For the average Queen’s student, there are really only three parts of Kingston that you might end up visiting:
1) The area around campus
2) Princess street (and maybe NOP)
3) That area “near the mall or movie theatre”; aka the suburban sprawl
Kingston is a fabulous city to go to university in. It’s small enough that you are always running into people you know, and it’s easy to become a part of the city. It’s also large enough to have all the big city amenities you could ever need. A large part of my experience at Queen’s was flavoured by living and working in Kingston during my time at school. You get the small town, close knit, picture-postcard university experience that you might imagine.
Within walking distance from campus you’ll find some tremendously great restaurants, bars, shops, and cultural options. The architecture in this part of town is stunning, and you are mere minutes away from the sunsets and sailboats on Lake Ontario.
The rest of the city is a sort of suburban sprawl. There are good amentities, like a big cineplex, a walmart, a mall etc. But this area lacks the charm of the downtown core, and really, you won’t need to venture that far from campus too often.
If we can leave you with one thing, it’s to remember that Queen’s has the tendancy to draw you into it’s bubble. Take day trips, explore the region, and really make Kingston your home for the four (or five, or six) years that you live here.
For more information about everything that Kingston has to offer, The Kingston Guide is a useful resource on everything from the newest diner to the best place to get your shoes shined!
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