A rail-y great trip to Kingston for business meets pleasure

Skip the winter driving headaches and let VIA Rail pave the way for a smooth, scenic journey. Book along the Windsor – Quebec City corridor, and you’’ roll right into Kingston station.

With free Wi-Fi onboard, you can catch up on emails, polish presentations, or wrap up tasks, all while enjoying the comfort of your journey. Elevate your experience and book business class; enjoy priority boarding, spacious seating, complimentary amenities and meals, access to exclusive lounges, and attentive service. The coffee on-board is pretty great too, or check out these 9 reasons to take the VOA rail train.

Blow Off Some Steam in Kingston, Ontario

Arrive at the Kingston VIA Rail station and catch a cab to the downtown core and to your accommodation at the Smith Hotel – their loft-style rooms come complete with a kitchen and ample space to set up your workstation during your visit. King Lofts are ideal for one or two travellers visiting Kingston for work or play. These rooms have the same luxury and amenities as their premium lofts in a more quiet and intimate space. Love yoga? Then you” also appreciate a new partnership with @MorroYoga; all guests receive one free yoga class with their reservation. Nama-stay!

The Smith Hotel is also home to Sanctuary Coworking, a perfect spot to rent space for a larger team gathering or a private workspace to separate your work from your play. Various options are available, from an open desk space to a full-size meeting room. It’s light and bright and has a vibe of entrepreneurial buzz.

Depending on your day and time of arrival, you may want to check out Nosh Kingston, just a 5-minute walk away, to score some handmade Montreal-style bagels to enjoy in your room for breakfast. Their bagels are all dairy, egg, soy and nut-free, so they are perfect for most dietary considerations!

Travelling on points or receiving benefits from a certain brand of hotel when you travel for work? You’re in luck! Downtown Kingston is home to a number of big-name hotels that offer stunning views of Lake Ontario and are all in the heart of the city, making getting around a breeze! 

Check out these five downtown Kingston hotels best suited to mix business with pleasure, or find a full list of accommodations at Visit Kingston here.

After you get settled in and take the opportunity to answer a few emails, head over to Harper’s Burger Bar for a bite to eat. Build your own burger using their 15+ different styles made with locally sourced beef, chicken or a choice of plant-based patties. Feeling really hungry and adventurous? Try upgrading your bun to two grilled cheese sandwiches! They also have a selection of salads, hotdogs and sandwiches on their menu for every appetite, and since you’re now off the clock for the day, you could indulge in one of their boozy milkshakes to complete your meal!

Once you’re done with dinner, head up a block to the Screening Room to take in a movie before you call it a night. This little gem is a proudly independent movie theatre featuring three screens which show some of the newest Hollywood blockbusters and specialises in a selection of art-house, indie, foreign, and classic cinema films. You can still score classic movie theatre snacks like popcorn and candy, but you can also unwind with a cup of tea served in a China cup for your show. It really is one of the most enjoyable ways to see something on the big screen!

Day Two

Start your day off with your bagels from Nosh Kingston over some emails in your loft, or head out to either Northside Espresso + Kitchen or Crave Coffee House & Bakery to score some delicious breakfast to kick start your day. Both locations offer a mix of sweet or savoury breakfast items and specialty coffees to ensure your day starts on the right foot!

After checking off some items on your “to-do” list at work, head further downtown to Springer Market Square to stretch your legs with a skate on their gorgeous outdoor rink, right beside the iconic City Hall. Plan ahead to bring along your own skates, or make it even easier and stop off at Trailhead Kingston on your way to the rink to rent a pair for the day. The rink is open daily from 8 AM to 10 PM and features special theme nights to skate to curated music on Thursdays from 6 PM to 8 PM. 

Working up an appetite and looking to get some lunch? Check out Dianne’s Fish Shack & Smokehouse or the Black Dog Tavern, both located nearby, to get some amazing options. From January 15th to March 31st, you will also find lots of restaurants participating in Kingstonlicious – an annual culinary experience with Kingston eateries participating by curating their own prix fixe menus and signature culinary events occurring throughout the winter months.

