Kingston: History, Trails and Cruises

Kingston offers a range of starting points for a trip: historic houses and museums, trails with different characteristics, and experiences centered on ships and the water. If you are looking for a hotel in Kingston, you can first consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay. The options range from a long route between two downtowns to tours, self-guided museum visits and cruises.

Trails with different characteristics

The Rideau Trail is about 325 kilometres long and runs from downtown Kingston to downtown Ottawa. It thus connects two city centres and can be considered a long-distance route. The K&P Trail, by contrast, is a year-round, multi-use trail in Kingston, with sections that run both on and off-road. The two trails therefore differ in the features described here: the Rideau Trail is defined by its total length and endpoints, while the K&P Trail is characterized by its multi-use purpose and changing route. If trails are among your travel interests, this distinction can help you decide what to focus on.

Houses, museums and Kingston's history

Bellevue House National Historic Site is an upscale residence dating from the 1840s. Groups can tour the house and explore the complex legacy of Sir John A. Macdonald. The history of Murney Tower dates back to 1846: it was built as part of Kingston's Martello tower fortifications. Its collection includes more than 1,300 artefacts. Since collection holdings can change, it is advisable to check the current information before visiting.

Buildings and their former uses also offer different ways to explore the city's history. Canada's Penitentiary Museum is housed in Cedarhedge, the former residence of the wardens of Kingston Penitentiary; visits to the museum are self-guided. PumpHouse Museum is located on the historic site of one of Canada's earliest waterworks, which dates back to 1851. The historic water pumping station that houses the museum is one of only six surviving water pumping stations in North America. Visitors interested in architecture can take another approach with City Hall Tours, which cover the history and architecture of Kingston City Hall. The building is designated a National Historic Site.

Ships and cruises on the water

The S.S. Keewatin is a steamship from the Edwardian era, also known as the Titanic era, and is located at the Great Lakes Museum in Kingston. An engine room experience focuses on four steam engines, each powered by four cylinders. This gives visitors a technical look at the ship's steam engines, while the cruises offered by Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises focus on other themes.

The operator offers both sightseeing and dinner cruises. The Discovery Cruise introduces visitors to the sights and heritage of the Thousand Islands region, with Kingston's historic waterfront at its centre. The offerings can therefore be distinguished by their focus: the engine room experience turns attention to the technology on board, while the Discovery Cruise explores the region and Kingston's historic waterfront.

Find hotels in Kingston based on your travel interests

Within the theme of history, a group visit to Bellevue House, the self-guided experience at Canada's Penitentiary Museum and the architecture-focused City Hall Tours each offer something different. For water-based experiences, the technical perspective of the S.S. Keewatin contrasts with the regional perspective of the Discovery Cruise. These distinctions can help you organize your travel interests before comparing hotels in Kingston according to your own requirements.

Discover more destinations: Battersea, Sharbot Lake, Mountain Grove, Wolfe Island, Cloyne, Sydenham

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