kingston penitentiary tour prices

Tickets for 2022 Kingston Pen Tours Now on Sale

May 5, 2022 by rosalyn

Explore life behind the doors of one of Canada’s oldest maximum-security prisons

Kingston, ON – Kingston Pen Tours return for the 2022 season, giving guests the opportunity to step behind the iron bars of Canada’s oldest prison. Starting today, May 5, guests can book tickets for tours between May 21 and June 30 at kingstonpentour.com, with additional dates released monthly.

Explore Kingston Penitentiary’s past through guided tours and first-hand accounts from retired corrections staff that provide guests with an inside look at what daily life was like at the Pen, as well as some of the extraordinary events that are part of this institution’s history. Four distinct tours delve into different aspects of the storied prison compound, from the people who lived and worked there, to its architectural and early history, to its recent popularity as a film location for movie and television productions.

Visiting Kingston Pen Tours

Tickets go on sale May 5 at kingstonpentour.com for tours between May 21 and June 30. Summer tour dates will be available for purchase one month at a time, beginning in June. Due to limited availability, purchasing tickets prior to arrival is highly recommended. Full ticket release schedule can be found at kingstonpentour.com .

• Most tours are $40 (including HST), see tour options for full price list
• May and June tours operate Wednesday to Sunday beginning at 10:00am on weekdays and 9:00am on weekends
• July and August tours operate 7 days a week beginning at 9:00am with last tour at 4:00pm
• Parking is available at no charge on site
• Kingston residents receive a $5 discount off their ticket price (with valid postal code)

About Kingston Pen Tours

Kingston Pen Tours offer an in-depth look at life behind the walls of Canada’s oldest maximum-security prison. A National Historic Site, the Kingston Penitentiary played a prominent societal role on a local and national scale, from the time of its inception in 1835, to its principal role under the newly formed federal government in 1867 to its final day of operations in September 2013 as a maximum-security level facility. Today’s guided tours and first-hand accounts from retired corrections staff provide guests with a blend of the historic, architectural and criminological components of this storied institution, creating a one-of-a-kind experience.

About St. Lawrence Parks Commission

The St. Lawrence Parks Commission, an agency of the Government of Ontario, operates facilities stretching from Kingston to the Quebec border, including Upper Canada Village, Fort Henry National Historic Site of Canada (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site); Kingston Pen Tours, Crysler Park Marina, Upper Canada Golf Course, Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary and 10 campgrounds and 6 beach day-use picnic areas including the Long Sault and Thousand Islands Parkways.

To learn more, visit www.parks.on.ca .

Media Contact

Heather Kearney Manager, Guest Relations, and Corporate Communications St. Lawrence Parks Commission

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Kingston Penitentiary Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Kingston Penitentiary: Explore Canada’s Historic Prison in Kingston

The Kingston Penitentiary has always been notorious in Canada. A maximum security prison, the “Kingston Pen” has housed some of Canada’s worst criminals over its 178 years. The Kingston Pen was originally constructed in 1833-1834, opening its doors on June 1 , 1835. Although largely closed to the public throughout its history, Charles Dickens once visited and so did Ernest Hemingway. And now you can visit, too with Kingston Pen Tours. 

Main season

April 29 – September 4, 2023

Fall season

September 4 – November 26, 2023

• Express Tour $26.13
• Standard Tour $41.13
• Extended Tour $81.13

City of Kingston residents save $5.

Military Discount 50% off (with ID).

Pricing includes all fees and HST.

Tours offered

Express tour.

This fully accessible 45 minute guided tour offers an introductory experience of Kingston Penitentiary. Guests will have the opportunity to visit many of the highlights of the institution, including the North Gate, a cell range, the canteen and social services area to hear about the 1971 riot, and more.

This tour contains subject matter designed for a mature audience – parental discretion is advised.

Standard Tour

Step inside the walls of Canada’s oldest penitentiary and explore the living and working areas, some dating back to the 1830s. Hear the personalized accounts from former staff and learn about the history and the daily routines, including stories of escapes, riots and everything in between on this 1.5-hour guided tour. Available in French as well.

This tour contains subject matter designed for a mature audience – parental discretion is advised. 

Extended Tour

This 2.5-hour tour covers the Standard Tour content as well as a more in-depth look behind the walls exploring the history of Kingston Penitentiary and Regional Treatment Centre. Discover more of the site and hear about the history of additional areas, such as the hospital, gymnasium, and school. With smaller group sizes the Extended Tour provides a greater opportunity to connect with retired corrections staff and tour guides.

Tour Accessibility

Accessible tour options for persons with vision loss and mobility needs are integrated into all tours. Wheelchairs are available for guests to use as needed. Companions accompanying a visitor with a disability will receive complimentary admission when their assistance is required. If guests have any unique needs, require an accompanying companion, or have any questions about accommodation, contact SLPC Guest Services at www.parks.on.ca/contact .

Tours for People with Hearing Loss

A full tour script is available to visitors who have hearing loss. Please purchase tickets online and request the tour script upon arrival.

If you require a tour with ASL interpretation, please contact SLPC Guest Services at www.parks.on.ca/contact prior to purchasing tickets.

There’s more to Kingston than Canada’s oldest prison.

After your Kingston Penitentiary tour, experience Kingston’s vibrant culture. Try our local wines and craft brews , restaurants and eateries , and pubs and nightlife .

Are you interested in the history of Kingston?  Check out more museums in Kingston.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are the tours suitable for all age groups?
• What provisions are there for people with disabilities?
•  Are there any provisions for people with hearing loss?

To find solutions to commonly asked questions and discover additional details, visit the Kingston Pen Tour website .

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7 Things You Need to Know About Kingston Penitentiary

As historian J. A .   Edmison  wrote in his book The History of Kingston Penitentiary, “If [KP’s] walls could talk, we would indeed have  stories of drama, of tragedy, of cruelty, of every vicissitude of human emotion.” Though Canada’s oldest and most notorious maximum-security prison closed in 2013, some of those stories have survived.

Behind the Iron Bars, Exploring Kingston Penitentiary

Unlock the mystery, learn the history, and go behind the walls of the Kingston Pen. 

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Before your tour, why not read up on some of the oft-unknown fun facts about the Kingston Pen? Unlikely guests, author inspiration, a break in and more.

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Kingston Penitentiary Tours

Constructed from 1833 to 1834 and opened on June 1, 1835, as the "Provincial Penitentiary of the Province of Upper Canada", it was one of the oldest prisons in continuous use in the world at the time of its closure in 2012.

Tours of Kingston Penitentiary offer a rare and unique opportunity to go behind the walls of Canada's oldest and most notorious maximum security prison.

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