For many of us who moved to Queen’s from bigger cities, living in Kingston can feel small, and as if we’re stuck in a bubble. With the tendency for many Queen’s students, myself included, to remain in this bubble, it can be hard to shake the feeling that you’re living in the movie Groundhog Day: spending your days on campus, your evenings in the University district, and your weekends at the Hub.
While I’m not here to tell you any of those things are bad ways or places to spend your time, I’m here to tell you there’s so much more to Kingston than the student bubble. It can be refreshing to vary your routine and try new things in the area.
I sometimes feel like I can’t escape school, and when I feel that way, I love to leave the student area and enjoy what Kingston has to offer. So, here are some of my favourite things to do in Kingston, outside the University district and the Hub.
Go for coffee
This one is obvious, and I’m sure most people have been to these spots. Nonetheless, the coffee scene in Kingston is epic. For a smaller city, Kingston packs a punch with dozens of coffee shops downtown. From Balzac’s, Pan Chancho, to the student favourite, Crave, there are many cute coffee shops in the area to visit and act like a main character, whether it be to study, catch up with friends, or go on a cute coffee date.
Walk to Springer Market Square
Springer Market Square is such a sweet little spot to check out. It’s within walking distance of campus and is packed with activities all year round. From skating in the winter, to farmers’ markets and outdoor shows in the summer, Springer Market Square is a lovely spot to take a stroll downtown. Seeing little kids skating and old couples shopping at the farmers market will surely warm your heart and remind you there’s more to Kingston than just student life.
Work out
The ARC can get old fast. You know you’re going to bump into your ex-housemate there and be stuck in conversation when you’re just trying to get your steps in on the treill. A fun way to get your workout in outside of the ARC is to check out local fitness spots. There’s a good chance you will still see some students there, but it feels a bit more like you’re stepping outside the student bubble.
My favourite ways to work out off campus are going for runs through Breakwater Park (only when the weather is nice), going climbing at the Boiler Room, or taking classes at SpinCo or Morro Yoga. There are a few others in the areas well, like F45 and Pole Fitness. These places can be a bit on the pricier side, so make sure to ask about student pricing.
Lemoine Point Conservation Area
If you have access to a car or if your parents made the drive down for a visit, Lemoine Point Conservation Area is a lovely spot to go get some fresh air that certainly feels far from campus and all things Queen’s. There are lovely hiking trails, beautiful views of the bay and Lake Ontario, community gardens, and picnic areas. I would highly recommend spending the afternoon there with friends or family. Everyone needs a healthy dose of nature sometimes.
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Kingston can feel restrictive sometimes, but getting out of the bubble is a wonderful way to feel refreshed and reset. We’re not robots, and we can’t do the exact same thing every week. So, research things to do in the surrounding area and try something new. You might find Kingston has a lot more to offer than you thought.
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