Enjoy a retail tour on your way back up to work – downtown Kingston is full of wonderful retailers covering all varieties of goodies; you simply can’t walk by without taking a peak at the treasures inside! We recommend checking out the places below for some unique and quirky finds, but there are many more great places to explore:

• Cooke’s Fine Foods and Coffee has a wide variety of products from around the world and has been in business since 1865! With gourmet coffees, preserves, cheeses and an assortment of sweet treats, this is a great place to get goodies for the foodie in your life – even if that’s yourself!
• Happy Thoughts features a variety of fun gifts, including greeting cards, jewellery, books, journaling materials, and home goods. They have a mix of large and small brands, including a selection of locally made goodies. 
• Minotaur Games & Gifts is Kingston’s go-to spot for games, puzzles and crafts! In addition to their great selection of fun games, they also offer a variety of events, including craft nights, cribbage tournaments, games nights, and introduction classes to dungeons and dragons.
• Card’s Bakery has been a Kingston staple for sweet treats since 1968. Pies, cupcakes, cookies and kitchen home goods fill the shelves – they even have options for those with dietary considerations. If you’re a fan of peanut butter and chocolate, we recommend picking up a box of “Hello Hudsons” to enjoy back in your loft!

Immerse yourself in a globally-inspired experience at Tango Nuevo, a great spot for meeting up with local friends, coworkers or for a business meeting. This tapas-style restaurant features a large selection of small plates perfect for sharing and using locally sourced ingredients where possible. Taste the world with a variety of dishes; we definitely recommend giving the vegetable empanadas, Turkish ravioli and tuna poke nachos a try; Delicious!

Day Three

Head over to Balzac’s Coffee Roasters to get your day started. Their lovely cafe offers a great spot to grab a freshly roasted coffee, a light breakfast, and a welcoming atmosphere to open up your laptop to get some work done. 

After wrapping up your video calls, get a chance to stretch your legs on a Creative Kingston self-guided walking tour. We recommend checking out the Downtown Kingston Film Tour, which features 6 stops and is approximately 75 minutes in duration. This tour will take you along Princess Street in the downtown core and will give you a new perspective on some of the key spots throughout the area. There are a variety of other Creative Kingston walking tours showcasing local film, literary and music highlights on the Tourism Kingston website; you’re sure to find something else that suits your fancy if this film tour isn’t up your alley! 

And speaking of alleys, tucked away off the main street in a lovely limestone alleyway, you’ll discover Chez Piggy – affectionately called “the Pig” by locals. This culinary delight has been serving up vibrant world travel-inspired dishes since 1979. Their lunch menu features a selection of sandwiches, salads and larger lunch plates such as Mushroom Orecchiette and Mussels Piri Piri. 

Next, find some time to relax with a visit up the road to Glow Skincare Co. They have a variety of services to match the level of relaxation you’re looking for. We recommend checking out their thermotherapy spa, which is the Nordic tradition of alternating between hot and cold temperatures. Spend some time relaxing in their warm hydrotherapy pool, sauna or steam room before submerging yourself in a cold plunge. If you forgot to bring a bathing suit along on your trip, Glow also offers a selection of other services, including facials or massage therapy treatments.

Emerge from the spa feeling renewed, and head over to Martello Alley before dinner. This art-themed historic alley in Kingston’s downtown is an artist collective featuring original and print artwork; you can even meet the artists behind the pieces. It’s the perfect place to find a one-of-a-kind creation to take home with you to remember your visit to the limestone city!

Meet up for a business dinner (or take yourself on a date) at the Everly Restaurant & Lounge. This mid-century-inspired space is the perfect location to meet up and talk business over a glass of wine or signature cocktail and a rotating menu of classic dishes featuring local ingredients. The atmosphere of the Everly offers the perfect intimate setting to get connected with potential clients and old colleagues or to just enjoy an evening to yourself.

All aboard!

Before heading back home, be sure to check out Tommy’s for a classic diner breakfast experience. Outfitted to look like it stepped out of the 50s, this retro diner features all-day breakfast and eats like pancakes, eggs benedict, waffles and a classic loaded diner breakfast of eggs, bacon or sausage, homefries and toast. Anything on their menu is sure to make you say “ring-a-ding-ding”!

Be sure to pay a visit to Whit Kingston for last-minute gifts before catching your cab back to the VIA Rail station. This store is full of Kingston-specific souvenirs highlighting local lakes, islands, and rivers, as well as other fun Canadian-themed gifts. Score some Wolfe Island mittens, a Tragically Hip hockey jersey, or some poutine-themed socks – there is sure to be the perfect quirky Canadiana gift to bring home!

Did you book business class? Enjoy the private lounge at the Kingston Station, complete with a cappuccino maker,  complimentary soft drinks and workstation tables; catch up on those emails while you wait for your comfortable stress-free ride home.

Strike a balance between work and leisure, and enjoy our “blesiure” itineraries with VIA rail.  Your work week just got a little more exciting!