A Newcomer's Guide to Making Downtown Kingston Home
By Rosalyn Gambhir
Welcome to Kingston! Let’s get you settled in, connected, and exploring your new city so you can start feeling like a local.
Kingston is one of those cities that quietly wows you. Located along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, it’s more than just a scenic waterfront town. At the heart of it all, Downtown Kingston is a place to discover, explore and get to know the people, local businesses, eats, events and the gems that quickly become your favourites.
Though when you’re new to a city, figuring out where to start can certainly feel overwhelming. Where do you get your morning coffee? How do you get around? Where can you find community resources? What’s happening downtown? Where do you go when family visits? And, perhaps most importantly, how do you go from “I’m new here” to “Oh, you have to try this place!”
So, if you’ve moved here for school, started a new job, relocated with your family or arrived from another country, consider this your Downtown Kingston starter guide, aka your resource guide to getting settled, finding your people, discovering your new city and creating routines that eventually make Kingston feel like home.
Did You Know?
Kingston was once Canada’s first capital and is famously known as the hometown of The Tragically Hip. Today, the city has many names: the Limestone City, #YGK (thanks to our airport code), Ktown and to locals, simply home.
Home to Queen’s University, Royal Military College and St. Lawrence College, Kingston is a city shaped by its students, public sector and military communities, retirees, young professionals, families, new Canadians, artists, creatives and so many others. With a strong sense of community and plenty of local pride, there’s something special about calling yourself a Kingstonian.
Get to Know Your City
This is where City Hall becomes more than just a historic building. As a prominent landmark in downtown Kingston, City Hall at 216 Ontario Street across from Confederation Park is where you can access several municipal services, including transit cards, parking permits, marriage licenses, garbage bag tags and several other services. Not exactly the glamorous side of city life, but definitely the useful stuff.
Visit Kingston City Hall, learn a little about how the city works and explore the building itself. It offers guided and self-guided tours and the building has been at the heart of Kingston for nearly 200 years.
Master Your Kingston Commute
Getting around Kingston is pretty straightforward once you get the lay of the land. Take time to figure out Kingston Transit, learn where the downtown bus stops are and walk your usual routes. Figure out where you can park and discover how easy it is to get around downtown without a car.
The Downtown Kingston site has a Kingston Transit resource, and Queen's students currently ride Kingston Transit for free with a valid student card. If you’re a newcomer, check out these resources for your welcome gift, which includes a 30-day Kingston Transit pass.
Go Beyond the Campus Bubble
For students, Kingston can easily become a structured routine, and sometimes the best study break is remembering there’s an entire city waiting just beyond campus.
One of the best ways to get to know Kingston? Simply wander. Give yourself an afternoon with no real agenda and explore downtown, pop into a shop, grab a coffee, stop for a bite or turn down a street you’ve never explored. You never know, you might just discover your new favourite spot!
Know Where to Find Help
Moving somewhere new can bring up lots of emotions, especially when you're figuring out everything from housing to finding a job to childcare at the same time.
The good news? You don't have to figure it all out on your own. Kingston has organizations dedicated to helping newcomers settle in, connect with the community and find their footing.
The City of Kingston’s newcomer hub brings together a newcomer hub with settlement resources, including KEYS Employment and Newcomer Services in downtown Kingston, along with information on housing, employment, childcare, community programs and more. You can also check out the Welcome to Kingston app for local resources and things to do.
Your Ultimate Downtown Kingston Bucket List
Now that we have all the important stuff covered, ready to start exploring? I hope you’ve come prepared because these are longtime favourites, from downtown classics to hidden gems and must-do Kingston experiences that newcomers, students, and anyone looking to feel a little more like a local should have on their list.
📸 Say cheese: Take your “I live in Kingston now” photo at the Visitor Experience Centre.
🌊 Walk the waterfront: Take a stroll along the Waterfront Trail, especially at sunset. It's one of those simple Kingston moments that make you appreciate why you live here.
☀️ Saturday morning = Kingston Public Market: The oldest and longest-running public market in Ontario! Shop local farmers, artisans, and makers every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday in Springer Market Square at King St. and Brock St.
🚋 All aboard: Get a K-Pass and hop aboard Kingston Trolley Tours for a fun way to see the city and get to know your new home.
🍟 A Canadian staple: A visit to Original Bubba’s Poutine is a must and ultimately a Kingston rite of passage after a night out. Order the classic and check this one off your list!
☕ Find your coffee spot: You’ve got options from CRAVE, Lay Low, Northside, Chit Chat, SENS Cafe, BSE Skate Shop + Coffee Bar, Balzac's Kingston, Kingston Coffee House and Chit Chat Café, you’ll have to decide which one becomes your spot.
🛒 Stock your kitchen: Looking for everyday groceries, international ingredients, specialty foods or a quick stop on the way home, check out Kingston Asian Super, BUY Asian Mart, J&K Supermarket, Rapidito Latin Market, Tara Natural Foods, NOSH for freshly made bagels, Cooke’s Fine Foods and Coffee or Trevor’s One Stop Shoppe. For wine and specialty provisions, The Everly Wine & Provisions and Pan Chancho Bakery are great options.
🎶 Enjoy live music: From a night in Springer Market Square to catching a show at a downtown venue, make live music part of your Kingston experience at the Toucan, Musiikki Cafe & Whiskey Bar, The Merchant and more.
🍕 Try Wooden Heads Gourmet Pizza: A downtown classic that’s been around for years. Make it your mission to try the Nonna Mela.
