Days 98-99 Kingston, Ontario

Sunday-Monday July 27 & 28, 2025

Kingston, Ontario – Our Canadian Welcome

We left Cape Vincent, NY under blue skies and smooth waters, bound for Kingston, Ontario. The cruise was only about three hours, but it was absolutely gorgeous—serene and scenic the whole way. As we approached Kingston’s historic waterfront, we pulled into the Confederation Yacht Basin, our home for the next two nights. It’s nestled right in the heart of the city, making it a perfect base for exploring. Here are some photos taken along the way…

Once we tied up, I made the call to the Canada Border Services Agency to check in. We’d heard so many stories from other boaters—some had to report to customs in person, others had officers board their boat, and a few were even charged fees for carrying too much food or alcohol. So I was prepared for anything. But, to my pleasant surprise, it couldn’t have been easier! The officer on the phone asked for our boat and passport info, how long we planned to stay, and whether we had any commercial goods to declare. Ten minutes later, we were issued our registration number—easy peasy! With that, we hoisted the Canadian courtesy flag, flying it just above our American one as a show of respect.

Kingston feels like a charming blend of old-world Europe and vibrant college town. Lake Ontario, the St Lawrence River and Rideau Canal all meet here. The bustling streets, historic limestone buildings, and sidewalk cafes give it an unmistakable European vibe. It’s also home to Queen’s University, the Royal Military College, and St. Lawrence College, giving the town a youthful, energetic pulse.

That evening, we met a fellow Looper couple from Sea Gypsy for docktails before they headed off to dinner. We opted to stay in and cook up some juicy burgers aboard.

On Monday, we set out on foot in search of a bakery and struck gold—not one, but two! We couldn’t resist grabbing a cinnamon roll and a muffin, which we devoured as we hopped aboard the Kingston Trolley. Our first stop: Fort Henry. This historic 19th-century British military fort was a real treat—packed with artifacts, exhibits, and sweeping views of the city and river below. They had demonstrations of precision drill sequences, music, and the firing of cannons set with British Soldiers in 1867.

Afterward, we rode the trolley through the rest of Kingston’s highlights, then wandered on foot to a cozy spot I had read about—Red House. It did not disappoint. Lunch was fantastic—creative pub fare with a Canadian twist. A quick stop at the grocery store rounded out our city excursion.

It turned into another hot, humid, and sticky summer afternoon, so we cooled down back at the boat. On the dock, we ran into more Loopers from Breakaway, who were heading out tomorrow like us. Jeff tackled taking apart another cushion for me while I sewed a hatch cover—our version of productive boat life. After refreshing showers, we met yet another Looper couple –Outside Time and enjoyed docktails as the sun dipped low. They’ll be a day or two behind us, but odds are good we’ll cross paths again somewhere along the canal.

Tomorrow will be day 100 for us!