2023-10-07 08:00:00
About 4 hours’ drive from Montreal, on a peninsula in Ontario, there is a county with a cool and trendy reputation: Prince Edward County.
Nicknamed PEC or simply “The County”, this area is known for its Sandbanks Provincial Park, wineries, antique shops, farmers’ markets and farm-to-table restaurants. Its main towns Picton, Wellington and Bloomfield are full of beautiful little places. We discover them in the middle of summer to enjoy the sun or during the beautiful autumn days for more tranquility.
Photo taken from the Visit The County Facebook page
Here are 21 things to do to sample the vibe of Prince Edward County, Ontario:
Unsplash/Vesper Shi
Lake Ontario has real turquoise highlights in Prince Edward County; it almost looks like the sea! To enjoy it, many visitors choose Sandbanks Park and its large sandy beaches. Among these, Outlet Beach, which is two kilometers long, Lakeshore Beach, more isolated, and Dunes Beach, which allows you to venture into high golden dunes. The park also has trails to stretch your legs and a host of campgrounds.
Photo taken from the Visit The County Facebook page
2. Sleep like a prince at the new Royal Hotel
Jeff McNeill / Photo provided by Fhe Royal Hotel
Located in Picton, the largest town in the county with 4,500 inhabitants, The Royal boutique hotel is a must. It opened its doors in May 2022 in a Victorian building on the main street dating from 1879. Completely renovated with remarkable chic and attention to detail, it offers 33 rooms of total comfort as well as an outdoor swimming pool, a café , a restaurant with terrace, a spa and various small spaces in which to relax.
Doublespace / Photo provided by The Royal Hotel
Johnny CY Lam / Photo provided by The Royal Hotel
Very close to Sandbanks Provincial Park, this casual restaurant is a local classic. When the weather is nice, we sit on the terrace in the large interior courtyard to enjoy oysters, ceviche, lobster rolls or tempeh ‘n chips. In the evening, we enjoy the large campfire lit by the establishment team. The Sand and Pearl is only open during the summer season.
Photo taken from the Visit The County Facebook page
Lovers of finds vintage, you will be in heaven in Prince Edward County. We come across all types of second-hand and antique dealers there. MacCool’s Re-Use, The Local Store and Retrospective are just a few names to remember for retro clothing, objects or furniture.
5. Enjoy the cuisine inspired by chef Albert Ponzo
Jeff McNeill / Photo provided by The Royal Hotel
It is in the dining room of the Royal Hotel that you can taste the creations inspired by Italy and Prince Edward County by chef Albert Ponzo. Almost all of the vegetables and other fresh ingredients here come from the hotel owners’ organic farm, Edwin County Farms, located nearby. To try without hesitation: the arancini (which we might have eaten exclusively!), the kale salad with subtle maple syrup, the agnolotti del plin and any vegetable accompaniment of the day. We also fell in love with the seadas, a dessert from Sardinia with honey from the chef’s own hives.
6. Grab a bite near the vines at the winery Grange of Prince Edward
Prince Edward County has around forty wineries. The Grange of Prince Edward is worth the detour for its products but also for the huge old wooden barn where it welcomes us. On site, you can not only do a tasting, but also order a glass of wine “to take away” from the estate, put together a picnic at the boutique or even enjoy a new concept of outdoor dining, at the edge of the vines.
Sandbanks Park is beautiful but it is also very busy. Its neighbor, North Beach Park, has a reputation for being quieter. You will also discover sandy beaches and waters suitable for swimming during the summer months.
8. Discover the farmers markets of Wellington and Picton
You will come across a host of farms and fruit and vegetable stands during your walks in the county. But to experience it all in one place, the weekend farmers’ markets are not to be missed. In Wellington, the famous Wellington Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning in the summer. In Picton, the Picton Town Hall Farmers Market takes place on Sunday mornings. From mid-May to mid-October.
The Hinterland vineyard only produces sparkling wines. You can treat yourself to a tasting of two or three nectars in a pretty tasting room open to the outside and the vines. We can also help you choose your samples according to your preferences in terms of bubbles: champagne style, prosecco, moscato d’asti, rosé.