🌮 Get tacos at El Gringo: Knock for tacos at this newer downtown favourite and try the birria, aka 8-hour braised beef with melted cheese and all the fixings.
🍝 Have dinner at Olivea: A downtown classic and personal favourite for Italian comfort food - try the garganelli pasta with crispy chicken thigh and roasted garlic rosemary cream sauce!
🍳 Find your go-to breakfast spot: Start your day with breakfast at Tommy’s, Morrison’s, Peter’s Place, NORTHSIDE espresso + kitchen or Pan Chancho Bakery & Café because every local needs a favourite.
🧘♀️ Fuel your wellness routine: Grab a smoothie from HEAL Wellness, take a class at STRONG Pilates Kingston or check out Mōrro Yoga and Pilates for your next wellness fix.
🥡 Don’t feel like cooking? We’ve all been there. Make takeout night easy with Wok-In, Rosa’s Fresh Pasta, Shawarma Dubai, Mango Thai & Pan-Asian Cuisine, Mekong Restaurant, Phnom Penh Restaurant, Cambodian Village Restaurant, Score Pizza or Sally’s Roti Shop.
🌯 Craving a wrap? Head to Copper Penny and try the Voodoo Chicken - don't skip the fries!
🐟 Get fish and chips: When the craving hits, it has to be Pilot House of Kingston.
🍔 Find your favourite smash burger: Try one at Kingston Brewing Company or newly opened Rudy’s and decide which one gets your vote.
🍛 Explore Kingston’s international food scene: Take your taste buds around the world with Taj Curry House, Hakka Horizon, Manoosheh, Curry Original, Hakka Himalaya: House of MO or Daal Roti, Sima, Grecos, Minos Take Out, Apsara Angkor Cuisine restaurant, Dosa House, Thai House Cuisine Kingston, Master Lanzhou Noodle, Sophie's Noodle House, Sushiya Zen and Woodon Korean BBQ.
🍸 It's cocktail time: Grab a cocktail at Bar Mayla, The Everly Restaurant & Lounge or Miss Bāo Restaurant + Cocktail Bar and make an evening of it.
🥂 We’re celebrating: For birthdays, milestones or simply an excuse to dress up, book a table at HEIST Restaurant + Wine Club, Casa Domenico, Olivea, Dianne’s, The Everly Restaurant & Lounge, The Bank Gastrobar at the Frontenac Club, AquaTerra, Tango Nuevo, Milestones, The Grizzly Grill, The Keg or Le Jardin.
👯♀️ Have a girls’ night out: Grab the girlies and head to Tango Nuevo, Bar Mayla, Atomica, Dianne’s, Baja Craft Kitchen, Casa Domenico, Union Kitchen + Cocktails or Bobbi Pecorino’s Italian Wine Bar for dinner, drinks and a downtown night out.
🍻 Make it a boys' night: Round up the guys and head to Harper's Burger Bar & Smokehouse for drool-worthy dishes, Amadeus Café for German and Austrian cuisine or Jack Astor’s to watch a sports game.
👖 Go thrifting: Spend an afternoon digging for gems at YGK Thrift, Phase 2, Reid’s, Montreal Street Collective, Thrifty Girl and ClosettCandyy Consignment.
🎨 Wander through Martello Alley: Take a colourful, quirky little detour through this downtown gem and discover local art.
🍹 Find your favourite patio: Red House, Kingston Brewing Company, Chez Piggy, The Backyard Patio Bar & Grill, Musiikki Café & Whiskey Bar, Lonestar, Black Dog Tavern or AquaTerra are among the many.
🍻 Find your night-out spot: When it’s time for good times, cold drinks and a night downtown, get to know The Iron Duke on Wellington, The Merchant Tap House, The Toucan, Tir Nan Og, The Ale House & Canteen, Trinity Social, Stages, The Brass Pub, The Buckle, The Backyard Patio Bar & Grill and The Caesar Company Inc.
🥪 Find your go-to lunch spot: Build your downtown lunch rotation with Pasta Genova, Mermaid Avenue Sandwich Factory or CRAVE Coffee House & Bakery for quick grab-and-go options.
🛍️ Shop local: From shoes at Heel Boy and stylish finds at WHIT to gifts at Send in the Clowns, outdoor gear at Trailhead, the cutest curated home goods at Lazy Daisies and Antique Emporium, all things wellness at Holistically Hip and specialty finds at Kingston Olive Oil Co, there’s so much to discover downtown.
💆♀️ Treat yourself: Need a little reset, some self-care or a beauty appointment? Head to La Bella Beauty Bar, Sol Spa, GLOW Skincare Co., Belvedere Spa and The Refinery Spa & Social House.
💈 Find a barber: Freshen up your look at KING BARBERSHOP, Dino's Barber Shop, The Barber's Philosophy or Hair of the Dog Barber & Pub.
🍪 Find something sweet: From birthdays, special occasions or simply an “I deserve a treat” kind of day, stop by Cards Bakery, 23&Co, CRAVE Coffee House & Bakery, Mio Gelato and White Mountain Homemade Ice Cream.
💃 Formal season: Need a dress, shoes or the full formal look? Check out Agent 99, Heel Boy, I Mode, Chris James, Bridal Creations and Murano’s Formal Wear.
👗 Go shopping: Spend an afternoon browsing WHIT Kingston, Agent 99, City + Oak, Fancy That & The Roundstone and Cloth for everything from everyday finds to statement pieces and something a little extra.
