Kingston is rich in history, culture and community life. Discover what the city has to offer by exploring local attractions, events, parks and neighbourhood gems!
Kingston Attractions
Kingston has countless attractions, restaurants, and events happening year-round. Check out Visit Kingston for the latest on festivals, food, arts and entertainment.
Experience Kingston's first fully accessible Sensory Garden; Free and open to the public. Explore immersive features designed for all senses, and learn about volunteering opportunities on their website.
Wolfe Island is the largest of the Thousand Islands, located where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River. It is part of Frontenac County and sits just a short ferry ride south of downtown Kingston. The island is known for its quiet rural charm, waterfront views, cycling routes, beaches, and the friendly village of Marysville.
The island is directly across the water from Kingston. The Wolfe Island Ferry connects the city to the island year-round and is free to ride.
Kingston Penitentiary Tours (often called KP) is one of Canada’s most famous historic sites, and it’s right here in Kingston, only a short walk from campus. Today, you can explore the prison through guided tours that offer a rare look inside a former maximum-security institution.
The KP opened in 1835 and is one of the oldest prisons in Canada. It operated for 178 years, housing some of the country’s most well-known inmates. The site includes original cell blocks, workshops, exercise yards, and the iconic dome, much of which remains unchanged. The penitentiary officially closed in 2013, and the buildings were preserved as a national historic landmark.
The Kingston Arts Council: your hub for film, literature, music, craft, and visual arts.
The Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning: home to arts organizations, workshops and community events.
The Grand Theatre: a cultural venue for hosting performances, concerts, and community events. Check out their website for upcoming events
As a Kingston resident, you have free access to all library branches. The Central Branch (130 Johnson Street) is just a 5-minute walk from campus.
More than books, you can access:
- Sewing machines
- A 3D printer
- Audiobooks
- Digital resources and more
Visit their website to learn how to get started.
Groceries & Student Discounts
Show your Queen's student card to access discounts at many Kingston grocery stores. (Always confirm discounts at checkout).
- Metro (310 Barrie St.): 10% off on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
- Loblaws (1100 Princess St.): 10% back in PC Optimum points on Tuesdays
- Food Basics (33 Barrack St.): 10% off on Tuesdays
- Bulk Barn (145 Princess St,1201 Division St. and 830 Norwest Rd.): 10% off on Wednesdays
Parks & Outdoors Spaces
Kingston has many parks within walking distance or a short bus ride from campus:
The Waterfront Path and Battery Park (10-minute walk)
McBurney Park (Skeleton Park) (15-minute walk)
Doug Fluhrer Park and Molly Brant Point (30-minute walk)
Lake Ontario Park (45-minute walk)
Belle Island (1 hour walk)
Lemoine’s Point (a 12-minute drive or a 50-minute bus ride via the 501 route)
Walking times are approximations from campus.
Parks and TrailsWinter Activities
Stay active and warm during Kingston's winter months:
- Free skating at Market Square
- Kingston Frontenacs hockey game at the Slush Puppie Place
- Cheer on Queen's varsity teams at the ARC
- Visit the indoor Farmers market at the Memorial Centre
Transit
2: Division Street, downtown, Queen’s campus, Union Street, Bath Road (Also goes to the Megabus station).
501: Express route along Concession Street, Princess, downtown, main campus, and up Bayridge.
4: Up and down Princess Street.
18: To the VIA rail train station.
- Most eligible students have a bus pass included in tuition. If not, you can buy a discounted student pass from the City of Kingston. Financial assistance may be available through the AMS Bus Bursary.
- A single ride costs $3.50. Free transfers within 60 minutes, in one continuous direction.