Gazing out from our hotel room at the Delta Kingston Waterfront, the sun sparkled off the gentle waves of the St. Lawrence River, reflecting on the ceiling above us in those magical waves you only get when the sun hits the water just right. The skies were blue, sailboats zipped through the bay, and my family was preparing for a local adventure.
We had arrived in Kingston after a few days exploring the Bay of Quinte, Belleville, Trenton, and Frankford and were making one of our favorite stops along our usual Toronto to Montreal drive. Canada’s first capital, the city where Christina spent four years studying at Queen’s University. On this visit, though, we weren’t just casually exploring; we were on a mission to properly experience Kingston’s waterfront, one of the most beautiful and accessible stretches of shoreline in Ontario.
We had a family-focused weekend in store with the Kingston Waterfront at the heart. River cruises, sailing, adventure games, and of course, great food. And this is all about how we spent three days exploring Kingston’s beautiful waterfront.
About Kingston, Ontario
So why are we drawn to Kingston? Well, this city has a lot going on. It’s not just about that personal connection through Christina’s studies. There’s a lot more to this city than most people realize, and that’s why it’s one of our favorite places to visit in Ontario.
Kingston is steeped in history. Its nickname, “the Limestone City,” comes from the wealth of gorgeous 19th-century buildings that line the streets of its historic core. Buildings from Canada’s past that have stood the test of time and still stand proudly today. The city sits at the meeting point of Lake Ontario, the Rideau Canal/Cataraqui River, and the mighty St. Lawrence River. That location made it a key military outpost in early Canada, protecting its shores from American invasion.
For families, Kingston is a city that blends education with adventure. Our kind of place. It’s compact, walkable downtown makes it easy to explore the city’s wealth of boutique shops, historic sites, and fantastic restaurants. It’s not just a launching pad for great adventures; it’s an adventure in and of itself. After all, this was Canada’s very first capital, before that torch was passed on to Ottawa. And its lively waterfront is one of the most active and enjoyable places to be in Ontario during the summer.
Aww Our Epic Family-Weekend On Kingston’s Waterfront
I’m not laying this out like an itinerary, because when it comes to Kingston, the real experience is in a choose-your-own-adventure kind of experience. I’ll show you everything we’ve done so far (and a few things we missed), and let you pick and choose the adventures that are right for you.
Land Adventures On the Kingston Waterfront
Let’s face it, shorelines aren’t just about the water. And in Kingston, the waterfront is the center of the action. There’s a reason why the city’s iconic, domed city hall sits right across from Confederation Park and Shoal Tower National Historic Site at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River.
For any family visit to Kingston, this is where things get real. We had checked into the Delta Kingston Waterfront Hotel, just steps away from this bustling hub, and were ready to hit the ground (and the water) and explore.
Kingston Trolley Tours
Our first activity in Kingston was to hit the city’s classic Trolley Tours. With all of our visits to this city, we had never done this tour before. Why? I have no idea, because it was a blast.
We hopped on board a classic trolley and set about a hop-on-hop-off tour that took us through some of the city’s most historic neighborhoods and famous sites, including Fort Henry, the former home of Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. MacDonald, the waterfront, and of course, the beautiful campus of Queen’s University.
We had the option to get off at any of the many stops along the route, and opted for a one-hour break at the Murney Tower Museum. Murney Tower is a historic Martello Tower built in 1846 as part of Kingston’s harbor defenses. We wandered up to the top, with sweeping views over Lake Ontario, and had a chance to check out all of the defence rooms along with a small museum.
Fort Henry National Historic Site
My family’s first visit to Fort Henry National Historic Site was about eight years ago when it was hosting one of the creative Lumina light festivals (like the ones we’ve seen in Sherbrooke, Quebec, and Mont Tremblant). Since then, we’ve included it on almost every visit to the city.
This is a place that never seems to get old (even though it actually is very old!). New activities and experiences seem to pop up every year. The live-action experiences of the staff are always a hit. They’re dressed in period costume, re-enacting what life was like during the early 1800s stand-offs. But it’s also an active site for military training. During this last visit, we saw cadets learning how to use the cannons in the main courtyard.
