If you’re planning a trip inspired by the Paramount+ series “Mayor of Kingstown,” you might expect to visit Michigan. The show is set in the fictional town of Kingstown, Michigan, but the cameras never actually roll there. Understanding where the production takes place helps you plan a very different kind of destination visit, one that takes you north of the border to explore Canadian cities standing in for American locations.
This guide explains the actual filming locations, what you can see as a visitor, how to access these sites, and what else these Canadian destinations offer beyond their screen appearances. You’ll learn which locations are accessible to the public and which practical considerations matter when planning a filming location tour.
Where Is Mayor of Kingstown Actually Filmed?
“Mayor of Kingstown” films primarily in Kingston, Ontario and Toronto, Ontario, both in Canada. The production uses Kingston’s historic downtown, correctional facilities, and neighborhoods to create the fictional Michigan prison town, while Toronto studios and various Greater Toronto Area locations provide additional settings and controlled filming environments.
Kingston, Ontario: The Primary Filming Location
Kingston serves as the main filming location and provides the show’s visual foundation. This city of approximately 135,000 people sits on the northeastern end of Lake Ontario, about 180 kilometers (112 miles) east of Toronto and 260 kilometers (162 miles) southwest of Montreal.
The production chose Kingston for practical and aesthetic reasons. The city’s 19th-century limestone architecture, institutional buildings, and historic correctional facilities create an authentic backdrop for a story centered on America’s prison system, while Ontario’s film tax credits make the location financially attractive to producers.
Accessible Filming Sites in Downtown Kingston
Many filming locations appear in Kingston’s downtown core, which you can explore on foot. Princess Street and the surrounding blocks feature regularly in street scenes, with local businesses occasionally doubling as show locations.
The productions frequently uses exteriors around City Hall on Ontario Street and areas near the waterfront. While you can visit and photograph these public spaces, be aware that specific building interiors that appear on screen are typically not open to visitors or are private locations that served only as filming sites.
Kingston Penitentiary and Correctional Facilities
Given the show’s focus on the prison system, Kingston Penitentiary plays a crucial role. This decommissioned maximum-security facility closed in 2013 and now offers public tours during warmer months, typically May through October.
Tours last approximately 90 minutes and require advance booking, which you should complete through the official Correctional Service of Canada Museum or authorized tour operators. Prices and availability change seasonally, so verify current details before planning your visit.
Getting to and Around Kingston
Kingston sits along Highway 401, making it accessible by car from Toronto (roughly 2.5 to 3 hours) or Montreal (roughly 2.5 hours). VIA Rail provides train service connecting Kingston to both cities, with the station located just north of downtown.
The downtown area where most filming occurs is compact and walkable. Kingston Transit operates local bus service, though many filming locations cluster within a 15-minute walk of each other in the historic district.
Toronto Area Filming Locations
Toronto and surrounding municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area provide studio facilities and additional exterior locations. The production uses Toronto for scenes requiring controlled environments, specific urban settings, or facilities not available in Kingston.
Unlike Kingston’s compact filming footprint, Toronto locations scatter across the metropolitan area. Most studio interiors film at professional facilities not open to public tours, and many exterior locations change between seasons based on production needs.
Identifying Toronto Filming Sites
Specific Toronto locations aren’t officially publicized and can vary by season. Dedicated location scouts sometimes identify sites after episodes air by recognizing distinctive architecture or street features.
If you’re interested in tracking these locations, local film tourism groups and social media communities occasionally share addresses. Remember that residential areas and private properties deserve respect, and approaching homes or businesses simply because they appeared on screen can disturb residents and property owners.
What Else to See in Kingston Beyond Filming Sites
Kingston offers substantial attractions beyond its role as a filming location. The city functions as a genuine tourist destination with historic, cultural, and natural appeal that predates and extends well beyond the television series.
Historic and Cultural Attractions
Kingston’s limestone heritage buildings earned it recognition as a significant 19th-century city. Fort Henry, a restored British fortification overlooking the harbor, offers guided tours, military demonstrations, and sunset ceremonies during summer months.
The Penitentiary Museum provides context for Kingston’s correctional history independent of the show. Located in the former warden’s residence, it documents Canadian prison history with artifacts, exhibits, and personal accounts.
- Market Square hosts a year-round farmers’ market and seasonal events
- Kingston City Hall offers occasional heritage tours of its impressive interior
- Marine Museum of the Great Lakes explores the region’s maritime history
- The Agnes Etherington Art Centre at Queen’s University houses Canadian and international collections
Waterfront and Outdoor Activities
Kingston sits at the entrance to the Thousand Islands region, where the St. Lawrence River meets Lake Ontario. Boat tours operate seasonally, typically from May through October, exploring the islands and waterways.
