Prince Edward County is an idyllic place to escape. It’s an island community just under three hours from Toronto located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario.
Affordable Places to Stay in Prince Edward County
Twin Birch Suites & Cottages, TripAdvisor “Certificate of Excellence” winner.
The Queen’s Inn, rated 4 out of 5 on TripAdvisor.
Picton Harbour Inn, rated 3.5 out of 5 on TripAdvisor.
Feel like splurging? Drake Devonshire Inn, TripAdvisor “Certificate of Excellence” winner.
B&Bs, Inns and Vacation Rentals in Prince Edward County.
First, check Groupon for Deals on Things to Do in Prince Edward County, Ontario
One great way to save on local fun things to do in Prince Edward County, Ontario is to check Groupon, the money-saving website that features local discounts in 150 cities.
Visit Groupon and you can find savings of anywhere from 40-90% on attractions, tours, boat cruises, theatre tickets, dinner spots and accommodations.
Groupon is a smart place to check out when you’re first planning your trip and even when you’re in the middle of your Prince Edward County visit because new deals get added weekly and even daily many times.
Let the adventure begin
Encompassing just under 700 square kilometres (with 800 kilometres of shoreline), Prince Edward County is home to wineries, palette-pleasing cuisine, antiquing, eclectic boutique shops, historic towns, serene country roads, bird watching, one of Canada’s most beautiful beaches and more. Without a doubt Prince Edward Ccounty has free, cheap and fun things to do for everyone.
Welcome to wine country
With over 40 wineries dotted across the area it’s hard to believe the wine industry in Prince Edward County has only really been in existence since 2001.
Prior to that Prince Edward County was known as a military outpost and in the early 1800s as a farming community that supplied a third of all the canned goods in Canada, the UK and the US earning the area the unofficial title of the “Canning Capital of Canada”.
First attempts at growing grapes took place sometime during the 1800s but a strong Prohibition movement at the time prevented the interest from flourishing.
With its mild climate, due to its proximity to Lake Ontario, and a soil base that includes shale and limestone which allows vine roots to stretch deep into the ground where access to water and drainage is plentiful, the County offered ideal growing conditions. It wasn’t until decades later, that experimentation with grape growing resurrected in the County.
In 1993 Ed Neuser and Rita Kaimins planted a ½ acre of grapevines on their 100-acre farm. Their belief that the “terroir” of the soil was capable of producing well-balanced, quality wine grapes proved true. In 2001 they opened the County’s first winery, Waupoos Estates Winery. In less than 15 years, the number of wineries has grown to over 40 and the number of grape-growing operations on the island stands at over 50.
Embark on a wine tour or two, or three, or four…
Wine tours in Prince Edward County are a popular, affordable thing to do. So much so, that the County has taken the time to organise the “Taste Trail”.
If you prefer to do a little pre-planning, just go online and visit the Prince Edward County visitor info website and you can download a copy of the free “Taste Trail” guide or request a printed copy be mailed to you.
Or, just visit any of the five visitor info centres upon your arrival and pick up a complimentary printed copy.
While you’re at it pick up a copy of the Welcome Guide too which outlines all the other free, cheap and fun things you can do while visiting Prince Edward County.
Another great brochure to grab is the Wine Tour Map.
It shows the locations of every winery in the County, plus breweries, antique spots, galleries and studios, restaurants, farm stores, places to stay and more. Best of all it folds up in seconds so you can easily tuck it into your pocket!
6 suggested wineries to visit
Since there are over 40 wineries in Prince Edward County it’s not likely you’ll have a chance to visit them all during your visit. With that in mind here are a few suggestions to include in your exploration of the Taste Trail.
A couple of things to note before you read on: at each winery there is a nominal charge per tasting but this is waived if you buy a bottle of wine.
As for tours of the individual wineries, in most cases they are complimentary, however some wineries do charge for this experience, although it’s usually just a couple of bucks.
- Waupoos Winery Estates
As mentioned above, Waupoos Winery Estates is the winery that started it all, opening for business in 2001. Take the tour, taste some wines and then enjoy a meal in their Gazebo restaurant. Every weekend there is live music on their waters-edge patio too.
