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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