The Kingston Waterfront Pathway extends several kilometers along the harbor, connecting parks, marinas, and public spaces. This paved multi-use trail works well for walking, cycling, or simply enjoying water views.
Planning Your Visit to Kingston
Kingston experiences four distinct seasons that significantly affect what you can access and experience. Your timing determines which filming locations, tours, and attractions remain available.
Best Times to Visit
Late spring through early fall (May to October) provides the most complete visitor experience. Fort Henry, Kingston Penitentiary tours, boat excursions, and outdoor festivals operate during these months, and weather supports comfortable walking tours of filming locations.
Winter visits (November to March) mean limited access to seasonal attractions and tours, though downtown filming locations remain visible. Winter temperatures regularly drop well below freezing, and snow and ice can make walking tours less comfortable.
Accommodation and Length of Stay
Downtown Kingston offers hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals within walking distance of filming locations. Staying centrally lets you explore on foot without relying on transportation for each site.
A two-day visit allows time to see filming locations, tour Kingston Penitentiary or Fort Henry, explore the waterfront, and experience downtown restaurants and shops. Add a third day if you want to include a Thousand Islands boat tour or visit multiple museums.
Self-Guided Filming Location Tours
No official “Mayor of Kingstown” tours currently operate, meaning you’ll explore independently. Start at Springer Market Square and walk the Princess Street corridor, where many street scenes film.
Photograph from public sidewalks and respect businesses, residences, and posted restrictions. Filming locations that double as working businesses appreciate customers more than tourists blocking entrances for photos.
Visiting Toronto Filming Locations
Pursuing filming locations in Toronto requires more research and realistic expectations. The city’s size, the number of productions filming simultaneously, and the lack of publicized location lists make comprehensive tours challenging.
General Toronto Visit Considerations
If you’re visiting Toronto primarily for other reasons and want to potentially spot filming locations, focus on recognizable neighborhoods that appear on screen. Online filming location databases sometimes identify specific addresses after episodes air, though accuracy varies.
Toronto’s TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) subway, streetcar, and bus system makes the city navigable without a car. Most neighborhoods where productions commonly film connect to public transit, though traveling between scattered sites can consume significant time.
Responsible Film Tourism Etiquette
Visiting filming locations requires awareness that these places serve functions beyond their screen appearances. Residential neighborhoods, businesses, and institutions deserve the same respect you’d show any community you visit.
Avoid trespassing on private property, blocking business entrances, or disturbing residents. Public sidewalks and streets allow photography, but entering private areas, peering in windows, or approaching homes crosses appropriate boundaries.
If productions are actively filming when you visit, respect security perimeters and crew instructions. Getting close to sets or interrupting work creates problems for local residents who’ve granted filming permissions and jeopardizes future productions in these communities.
Crossing the Canada-U.S. Border
American visitors need a valid passport to enter Canada. While crossing is generally straightforward for tourists, confirming current entry requirements through official Canadian government sources before travel remains essential.
Border wait times vary by crossing point and time of day. The Thousand Islands Bridge crossing near Kingston or the various Greater Toronto crossings serve visitors arriving from the United States, with current wait times typically available through border services websites.
Beyond the Screen: Appreciating Kingston as a Destination
While the show brings visitors to Kingston, the city’s appeal extends far beyond its role as a filming location. Its designation as Canada’s first capital, its limestone architecture, its Great Lakes position, and its educational and cultural institutions create a destination worth visiting independently of any television connection.
Approach your visit with openness to what Kingston offers beyond recognizable street corners. The penitentiary tours, waterfront, historic sites, and local food scene provide experiences that don’t depend on screen recognition to deliver value.
Verifying Details Before Your Trip
Attraction hours, tour availability, prices, and seasonal access change regularly. The Tourism Kingston official website and individual attraction sites provide current information you should verify within a few weeks of your planned visit.
Border requirements, health regulations, and entry rules can shift with little notice. Check Government of Canada official sources for the most recent entry requirements, and review any local regulations affecting visitors well before your departure date.
“Mayor of Kingstown” films in Canadian cities that offer genuine visitor appeal beyond their screen appearances, with Kingston providing the most accessible and concentrated filming location experience. Start by confirming current tour availability at Kingston Penitentiary, booking accommodation in the downtown core, and planning your visit for late spring through early fall for the fullest range of attractions and comfortable weather for exploring filming sites on foot.
We hope this guide helps you plan a rewarding visit to the real locations behind the fictional Kingstown. Explore more helpful tourist destination articles to discover your next travel adventure and make informed choices about where to go and what to see.