Kingston's position — capital city, harbour city, mountain city — makes it one of the better bases for day trips in Jamaica. Port Royal and Spanish Town both sit within 30 minutes, and the Blue Mountains are accessible for half-day excursions. The north coast is four hours away and better done as an overnight.
Port Royal is the most essential half-day from Kingston — ferry from the waterfront, fort, fish lunch, back by afternoon. Spanish Town, 20 km west by route taxi, is the old colonial capital, with the finest Georgian square in the Americas (Cathedral Square) and the Rodney Memorial. The Blue Mountains offer both coffee estate tours and the Blue Mountain Peak hike, the latter requiring an early start or an overnight at Whitfield Hall.