kingston pen tours hours

Take a Tour

Standard tour.

Type: Guided | Duration: 1.5 hours

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.

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

Extended Tour

Type: Guided | Duration:  2.5 hours

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.

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

Express Tour

Type: Guided | Duration: 45 minutes

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.

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

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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 most notable inmates 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 5 – September 29, 2024

Fall season

October 2 – 31, 2024

• Express Tour $27.13
• Standard Tour $42.13
• Extended Tour $81.13

City of Kingston residents save $7.26.

Children 4 years and under are free.

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. 

7 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About Kingston Pen

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.

V iew Story

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Visitor Information

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613.548.4415

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209 Ontario Street Kingston, Ontario K7L 2Z1

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Kingston Pen Tours

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

Kingston Pen Tours

Kingston Pen Tours offers a unique opportunity to explore behind the fortified walls and inside the cell doors of the most notorious prison in Canada. The walking tour takes you through the grounds of Kingston Penitentiary, the infamous maximum-security prison that was declared a National Historic Site in 1990 . Open 1835 to 2013, Kingston Pen housed a substantial number of high profile Canadian inmates. Now is your chance to experience this part of national history!

The tour is lead by summer students who work hard for weeks to learn about and memorize the Penitentiary’s history and intriguing stories. The tour covers the private family visiting area, cellblocks where the inmates slept, highly secure private cellblocks, the shop dome where inmates worked, and recreational grounds.

You explore the Main Dome, the central hub of activity where inmates would have to pass through to get anywhere within the building. The building is architecturally constructed as a centrally planned cruciform. This signifies closeness to the divine and emphasizes spiritual healing. When you stand in the Main Dome and look up at the industrial design of the spiralling stairs and circular floors, you will be in awe!

Pictures from when the penitentiary was still open line the walls. These help you imagine what the Main Dome looked like when people still inhabited the cells.

Former Employees Share Kingston Pen Stories

Tours feature former wardens and Correctional Services Canada (CSC) employees, placed at significant spots throughout the Penitentiary. This provides an opportunity for former employees to share personal stories that are within the realm of their script. Confidentiality is still important under these circumstances. The tour guides do an exceptional job of respecting people’s privacy while keeping the history rich with exciting anecdotes.

Former CSC employees are excited to see this historical monument transform into an attraction and contribute positively to Kingston’s economic prosperity and cultural community. Thousands of people from Kingston and far beyond are incredibly eager about this opportunity and the tour does not disappoint!

Make sure to listen for the stories about famous escapes from Kingston Pen! Undeniably, the inmates were incredibly resourceful in their planned escapes and the last one occurred in 1999.

Canada’s Penitentiary Museum

The transformation of Kingston Pen into a national attraction is a wonderful continuation of its story in Kingston’s history. Further insight into Canada’s penitentiary history can be found across the street at Canada’s Penitentiary Museum . The Museum is housed in Cedarhedge, which was built between 1870 and 1873 and once housed the wardens of the Penitentiary. The Museum illustrates the Canadian penitentiary environment beyond crime and punishment by emphasizing art and educational programs set in place for inmate rehabilitation. To learn more about this Museum, read the Kingston & Area Museums Blog post, “Canada’s Penitentiary Museum.”

Visit Kingston Pen Tours today

The Kingston Pen Tour is like nothing you have ever seen before and truly an experience you will never forget. From the Penitentiary’s historical significance and unforgettable past to a current tourist landmark and filming location, this site is a must see for everyone. Do your time today and book tickets online !

Tours include the Standard (1.5 hours), Extended (2.5 hours), and Express (45 minutes) to choose from.

Stay connect with Kingston Pen Tours on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter !

Check out  Canada’s Penitentiary Museum , also on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter !

If you would like to learn more about the Museums, Art Galleries and Historic Sites of Kingston and the Area start by exploring the spaces around you!

