Tours
Love sightseeing? Want to take a tour of historical Kingston and have some fun at the same time? Take advantage of the beautiful scenery as well as architecture and history Kingston has to offer. Go on a self-guided tour, or go with an experienced guide, anyway you want to see Kingston we would love to help provide the resources.
Check out the links and information below and get going on your personalized tour of Kingston today!
The process is simple. All you need is an iPod or any portable digital media player, a pair of headphones and a comfortable pair of shoes. To get touring simply:
- Click the tour below that you wish to take
- Follow the instructions to download the audio tour to your computer
- Download the audio tour file to your iPod or media player, and print the map
- Head to the tour's starting position
- PUSH PLAY AND ENJOY!
Old Historical Tour
The Old City Historical Tour is a 40-minute tour that takes you around the Old City of Kingston in Downtown Kingston. You'll trek to the year 1615 and back and identify landmarks you'd never otherwise notice in the City's downtown core. Awaiting you is an introduction to the development of the city. You'll hear about the stories of some of the history's greatest Canadians that walked the paths you'll walk. Learn about Fort Frontenac, Fort Henry, City Hall, the Market Square, Princess Street, the industrial waterfront of the days of yore and all the occurrences that led to the creation and dissolution of Kingston as the First Capital of Canada.
In Sir. John. A's Footsteps: Kingston Walking Tour
"In Sir John A.'s Footsteps," by Kingston writer Arthur Milnes, is a self-guided, one-hour walking tour through the streets of Kingston, home of Sir John A. Macdonald — Canada's first Prime Minister. The tour is available in both French and English and can also be personalized by the ability to choose your tour narrator including Don Cherry, Peter Milliken, Jean Chretien and more. Check out the City of Kingston website for more info.
For those who cannot visit Kingston in person, check out the virtual tour!
Waterfront Pathway Tour
Visit the former home of Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald on this 8km waterfront pathway tour, beginning on the south side of King St., across from the Rideau Trailhead. This route is part of the Waterfront Trail, a 900 km marked tour that connects 41 communities between Niagara area and Quebec. On the tour you will see Kingston's City Hall, as well as the well-known Fort Frontenac. Check out the City of Kingston website for more information.
The K & P Trail
The city's multi-use recreational trail ideal for walking, hiking, cycling, horse-back riding, and cross-country skiing. This 15 km trail, extending from the Little Cataraqui Creek, formaly served as a railway track in the 1800s for steam engines. It provides for a range of scenic experiences with its open landscape, rock cuts, and wetlands. For more information, check out the City of Kingston website.
United Empire Loyalist First Capital Tour-"The Old Stones"
The United Empire Loyalist Walking Tour "Old Stones" takes you back to when Kingston was Canada's First Capital. The tour looks at many historic landmarks on King Street as well as the stories behind them.
Kingston Haunted Walks
Kingston Haunted Walks Inc. was founded in 1995, and offers a variety of unique historical walking tours in Kingston. They are best known for their evening tours of local ghost stories and darker history. The tours present the city the way it was meant to be seen - up close and on foot. Check out their website for more information.
Outdoor Sculpture Tour at Queen's
The outdoor sculpture tour takes you through the campuses Queen's University to observe the historical sculptures. Such sculptures that will be seen include: Bent Yellow - Raymond Spiers, Iron Man - Jordie Bonet, A Minute of My Time - Micah Lexier, and much more. To gain more insight on the sculptures and the tour, please visit the website.
Kingston Mills Walking Tour-"A Walk Into The Past"
The Kingston Mills Lockstation tour takes you on a journey focusing on the Rideau Canal and its wonder. The Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada is part of a national system of parks and historic sites managed by Parks Canada. The waterway is a chain of beautiful lakes, rivers and canal cuts joining Kingston, at the head of Lake Ontario, to Ottawa, Canada's capital. It is one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century and incredibly, has enjoyed continuous operation since its completion in 1832. The Rideau Canal joins 15 other World Heritage Sites located in Canada, designated by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Wolfe Island Self-Guided Tours
The Wolfe Island self-guided tour takes you through the magestic farm land of Wolfe Island and by 86 wind turbines that can generate up to 594,000 megawatts hours per year.
Kingston City Hall Self-Guided Tour
The Kingston City Hall self-guided tour takes you through the national historic site built in the 1840s when Kingston was the first Capital of Canada. City Hall has the largest known portrait of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister. The stained-glass windows of Memorial Hall depict the many of battles of the First World War, which will be sure to be enjoyed by those who appreciate art.
Kingston by Fork
Whether it's the Homegrown Eats tour, or the Taste of the World tour, Kingston by Fork is sure to catch your appetite's attention! Explore local fare grown by local farmers, or experience the incredible diversity of food and drink from around the globe!
Kingston Heli-Tours
Go on a guided tour of Kingston by helicopter! See Kingston, RMC, Old Fort Henry or even tour the 1000 Islands! Contact the Kingston Heli-Tours at 1-855-855-HELI (4354) or by email at tours@kingstonhelitours.ca
**If you are interested in providing our tours to your guests directly from your hotel or hospitality establishment, we want to talk to you. Tours can be pre-loaded onto iPods and rented or loaned out to your guests to enjoy during their stay. Our tours also provide a fantastic way to introduce conference and convention participants to our city. Contact us or visit the Visitor Information Centre to find out how this can be arranged.
Still not finding what you're looking for? Have a suggestion for a tour we don't already offer? Contact us or visit the Visitor Information Centre at:
209 Ontario St. Kingston, ON K7L 2Z1
Tollfree: 1-888-855-4555
Tel: (613) 548-4415
tourism@kingstoncanada.com
