Your Guide to Markets, Makers & Local Flavours in Kingston and Frontenac County

South Eastern Ontario / Sud-Est de l'Ontario

Welcome to Kingston and Frontenac County!

The historic community of Kingston, on the eastern tip of Lake Ontario, is the hub of this region. The city has a thriving local culinary culture, with food tours, two vibrant farmers’ markets and a large number of chefs who make the most of local produce.

North and south of the city, Frontenac County stretches into the rugged landscape of the Canadian Shield. Dairy farms, beef farms, market gardens and other agricultural businesses keep Kingston and the wider region supplied with delicious meat and produce. Beyond the farms, countless lakes beckon visitors to play outdoors.

Meet the Farmers & Producers

Kingston's celebrated food scene begins long before ingredients reach the plate. Across Frontenac County and the surrounding countryside, farmers, growers and producers work hard to supply local markets, restaurants and specialty food shops. Behind every basket of fresh produce, jar of honey, and locally sourced menu item is a story worth discovering. By visiting these businesses, you'll gain a deeper connection to the region's culinary culture while supporting the people who help make it thrive. 

Read their stories.

Farm-to-Table Experiences

Throughout Kingston and Frontenac County, you'll find restaurants, cafés and culinary experiences that celebrate local flavours in creative and delicious ways. 

Find your delicious!

Culinary Events

Maple Syrup Season 

Is there anything more quintessentially Canadian than maple syrup? You can learn how this sweet treat is made at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area in Glenburnie. During Maple Madness in March, visitors can take a wagon ride to a sugar bush, follow an interpretive trail, enjoy face painting and other family fun, and eat pancakes with maple syrup.

Markets, Roadside Stands & Local Food Finds

A stop at a farm stand or market offers the chance to fill your basket with seasonal produce, fresh flowers, local honey or artisanal foods while supporting the farmers and small businesses that help keep the countryside vibrant. 

Shop local!

Pick-Your-Own & Seasonal Harvests

Berries, apples and flowers are yours for the picking at these farms in Kingston and Frontenac County.

Craft Beer Producers

Keep your eye out in local restaurants and shops for beers from Harrowsmith Brewing. And the region is home to lots of brew pubs, many of which make their beers from locally grown hops. Here are a few to check out.

Animal Encounters & Family-Friendly Farms

Sometimes the most memorable travel experiences involve slowing down and spending time with animals. In Kingston and Frontenac County, you can step away from the city and enjoy hands-on experiences that connect you with rural life.

If you’d like to hang out with horses during your visit to Kingston and Frontenac County, you could sign up for a trail ride at Bur Creek Farm on Kingston’s rural northern edge.  At Maple Ridge Farm in Sydenham, you can suit up for a hands-on beekeeping experience, use a smoker and get an up-close look at the remarkable inner workings of a hive. Gain a new appreciation for the bees that help our farms and gardens thrive. There are other workshops and farm experiences available throughout the year.

Festivals & Country Fairs

Beyond Kingston's vibrant food scene, rural communities throughout Frontenac County come together each year to celebrate local agriculture and community traditions. Fairs, festivals and seasonal events offer a great way to experience the region's rural character and hospitality.

The Great Outdoors

You can experience two very different sides of Eastern Ontario in one trip. In Kingston, the landscape rolls gently toward the Lake Ontario shore. North of the city, the rocky Canadian Shield in Frontenac County, is home to wooded hiking trails, some overlooking pretty lakes where you can swim, fish and paddle.

Go wild!

Guided and Self-Guided Tours 

Whether you’re exploring on foot or by car, there are lots of ways to discover the region’s country byways and tasty foods.

Suggested Day Trip: A Taste of Kingston & Frontenac County

This suggested day trip combines country pleasures and city fun, giving you the chance to meet farmers, see where your food is grown and discover the region on your plate.

Urban to rural adventures

Farm Stays

To find farms, wineries and other rural locations where you can park your RV overnight, try searching the Harvest Hosts and Terego websites (memberships required).

Other Ways to Stay

The city of Kingston offers a full range of accommodation options, including hotels, inns, bed & breakfasts, motels and vacation rentals. In Frontenac County, you’ll find lots of bed and breakfasts, cabins, cottages, campgrounds, and vacation rentals, as well as the Hotel Wolfe Island.

For more information, visit our partner websites: Frontenac County & Visit Kingston