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2 responses to “Kingston Pen Tours”

[…] mug shots in Canada. As a knowledgeable source on penitentiary history, Dave focused on Kingston Penitentiary as he outlined the evolution of record keeping and mug […]

[…] also historically known as “Canada’s Penitentiary City.” Women prisoners were first sent to Kingston Penitentiary (KP) in 1835. In 1925 construction started across the street on the Prison for Women (P4W). The […]

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Kingston Penitentiary Tours

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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

Kingston Pen Tours

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KINGSTON PEN TOURS (North Frontenac) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Daily Kingston Pen Tours Start This Weekend

May 12, 2023 by rosalyn

New Express Tour Offered Alongside Standard and Extended Tours

Kingston, Ontario — Beginning this weekend, May 13, Kingston Pen Tours will be offered daily throughout the summer and fall, giving guests the opportunity to step behind the iron bars of Canada’s oldest prison all week long. This marks the earliest date in recent years that tours have been offered 7 days a week, creating greater availability for this popular experience.

Daily tours, offered in English and French, give guests an inside look at what daily life was like at the Kingston Penitentiary, as well as some of the extraordinary events that happened there. Tours of different lengths delve deeper and deeper into various aspects of the storied prison compound, from the people who lived and worked there, to its early history, to its current state as a film location and cultural asset.

Standard and Extended Tours include first-hand accounts from retired corrections staff, and the new Express Tour offers the opportunity to visit many of the highlights of the institution, including the North Gate, one of the cell ranges, the canteen and social services area, to learn about the momentous 1971 riot, and more.

Kingston Pen Tours has been awarded the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award two years running for earning great traveller reviews on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period.

Tickets for fall tours, (starting September 5, 2023) will be available this summer.

About Kingston Pen Tours Kingston Pen Tours offer an in-depth look at life behind the walls of Canada’s oldest maximum – security prison. Today’s guided tours and first-hand accounts from retired corrections staff provide guests with a blend of the historic, cultural and criminological components of this storied institution, creating a one-of-a-kind experience.

To learn more, visit www.kingstonpentour.com/ .

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Katie Forrester Communications and Media Relations St. Lawrence Parks Commission

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Kingston Pen Tours Facebook: @KingstonPenTour Twitter: @KingstonPenTour Instagram: @KingstonPenTour #KingstonPen

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Kingston Pen Tours

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560 King Street W

Kingston, ON K7L 4V7

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Overall rating

I've been wanting to come for this tour since I heard about it. Not only is it the oldest reformatory prison, it's also held some pretty notable names from Canadian true crime. We booked the extended tour, to allow me to soak in as much as we could. At just over $70/pp for 2.5 hr tour, it's a steal. Our tour guide, Josh, was epic. Very upfront and knowledgable and funny! He was very honest at the beginning on the tour (and unfortunately had to reiterate and be a little firmer during the tour itself) regarding questions about current Federal inmates. Essentially a) that it is against the privacy act to discuss those inmates and b) he won't discuss them, out of respect for the victims and their families. More than fair and honourable. I'm as interested as the next person in Bernardo, McArthur, Williams and others, but knew going into this tour it wasn't a tour about serial killers and I didn't expect much, if any, info regarding them. If that's why you're going, don't waste your time. The tour is very respectful of the victims and their families. The actual tour is amazing. Josh was very knowledgeable, sharing stories in almost every area of the prison of things gone on there. He shared his own ghost story from working at the Pen. The architecture is beautiful. The roof in one of the shops is one of the most beautiful pieces I've ever seen. The Pen is getting old and it's showing it's age. But it's definitely worth the tour, if just for the history and architecture. Only con- End of season, so I wasn't able to get my size in the gift shop

We decided to do the tour on an impulse. I've wanted to go for awhile and we happened to be in Kingston this weekend on a work event. We did the morning tour on a Sunday, it was so well done. Our guide, William, was very informative. He did an amazing job and I really hope he gets some recognition. I'm looking forward to reading the Ty Conn book on my long drive home (his recommendation). Thank you!

Excellent tour of this notorious Canadian jail. Our tour guide was well versed, the retired guards who jump in during the tour was an added bonus. They unfortunately due to federal law can't talk about any prisoners that were there for the most part. It's a bit pricey $80 for two tickets. Any young offenders should do this tour, it's not where anyone would want to be for a day.

