Nestled into the guts of southeastern Ontario, Prince Edward County (PEC) is named a vibrant meals and wine vacation spot. The area boasts an up-and-coming culinary scene, world-class PEC wineries and is residence to the favored Sandbanks Provincial Park. It’s the good place to spend a weekend away and is a well-liked getaway from Toronto and Ottawa.
Getting To Prince Edward County
Prince Edward County has a wealthy farming historical past and encompasses a number of cities and hamlets. Picton, Wellington, and Bloomfield are the most well-liked cities within the county and are the principle locations to go to. Nonetheless, we discovered lesser-known locations within the County, like Hillier and Ameliasburgh, to be equally as charming.
The preferred option to get to Prince Edward County is by driving. Fortunately the area is situated inside a couple of hours from a number of main cities. It’s about 2 hours and quarter-hour (217 kilometres) from Toronto to Prince Edward County. From Ottawa, it’s about 2 hours and 50 minutes (279 kilometres), and from Montreal, it’s almost 4 hours (377 kilometres) to the County.
Sadly, there isn’t any bus service from main cities. You may seize the VIA Rail Prepare to Belleville. It’s situated alongside the Bay of Quinte, about 20 minutes from The County. From there you may lease a automotive or take a taxi to PEC and take excursions leaving out of your lodging.
Getting Round Prince Edward County
In the event you plan on exploring the cities and hamlets round Prince Edward County, you’ll wish to have entry to a car. In the event you don’t have your individual, we advocate renting one throughout your go to.
Alternatively, you may discover through a motorbike or wine tour. The County Wine Excursions gives a sip & cycle trip, the place an area information will take you thru the Millennium Path with stops at 4 totally different vineyards within the County. You’ll get to style 12 totally different wines from world winemakers.
Finest Time To Go to
Prince Edward County is certainly one of Ontario’s four-season locations. Spring, Summer season, and Fall are the most well-liked occasions to go to.
Spring
The spring months deliver blooming flowers, maple syrup harvesting, the Terroir Wine Occasion, and The Spring Birding Pageant. Lake Ontario remains to be warming up throughout these months, however the climate is ideal for forest hikes, popping into artwork galleries, and sampling the recent spring produce at native eating places.
Summer season
Summer season is the most well-liked season with vacationers who come to get pleasure from every Prince Edward County seashore and revel in some wine. Farms and gardens are in full bloom, and their merchandise are showcased at native eating places, vineyards, and markets all through Picton and the County. Throughout this time of yr, there are many arts and tradition festivals in PEC, like Artwork in The County and the BigLake Pageant in August.
Fall
If you wish to beat the summer season crowds and dwell like County residents, plan to go to Prince Edward County within the Fall. You’ll get to style the autumn harvest and see the leaves altering colors. There are numerous occasions this time of yr, together with the Group Homesteading & Harvesting Pageant, Pumpkin Fest, and Fall Countylicious.
Winter
Winter in Prince Edward County is a magical season. You’ll be greeted with snow-covered hills and ice lakeshores, good for a day stroll. Many wineries and cideries in The County mild bonfires for the visitors, and Three Canine Vineyard gives a guided snowshoe tour.
In the event you go to Prince Edward County through the winter, it’s a good suggestion to name forward earlier than getting down to your locations. Some companies modify their hours due to the climate and low vacationer quantity.
Issues To Do In Prince Edward County
Go to the County makes it straightforward to seek out enjoyable actions and scenic spots to get pleasure from. You’ll all the time discover one thing happening in The County.
First, Take the Accountable Journey Pledge
As PEC turns into a preferred weekend getaway, residents and county authorities have organized an initiative to advertise sustainable tourism.
The Accountable Journey Pledge is a superb useful resource for guests, offering maps, guides, and suggestions to obtain, plus recommendations on learn how to respectfully navigate the attractive farmer and artisan communities in Prince Edward County.
For entry to customer data and different sources supplied by this initiative, go to the official web site. You’ll discover up-to-date data on occasions, closures, and solutions to FAQs about Prince Edward County right here.
Wine Tasting
Prince Edward County is the fastest-growing wine area in Ontario, boasting over 40 totally different wineries. Take the chance to study viticulture (the science of grapes) from native winemakers, be a part of a wine tasting or go on a wine tour.
Ensure so as to add Karlo Estates and Lacey Estates to your map of Prince Edward County wineries. Karlo Estates in Wellington, Ontario, has gained numerous awards and produced the primary licensed vegan wine on the earth.
The vineyard is owned by Grasp Winemaker and Wine Decide Richard Karlo, who oversees wine manufacturing and planning. They provide a tasting of their uncovered beam barn the place guests may also select from a vegan wine and cheese tasting choice.
