Arts and Entertainment Week

This September Kingston will be celebrating Arts and Entertainment week; Sept. 17th – 26th and showcasing top Canadian/Kingston talent. All the shows, readings and performances will be in Kingston’s top venues like the Grand Theatre and the K-Rock Centre. This year the acts are diverse and include the world renowned Canada DanceSport Ballroom dancing competition, comedian Russell Peters and Margaret Atwood are all slated for Kingston during Arts and Entertainment Week. Many other performances round out the week, for more info check out the link here.

Plan For Kingston Next Weekend

Next weekend in Kingston is one of the best known festivals in the city, Blues Fest! Four days of blues music all over the city … it’s one big party. Most of the host venues are located in the downtown area so it’s easy walking distance to all of the performances and you can get a bracelet that allows you to get into all shows for $10.

Lots of restaurants, hotels and stores have special offers for Blues Festival participants as well; the Four Points Sheraton has a great package for people looking to visit Kingston for the full four days, it includes tickets to the opening night show in the K-Rock Centre, one of the top venues in town, plus a bracelet and a lot of other stuff too. Deals like this are a great way to enjoy Blues Fest.

Performers this year include:
Robert Cray
Mavis Staples
Shemekia Copeland
Delta Highway
Jack de Keyzer
Jerome Godboo
Fathead
Garrett Mason
Elyssa Mahoney & Lucas Haneman

More Kingston Travel Tips

Five tips for Summer Travel to Kingston from the Tymparon Inn

1. Bring an umbrella as will ensure it won’t rain and if it does, you will be well prepared

2. Bring sunscreen and a hat to keep from burning, as you will surely want to enjoy a 1000 Islands Cruise (the sunset dinner cruises are particularly spectacular)

3.Be sure to take the Trolley Tour around Kingston and stop off at Sir John A. MacDonald’s home and Fort Henry

4.Plan to explore and experience Wolfe Island while you are visiting Kingston…..the ferry is free and it’s enjoyable either with or without a car…..and offers a super view of Kingston; if you bring your car, then enjoy a few hours on a truly heavenly secluded beach - Big Sandy Bay; if you’d rather walk on the Ferry then consider the educational and impressive Wind Mills Tour that leaves from the TIO Monday through Friday’s at 11am; if you like to bike there are many great biking paths that will enable you to thoroughly explore the entire island

5.Bring your bikes if you are sports enthusiasts as parking downtown will always be quick and simple

Free Activities In Kingston

The Hochelaga Inn has taken the time to compile a great list of activities in Kingston that are free but still great additions to any vacation. A more in depth list is available at the Hochelaga.

Kingston Farmers' Market

Kingston City Hall

Corrections Canada Museum

Museum of Health Care

Military Communications and Electronics Museum

Wolfe Island

Cataraqui Cemetery Company

Queen's University

The Heirloom Seed Sanctuary

Kingston Brewing Company

The Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail / Bike Path

The Freshwater Sailing Capital

I can't believe I haven't written a post about sailing yet. The main reason we moved to Kingston was the sailing (not for me, but for the hubby). And it's not just any sailing here. We've lived all over, and nothing compares to Kingston when it comes to sailing. My hubby would say that the racing is the number one advantage in Kingston. Me? I would say it's the quick access to it. Often after work, we go for a short evening sailing. We hope on the boat at the Kingston Yacht Club (just down the street from Hotel Belvedere) and head out to Cedar Island. We're there in less than an hour, have a dinner on the dock, take an evening stroll up to the martello tour that's part of the Fort Henry Historical Site and then jump back on the boat for a sunset sail back. And we're back in bed in Kingston by 10.

We took some friends out for an evening sail earlier this summer and they said it was a magical little get away, that seemed like they were miles away from the world and yet, we could still see downtown Kingston and the green light from the Radisson. Here's some pictures from that amazing trip! Thanks Tracy Olan for the amazing pictures!

TOOL Rocks Kingston!

August 4th, at the K-Rock Center, Kinston Ontario, After almost 12 years of waiting I got to see my FAVORITE band perform, and they did not disappoint. The K-rock center was a perfect venue for the band to take your mind on a journey to a higher conciseness, with front man Maynards unbelievable vocals and guitarist Adam Jones gut wrenching riffs and harmonies. The band played a variety of songs from all their albums to a sold out crowd of die hard fans (and I was front a center!). My hats off to the City of Kingston for bringing the greatest rock show ever, to one of the nicest venues I've ever seen a show in (and I've been to A LOT of concerts). So for anyone wanting to see an amazing show I would totally recommend catching one at Kingstons, K-Rock center! or just visit the City of Kingston, everyone I met while I was there were friendly and out to have a good time. I think I might have to move here.... Check out this site for a list of activities and events going on in Kingston, to help you make your visit as enjoyable as mine was!

http://www.stayinkingston.com/

Peachtree Tips

Tara MacInnis from the Peachtree Inn has some great ideas...

1. When driving always have an emergency kit including blankets & water.

2. Always have a tag on all of your luggage with name address, phone & cell numbers or at least your name, phone & cell number so if we find luggage left in your room we can call your cell in hopes of catching you on time. There has been several occasions were the only number we have on hand is the land line number and because you are traveling we cannot reach you.

3. Insure that you have health coverage when traveling outside your residence as breaking your ankle could cost thousands if you do not have the proper coverage.

4. Always make sure that someone is picking up your mail & newspapers from your home while you are away as to not attract any unwanted attention to your home.

5. Always leave emergency contact numbers along with your planned itinerary & any planned stops you may be making along the way when traveling make sure that someone knows where you are going & your planned stops along the way. This will ensure that someone knows where you are and what you are planning on doing in case of any emergency’s the traveler or the person watching your home may have.

Tips from the Rosemount Inn

Suzie Akenson from the Rosemount Inn in Kingston has sent in the top five travelling tips for staying at the Rosemount Inn:

Bring with you....
1. A sense of adventure - staying in a luxury home, the Rosemount Inn & Spa of the 1800's.
2. A passion for Red Wine and Chocolate when you visit our Vinotherapy Spa"
3. An Epicurean's palate - for our delicious breakfasts
4. Great walking shoes for a wonderful day of exploring the many museums and boutiques, unique shops downtown just three blocks from the inn.
5. Depending on the season, a swim suit for 'Big Sandy Bay', skates for the rink in Market Square, cross county skis for Cataraqui Conservation Area and rubber boots for walking in the Sugar Bush