Skip to main content
Usitour
Sightseeing

Fort Henry National Historic Site

📍 1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston, ON K7K 5G8, Canada
No photos yet
4.4/ 5.0
★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
Canada, Kingston
Category
Sightseeing
Duration
2-3 hours
Address
1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston, ON K7K 5G8, Canada
Coordinates
44.2307, -76.4695

Introduction

Fort Henry sits on the hill east of Kingston Harbour, a 19th-century British fortress begun in 1832 and completed in 1848 to guard the mouth of the Rideau Canal and the Kingston naval dockyard; with the canal's defences it forms Canada's first UNESCO World Heritage site. Built of limestone in an irregular polygon, it holds officers' quarters, barracks, magazines and gun batteries, and is still garrisoned by the red-coated Fort Henry Guard, who drill, fire rifles and demonstrate artillery daily. The ramparts look back over downtown Kingston and the head of Lake Ontario.

✨ Highlights

1
A World Heritage fortress
Listed with the Rideau Canal defences — Canada's first World Heritage site.
2
The Fort Henry Guard
In 1867-pattern scarlet uniforms, the guard drills, drums and fires artillery daily.
3
Gun batteries and the lake
Bastion guns face the head of Lake Ontario and the islands beyond.
4
Officers' quarters and barracks
Restored interiors show Victorian garrison life and its class divide.
5
50-minute guided tours
English and French, every half hour from the upper fort, no booking needed.
6
Sunset ceremony
Summer evenings bring a separate-ticket ceremony with band, drill and cannon fire.

🛈 Practical Info

→Tours：Every half hour, English and French, included in admission
→Parking：Free on site; bus 2 runs from downtown
→Time needed：2-3 hours; half a day if you watch the drills with children
→Food：Limited café inside — consider bringing snacks
→Transportation：Drive 10 min east of downtown Kingston on Highway 2, free on-site parking; or bus 2 to Fort Henry; 10 min by taxi from Kingston VIA station

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday10:00-17:00
Tuesday10:00-17:00
Wednesday10:00-17:00
Thursday10:00-17:00
Friday10:00-17:00
Saturday10:00-17:00
Sunday10:00-17:00

Main season (mid-May to early September) daily 10:00-17:00; autumn weekends and set dates at CAD 13; October to April open on event days only

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
AdultCAD 20 (25-64)
SeniorCAD 18 (65+)
StudentAutumn general admission CAD 13 (5+); Queen's students CAD 10.40
Free AdmissionAges 0-4 free

Plus HST; Canadian military CAD 16 with ID; season pass CAD 50

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Fort Henry National Historic Site?

Monday: 10:00-17:00; Tuesday: 10:00-17:00; Wednesday: 10:00-17:00; Thursday: 10:00-17:00; Friday: 10:00-17:00; Saturday: 10:00-17:00; Sunday: 10:00-17:00; Main season (mid-May to early September) daily 10:00-17:00; autumn weekends and set dates at CAD 13; October to April open on event days only

How much is the admission for Fort Henry National Historic Site?

Adult: CAD 20 (25-64); Senior: CAD 18 (65+); Student: Autumn general admission CAD 13 (5+); Queen's students CAD 10.40; Free Admission: Ages 0-4 free; Plus HST; Canadian military CAD 16 with ID; season pass CAD 50

How long should I spend at Fort Henry National Historic Site?

A typical visit takes 2-3 hours.