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Daytime

A Quiet Afternoon at the Penitentiary

Kingston Penitentiary is open early in the week, offering a stark, quiet introduction to the city’s most famous institution before the crowds arrive.

Best time: noneAbout 180 min

Timeline

  1. 09:00

    Kingston Penitentiary

    Walk to the Penitentiary Museum in the old warden's house. Arriving at opening time on a weekday gives you the best chance to explore the exhibits on Clifford Olsen and Paul Bernardo in relative peace. The museum is located in the historic warden's house, adjacent to the Olympic Harbour marina.

  2. 09:45

    Manoosheh

    Walk eight minutes to Manoosheh for a simple, authentic lunch. This small storefront is known for its Lebanese flatbread and middle-eastern cuisine. One flatbread is enough for a nice meal, and the price is reasonable. There is only bar seating, but it is usually not busy at this hour.

  3. 10:15

    Kingston Penitentiary

    Return to Kingston Penitentiary for a second look or to explore the exterior grounds. The Olympic Harbour marina is adjacent to the jail and serves as a home for sailing, providing a calm contrast to the prison's history. If you missed any details in the warden's house earlier, this is the time to catch them.

Local tip

The museum is open Monday to Friday from 9AM to 4PM between November and April. On weekends or during May to October, it opens at 10AM. Plan your arrival accordingly to avoid disappointment.

Check before you go

  • Kingston Penitentiary Museum hours: Nov-Apr M-F 9AM-4PM; May-Oct daily 10AM-4PM. By donation.
  • Manoosheh is open Mo-Sa 09:00-21:30.

Worth knowing

  • Manoosheh is open at 09:45 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Kingston (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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