Photo by Visit Kingston
Kingston, Ontario sits at a remarkable meeting point where the St. Lawrence River, the Rideau Canal, and Lake Ontario come together. Thanks to the steady southwest breeze and deep waters, it has long been recognized as one of the best freshwater sailing destinations in the world. It even hosted the sailing events of the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Today, the waterfront remains Kingston’s heartbeat, a gathering place for sailors, rowers, divers, and visitors who come to explore both above and below the surface.
Beneath Lake Ontario lies more than 200 shipwrecks, making Kingston one of the world’s premier freshwater diving destinations. Divers travel from around the globe to experience this underwater museum, where history is preserved in remarkably clear waters. For non-divers, there are plenty of ways to connect with Kingston’s maritime past and its thriving waterfront culture.
Photo by Visit Kingston
A City Built on the Water
Our visit began on the waterfront trail, a scenic walkway that hugs the lake and spills out along the St. Lawrence River. We wandered down Ontario Street, pausing for a gelato and an artisanal ice cream, and sank into bright red Muskoka chairs set up in front of the Visitor Centre. Throughout the city, blue Muskoka chairs and benches are tucked into small squares and side streets, inviting passersby to stop and soak in the view. It’s a thoughtful touch that adds to Kingston’s welcoming “I could live here” vibe.
Later, we joined Captain Andrew Kelm of Ahoy Rentals for a sail on the St. Lawrence. Kelm first arrived in Kingston in 1997, hoping to rent a boat. When he realized there wasn’t one available, he spotted a gap in the market and started his own business. From a single sailboat, Ahoy Rentals has grown to a fleet of more than 50 watercraft, including kayaks, paddleboards, and bicycles, and offers charters and lessons. There’s no better way to appreciate Kingston’s waterfront than skimming across it with the wind in your hair.
The next day we enjoyed lunch on the Heart of the Islands cruise, offering panoramic views of the Thousand Islands and a deeper understanding of Kingston’s role in this storied region. In 2025, Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises celebrates the 50th anniversary of its flagship vessel, the Island Queen. Since 1975, the boat has been delighting visitors with unforgettable journeys through the 1,864 islands that stretch between Kingston and Brockville, ranging from large communities like Wolfe and Howe Islands to tiny outcroppings with a single cottage.
For a different perspective, we took to the skies with the Thousand Islands Helicopter Tour. From above, the scale of the islands is breathtaking, each one etched into the shimmering St. Lawrence by the slow work of glaciers thousands of years ago.
Photo by Visit Kingston
Maritime Heritage Brought to Life
Kingston’s ties to the water run deep, and no place tells that story better than the Great Lakes Museum. This year marks its 50th anniversary, a half century of preserving and sharing the maritime history of Kingston and the Great Lakes region. Located on a National Historic Site, the museum doesn’t just display artifacts, it immerses visitors in the past with re-creations of ship interiors and hands-on exhibits that connect directly to the region’s seafaring roots.
The crown jewel of the museum is the S.S. Keewatin, the only surviving Edwardian-era Great Lakes passenger steamliner. Stepping aboard feels like slipping back a century. The ship’s original cabins, stacked with vintage suitcases and clothing, bring to life the stories of travelers from the 1920s. In the lounge, I could almost hear the faint notes of a piano mingling with the whispers of fur-clad women over tea. The elegant Edwardian dining room still displays its original china and furniture, a glimpse of the grandeur of a bygone era. Touring the Keewatin is a rare chance to experience what life was like when crossing the Great Lakes was a stylish adventure.
Photo by Matthew Charlesworth
Diving Into Kingston’s Shipwrecks
For those willing to brave the waters, Kingston’s shipwrecks offer one of the most unique diving experiences in the world. We met with dive instructors Guillaume and Martine Courcy, who lead explorations of several historic wrecks. Their passion goes beyond adventure, they’re dedicated to sustainability and conservation along Kingston’s shoreline, ensuring these underwater treasures endure for generations.
Certified divers can join Neptune and Salacia for guided dives, while beginners can take lessons or even try winter diving. “In Kingston,” Guillaume told us, “not all museums are on dry land.”
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Staying at the Frontenac Club
Our home base was the centrally located Frontenac Club, a boutique hotel that perfectly blends Kingston’s history with modern comfort. Originally built in 1845 as Kingston’s first Bank of Montreal, the building retains its historic charm while offering understated luxury. Rooms are thoughtfully designed with elegant simplicity, Frette linens, smart TVs camouflaged as artwork, and even automatic lighting and climate controls.
The hotel’s bar, tucked inside the old bank vault, specializes in fine single malt Scotch and is topped with a Juno Award donated by Kingston legends The Tragically Hip. Staying here isn’t just accommodation, it’s an immersion in Kingston’s layered history.
Breakfasts at the Frontenac were equally memorable, including a decadent French toast that fueled us for a full day exploring.
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A Culinary City
Kingston’s food scene reflects the city’s mix of heritage and innovation, with chefs embracing a farm-to-table ethos that makes the most of local ingredients.
At Dianne’s, East Coast seafood collides with vibrant Mexican flavours. The menu is infused with family history and sentimentality, reflecting the passion of owner Tim Pater. Gluten-free diners are especially well cared for here, the fish tacos, with their gluten-free breaded fish piled high with toppings, were a highlight I’m still craving.
The Everly, by contrast, offers refined modern dining with a seasonal menu sourced from nearby farms. Its thoughtful wine list highlights terroir-driven producers and is complemented by classic cocktails.
For something more casual, Juniper Café is a local favourite. Housed in the historic Morton’s Brewery & Distillery, established in 1832, the café sits just steps from the lake behind the Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning. The building’s past is palpable, it once expanded into a distillery and even served as the docking site of the HMS St. Lawrence, a War of 1812 ship that later sank nearby. Today, divers explore its remains while café-goers sip coffee and enjoy the waterfront patio.
Kingston’s chefs consistently showcase the region’s farmers and producers, evolving their menus through the seasons. Dining here feels like a community effort, a celebration of land and water that connects locals and visitors alike.
Photo by Visit Kingston
Markets and Memory
Kingston is also home to Ontario’s oldest public market, which has been running since 1801. Located behind City Hall in Market Square, it’s not only a hub for farmers and artisans but also a place of national significance, Canada’s Confederation was proclaimed here on July 1, 1867. Strolling among the stalls today, chatting with vendors and craftspeople, you feel both history and community alive in the square.
Photo by Visit Kingston
A City That Stays With You
From diving deep into its shipwrecks to savoring seasonal farm-to-table dishes, Kingston offers experiences that are as rich as its history. It’s a city where maritime heritage is never far from view, whether on a sailboat skimming Lake Ontario, a helicopter soaring over the Thousand Islands, or a quiet moment in a museum re-creation of life aboard a steamliner.
Every corner of Kingston tells a story, of water, of resilience, of community. It’s a city that invites you not just to visit, but to imagine what it would be like to stay.
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