See all photos from Sheila B. for Kingston Pen Tours

This was a "must" for me for awhile, and glad I finally for around to doing it today (22OCT). Ive been on a few other prison tours, such as Alcatraz ... which was great but very much hyped up. Kingston Penn is Canada's oldest maximum state prison so the history and property tour was very interesting. A big Shout out and thanks to Patrick, who was extremely knowledgable, engaging and great at presenting Kingston as well as the former Kingston Staff whom gave their own accounts on what happened, The standard tour is 1.5 hrs and covers a lot. Instead of listing what happened, I encourage to take the tour yourself (runs until end of October) and experience 1st hand. Thank You Kingston Penn Staff and Partick for a great afternoon - and I hope you'll back next year!

First time taking a tour of a penitentiary or ever been on one lol being canadas first penitentiary, you'll be able to see all the history and stories it has to offer. The tours are only available for a little time and are regularly sold out. I high recommend this tour and see where some of Canada's not so nice people spent their lives.

See all photos from Dion G. for Kingston Pen Tours

Let me just preface this review by saying that a little birdie told me they may not be running these tours next year, so if you want to visit, book a tour and tell your friends so these tours can continue (and no, I don't work for them!) I can't imagine why they'd stop the tours. Our group was huge and the tour was really great. It took you through a large portion of the prison, had former guards talking about the prison and their experiences, and our tour guide was very knowledgeable and made the tour fun. A few suggestions for future consideration: I would have been great to see inside one of the conjugal visits mini-houses. Also, our guide mentioned there was a book on one prisoner who successfully escaped the prison so I'm not sure why this book isn't sold in the gift shop. Also, if there's a book about the riots, that would be great to carry, as well. Finally, I'm not sure why they haven't set up the library like it would have looked back when the prison was functioning instead of just having a couple of small photos.

Decided last year we wanted to do this tour, but it was sold out for the year. Booked early this year, and got our tickets. The tour guide was very informative and was willing to answer any questions, and find out answers to questions she didn't know. Bringing in retired correctional service employees, both guards and wardens, let to personal stories, and insight into the inner workings of a jail. Unfortunately, this is the same reason that the tour lost a star on the review. Unbeknownst to myself.....whistling is not allowed in jail. I whistle all the time. One of the former guards decided that he would not only point out this rule of jailbird etiquette, but lecture myself and the group on why he's offended by whistling inside the walls and how he's hardwired. He then told another person on the tour, to hold her question till he was done the story. Just an irritating person. The rest of the tour was excellent, and I'd highly recommend it. 90 minutes in length, with only one short flight of steps (approx 5-6).

Went here Saturday afternoon with my mom and sister. I had been wanting to go on this tour since they first opened it to the public so I was really excited about it. The tickets were not all that expensive for the regular tour, about $35 per person. The day we attended tickets were sold out so be sure to book in advance (I booked about a week in advance). Our tour guide was knowledgeable and you get to see a wide variety of the pen including: the north gate, the metal and machine shops, a typical "range", isolation/segregation ranges, rec yard, the psychiatric hospital on the grounds etc. You don't get to see the kitchen facilities, the living quarters mentioned by the tour guide where staff stayed, the administration building (previously the womens's prison), the hospital, several out "out buildings". I understand that if you upgrade your ticket you may have access to these. It was a super fun time and each of the tour guides you interact with are very informative and willing to answer any questions you may have. Would highly reccomend!

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Kingston Pen Tour

Step behind the walls of Canada’s oldest and most notorious maximum-security prison: An Express Tour is included with 48h and 72h K-Pass.

The Express Tour is a fully accessible 45-minute guided tour introducing the Kingston Penitentiary. Guests will have the opportunity to visit many of the highlights within the institution, including the North Gate, a cell range, the canteen and social services area.

Or, you can upgrade to the Standard Tour or the Extended Tour.

