Where is Queen’s? | Ultimate University Guide

Written by Marion Gorguet and Arry Pandher

Where is Queen’s? Located in Kingston Ontario, Queen’s has attracted some of the most academically accomplished students in the world – a collection of bright minds and ambitious spirits. When you come to Queen’s, you can expect to not only become a part of its many traditions, but also be exposed to innovative concepts and new ways of thinking. Queen’s dons a stunning limestone campus that sits on the traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, on the shores of Lake Ontario and steps from downtown Kingston. Wondering how to get into Queen’s? Check out our blog!

Where is Queen’s Located?

  • The City of Kingston is a home-away-from-home not only for students from Queen’s, but also for those attending the Royal Military College and St. Lawrence College – more than 30,000 in all!
  • Described by students as both “quaint” and “eclectic,” Kingston is big enough to provide all the conveniences of modern life, and small enough for students, staff, and faculty to feel instantly comfortable and at home.
  • Kingston is located in eastern Ontario, where Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River, about 200 km from Canada’s capital city of Ottawa, about 250 km from the centre of our provincial capital of Toronto, and about 300 km from Montréal, Québec.

Tourism activities around Queen’s University

While studying at Queen’s make sure you check out these enjoyable attractions that Kingston has to offer!

Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada

  • A UNESCO world heritage site where you can visit Victorian towns and military blockhouses. Cycle a woodland pathway and picnic alongside hand-operated locks on the 19th century Rideau Canal, a historic waterway linking a scenic string of rivers and lakes. Quickly constructed in a time of military threat, the length of the canal is now a diverse outdoor playground where history mingles with the mellow Eastern Ontario countryside.

Thousand Islands Region

  • Catch the sunrise on the Canadian side of the St. Lawrence Seaway or ends with a breathtaking sunset from the U.S. Maybe it includes views of storybook castles, a good fish story, a taste of craft beverages or a trip back in time. On the pristine waters or in quiet villages, there are thousands of things to see and do.

Kingston Public Market

  • The oldest continually running market in Canada

Wolfe Island Ferry

  • A free ferry to check out Wolfe Island, only a 20-minute crossing!

Kingston Penitentiary Tours

  • A tour around a former maximum-security prison, pro-tip, you can get a discount when you register with a Kingston address.

Places to go near Queen’s University Campus:

After-Hours Activities:

Shopping. Movies. Theatre. Dancing. Eat! Kingston may be a smaller town; however, it is full of activities.

Sports and Concerts:

  • Leon’s Centre is a 5,000-seat, multi-purpose facility focused on major touring acts and sports. The arena has since hosted several concerts and entertainment events by artists including Elton John, Avril Lavigne, Neil Young, Cirque du Soleil, Deadmau5, Jerry Seinfeld, Bryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn, Leonard Cohen, Reba McEntire, Billy Talent, and Sting among many others. Their main tenants are the Kingston Frotenacs, a team who plays in the Ontario Hockey League.

Wayfinding to Queen’s University

Travel to London is conveniently available by air, train and road:

  • By air: For those travelling by air, there are five convenient airports: Kingston’s Norman Rogers Airport (YGK) offers flights directly to and from Kingston; Watertown International Airport (ART) is 47 km from Kingston, just across the border in the United States; Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is 138 km northeast of Kingston; Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is 240 km west of Kingston; and Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport (YUL) is 290 km east.
  • By rail: With more than 20 trains stopping in Kingston each day from Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, or other smaller towns along the way, train is a fast and comfortable way to travel. The Kingston station is a 10-minute dive to campus and to downtown.
  • By road: Kingston is located on the shores of Lake Ontario between Toronto and Montreal, just south of the 401. When traveling to Queen’s by car, we recommend taking the Sir. John A. MacDonald Blvd. exit off the 401 south to Union St. Both Grant Hall, where the welcome reception will take place, and Duncan McArthur Hall, where the remainder of the conference will take place, are easily accessed from Union St. Please use your preferred resource, such as Google Maps or your personal GPS for specific instructions. Kingston’s bus terminal is a 10-minute drive from Queen’s campus and from downtown Kingston. Private bus companies, Greyhound Canada and Megabus, provide services to Kingston from a number of cities in Ontario.

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