Kingston Haunted Walk
One of the most surprisingly enjoyable experiences of our family’s travel to Kingston this summer was our tour with Haunted Walks. The boys have always avoided things that are on the spooky side, but for some reason, Kingston made them change their minds.
We met up at the historic (and haunted) Prince George Hotel across from Confederation Park and set out on a two-hour dusk tour that brought us from the Kingston waterfront to the edge of Queen’s University. Our guide dropped ghost story after ghost story, exploring the spooky side of the city, and it was absolutely fascinating. Dylan was at the guide’s heels the entire time, dropping about 1,000 questions along the way.
I’m a quiet supernatural buff, and some of these sites are mentioned in my article about the most haunted places in Ontario and the most haunted hotels in Ontario. If you love a good spook, you should definitely do this tour.
Pumphouse Museum
Kingston was one of the first cities in Canada to get a water pumping station, sending much-needed water from Lake Ontario to households throughout the city and into the rural areas surrounding it. Unfortunately, Kingston, a center of industry, was also one of the most polluted cities in the country at the time.
The Pumphouse Museum is a walk-through of how this historic pumping station worked, but it’s also much more. It houses some wild miniature train sets, including one that was a flashback to my childhood. The original train set used in one of the children’s programs that I couldn’t get enough of as a child – The Friendly Giant.
The museum also has a rotating collection of exhibits. During our visit, there was a dinosaur exhibit on loan from the Metropolitan Museum of Natural History in New York and the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. The museum was actually pretty awesome. On par with the one we had seen recently at the Quinte Museum of Natural History in Trenton during our visit to the Bay of Quinte. I mean, how many times do you have a chance to hold a genuine dinosaur bone?!
Improbable Escapes Outdoor Escape Room
The last thing that we did on my family weekend in Kingston was an outdoor escape room with Improbable Escapes. My biggest regret was that we didn’t do this activity first.
Our Kingston escape room experience was a blast. It started at the Improbable Escapes office in downtown, where we got a superhero mission that involved collecting clues around town in order to solve puzzles. And the whole experience was a fantastic way to get our bearings and learn about the city at the same time. By the time we were done with our missions, which took us from Princess Street down to Confederation Park on the Kingston waterfront, we felt like locals.
They have a range of indoor and outdoor escape rooms. You can check out their programs here.
Exploring Kingston From The Water
If you’re going to explore the Kingston waterfront, getting out on the water has got to be at the heart of it. Luckily, Kingston has some wonderful ways to dip into the St. Lawrence River and experience the city away from the shore.
Sailing and Paddling with Ahoy Rentals
We met up with Andrew from Ahoy Rentals near the Pumphouse Museum. Ahoy Rentals offers rentals including bikes, paddleboards, and kayaks for outdoor adventures along the waterfront. We had just spent some time paddling up the Trent River in Trenton, Ontario, a few days before, so rather than paddle ourselves, we booked a scenic harbor sail.
Andrew got us geared up and boarded on his 26′ sailboat, and we hit the water. The calm seas and light breeze were perfect for sailing, which is likely why Kingston was chosen for the sailing regatta during the 1976 Summer Olympic Games in Montreal. The water here is pretty close to perfect for sailing, and Kingston is home to some of the biggest sailing festivals in Ontario.
The sail gave us the chance to drink in the views from the water and gain a new perspective on some of the highlights of the city. They also rent kayaks, SUPs, and bikes for exploring the Kingston waterfront from land and sea.
Thousand Islands Cruises
We joined the Thousand Islands “shipwreck tour” from Kingston, which offered a scenic cruise with informative commentary.
Unlike similar tours we’ve done in Tobermory, this cruise doesn’t feature visible submerged vessels — instead, the experience focuses on sharing the history and stories behind the shipwrecks in the area.
The shipwreck tour is ideal for those interested in learning more about the many shipwrecks in the Kingston region. The floating history lesson, featuring experts who discuss the shipwrecks beneath the water as you navigate the beginning of the Thousand Islands chain, was very educational and provided valuable insight about the nautical history of the region.
