Proudly Canadian: A First-Timer’s Guide to Ontario’s Heartland

If it’s your first visit to Ontario or your ninety-ninth, just forget the big-city buzz. Real Canadian charm lives in the places where farmers wave from tractors, butter tarts are sold by the dozen, and every general store summons, full of homemade jams, surprise antiques, and maybe even a display of award-winning pickled beets.

South Eastern Ontario can offer a crackling bonfire, a fair poultry show, or even a Saturday morning market where kids’ artwork is on display next to Grandma handing out recipe cards for every jar of jam she sells.

And the wineries of Prince Edward County? They’re a revelation. They entice locals and visitors alike, and through the historic villages of South Glengarry, you’ll find yourself stepping into a version of Canada that’s as warm as a wool blanket.

Here’s how to taste, tour, embrace and time-travel your way through Ontario’s countryside.

Taste the flavours of the land and learn the stories

Wander through Williamstown Village, one of Ontario’s oldest Scottish settlements. Heritage stone buildings, quiet walking trails, and riverside views offer a slower pace that feels like stepping back in time. Pop into the The Old General Store Crysler and you will see that it is more than just a shop. It’s a living piece of local history with shelves stacked high with classic Canadian treats.

While you're in the area, take a heritage walk through Morrisburg, or head to Upper Canada Village to immerse yourself in 1860s rural life, complete with working mills, costumed interpreters and horse-drawn wagons.

Speaking of apples, head to Smyth’s Apple Orchard in Dundela, just north of Iroquois. It’s located in the hamlet where the original Macintosh apple was discovered. In autumn, it’s a postcard come to life.

You’ll also find pick-your-own fun at Avonmore Berry Farm with wagon rides, farm tours, and the best strawberry shortcake you’ll ever eat off a paper plate.

For a full agri-tourism experience, check out Ferme Butte & Bine, a working farm and café that also offers Airbnb stays. Or try Springfield Farm for disc golf, farm tours, and rustic culinary experiences rooted in the land.

Visit Vankleek Hill Farmers' Market for small-town flavour and homemade preserves.

Be sure to swing by Wendy’s Country Market in Lyndhurst where the farmstand meets community-hub and supports over 70 local producers. They offer everything from cheese and preserves to grab-and-go meals made with ingredients grown on the farm just down the road.

In Prince Edward County, tasting your way through the region is a full-time job. Stop at Closson Chase or The Grange of Prince Edward for a glass of wine steeped in local character.

Start your Saturday at the Wellington Farmers’ Market, where fresh-cut flowers, local art, and jars of wildflower honey compete for your attention. Then detour to the Agrarian Market for artisanal bread and charcuterie picnic fare.

Heritage Stops in Kingston

No visit to the region is complete without a stop in Kingston, where old-world meets waterfront. Meander through Martello Alley, a courtyard art market filled with local works, then take a tour of Fort Henry or visit the PumpHouse Museum for a deep dive into industrial-era innovation.

UNESCO-designated fortifications, and The Great Lakes Museum, where you can step back in time aboard the S.S. Keewatin, the last Edwardian-era steamship in Kingston. 

If you’re curious about Kingston’s darker past, book a walking tour of the infamous Kingston Penitentiary, one of Canada’s oldest prisons and now one of its most fascinating heritage sites.

End your day with a meal at ChezPiggy, housed in a limestone stable, or grab a basket of baked goods at Pan Chancho, the bakery next door and drop down to the waterfront. Both are Kingston institutions, with menus that honour Ontario produce.

Historic fact: Kingston was the first capital of the United Province of Canada in 1841, chosen for its strategic location between Upper and Lower Canada and its strong military presence. It hosted the first Parliament under Governor General Lord Sydenham and was home to a young John A. Macdonald. However, the city was considered too small and vulnerable to attack, so the capital moved to Montreal just three years later. 

Off-the-Beaten-Path Treks: Hidden Trails and Natural Wonders

Catch a glimpse of the great Canadian Shield on these rocky terrains with some breathtaking views of waterways that split the horizon.

Take a gravel road bike ride with no destination, just the sound of tires on stone and the occasional squirrel giving you stink-eye.

Here are a few favourites worth lacing up for.

Rock Dunder is located near Gananoque and offers a moderately challenging 3 km hike leading to a summit offering panoramic views of the Rideau Waterway. It's a perfect spot for a scenic picnic.

Landon Bay Trail – Thousand Islands National Park is a 2.3 km loop trail that meanders through forests and offers stunning vistas of the St. Lawrence River, making it ideal for birdwatching and photography.

Blue Mountain Trail – Charleston Lake Provincial Park is a 10 km round-trip hike that rewards adventurers with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. It's less trafficked, offering a peaceful retreat into nature.

Foley Mountain – Westport is where you will find Spy Rock, which is a local favourite. An easy hike will offer a glimpse of the Rideau and the village of Westport. There are lots of trails in this conservation area to spend the day and have a picnic.

Talk Like a Canadian: A Country Glossary

Want to sound like you belong at the general store? Here's a crash course in rural Ontario lingo:

Timmies, or Tim Hortons. You’ll no doubt be stopping at one of these along the Canadian highways. This is a popular Canadian coffee shop, where they sell Timbits and double-doubles. This is coffee with two cream and two sugar.

Toonie/loonie: Two-dollar and one-dollar coins. You’ll likely get weighted down if you have a pocket full of them to pay for your double-doubles.

The concession: A rural road, not a discount. You’ll find lots of them in South Eastern Ontario.

Hydro: Electricity, not water.

Give‘er: Put in your best effort.

A good rip: A fun road trip or joyride.

Eh!:  A classic Canadian punctuation mark used to confirm or connect. “That was a good one, eh?”

I’ll be there for sure, bud!: They may or may not show up. (Probably not.)

Yes b’y!: This one opens a whole can of East Coast (Newfoundland and Labrador) dialect, which means “for sure” or “you bet”. If said with a smirk, it could mean the opposite.

Use a few of these in your conversations, and you’ll be talking like a local in no time.

Plan Your Proudly Canadian Escape

South East Ontario is the place to be if you’re curious about local pride. These are the kind of places that make you want to stay a little longer. Ontario’s heartland isn’t flashy. It’s quiet. Proud. Sometimes weird. Always kind. It’s a place where stories are handed down with the pie, and the measure of a good weekend is how dusty your boots are by Sunday night.

Wherever your road trip takes you, you’ll find communities that welcome you like a neighbour and feed you like family.

Proudly Canadian? You bet. And proud to show it.