Great Lakes Museum

Very informative and enjoyable tour of the S.S. Keewatin, a decommissioned steam ship built in 1907. Most Edwardian steamships have been scrapped so this old girl is unique. She has been beautifully restored and the guides are very knowledgeable. We did the engine tour as well as the tour of the passenger areas, and both were excellent. Visiting the museum proper is included in the cost of the ticket. This museum was an excellent way to spend a rainy afternoon.

Visit Saturday November 8, 2025. Parking available, mobility impaired accessible. Recommend that one should book tickets ahead for the tour of the SS Keewatin as this is a popular attraction. As the Keewatin was booked for the day, I had toured just the museum. Reasonable admission rates. Great museum dedicated to marine history in the Great Lakes. Highlight is the pump room exhibit and of course the ship, should you secure tickets.

What an exceptional museum and tour … I’m so glad we signed up for the Premium Experience … the museum, the engine room, and the tour aboard the ship were all extremely well displayed and very interesting! The memorabilia on the ship and the equipment/machinery were in excellent condition and beyond what I was expecting. Our guide was exceptional, speaking clearly and keeping my interest for the entire hour and more!

The tour of the engine room was short but impressive. Our guide, Mya, carefully explained almost every part of this giant system and did her best to answer all our questions patiently. Even as someone outside this field, I could still feel the meticulous design and the sheer power made by this pre-electric era marvel.

We had a wonderful experience at the Great Lakes Ship Museum in Kingston! Our guide Thisandy was absolutely fantastic — engaging, knowledgeable, and full of fascinating stories that brought history to life. The tour was perfectly organized and enjoyable for everyone — adults, teens, and younger kids alike. We especially appreciated the headsets provided during the tour — such a thoughtful detail! It made it easy to hear the guide clearly without having to stay too close or strain to listen, which made the whole experience more relaxed and comfortable. The ship itself is beautifully restored, and the atmosphere is conveyed with great care and authenticity. Everything is so well presented — you really feel transported back in time. Highly recommended for families and anyone interested in history or maritime life!

Exceptional! Did the 45 minute Keewatin ship tour. Mya was a fantastic tour guide with lots of info & willing to answer all our questions. The ship is such a special piece of living history. Museum admission included with ship ticket. Museum has great exhibits - informative and beautifully displayed. Good interaction for young visitors. Highly recommend!!

We came from Montreal just for the Keewatin. We did the passenger experience tour. We loved the tour so much, we couldn’t get enough. We should have bought tickets for the engine room. Guess we will have to come back! The exhibits were beautifully staged with attention to detail and accuracy. Our tour guides went above and beyond both during the tour and afterwards.

An amazing piece of history! The tour was wonderful with comfortable headsets ensuring all could hear the guide. It is a very fortunate series of events that saved this vessel, and we were lucky to tour it. Even in a state of repair and restoration we could feel the comfort and clever design. These were luxury on the Great Lakes. I highly recommend this tour. Get the 1 hour and 15 minute full deal. It flies by!