The Standard tour is a 1.5 hour tour including the muster area (visitation and correspondence area), north gate, G-Range (cell range) programs wing, main cell dome, segregation/dissociation wing, shop dome, metal shop, recreational yard, regional treatment center gymnasium and a view of the re-authenticated aboriginal grounds.  This tour is wheelchair accessible.

The Extended tour is a 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.

Tours contain subject matter designed for a mature audience – parental discretion is advised.

www.kingstonpentour.com 560 King St. West Trolley Stop #7

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A Peek Inside Canada’s Oldest Prison – Kingston Pen Tour Review

For a city that has produced iconic Canadian talents such as Bryan Adams and The Tragically Hip, it’s odd to say that the hottest ticket in Kingston is for a prison. Since opening its doors to tourism in 2016, visiting Kingston Penitentiary has been in high demand and often sells out its daily tours well in advance. Admittedly, I knew very little about the prison so was a bit confused by this attraction. It is, after all, just a really big and really old jail.

To better understand what all the fuss is about I took a peek inside.

Table of Contents

Can a Prison be Beautiful?

Apparently, yes.

The first thing that struck me about visiting Kingston Penitenteray is the beauty of the building itself. This is an odd thing to say about a prison however much like the rest of old Kingston, it is made of limestone. From the courthouse to the towers that once protected Kingston’s shores, “Stone City” has its share of beautiful structures. Kingston Penitentiary is, oddly, one of them.

The second thing I noticed while visiting Kingston Penitenteray is its surprising location on the shores of Lake Ontario. The beauty of this waterfront location is lost when passing by the entrance on King street however it’s land value should be clear with the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour , home to the sailing events from the 1976 Summer Olympics, neighboring the prison to the west. Thanks to Fly Kingston I was able to get a bird’s eye view of Kingston Pen and only made me question it’s location further. Why anyone would build a prison here and give up this water-front property was beyond me, but again, that is why I was taking this tour.

Touring Kingston Pen

Built in 1833, Kingston Pen was Canada’s first maximum-security prison and served as such until closing its doors in September 2013. Its waterfront location was chosen as for its easy access and abundance of limestone. At the time of construction, Kingston (and much of Ontario) was not developed so little thought was required in giving up prime real estate. Makes sense I suppose. Those views though…

At the time of closure, Kingston Pen was one of the oldest prisons in continuous use in the world. During that time it held some of Canada’s most notorious criminals including Clifford Olson, Russell Williams, and Paul Bernardo…although you would never know that taking this tour. At the very beginning of the tour, our guide was quick to point out that he is legally not allowed to answer specific questions on former inmates due to Canada’s Privacy Act. This was nice as, in a way, it avoids making a celebrity out of the criminals that served there. Instead, the tour focuses on the history behind the building and why it is so important in Kingston’s story.

Behind the Walls

Once I signed my life away through a mountain of waivers, our tour began with a walk through the main courtyard. This took us past the conjugal visit units and past the center where the inmate radio show was broadcasted from. So far life inside Kingston Pen didn’t seem that rough. Less so when we were told that inmates in the conjugal visit units could order-in pizza or Chinese food. From my limited knowledge of life behind bars (supplied by films and TV shows), this is not what I expected.

Behind the Scenes

This theme continued throughout the day with our guide noting the differences between Hollywood and real life inside the jail. He also pointed out the differences and flaws with the private jail systems in the States versus the government run institutions in Canada. Thankfully privately run prisons have been limited and reverted to Government control in Canada.

Our tour continued inside the prison where we were handed off to a retired guard who filled us in on what life was like day-to-day for both the prisoners and himself. This was an incredibly interesting touch and similar to what you will find on the audio guides of Alcatraz as well as the personal stories from the former prisoners of Robben Island in South Africa.

We were then allowed to stroll through a wing of mocked up cells. Again not being told what notorious criminal was locked up where. This is where the prisoners spent most of their time, including where they ate their meals.

What I found most interesting while visiting Kingston Pen was the workshop and the brick building it is housed in. As Kingston pen was a working prison the labour shop produced everything from mattresses to furniture. Because the inmates made roughly $6 a day, the products were only ever used in other government agencies.