Lacey Estates is among the area’s family-owned and operated PEC wineries. They by no means import grapes, so all the pieces is made with 100% estate-grown grapes. They promote beautiful Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Baco Noir, and Cabernet Franc.
We beloved the gorgeous view from the tasting room and porch. They’re RV pleasant and part of the Harvest Host program, so we had been capable of keep the night time there in our campervan.
Huff Estates Vineyard can also be a terrific spot to go to, providing wine tastings and excursions of their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. You may pattern vintages whereas trying over the picturesque winery and go to the Oeno Gallery and sculpture backyard proper subsequent door.
For gorgeous waterfront views, you may go to the Waupoos Estates Vineyard. The very first vineyard in Prince Edward County, Waupoos Estates, has grown over time to embody 100 acres, 18 types of grapes, and a fantastic farm-to-table restaurant. Sharing the property with Waupoos Estates Vineyard is Clafeld Cider Home, a cidery that solely makes use of Waupoos Ontario apples, with most being harvested from their very own orchards.
Karlo Estates, Prince Edward County
Eat Scrumptious Meals
As an agricultural hub, Prince Edward County gives an unimaginable native culinary scene. Dubbed ‘the Gastronomic Capital of Ontario,’ the County doesn’t disappoint. Eating places right here deal with seasonal menus that includes native merchandise from the area and farm-to-table eating.
Don’t miss out on Countylicious, a twice-annual occasion with taking part eating places providing a tasting menu, particular take-out gives, and take-home meals, all from seasonal substances.
Strive A Cooking Class
There’s no higher place to take a cooking class than in Prince Edward County. Courses are centered on cooking with native, seasonal substances from close by farms. Try From the Farm Cooking College.
You may take personal cooking lessons of their 1830’s farmhouse from teacher and County resident Cynthia Peters. Based mostly in your tastes, Cynthia will customise a 3-course meal you’ll create collectively.
In the event you love Italian meals, head to Giuliana’s Kitchen. Relying on which course you select, you may be taught to arrange regional pasta dishes, 30-minute connoisseur meals, or some great vegan Italian meals.
You’ll get to be taught from and work with Giuliana, who was born in Vicalvi, Italy and has been cooking for over 60 years. Whereas the strategies and flavours are true to her heritage, Guiliana additionally incorporates seasonal substances from PEC.
Expertise The Outdoor
Whatever the season, you’ll discover tons of outside experiences within the County. At Honey Pie Farm, you may take a yard beekeeping workshop. This course is right for anybody who’s ever needed a hive in their very own yard or simply needs to be taught extra about these unimaginable creatures.
In the event you occur to go to Prince Edward County through the lavender bloom, go to Millefleurs Lavender Farm to discover the aromatic fields and get a mead tasting on the terrace. The lavender bloom normally occurs in the direction of the top of June, however adjustments in climate patterns could cause this to vary. Admission to the lavender fields is $5 through the bloom.
Get to know the native ecosystem by happening a Plant Identification Stroll with herbalist and forager Tamara Segal. You’ll study a mixture of native wild and cultivated crops and the way they can be utilized as meals and drugs. Walks happen on Saturdays and price $30 per individual, with a 4-person minimal. For dates and extra particulars, go to the Hawthorn Herbals web site.
Within the fall, take a Farm Tour at Campbell’s Orchards. This family-friendly exercise features a wagon trip and apple selecting. You may even discover the corn maze, go to with the cattle, and boil freshly picked corn over the fireplace. It doesn’t get significantly better than this for households.
Go to Sandbanks Provincial Park
No journey to PEC is full and not using a go to to Sandbanks Provincial Park. This gorgeous park gives beautiful views of Lake Ontario, a few of the most stunning swimming seashores in southeastern Ontario, in addition to a number of mountain climbing trails appropriate for all health ranges.
Don’t miss the Dunes Stroll loop. This straightforward 2.4-kilometre path has stunning surroundings and takes you by the lake and thru the sand dunes. An extended hike is the 12.7-kilometre Woodlands Path. Additionally it is a loop and passes by meadows, woodlands, and the beachfront.
To see the inside of Sandbanks Provincial Park, take the Canada Cedar Sands Nature Path. This 1.9-kilometre loop runs alongside the Outlet River. Preserve your eyes peeled for beavers alongside the river.
On a scorching summer season day, there are few higher locations to be in Ontario than at one of many white sand seashores in Sandbanks. There are 3 giant Prince Edward County seashores within the park. Outlet Seashore and Sandbanks Seashore are beneficial for households for his or her gradual drop-offs and flat sandy shores. For that, Dune Seashore is quieter than its counterparts in the summertime.
