Kingston
Kingston
Kingston
Kingston
Kingston
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
Kingston
Kingston
Kingston
Kingston
Kingston
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
IN A NUTSHELL
Visit Kingston with Children
Kingston, located in southeastern Ontario, Canada, is a welcoming city for families. For the best experience with children, plan your visit towards the end of the week. Many attractions are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays due to Kingstonians often enjoying long weekends. Notably, museums and parks frequently organise events and festivities specifically designed for children, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to your family trip.
This family-friendly travel guide has been created in collaboration with Kingston Tourism Board.
The Best Time to Visit Kingston with Children
The best time to visit Kingston with children is always towards the end of the week, since Kingstonians like to take long weekends and lots of businesses and attractions are still closed Monday (and even Tuesday sometimes). Kingston has the biggest tourist program in summer, and fewer things to do in fall and winter. The best months to visit would be May-August.
How to Get to Kingston with Children
You can opt to travel to Kingston with children via the major highways that go through the city.
You can also travel by train or by air to Kingston with children.
Kingston also offers a bus terminal for coaches/Megabuses/etc. to run shuttles between Kingston and Toronto/Ottawa.
Must Dos When in Kingston with Children
Visit the Our Love Kingston exhibit – a free interactive art exhibit inside the City Hall showcasing local pride and highlighting Kingston’s hidden gems for visitors. Read more about Loving Kingston.
LOCATION
Hotels in Kingston
There are some hotels in Kingston that offer family packages. These help reduce the overall price of an inclusive family vacation in Kingston, making your visit to Kingston with children more worthwhile.
Our Top Family-Friendly Hotels in Kingston
Delta Hotel Kingston Waterfront ***
Discover more about these hotel family packages in Kingston.
©Visit Kingston
PLAY
Activities for children ages 0-5
Tiring our babies and toddlers whilst they absorb all that is around them.
Visit the Kingston Pumphouse Museum (Discovery Room)
Kingston Splash pads, lots of conservation areas and green spaces
Free recreational programs in Kingston at public parks, libraries, etc.
Sydenham street during Summer – There’s a mini-putt course on the street for kids to enjoy
PLAY
Activities for older children
Keeping the older kids happy, entertained, and reducing the amount of times they ask for a screen or complain about being bored.
The Haunted Walk of Kingston (Hear the creepiest stories of Kingston’s history)
Halloween programs during fall including farmer’s markets and fall festivals as well as themed events like Fort Fright and Pumpkinferno
PLAY
Parks & Playgrounds
Parks and Facilities in Kingston
- City Park
- Breakwater Park
- Grass Creek Park
- Lake Ontario Park
- CaraCo Home Field
- Splash Pads & Wading Pools
Find out all the other city parks in Kingston.
Playgrounds in Kingston
At 1490 Westwood St. (next to Arena)
Oakwood Drive in Forest Brook Subdivision
Mathews Lane in Ravenwood Subdivision
Balser Drive next to the ball field in Ravenwood Subdivision
FOOD
Family-friendly cafés & restaurants in Kingston
Our Top Cafés & Restaurants When in Kingston with Children
- Mio Gelato
- Score Pizza
- BeaverTails
- Atomica Kitchen
- Toast & Jam Cafe
- Harper’s Burger Bar
- Kingston Brewing Company
- Dianne’s Fish Snack & SmokeHouse
Read more about these restaurants in Kingston to visit with your family.
TRANSPORTATION
How to Get Around Kingston with Children
Rent a Car
The best way to get around Kingston with children is with your own vehicle. Though street parking can be a challenge in the downtown area, there are a number of spaces to accommodate visitors. Having a personal vehicle while travelling in Kingston means having the ability to move quickly from one end of the city to the other, allowing you to reach more landmarks and points of interest during the day.
By Bus
The bus system is well developed in Kingston but it can be very slow if you are travelling between neighbourhoods. Most of the businesses and attractions operate on limited hours, so things close ‘early’ for many tourists who are more accustomed to things being open later at night, and this can be limiting to the number of stops one can make in a day.
TOYS
Gift Shops in Kingston
Most of the best shops and stores downtown will be found on Brock and Princess street.
Our Favourite Gift Shops in Kingston
Insider Tips
Kingston Visitor Information Centre
The Visitor Information Centre, is located at 209 Ontario Street, which is directly across the street from City Hall.
The Visitor Information Centre is able to organize and book activities for people, as well as get to know their personal needs and recommend an itinerary based on their personal interests and preferences.
Visit During The End of The Week
Kingstonians like to take long weekends and attractions are often closed through Monday and Tuesday.
Explore The Waterfront
Discover the waterfront by strolling or cycling along the splendid 8km stretch, absorbing the breathtaking sights.