10. Cycling on theMillenium Trail
Cycling in the county is a little joy, especially to flit from one vineyard to another (if you moderate your tastings at least!). The Millenium Trail is a 46-kilometer long cycle and pedestrian path that connects different sectors of the PEC and crosses multiple landscapes. It can be easily reached from Picton, Wellington, Bloomfield and Consecon.
Photo taken from the Visit The County Facebook page
The Drake Devonshire boutique hotel and restaurant opened in 2014 directly on the shore of Lake Ontario in Wellington. It is a completely original place where contemporary art reigns supreme. Its restaurant with a view of the waters is a must, for its cocktails, brunches and dinners. Book now!
12. Order a beer (and a pizza) at the Midtown Brewery
Sarah Bergeron-Ouellet, QMI Agency
In the heart of the small village of Wellington, this microbrewery has been serving delicious beers since 2017, but also beautiful pizzas cooked over a wood fire and small dishes like toast, salads or mezze. Families, including their canine members, are welcome.
13. Go get a coffee at the Counter Bar
Jeff McNeill / Photo provided by The Royal Hotel
The Royal Hotel in Picton not only has rooms and a restaurant, it also has a small café counter which serves good drinks to take away as well as homemade pastries and breads. The place brings together hotel guests, “locals” and travelers.
Another option for a dose of caffeine “on the fly”: the Beacon Bike and Brewa cycling café just a short walk away in the heart of Picton.
14. Have a good time at Vic Social
Photo taken from the Visit The County Facebook page
Formerly a small café, the new Vic Social is a restaurant, a terrace, a bar, a dance floor and a place to play retro board games! In short, it is a gathering place for everyone, whose atmosphere is a nod to the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. You can notably enjoy burgers and milkshakes. In the heart of Picton.
15. Meet county artists along the Arts Trail
Photo taken from the Visit The County Facebook page
There is no shortage of artist studios and art galleries in Prince Edward County. The Arts Trail or Route des arts lists around ten to help you create a road trip artistic according to your desires. Don’t hesitate to put the Oeno Gallery, the Andara Gallery and the Sybil Frank Gallery on your itinerary for great discoveries.
You will quickly notice that even in high season, everything closes early in the County. But you can stretch out the evening (until 11 p.m. or midnight depending on the day) in this small bar in Wellington which offers whiskeys from around the world, cocktails and a menu inspired by Japan.
17 Have a glass of cider at Stock and Row
Photo taken from the Stock and Row Facebook page
There are not only vineyards in the county, there are also microbreweries, distilleries and cider makers. The Stock and Row cider house, in Bloomfield, welcomes you to its farm for cider tastings as well as beers and cocktails, alongside the vineyards and apple trees.
Photo taken from the Close Chase Vineyards Facebook page
This vineyard located in Hillier is easy to spot: its beautiful purple barn attracts all eyes. Here too, a tasting bar awaits you very close to the vineyards. There you can taste the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris that Closson Chase Winery has been producing for over 20 years now.
19. Set down your bags in the retro chic motel Drake Motor Inn
Photo provided by The Drake
For an unconventional stay worthy of California’s retro-refurbished motels, consider the Drake Motor Inn. It’s not the only revamped motel in the county, but its colorful Mad Men-style design makes us feel like we’re in the pages of a 1960s magazine. It’s a sister property to the Drake Devonshire boutique hotel.
20. Shop for ceramic items at Yellow Studio
Throughout the region, but mainly in Picton, visitors discover many small local shops and artisan studios. Here you will find vases, plates, bowls and other ceramic objects. You might want to leave with a souvenir from the County?
21. Treat yourself to tapas at Bit
Pan con tomate, Iberian ham, croquetas, Galician octopus, plate of paella… There are multiple tapas and Spanish dishes that will make your mouth water at Bocado, a restaurant in Picton which opened its doors yesterday two years ago. Like all good restaurants in the area, you will find seasonal local products.
To know
The PEC is located approximately 4 hours drive from Montreal and 2 hours from Toronto. Everything closes early in the County; carefully check the hours of vineyards generally open only during the day as well as restaurants, microbreweries and others so as not to have any surprises. Accommodations are rather expensive in this region; Traveling slightly out of season will allow you to save substantially. If you are traveling out of season, be aware that many businesses or attractions may be closed.
Photo taken from the Visit The County Facebook page
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