Kingston Penitentiary

Closed since 2013, Kingston Penitentiary is a national historic site, its construction predating Canadian Confederation. That's no small feat.

When it opened in 1835, it was called the "Penitentiary of the Province of Upper Canada," and one of the unique aspects of this correctional facility is that it was built by… prisoners!

The 1.5-hour guided tour will allow you to discover some of the prison's key features and get a clear picture of the conditions in which former inmates lived, confined to particularly tiny cells.

Many prisoners, both men and women, passed through here. Among them was Marie-Anne Houde, the stepmother of little Aurore Gagnon, the child martyr who became tragically famous in Quebec.

For an even more immersive experience, book the 2.5-hour tour instead. This will allow you to interact with retired prison officers and learn more about the historical and architectural aspects of the prison.