- Hillier Creek Estates & Winery
The centre-piece of Hillier Creek Estates & Winery is a 160-year-old barn that was painstakingly restored and serves as a winery, tasting room and retail store. After your tour and tasting kick back on their cosy patio and share a wood-fired, artisanal-style pizza and a glass of vino.
- Sandbanks Estate Winery
One of the longest established wineries in Prince Edward County, Sandbanks Estate Winery produces a number of award winning wines. After your tour and tasting here, enjoy lunch in their picnic area.
And if you’re a real keener, sign up for their fall picking party where you can volunteer to pick the grapes and enjoy a free meal and entertainment in return.
- Rosehall Run
Plan your arrival at Rosehall Run for lunch time. Not only does this winery produce a variety of award-winning wines, it also boasts an acclaimed food truck called “Picnic”. Its menu of sandwiches, salads, charcuterie and cheese plates have all been created to complement the wines of Rosehall Run.
- Karlo Estates
Sample wine with food pairings at Karlo Estates. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the largest dry stone (mortar-less) bridge in North America. Then walk off your wine with a stroll along the properties hiking trails or grab your easel and draw or paint in the vineyard.
- Huff Estates Winery & Inn
Huff Estates Winery & Inn has much to offer. Tour their ingenious facilities and see how they set their crush pad and fermentation tank on a hill top so they could leverage the natural flow of gravity to send the fruits of their labour to the barrels below. Sample exceptional wines, enjoy a meal prepared using local seasonal faire, then immerse yourself in the visual splendor of contemporary works of art in their thought-provoking Oeno Gallery and a four-acre Sculpture Garden.
Breweries, Cider Companies and even a Distillery
Looking for another cheap, fun thing to do? It’s not just wineries you can visit in Prince Edward County. You can also take tours and enjoy tastings at breweries and cider companies—as well as a distillery.
Between 1860-1890 one-third of the farmland in Prince Edward County was dedicated to growing barley which was shipped across Lake Ontario to American brewers. The barley was in such high demand (50,000 bushels a day at times) that many of the County’s barley farmers were able to pay off their farm mortgages in one season.
This 30-year time period was known as “The Barley Days” and later became the inspiration for the County’s first craft brewer, Barley Day Brewery. Try the Hot Rod a rye rauch beer brewed with smoked meat.
A second farm brewery worth visiting is Fronterra, the County’s first organic farm brewery. They brew their batches using heirloom hops and malt barley cultivars grown on their very own farm. You can even prearrange a free working tour of the hopyard and fields.
In 2007, Lake on the Mountain Resort began brewing two types of beer. They became such a hit they eventually decided to relocate from the resort, set up a separate production site, complete with a tap room, and sell direct to the public. You can get a sample of what all the fuss is about by visiting the Lake on the Mountain Brewing Company.
Give hard cider a taste
Hard cider is an alcoholic drink created by fermenting apple juice. A great place to sample some is by visiting The County Cider Company & Estate Winery. Their hard cider is made from 100% apples and has won numerous awards.
For a taste comparison, head over to The Old Third Vineyard where they produce sparkling apple cider from golden russet apples.
A third option for hard cider is Bergeron Estate Winery & Cider Co. Their Cole Point Cider is a dry, hard authentic English-style cider. The first year it was produced it sold out and it has sold out every year since.
Get into the spirit of things
For those who are connoisseurs of spirits, a stop at Kinsip should be on your list. This is a unique thing to do because they’re the only distillery in Prince Edward County. Their rums, whiskies, gins, shochus and vodkas are distilled using a hand-made copper still.
Discover the Art of Prince Edward County
Prince Edward County is a haven for artists, studios and galleries.
An excellent way to get a true taste of the art of Prince Edward County is to take some time to explore the Arts Trail.
This free thing to do will expand your perspective and introduce you to unique pieces of art you have never seen before as you meet artists in their studios and visit local galleries.
To get started, view the Arts Trail guide.
Explore Picton, Bloomfield and Wellington
One of the great free things to do in Prince Edward County is to take the scenic route otherwise known as the Loyalist Parkway aka Highway 33.
The highway follows the course of the United Empire Loyalists—early Americans who were loyal to England during or after the American Revolution–who chose to re-settle in Canada.
