Tired of doing the same old cottage thing every summer? Kingston, Ontario, might just be your new go-to. It’s only a two-hour drive from Ottawa, but it feels like a full-on escape, with lake breezes, indie patios and actual shipwrecks you can dive through.
Perfectly situated, Kingston sits where Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River and the Rideau Canal all meet, making it one of the few cities in Canada where you can kayak in the morning, shift to an afternoon of snorkelling or scuba diving among 200+ historic shipwrecks, and wrap up with a scenic sunset dinner cruise.
But it's not just about the water. You can explore Fort Henry’s underground chambers, take a guided tour through the infamous Kingston Penitentiary or visit Bellevue House, the Italian-style villa where Sir John A. Macdonald once lived.
And downtown? It's walkable, local and lined with limestone buildings, boutique shops, breweries and some of the best patios in Ontario. Pro tip: Hit up Dianne’s Fish Shack for $10 lobster roll sliders and $20 margarita pitchers or Atomica for wood-fired pizza and people-watching.
Friends enjoying drinks at local brewery.Courtesy of Visit Kingston
There are also tons of markets, thrift pop-ups and events happening throughout the summer. It's best to keep an eye on Kingston's Instagram page for the most up-to-date details.
And if you’ve got kids, there’s tons to keep them moving, from ziplining through the forest canopy at Treetop Trekking to dressing up as 19th-century soldiers at Fort Henry. There’s also ice cream — lots of ice cream!
Whether you’re craving a romantic weekend by the water or a fun family trip with zero airport stress, Kingston is the kind of place that lets you mix nature, history and just the right amount of city buzz.
You can be there and back with time to spare — but chances are, you'll probably want to stay longer.