Girls’ Weekend Getaway To Kingston, Ontario

A road trip pit stop en route to somewhere else — that’s how I experienced Kingston growing up. Having never thought of it as the destination, I (regrettably) didn’t realize how amazing the city really was until a recent girlfriend getaway with my travel buddy Krystle…

As we wandered around the historic city (fun fact: it was Canada’s first capital), I quickly fell in love with the limestone buildings, old Victorian homes and charming businesses dotting the streets. Why the heck had I not explored Kingston before?!

With a thriving food scene, character-filled accommodations and plenty of interesting things to do, Kingston is perfect for a girls’ weekend getaway in Ontario. It’s easygoing, unpretentious, friendly and layered with hidden gems. We had a memorable trip with many highlights so I’ve recapped them below for those of you interested in visiting a city that will definitely surprise you.

Girls’ Weekend Getaway To Kingston, Ontario

Where To Stay In Kingston

Book a stay at The Rosemount Inn and thank me later. The 11- room Victorian inn is an absolute DREAM. 

The new owners have injected life into the historic home (circa 1850) via modern details, but have managed to maintain its character and charm while doing so. A perfect balance between new and old. The decor coupled with the warm service (hello freshly-baked cookies in the lobby) make the inn top notch.

I stayed in the master suite and Krystle stayed in the pink suite — both were stunning, spacious and perfect for a girls’ trip. 

Where To Brunch In Kingston 

If you only have time for one brunch in Kingston, make sure it’s at Northside Espresso!

Everything from the vibe to the menu is spot on. Oh and order the Tim’s Benny — it’s one of the best eggs bennies I’ve ever had!

The Prana Chai Latte & Turmeric Latte also hit the spot on a cold day…

Girls’ Night Out In Kingston

Yup, you’ll need one of these on your girls’ trip! Start the evening off with drinks at one of Kingston’s many bars/restaurants. For the beer lovers, I recommend The Kingston Brewing Company which is Ontario’s oldest brew pub!

If cocktails/wine are more your thaang, head over to Tango Nuevo and order a round or two along with some globally-inspired tapas. They also host special events like food and wine pairing sessions if you’re looking for something more interactive and educational.

For dinner, make a reso at The Everly. The husband and wife duo has designed a beautiful space and are committed to serving up food that not only tastes good, but is good (I’m talking local organic produce, sustainable seafood, humanely raised meat etc.) Don’t leave without trying their freshly-made pastas!

What To Do In Kingston

Spaaaaah – Is it really a girls’ trip without a visit to the spa? Not in my books! I felt relaxed the second we walked inside The Refinery Spa + Social House….

Perched above Market Square, the spa has a gorgeous view and is filled with natural light. Their services included steam room (perfect during the colder months), massages and manis & pedis so you can really pamper yourselves!

Take In A Performance At The Isabel – You’ll want to head here to admire the architectural gem (from both inside and out) and stay for a show in their acoustically sound Performance Hall. Jazz nights, symphonies, arts festivals — you name it — The Isabel is cultural hub worth checking out!

Kingston Food Tours – When done well, a food tour can give you a very good understanding of a city’s past, present and future. The Classic Kingston tour we experienced did exactly that. Mostly because Jessica (our guide) was extremely knowledgeable about the city, the businesses we visited and the food we tasted.

Her deep understanding of the culinary scene, support for local businesses and passion for food made the tour energized, informative and memorable! My two favourite stops were Dianne’s Fish Shack & Smokehouse and Pan Chancho Bakery & Café.

Skating At Market Square – This one is obviously seasonal, but if you’re in Kingston during the winter it’s a must! Head over to Trailhead Kingston to rent some skates and skate for FREE at Market Square. The City Hall is a beaut backdrop…

To thaw, I recommended popping over to Kingston Coffee House Inc. across the street and grabbing a hot bevvie. They do the cutest latte art!

Oh Kingston, how you surprised me! I will certainly be back to experience your patios, lake culture and to wander your quaint streets in the summer.

I hope this post inspires you to go on a girls’ weekend getaway to Kingston. Regardless of the season, I think you’ll quickly understand why I regret not exploring it sooner.

A huge thanks to Visit Kingston and Ontario Travel for hosting us and sponsoring this post. As always, all reviews and opinions are my very own.