check out Lemoine Point or the Little Cataraqui Conservation Area. Unfortunately, neither are accessible by public transit, but can each be reached by an approximately 14 minute car / taxi / uber ride from Queen's University.