Kingston, Ontario

Big City Adventure, Small City Charm

Published in the February 2018 Issue May 2018 Feature Austa Cook

Ask any local and you’ll hear that Kingston is a lively waterfront city steeped in history and full of charm.

“As soon as you make your way into the downtown area, all of a sudden you’re surrounded by history,” Chris Whyman, official town crier and manager of the Visitor Experience Center, shares. “We’re famous for the fact that we’re culturally active. Patios are bustling in the summer and not a weekend goes by that there’s not something going on.”

“Kingston is where the first European vessel to sail on the Great Lakes was constructed, and continues to be recognized throughout the world as the primary freshwater sailing capital. As such, Kingston is a terrific boating destination from all points of the compass,” adds DC Marine owner Henry Copestake.

“Kingston has all the amenities of a big city, but still maintains that small town feeling,” Steve and Stephanie Charchuk, locals docking at Treasure Island Marina, chime in.

As Tim Pater from the Black Dog Hospitality Group puts it, “It's a city full of culture, boutique shops, farm to table restaurants, makers and artisans, along with a burgeoning start-up techie scene. So while Kinston is steeped in history, it is also forward-thinking and moving.”

Waterfront Life

As you can imagine, there are countless things to do here. Jump on a bus tour, grab water sports equipment at Ahoy Rentals, join in on the 1000 Islands Poker Run, or enjoy dinner aboard a Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises cruise. There are theatres, dance companies, and live music festivals. The city is also known as the freshwater shipwreck diving capital, with over 450 shipwrecks to explore under the waves.

Historic Sites

Paul Fortier, owner of Jessup Food & Heritage, gave us the historical sight seeing scoop. For instance, directly north of Fort Henry stood a scaffold in 1839 where Nils Von Schoultz was hanged. Fortier explains, “He led a group of American patriots into Canada at Prescott in November of 1838 which resulted in the multi-day Battle of the Windmill. He was later buried in Cataraqui Cemetery not far from the grave of Sir John A. Macdonald. Visit at midnight and pour a shot of whisky on his grave and you will get a chill!”

You can also have a drink at Sir John’s Public House, a Scottish-themed pub in the building that served as the law office of Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada’s first Prime Minister, back in 1849.

Other classic sightseeing includes touring the Kingston Penitentiary (Canada’s oldest and most notorious maximum security prison), watching precision military demonstrations at the famous Fort Henry, and heading to the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes on the waterfront.

Restaurants Galore

Trying to decide where to grab a bite? You’re not alone.

“For eats there are too many places to recommend but I would suggest the often-overlooked mom and pop ethnic restaurants that dot our vibrant downtown!” Pater shares.

For example, you can swing by places such as the Bayview Farm Restaurant for some family homestead cooking. Or, for a taste of everything, join the Kingston Food Tour or Beer & Bites Tour for a chance to try some of the best local cuisine and breweries. Speaking of current, let’s dive into the fantastic offerings that you’ll find waiting to greet the traveling boater.

Collins Bay Marina

Contributing approximately 50 transient slips, this family-owned marina is well-loved. Local Al MacLachlan shares, “Collins Bay Marina provides a well-sheltered, clean and quiet environment. Sailing destinations such as the Thousand Islands or Prince Edward County are within easy reach and offer great anchorages.”

Adds Peter Feltham, “My wife Helene and I sailed into Collins Bay Marina during a bad storm about 15 years ago, fell in love with the place and never left. It didn’t take long to realize that Collins Bay Marina was, and continues to be, one of the best-run marinas on Lake Ontario. It’s easily within a day’s sail (yes…sail) of eastern Lake Ontario’s many prime boating destinations. The marina is also home to the Collins Bay Yacht Club. All visiting boaters, including non-reciprocal boaters, are welcome to use the club’s floating clubhouse and barbecues. Coffee, tea and muffins are served in the marina’s gazebo every morning from June to September.”

Confederation Basin Marina

Placed in the heart of downtown right by City Hall, this marina essentially brushes shoulders with the theatre, shopping, restaurants, museums and nightlife.

DC Marine

As the owner and operator, Copestake shares, “We are an inland marine facility and have no slips. However, we do provide mobile maintenance and technical service to transients.”

George’s Marine & Sports Kingston

This full-service marina has a store that offers a full complement of products and certified technicians ready to help with any issues. Fifteen transient slips are available.

Kingston Marina

This marina offers transient slips and a full range of services, including free wireless Internet near the office, onsite customs check-in and laundry service. Better yet, you’re just four blocks from downtown.

Portsmouth Olympic Harbour Marina

Originally built for the 1976 Olympics, this harbor annually hosts Canadian Olympic Training Regattas. You can get bus service to downtown Kingston after enjoying a peaceful park-like setting with walkways by the water.

Kingston Yacht Club

Just west of Kingston harbor, this yacht club offers limited dockage on a reciprocal-club basis, as well as services like diesel and gas fuel.

Treasure Island Marina

Primely situated between Kingston and the 1000 Islands, this marina offers 10 transient slips along with Sea-Doo, power and sailboat rentals. Longstanding boaters Kimberly Smith and Andrew Iverson share, “We especially enjoy the beautiful scenery at our ample dock slip to watch the blue herons, swans, and other wildlife during peaceful evenings. We consider the staff and other boaters at T.I. M. to be our summer family! There's always something to enjoy here.”

We daresay the same thing could be said about Kingston.

For More Information

Ahoy Rentals

613-549-4277

Bayview Farm Restaurant

613-389-4419

Collins Bay Marina

888-748-5557

Confederation Basin Marina

613-546-4291 ext.1823

DC Marine

613-544-5626