Winding its way along the edge of Lake Ontario, the Loyalist Parkway is not only your gateway to a
host of wineries, it also takes you through the quaint, historic Loyalist towns of Consecon, Wellington, Bloomfield and Picton where you’ll come across studios, galleries, unique stores and boutique shops, wonderful restaurants and quaint inns and B&Bs.
Free, cheap and fun things to do in Picton
Picton is the big town in Prince Edward County with close to 5,000 residents. The main drag offers up lots of interesting shops to check out.
Kickstart your time on Main Street by grabbing a coffee or tea at The Bean Counter Café or Miss Lily’s Café then start exploring.
Do a little shopping
If you’re interested in taking home a piece of original artwork as a keepsake of your trip explore the Arts on Main Gallery and peruse the paintings, photography, sculptures, pottery, mixed media and more. Another option, especially if your goal is to find a piece of affordable, local art is the Rose Cottage Studio & Gifts.
A few lunch spots
When you’re ready for a bite to eat you’ve got a variety of places to choose from.
The Acoustic Grill serves up affordable tasty pub grub (try the potato nachos), a nice variety of beers and live music on most nights starting at 7:00 PM.
The County Canteen is another casual spot when you’ve got the growlies. Menu ranges from rice paper rolls and curry to fish tacos and bangers and mash. They also have 24 craft beers on tap.
Feel like an all-day breakfast? Many locals claim the Lighthouse Restaurant at the Picton Harbour Inn serves the best bacon and eggs in town.
Prefer a picnic? Grab food to go at one of Picton’s three grocery stores (Sobeys, No Frills and Metro) or, a café like Miss Lily’s or The Bean Counter.
Take in a movie, live concert or theatre production
If you’re in the mood for a show see what’s on at The Regent Theatre.
First opened in 1918, The Regent Theatre plays host to first-run movies, art films, live theatre and concerts, and satellite performances of opera, dance and theatre.
If The Regent is sold out, surprise your sweetheart or the family with a night at the drive-in. This fun, cheap thing to do is located on County Road 1, the Mustang Drive-In features two screens, first-run movies and a snack bar.
Don’t leave Picton without seeing this
And before you head on your way from Picton, you must see one of Prince Edward County’s real curiosities—the Lake on the Mountain.
What’s so curious about this free thing to do? It’s a lake that sits over 60 metres (almost 200 feet) above the Bay of Quinte and appears to have no visible water source which has inspired decades of speculation as to how it came to be and how it continues to exist.
Free, cheap and fun things to do in Bloomfield
Drive just under eight kilometres west of Picton, along the Loyalist Parkway, and you’ll arrive in Bloomfield.
Located smack dab in the middle of Prince Edward County, Bloomfield is home to a cornucopia of shops selling unique wares, antique spots, eclectic restaurants and cozy bed and breakfast accommodations.
A few shops to check out
Window shopping and browsing are fun things to do in Bloomfield because of its intriguing lineup of shops.
For a unique keepsake, authentic to the area, pop into the Cannery Row PEC where you’ll find one-of-a-kind, reasonably priced home décor finds repurposed from items and materials native to Prince Edward County.
There’s something for everyone at Green Gables Gifts and Greetings where their eclectic collection of items are on display in eleven rooms throughout this Victorian-era house.
If a t-shirt or hoodie is your idea of the perfect souvenir then pop by the Prince Edward County T-Shirt Company.
Farm-fresh food experiences
Believe it or not there are actual working farms right behind the houses on Main Street in Bloomfield which means the farm-to-table, fresh food philosophy is alive and well at the restaurants and cafes of the village.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast or pizza made from farm-fresh ingredients at Bull Frogs Eatery.
Another excellence place to savour the seasonal fare is Angeline’s Inn.
Craving homemade comfort food? Head down the laneway to the Saylor House Café.
Treat yourself to unique ice cream
Anyone who has visited Bloomfield undoubtedly ends up at Slickers County Ice Cream.
At this thing to do in Prince Edward County the lineup is usually out the door and for good reason. Their delicious ice cream is made daily, in small batches, using local ingredients but mostly it’s because of the unique flavours they sell, in particular their ‘Smores’ and ‘Apple Pie’ flavours.
