A Scenic Day of Sips & Savours in Prince Edward County

South Eastern Ontario / Sud-Est de l'Ontario

Prince Edward County rewards travellers who embrace a slower pace and leave room for unexpected discoveries. Around almost every bend, you'll find a vineyard, farm stand, bakery, artisan producer or scenic view that invites you to pull over and stay awhile. One of the joys of exploring The County is that no two visits are ever quite the same. Seasonal harvests, special finds and spontaneous stops often become the highlights of the day.

Before you set out on your adventures, here are a few tips from local experts.

First, bring a cooler; you’ll need it for all the bounty you’ll find at roadside stands. Second, try to visit wineries early in the day, before they get too busy.

Most importantly, don’t underestimate driving times. The County is bigger than it looks! It can take nearly an hour to drive from one side to the other. Plan your day trip by region and group stops together, so you can spend less time driving and more time savouring. 

Embrace “County Time” and slow down, leaving room for spontaneity. After all, some of the best meals, markets and wineries are those you stumble upon.

Here is just one of many potential day trips you could take in The County. This one starts and ends in Picton.

Begin your day with a fancy coffee or tea, along with pastries and other breakfast treats, at Picton’s Beacon Bike + Brews, Lily’s Café or The Bean Counter. 

Begin your day

Heading east out of town, your first stop could be the farm stand at Return to Earth Farm, where you can pick up pasture-raised meat. Two kilometres down the road, you can sample red, white and rosé wines at Amanda’s Vineyards. 

Hop back in the car for the quick trip to  Cressy Mustard Co. to pick up small-batch mustards. If you’re hungry, you can dig into fish tacos and other casual fare. Alternatively, head across the road to Waupoos Estates winery to tour its vineyards and cellars, taste a wide range of wines in the expansive boutique, have lunch in one of several restaurants, and drop into its Clafeld Cider House. 

Thus fortified, head next to Fifth Town Artisan Cheese, where you can keep filling your cooler—this time, with hard and soft cheeses made from local cow’s, goat’s or water buffalo’s milk. Not far from there, Bailey’s Run Baked Goods is a charming, self-serve bakeshop.

By this point, a bit of exercise may be in order. At Diamond J Ranch near Lake on the Mountain, you can book a trail ride or a pony ride to explore some of The County’s spectacular landscapes on horseback. 

Wind up your day in Picton, where you can browse for local foods at Agrarian Market before having dinner at one of the town’s many restaurants. Picton also has a wide range of accommodations to choose from. 

Small Town Stops Along the Way

Picton, the largest community in Prince Edward County, is home to a diverse selection of businesses. Paint pottery or take a class at County Creative. Catch a live performance at the Regent Theatre or The Andrew. Pick up something new to read at Books & Company. And when it comes to places to shop, eat or stay, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Prince Edward County is divided into 10 regions: Ameliasburgh, Athol, Bloomfield, Hallowell, Hillier, North Marysburgh, Picton, Sophiasburgh, South Marysburgh and Wellington. Within those regions, you’ll find the following communities.

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