While Gananoque, up near Thousand Islands National Park, remains my go-to for a true deep dive into the islands themselves, the Kingston tour also offers its own unique and valuable perspective. From the water, we were treated to beautiful views of Kingston’s landmarks, including the impressive Fort Henry National Historic Site, the iconic Kingston Penitentiary, and Gord Downey Pier—sights you simply can’t get from land.
There are a few different tours beyond the shipwreck cruise. You can check out what cruises are on offer during your visit here.
Family-Friendly Eats on the Kingston Waterfront
No family weekend is complete without excellent food. Luckily, Kingston has loads of incredible restaurants, and we have experience with most of them. But on this trip, we decided to venture away from the classics like Chez Piggy and Tango Nuevo and try a few new-to-us meal spots.
Wood-Fired Pizza at Wooden Heads
Our first meal was at Wooden Heads, right on Ontario St., within steps of Confederation Park and the Kingston Waterfront. We were drawn to the restaurant by its wood-oven-fired pizzas and Mediterranean-inspired menu (my kids fell in love with Mediterranean cuisine during our travels in Greece and Turkey in 2023).
The atmosphere at Wooden Heads was wild. We were lucky to get seats (I highly recommend reservations), as it’s incredibly popular. The food was fantastic; we split our order between a couple of signature pizzas and a pasta dish. All were excellent, and the upscale-modern interior was comfortable, but still welcoming to the many families walking through the door.
White Mountain Ice Cream
We did save room for dessert, but opted to hit up one of Kingston’s classic dessert spots. White Mountain Ice Cream has been serving up homemade ice cream for nearly 40 years. Cohen, who has been on a milkshake kick for over a year now, went with a classic chocolate, while Dylan and his lactose-intolerant stomach opted for a sorbet. I plowed through a double-scoop of sea-salt caramel and brownie chocolate.
Dining with a view at AquaTerra
We had breakfast included with our reservation at the Delta Kingston Waterfront, so we settled in at their AquaTerra restaurant overlooking the Kingston Marina near Confederation Park. I don’t rave much about hotel food, but they nailed our eggs benny and had some unique twists on classic breakfast options. I highly recommend it, especially if you’re staying at the hotel itself.
Feasting Locally at Harper’s
Harper’s Burger Bar doesn’t just serve up some of the best hamburgers in Kingston; they do it while supporting local Ontario farms. This FeastON-certified eatery on Princess St., not far from the waterfront, had some absolutely delicious and creative burgers. Their KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) in gochujang sauce was a favorite for Christina, but if you ask me, the Cowboy burger is the cream of the crop.
Fish & Chips – Mexican Style?
With all of the time that we’ve spent in Kingston, it’s a wonder that our dining has never brought us to Dianne’s Fish Shack. This place is a Kingston institution. It may have opened in 2014, but it’s one of those places that feels like it’s always been a part of the city.
Their motto of East Coast charm meets Mexican flavors sounds like a shot in the dark, but it works. Not only do they serve up some of the best fish and chips and the city, you can order it with a side of authentic Mexican-style tacos. That, my friend, is a combination made in heaven.
Give The Barista A Prize at Northside Espresso + Kitchen
From the outside, the clean, modern style of Northside Espresso+Kitchen doesn’t give much away. That is, until the first coffee arrives. The minimalist, almost sterile design cues here are a stark contrast to the flavors of the food and the unique hot drinks that helped to perk up our last morning in Kingston.
I ordered a black sesame iced coffee, and it was one of the most delicious brews I’d enjoyed in ages. The food was just as delicious. I’d highly recommend anything paired with their fresh avocado.
How Does Our Family Weekend In Kingston Match Up?
I’ve been to Kingston dozens of times, and I’ll be back a dozen more. This city doesn’t get tiring. It doesn’t get boring, and it doesn’t get old. Every visit has been unique and exciting, and the fact that after all of these visits, we’re still able to pull off a completely unique family travel itinerary in the city speaks volumes to the wealth of attractions that this family-friendly city offers.
Was it our favorite visit to Kingston? It was definitely up there. But we’ll have to wait till next time to see if it’s the best one ever!
Disclosure: Our travels in Kingston were done in partnership with Visit Kingston. All opinions remain my own.
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