Kingston is a waterfront city in eastern Ontario where Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and the Rideau Canal meet. Its location at the entrance to the Great Lakes and the Thousand Islands has shaped its role in transportation, trade, defence, and settlement. The city is known for its limestone buildings, historic downtown, waterfront parks, and connection to Queen's University and the Royal Military College of Canada. Kingston also served as the first capital of the Province of Canada, and its central streets contain a concentrated collection of historic buildings, museums, and cultural institutions.

Kingston lies within the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee/Onkwehón:we, Wendat, and Anishinaabe peoples. The city's later history was shaped by French and British settlement, military activity, shipbuilding, and the construction of the Rideau Canal. Fort Henry and the Kingston Fortifications reflect the city's strategic importance, while Bellevue House interprets the complicated history of Sir John A. Macdonald and early Canadian society. The Kingston Penitentiary and Canada's Penitentiary Museum provide another perspective on the country's correctional history. Local museums and heritage sites also explore maritime, medical, military, and community life.

Fort Henry overlooks the entrance to Kingston Harbour and provides views across Lake Ontario and the surrounding waterways. The Rideau Canal, together with Kingston's fortifications, forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the city's waterfront offers walking paths, parks, marinas, and boat cruises toward the Thousand Islands. Murney Tower is one of several surviving defensive structures, and City Hall anchors the historic downtown. The Great Lakes Museum preserves maritime heritage and is home to the S.S. Keewatin. Kingston's surrounding waters also support fishing, paddling, sailing, diving, and wildlife viewing.

Kingston's food scene reflects its location in eastern Ontario, with restaurants using local produce, meats, baked goods, cheeses, and freshwater fish alongside international cuisines. The waterfront and historic downtown contain cafés, breweries, restaurants, and food markets within walking distance of many heritage sites. The city also has a strong connection to music and the arts, with venues such as the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts and the Grand Theatre supporting performances throughout the year. A distinctive local feature is the extensive use of limestone in historic buildings, giving Kingston its long-standing nickname, the “Limestone City.”