Boating and watersports are one other widespread exercise within the park. Energy Boats are allowed on Lake Ontario, East and West Lake. Nonetheless, they have to keep away from swimming areas.
Canoers will get pleasure from a paddle down Outlet River, and bikers will discover formal cyclists trails that crisscross the park.
Sandbanks can get fairly busy through the summer season, and North Seashore Provincial Park is an effective different. North Seashore is a couple of half-hour west of Sandbanks, and you may swim in Lake Ontario of the sheltered waters of North Bay.
It is a great spot for birdwatching, and also you would possibly see hawks or saw-whet owls. There are facilities like washrooms and picnic tables, plus a canteen that provides quick meals and drinks.
Sandbanks Seashore within the fall
Get Energetic
Prince Edward County gives an enormous vary of wellness actions. For a really unforgettable expertise, strive Goat Yoga or Alpaca Yoga.
At Goat Yoga, you’ll be joined by 8-10 goats through the follow, in addition to having a devoted 20 minutes to spend with the animals afterward. If animal yoga isn’t your factor, no worries; there are many non-animal yoga lessons too!
One other nice option to discover PEC is by bike. We advocate renting bicycles and biking the Millennium Path, a 49-kilometre multi-use path that runs by the County.
In the event you want to get out on the water, go for a paddle out on the Black River. You may lease a kayak at Cabin Fever Kayaks in Milford close to Picton.
Help Native Artisans
Prince Edward County is residence to a neighborhood of inventive, native artists. The most effective methods to see their work is to go to the Wellington Farmers Market.
Hosted each Saturday between Might and October, the market options a variety of native artisans, hand-crafted sauces and dips, and tons of seasonal produce.
A number of the bigger cities, like Picton, even have galleries situated alongside their fundamental avenue. You’ll discover work, pottery, and extra nestled amongst vintage shops and cafes.
There’s additionally Fifth City Artisan Cheese Firm, a privately owned sustainable enterprise specialising in cheeses made with domestically produced goat, buffalo, and cow milk cheeses. Fifth City can also be Canada’s solely LEED-certified dairy!
Go to The Farms
The County is understood for its recent, home-grown produce. Yearly from late spring by early-fall, you’ll discover native farm stands on roads all through the County.
The County stands are usually self-serve and function utilizing the honesty system. Simply decide the gadgets you need and go away money within the cost field, or in some circumstances, you may even ship an e-transfer!
Some farms additionally provide guided excursions, like Littlejohn Farm in Picton. Their Experiential Farm Dinner excursions embody a stroll by the property and gardens the place visitors can see precisely the place their meals is coming from, adopted by a multicourse meal ready with recent, seasonal substances.
Lodging In Prince Edward County
From quaint farm cottages and campgrounds to area of interest glamping tents and mattress and breakfasts. You’ll discover a big selection of attention-grabbing locations to remain in The County.
Tenting In Prince Edward County
For these in search of a family-friendly cottaging expertise, head to Sandbanks Cottages & Campsites. This lakeside spot gives tent and trailer spots, in addition to cozy cottages that includes fashionable facilities akin to a fridge, range, and three-piece toilet, all with personal decks overlooking the lake.
For these touring in an RV or campervan, the Harvest Hosts program has a few nice hosts within the county.
Lodges In Prince Edward County
In central Wellington, you’ll discover the Drake Devonshire, a shocking lakeside inn that includes a small 13-room boutique lodge, restaurant, bar, and personal seashore space. The Drake is among the Prince Edward County motels which highlights native producers and gives free bikes to discover the world.
One other widespread selection is the English Rose Spa & Mattress and Breakfast situated on the Picton bluffs. Each a holistic therapeutic centre and a mattress and breakfast, the B&B is right for these seeking to unwind and take care of their well being whereas having fun with The County.
Only a quick stroll away from Picton Harbour is Merrill Home, a boutique lodge set in a Victorian mansion down the road from Shire Corridor and different spots necessary in native historical past. This award-winning lodge includes a conservatory bar, sauna, digital actuality lounge, and a gallery with sculptures and advantageous artwork images.
When it comes time to decide on the place to remain, Prince Edward County has all of it. However be sure you e-book effectively upfront as spots replenish rapidly, particularly in the summertime when most individuals head to the County.
Whether or not you’ll go to wineries in Prince Edward County or Sandbanks, Prince Edward County is an actual gem that’s simply starting to be found by the lots.
We love the area’s deal with sustainable agriculture and farm-to-table values which we hope will encourage guests to search for in companies once they return residence.
Whether or not you’ll go to wineries in Prince Edward County or Sandbanks, Prince Edward County is an actual gem that’s simply starting to be found by the lots. We love the area’s deal with sustainable agriculture and farm-to-table values which we hope will encourage guests to search for in companies once they return residence.