Kingston sits where Lake Ontario narrows into the St. Lawrence River and the Rideau Canal comes down from Ottawa. In summer it is busy with boats, fort tours and cruises to the Thousand Islands. In winter it slows down, the limestone buildings look their best under snow, and two of its best experiences cost nothing at all.
Katarokwi
Kingston's Indigenous name is Katarokwi. Tourism Kingston acknowledges that the city remains on the ancestral homelands of the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Confederacy, peoples whose presence here long predates the fort and the canal. Our introduction to the First Peoples of the Great Lakes is a good place to start.
Skate in Springer Market Square
The outdoor rink in Springer Market Square, right behind City Hall on Ontario Street, is the centre of winter downtown. Skating is free, and when the rink is in season it is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Washrooms nearby are open the same hours, though there are no changing rooms. The City sometimes closes the ice for a few hours to let it harden, so check its outdoor rink status page before you lace up.
In recent winters the Downtown Kingston BIA has turned the square into a February festival with art installations, a lit forest, fire pits and s'mores; in 2026 it ran as Spirit of Winter: Enchanted. Skate rentals have been offered at City Hall at set times during the festival. Watch Downtown Kingston's events for the 2027 plans.
Ride the free ferry to Wolfe Island
The Wolfe Island ferry is one of the best free things to do on the Great Lakes. Run by the Province of Ontario, it carries cars, cyclists and walk-on passengers year-round between downtown Kingston and Wolfe Island, the largest of the Thousand Islands, in about 20 minutes. The Kingston terminal is at Ontario and Barrack Streets.
In winter the island-side dock moves from Marysville to Dawson's Point, and in a hard freeze the ferry breaks a channel through the ice of the harbour. The view back to Kingston's waterfront and domes is worth the trip by itself. The schedule has changed in recent winters as vessels rotate in and out of service, so check the Province's ferry page before you go. On the island, many businesses close for winter; call ahead if you want to eat there.
Galleries and Martello Alley
Downtown's limestone streets are full of small galleries. Martello Alley, a narrow lane off Wellington Street turned into a gallery, is a favourite. Others include Gallery Raymond and Art Noise. Holiday shoppers should look out for the Winter Wonderland Market and, for theatre, A Miss Emily Christmas.
Fort Henry and the Rideau Canal: plan a summer return
Kingston's biggest historic sites are summer experiences, and it is worth knowing that before you go.
- Fort Henry, built between 1832 and 1840 to guard the naval dockyard and the entrance to the Rideau Canal, is typically open daily from late May to early September. In winter you can see it from the waterfront, but not tour it.
- The Rideau Canal, built between 1826 and 1832 and linking Kingston to Ottawa, was inscribed with the Kingston Fortifications as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. 2026 marks 200 years since construction began. Boats lock through only in the navigation season, roughly May to October; the Kingston Mills locks, north of downtown, are the place to watch them.
Where to stay
Downtown Kingston has historic inns within walking distance of the square, such as Hotel Belvedere and The Rosemount Inn, as well as waterfront hotels like the Delta Kingston Waterfront Hotel. See our Kingston community guide for more.
Planning tips
- Check the rink and ferry the day you go. Both depend on weather and vessels.
- Dress for the wind. The harbour is exposed, and the ferry deck is colder than downtown.
- Come back in summer for Fort Henry, the canal and a cruise through the Thousand Islands.
