Waterfront Pathway: What You'll See Along The Way
1. RIDEAU TRAIL
The Rideau Trail is the longest trail in Eastern Ontario which extends approximately 300 km between Kingston and Ottawa. The trail crosses terrain ranging from placid farmland to rugged Canadian Shield. It is intended for year-round activities including walking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
2. PORTSMOUTH OLYMPIC HARBOUR
Located in historic Portsmouth Village, Portsmouth Olympic Harbour features a park-like setting with a number of amenities. The harbour has 300 slip finger docks that can accommodate both power and sail boats to a maximum length of 100 feet and dry sail berthing for winter storage. While the Harbour was originally built for the sailing event in the 1976 Olympics, it continues to host several Canadian Olympic Regattas including CORK (Canadian Olympic Regatta Kingston) which is the largest freshwater regatta in the world.
3. KINGSTON PENITENTIARY
Built in 1835, the Kingston Penitentiary is designated a National Historic Site. It was the first modern prison built in Canada. Of the seven pre-1950 penitentiaries currently administered by the federal government, the Kingston Penitentiary best reflects the principal characteristics of Canada's original prisons in size, completeness of facilities, survival of original fabric and quality of architecture. Though major changes have been made to its cells, the institution's unique collection of 19th- and early -20th-century buildings remains in use today.
4. TETT CENTRE ARTS COMPLEX
During the nineteenth century, Kingston had a strong industrial base. Along the shore of Lake Ontario, at 370 King St. West, we can still see the original limestone buildings of one of the oldest of these industries, Morton’s Brewery. There are three industrial buildings remaining on what is now the Tett site. The east building houses a number of cultural groups who rent or lease space there, creating a vibrant cultural complex.
5. BELLEVUE HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Bellevue
House was once the home of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister. Restored
to the 1840s period, and staffed by costumed interpreters, the house and gardens are kept
much as they would have been during the time that Macdonald lived there with his wife and
infant son.
6. MURNEY TOWER
Murney Tower was built in 1846 on the shores of Lake Ontario as part of the defences of Kingston. By 1890 it was regarded as obsolete by the militia and it was allowed to deteriorate. It was taken over in the early 1920s by the Kingston Historical Society and officially opened as a Museum in 1925. Now a National Historic Site, bloomfield cannon, carronades and domestic artifacts have been maintained to tell the story of soldiers and families at the time.
7. NEWLANDS PAVILION
Built in 1896 and restored in 1979, the Newlands Pavilion overlooks picturesque Lake Ontario. The Pavilion serves as a public bandstand and is host to a number of free concerts throughout the summer.
8. PUMP HOUSE STEAM MUSEUM
The
Pump House Steam Museum is an exciting place to learn about energy, forces and motion, as
well as sound and simple machinery such as pulleys. The Pump House was vital to the growth
of Kingston as a city, as it played a significant part in the development of Kingston's
public health system and industrial expansion.
9. MARINE MUSEUM OF THE GREAT LAKES
The Marine Museum was founded in 1975. It is the only federally built dry dock on the Great Lakes and houses the original pumping station and steam engines built in 1891. Also on display are a wide range of marine artifacts, exhibits and archives, as well as the Alexander Henry, a retired Canadian Coast Guard ice breaker.
10. CITY HALL
City
Hall was constructed shortly after Kingston was named the Capital of Canada in 1841. City
Hall is designated as a National Heritage Site. The elegant detailing, handsome windows
and attractively proportioned dome have been meticulously reconditioned, thus making it
one of the most picturesque buildings in Kingston.
11. SPRINGER MARKET SQUARE
Springer Market Square, located behind City Hall, is one of Canada's oldest markets. Since 1801, this square has served as a local farmer's market with vendors and growers offering fresh produce, flowers, plants, baked goods, maple syrup, fish, sausages, preserves, arts and crafts, and the Sunday Antique Market.
12. FORT FRONTENAC
Fort Frontenac was the historic nucleus of Kingston. Located near the head of the St. Lawrence River, it was the major Canadian colonial fort at the eastern end of Lake Ontario. First France and then Great Britain controlled the fort, which figured in the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. The former curtain wall of Fort Frontenac can be seen today.
13. WOOLEN MILL
The former Woolen Mill, located at 4 Cataraqui Street is a historically designated industrial building. The building now houses a range of land uses including artisan workshops, businesses, a climbing gym and a restaurant.
