Plan a trip to Kingston Penitentiary and give your group a unique experience.

Explore Canada's oldest maximum-security prison, Kingston Penitentiary. Closed in 2013 and designated as a National Historic Site, it is a remarkable historical building, predating Canada's confederation in 1867. Our captivating guided tours offer a unique blend of education and entertainment, making it the perfect destination for School Groups, and Youth Groups.  

Tour Operator Group

A Tour Operator Group can be defined as a group whose Kingston Pen Tours visit is arranged through a registered Tour Operator or Travel Agent.

Organized Groups

An Organized Group can be defined as a group made up of a minimum of 20 attendees and whose Kingston Pen Tours visit is not arranged through a Tour Operator or Travel Agent. Organized Groups are eligible for a discounted ticket rate.

How to Reserve a Group Booking
Tour Options
Tour Etiquette
Parking

How to Reserve a Group Booking

Schedule an Appointment

Connect with Kingston Pen Tours’ Business Officer to make a group reservation, gain more information about available dates/times/tour options/logistics and choose a payment method.

Book Appointment

Receive Booking Reservation Email

A booking confirmation email will be sent out following your appointment with Kingston Pen Tours’ Business Officer containing all tour details and important information.

Confirm Final Number of Attendees 

All Tour Organizers must schedule a Group Booking Confirmation Appointment at least 5 days before the visit. Invoice finalization occurs during this appointment, and refunds are not available thereafter.

Book Appointment

Payment

Payment by credit card or invoice will be accepted.

Those paying by credit card will do so upon confirmation of final number of attendees during their Group Booking Confirmation Appointment at least 5 days prior to their visit.

Those paying by invoice will provide all invoicing details upon confirmation of final number of attendees during their Group Booking Confirmation Appointment at least 5 days prior to their visit.

E-tickets and a confirmation email will be issued following the appointment.

Tour Options

These tours contains subject matter designed for a mature audience - discretion is advised.
*Group bookings exceeding tour capacities will be divided into smaller groups starting approximately 10 minutes apart.

Standard Tour

Duration: 1.5 hours
Maximum 30 guests*

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 guided tour. Available in French as well.

Kingston Pen Tours

Extended Tour

Duration: 2.5 hours
Maximum 20 guests*

This 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.

Express Tour

Duration: 45 minutes
Maximum 25 guests*

This fully accessible 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.

Tour Etiquette


To ensure everyone enjoys their experience, please note the following:

Guided Experience: Our tours are led by designated guides, including retired Correctional Service of Canada staff. Get ready to hear captivating stories from those who worked at Kingston Penitentiary during its active years.

Respectful Participation: We kindly ask parents, guardians, and teachers to remind students and younger participants to be respectful, quiet, and attentive throughout the tour. This ensures a positive experience for all guests.

Group Responsibility: Parents, guardians, and teachers are responsible for the behaviour of their group. Our tour guides will focus on delivering information and safely guiding the group through the institution.

Safety First: Let's make the tour enjoyable for everyone! Keep noise levels in check, follow your guide's instructions, and ensure a safe and efficient exploration of Kingston Penitentiary.

Parking


Free Parking: Free parking is available at Kingston Penitentiary! Our free parking lot is conveniently located on the corner of King Street West and Sir John A MacDonald Blvd.

Bus Parking Guidelines: For tour buses, please park away from the East parking lot fence to comply with Kingston City Bylaws and sustainability initiatives. Avoid idling during your visit to contribute to environmental conservation.

Warm Days: On exceptionally warm days, when health and safety concerns arise, buses are permitted to idle for a maximum of 10 minutes at the end of the tour. This brief period allows the vehicle to cool down before guests re-board.

Thank You for Your Cooperation: Your diligence and compliance contribute to a smooth and environmentally conscious visit. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

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Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our team. We're here to make your group tour a memorable one!

Contact Us