10 (Almost) Free Things to do This Month in Kingston!

by Kristina Pernar

1. Maple Madness: Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area
March 10-18, 24-25, 31

Take a hike through the trails, or hop on the tracker-drawn wagon to the Sugar Shack for pancakes and syrup. There will be a host of special activities, tree tapping demonstrations, and self-guided Sugar Bush Tours from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm during Maple Madness dates. Be sure to check out the website for information on all of the special events happening during Maple Madness.

www.crca.ca/events/maple-madness

2. Memorial Centre Farmers Market: 303 York St, in the Barn
Sundays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Head out to the barn on Sunday mornings to meet the local vendors and craft producers. The Memorial Centre website has a list of all of the vendors including baked goods, producers, and dairy at the year round Farmer’s Market.

www.memorialcentrefarmersmarket.ca

3. 8th Annual Kingston Boat and Recreation Consumer Show: Kingston 1000 Islands Sportsplex
March 29-31, 2019

The Kingston 1000 Islands Sportsplex will be hosting the Annual Kingston Boat Show. Have fun with your family as you spend the day checking out recreation boats, pontoons, fishing boats, canoes, demonstrations, and discounted models from last year. Meet with experts to learn more about the boats. Not everyone in the family is interested in boats? This year’s show is co-located with the Kingston Home & Garden Show. Free Admission for kids under 16 and free parking onsite. For more information see the Ontario Trade Show website and subscribe for 50% off admissions:

www.ontariotradeshows.com

4. Art on Ice, Froid’Art – City of Kingston

Take a walk around the city and try to find as many of the 20 original art pieces frozen into 300 pound blocks of ice by local and regional artists (there is one in Napanee too). This year’s frozen art has been sponsored by numerous homes and businesses around the City of Kingston. The Kingston frozen art exhibit was launched by David Dossett to spread colour across the city during the cold, grey winter months.

5. The Original Hockey Hall of Fame: The Invista Centre
Thursday to Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Spend a cold, March afternoon walking though the Hall of Hockey History at the Invista Centre. See their top artifacts, like the original, square puck and the sticks used back in the late 1880s here in Kingston. Step into the Hall Theatre to view, “The Cradle of Hockey”, a history lesson narrated by the native Kingston hockey player, coach, and commentator, Don Cherry. Admission to the Hall is by donation.

www.originalhockeyhalloffame.com

6. Ambassador Hotel Waterpark
Waterslide open daily from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm

Can’t get away for March Break this year? Warm up and get active at the Ambassador Hotel Waterpark with its interactive splash pad and waterslide. Their webpage advertises a hot tub, sauna, and lots of room to spread out and relax on the pool side lounge chairs. $8.00 admissions when the waterslide is available.

www.ambassadorhotek.com/waterpark

7. Discount Admissions Tickets for Museums and Parks: Kingston Frontenac Public Library
Check the hours for your local branch online

Borrow passes using your library card, for up to one week, to local conservation areas and provincial parks. Passes are available for Kingston, MacLachlan Woodworking Museum and the Pump House Steam Museum. They also have passes available for three museums in Ottawa and the Aquarium in Brockville, for families interested in a day trip. Find out more about what passes are available at:

www.kfpla.ca/library-services/museum-and-park-passes

Military Discounts and Promotions

8. Improbable Escapes Kingston: 303 Bagot Street, Kingston

With a number of different plots to choose from, there are escape puzzles for the whole family to enjoy. Currently they offer four different escape rooms but keep an eye out for Pop-Up Escapes in local museums and historic sites. Receive 10% off when booking by using the promo code: military_ie

www.improbableescapes.com/promotions

9. Landmark Cinema Canadian Forces Promotion: Landmark Cinemas 10 Kingston
Offer on until May

A new promotion on now offering CAF members and their immediate family members admission to a film, medium popcorn, and drink for only $13.99. This promotion is limited to Kingston only, for show times and more information, visit:

www.landmarkcinemas.com/showtimes/kingston

Worth the trip outside Kingston this March!

10. Maple in the County
March 30 – 31, 2019 – Prince Edward County

Take the trip from Kingston to Prince Edward County to taste the freshest syrup of the year. Enjoy two days of Sugar Bush activities and a maple inspired meal at participating restaurants. Download your map today at www.agnes.queensu.ca/learn/tours-groups/, to find out more about the 12 Sugar Bushes taking part in Maple in the County this year. There is also information on the Sugar Bush Activities and other activities going on during the festival at:

www.mapleinthecounty.ca