A Girl’s Weekend in Kingston
They say home is where the heart is, and even though I live in Toronto, Kingston (aka my hometown) is in my unbiased opinion one of the nicest cities around. The bonus is, while I may not call Kingston home at the moment, it means it makes for a great local vacation spot, and nothing is more fun than seeing a familiar place through the eyes of a traveller.
This fall I spent a fantastic girl’s weekend in Kingston. If you are looking to plan your own Kingston getaway, here’s a few tips to get you started.
Where To Stay
While the boutique hotel movement has been booming, up until recently Kingston had mainly more traditional hotel properties. That all changed this summer with the reopening of the Rosemount Inn. Once an old school Bed and Breakfast, now transformed into a boutique inn right out of the pages of a design magazine, this is the essential home base for any Kingston visit. There was a group of three of us, so we made us of the triple room, which was the perfect size for our group.
And a big bonus: while it’s not your grandmother’s B&B, breakfast is still included!
WHAT TO DO
Kingston Food Tours
Kingston has a delicious food scene, and is the perfect way to get a sampling of its restaurants is on a food tour. We did the Beer and Bites tour, which was a delicious mix of craft beers, and snacks on the very generous side. For example - on our stop at Le Chein Noir, we had the most delicious duck confit poutine. We didn’t do the traditional food tour this time, but with 8 stops at some of the best restaurants it is on our to do list for next time.
Kingston Penitentiary Tour
If you’ve wondered what is behind the walls of Kingston Pen, this tour is a must. This was the second time I’ve taken it, and it was just as interesting as the first time around. The best part about the experience is the former prison guards and wardens you meet throughout the tour, who share first-hand stories of what it was like to work in one of Canada’s most notorious prisons.
The Juniper Cafe
The perfect stop on your way to or from the Kingston Pen Tour is the Juniper Cafe, tucked away in the Tett Centre. Their menu is sourced from local farms and food producers, and their sandwiches are the best. Plus, even on a late fall day, the lakeside patio is the best seat in the house.
Wander the Historic Downtown
You never know what you’ll come across in the historic lined streets of downtown Kingston, so make sure to save some time to just wander and be savour your time in the Limestone City.