A few stops in Wellington
Wellington is a quaint village very much reflective of the historic, laid back atmosphere found in both Picton and Bloomfield.
A few things worth checking out include The Sybil Frank Gallery where you’ll find thought-provoking, original art produced by artists from the County and across the country.
When hunger hits considered the East & Main Bistro where they serve everything from five spice magret duck breast with barley squash risotto, to steak and fries.
If dining by the water’s edge sounds appealing, head over to the Drake Devonshire Inn where you can indulge in an imaginative menu while sitting on their Lake-side deck.
Looking for a fun evening out? Make reservations at Stache on Main. During the day it’s an art gallery, at night it becomes a fully-licensed piano lounge.
Explore Prince Edward County on two wheels
Ditch the car and take in the fresh air and beauty of Prince Edward County by powering your way up and down the country roads by renting a bike from the Bloomfield Bicycle Co. They rent all kinds of bikes, custom fit them to your height and they deliver and pickup their rental bikes anywhere in Prince Edward County.
All bikes include a 21-ounce bottle of cold, filtered water which is yours to keep. And, if you pop a tire or something, no worries; they even have an emergency rescue vehicle that will come to your aid and make any repairs required.
Play in the Waves at Sandbanks Provincial Park
A short 12-kilometre drive from Bloomfield you’ll find Sandbanks Provincial Park, home to the world’s largest freshwater sand bar and dune system.
This affordable, fun thing to do boasts three large beaches which happen to be some of the best beaches in all of Canada.
Take off your shoes; the sand is soft on the feet and the waters of Lake Ontario crystal clear. When the wind picks up you can enjoy some great wave action too.
There are also trails to hike, and Sandbanks is a real hot spot for bird watching too. And if you’re not in a hurry, stick around to take in the sunset at the North Beach.
TIP: Need to use a washroom? There is a public washroom in the parking lot behind the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Centre building located at 289 Main Street.
Tee up a game of golf
Golf courses aren’t as plentiful on Prince Edward County as wineries but there are three affordable options for getting out and playing the links.
The championship-calibre Picton Golf Course is one of the oldest golf courses in Ontario, first welcoming players to its tees back in 1907.
Pressed for time?
Head over to the nine-hole Wellington on the Lake Golf Course which features a few Scottish links-style holes. Located approximately 30 minutes west of Wellington, you’ll find the Barcovan Golf Club. With four tee areas this 18-hole course is ideal for players of all levels.
Three unique things to do if you’ve still got time
- Visiting Prince Edward County in June? Stop by the Lavendar Farm and drink in the purple blooms and intoxicating scent of the lavender in full bloom.
- Get up early, drive to the end of Cold Creek Road and take a tranquil, morning stroll along the ‘secret’ beach.
Two cool things to do on your way home from Prince Edward County
Your trip to Prince Edward County may be over but here are two cheap, cool things to do before you point the car for home.
The Tyendinaga Cavern and Caves is worth the few extra minutes drive once you reach Highway 401 from Prince Edward County.
Ontario’s oldest cavern, this attraction is located off a country road. It’s only $12 per adult and $8 for kids, for a guided tour 30 feet under the ground.
The owner of the caves has been a caving enthusiast since he was a boy. He bought the property 14 years ago and has spent the last decade personally transforming the caves into a cool, caving experience that is accessible for people of all ages. TIP: They don’ take debit or credit, so you’ll need cash.
Our second recommended, affordable attraction to see before you go is the National Air Force Museum in Trenton. The largest air force museum in the country, the museum honours the heritage of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Here you’ll find a wide variety of re-stored aircraft including the World War II Halifax Bomber–the only one of its kinds in the world, an outdoor airpark featuring 22 distinctive aircraft, a working restoration shop and displays including one that walks you through the famous “Tunnel to Freedom – The Great Escape”.
Admission is only $10 for adults and $8 for kids.
Be thrifty and practical! This information was accurate when published, but can change without notice. We recommend you confirm all details with the provider in question before planning your excursion.
Photo credits: TripAdvisor, Waupoos Winery, Tyendinaga Caves, Michela Simoncin, Notquiteahuman1, Context Travel