Riot Revealed

The former guard also went through the conditions that led to the 1971 riot; a four-day event that resulted in hostages, police negotiations, and fires. In the end, the inmates gave in after the military threatened to take the prison back with force. Two prisoners were killed during the riot and much of the prison was damaged beyond repair. This was partly because the inmates were concerned about moving to the newly built Milhaven facility.

Like I said, this place is oddly beautiful. Clearly, those that spent the most time in it, knew this.

The Most to Canadian Escape Ever

One former inmate story that the guide did share was of Norman “Red” Ryan. He is one of only a handful of prisoners to ever escape Kingston Pen. After setting fire to a barn as a distraction, “Red” and a small group of prisoners made their move over the tall stone walls. During his escape he fought off a guard, hitting him in the head with a pitchfork to shake free. Although in the clear for awhile, hurting the guard weighed heavily on Ryan to the point of writing an apology. He mailed it to the guard, return address and all. Days later Ryan was able to apologize in person.

How’s that for a true Canadian escape artist? Only getting caught because he said sorry.

What makes this story that much more amazing is the fact that a young Ernest Hemmingway, on his very first day working for the Toronto Daily Star, was sent to Kingston to cover the escape. You can read his story here.

Worth the Visit. Worth the Wait

In the end, touring Kingston Pen is a great way to appreciate and understand Kingston’s connection to corrections. Paired with the Penitentiary Musem across the street, visiting Kingston Pen offers an amazing insight into life inside Canada’s oldest prison and judicial system. Booking a bike tour offers a unique way to visit Kingston Pen too.

With its architectural highlights and the intrigue of seeing something hidden from the public for over 180 years, touring Kingston Pen is a must-do. Again, this tour is popular so be sure to book ahead !

What are your thoughts on visiting  Kingston Pen  ? Let’s hear it!

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Although I was provided a complimentary day touring Kingston Pen thanks to Visit Kingston , the experience, opinions, and realization that prisons can be pretty are my own.

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Please see the book called West Yard. It speaks truth to power about what really goes on inside the walls and fences.

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Thank you for such a detailed report, Shaun. You make the tour sound very interesting. Worth a visit for sure.

It’s worth a visit for sure, especially since not so many tourists get to do so. It will provide you with a different perspective.

I have never been for a prison tour but I can imagine how cool it must have been! Love the pictures and I bet the guides have some very interesting stories to tell about things that have happened there. What a cool thing to do!

I just like that it’s not something that most people would do. It gives us a different perspective since what we usually know about prisons, we learn from movies.

What a cool trip, I’d love to do something like this at a prison! Bet it was really interesting x

Yeah, it was. At least I learned so many things about prisons and what really happens behind bars.

Wow… it actually looks like a university from the outside! I guess it’s interesting to see how is the life inside the prison, far from the Hollywood stuff! And having a former guard as a speaker really makes it interesting.

That’s for sure! I agree, the buildings look really nice. Even for the architecture alone, I would definitely go. And yeah, having someone who had worked there as your guide makes the tour more interesting since he has firsthand knowledge of the place.

Another prison that’s become a point of interest, so interesting, and Kingston Pen is one to see for sure!

What sets it apart also is its location and how beautiful the buildings are. From the outside, it doesn’t look like a prison at all.

Looks Like an Interesting Fully Escorted Guided Tour Provided by Kingston Pen Tours for Those Visiting Ontario, Canada. Canada’s Version of Alcatraz Prison in San Francisco!

It is an interesting one. Definitely a must visit when you’re in Ontario!

Haha I laughed at the story about the Canadian prisoner who escaped and then apologized :p The exterior of the prison looks really beautiful by the way!

Sounds very Canadian, doesn’t it? 😉

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Kingston Pen Tours

Toll Free Phone: 800-437-2233 Email: [email protected]

Historic Sites

Unlock the mystery behind the doors of Canada’s most notorious prison, Kingston Penitentiary. Wander in amazement and awe as you tour this architectural wonder, rich with history.