Day Trip: Lambs, Local Flavours & Lakeside Views in Lennox & Addington, Bay of Quinte, and Hastings County
Looking for a day filled with fresh air, local flavours and memorable countryside experiences? This itinerary takes you through some of the most scenic corners of the Bay of Quinte, Hastings County, and Lennox and Addington, where family farms, waterfront communities and passionate local makers are waiting to welcome you.
From cuddling lambs on Amherst Island to sampling craft beer brewed from ingredients grown just steps from the brewhouse, this route showcases the people, places and products that make the region special. Along the way, you'll discover farm shops, wineries, orchards and picturesque rural communities, all connected by scenic roads that invite you to slow down and explore.
This itinerary offers a perfect introduction to the farms, flavours and rural experiences that define the region.
Begin the day with a scenic ferry ride to Amherst Island. Stop at Topsy Farms to shop for yarn, wool blankets, and other sheep-related products. In spring, reserve in advance for the chance to snuggle a lamb.
Take the ferry back to the mainland and head to the village of Bath, where you can enjoy lunch made with local, seasonal ingredients at Welborne Commons.
After checking out some of Bath’s pretty shops, hop back in the car for the five-minute drive north of Bath to MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company. There, the brewers—the eighth generation of their family to live on the farm—make beer from hops and malting barley they grow in the surrounding fields. Taste some samples and pick up some beer to bring home.
Point your car back to Bath, where you’ll turn west for an afternoon drive along the scenic Loyalist Parkway (Highway 33). It’s only a 25km drive to the village of Adolphustown, but you’ll want to leave lots of time to stop along the way to—depending on the season—pick flowers or apples at Wynn Farms, pick Saskatoon and haskap berries at Berries by the Bay, have a refreshing beverage or some pizza at Bergeron Estate Winery and Cider Company, or pick apples or pumpkins (or enjoy apple cider donuts) at Spring Meadow Orchards, or try the vintages at Longrid Estates Vineyards and Winery.
After your relaxing day in the country, you could stay overnight at Longrid Estates, or choose from a wide range of accommodations in Napanee or Belleville.
Small Town Stops Along the Way
The region’s largest community, the city of Belleville, has a beautiful Bay of Quinte waterfront and a wide range of shops and services. Heritage buildings in the historic downtown include Glanmore National Historic Site, an 1882 mansion that is now a museum of affluent late 19th-century life.
Feeling hungry? Small Scale Bread is known for its organic whole-grain sourdough bread (as well as many other types), and L’Auberge de France bakes Parisian-style treats. Get fancy hot beverages and more at Benji’s Coffee Bar, and smoothies, coffees, and light meals at Tropical Blends Cafe.
And don’t miss Taste of Country for its house-made frozen foods, as well as foods from many other local producers.
Here are some of the many other communities to discover in the Bay of Quinte region, Hastings County, and Lennox and Addington.
- Adolphustown: This picturesque village at the eastern tip of the Loyalist Parkway is surrounded by farms. Its Old Hay Bay Church, built in 1792, is one of the oldest surviving Methodist meeting houses in Canada. A year-round ferry connects Adolphustown to Glenora in Prince Edward County.
- Bath: This picturesque hamlet near Lake Ontario has ties to early Upper Canada settlement. Drop by the Lodge Coffee House or Bread and Butter Bakery for fresh baked goodies—or swing by MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company for beer—and meander through pretty boutiques.
- Deseronto: Overlooking the Bay of Quinte, Deseronto is famous for year-round sport fishing and other fun on the water. Head to O'Connors House English Tea Room for Devonshire scones and other British treats. Pop into Magnolia's on Main for coffee, tea, snacks and baked goodies (including gluten-free choices). United Restaurant is famed for its pizzas, as is Grandma's Sweet Memories for ice cream cones, sundaes and milkshakes.
- Enterprise: Head to Salvage Garden for thoughtfully curated architectural antiques, such as columns and window frames, and Liv Simple Farms for handcrafted goat’s milk soaps (check with the farm for hours).
- Erinsville: Prepare to be amazed at the Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area, where the stars are spectacular on a cloudless night.
- Foxboro: Just north of Belleville, Foxboro is a small community where you can hang with alpacas at Alpaca Ridge Farms or pick up local meats at the Country Butcher Shop.
- Frankford: This small community on the Trent River has pretty parks and a walkable downtown. Relax with a hot beverage, baked goodies and light meals (including vegan and gluten-free options) at the Old Bank Cafe. Just outside town, visit Willow Creek Farms for fresh produce and local meats.
- Napanee: The town of Greater Napanee is a scenic community on the shores of Lake Ontario and the Napanee River. Its beautifully preserved limestone buildings and bustling downtown core are home to a wide range of shops and services. You can get great coffee (and more) at Humble Coffee House, Ellena’s Cafe and Pantry, and Coffee Cravings.
- Odessa: West of Kingston, Odessa is known for historic sites like the Odessa Fairgrounds and Babcock Mill.
- Plainfield: Near this hamlet northeast of Belleville, you can escape into nature at H.R. Frink Conservation Area.
- Roblin: Call ahead to pick up honey, tea or maple syrup at Teas & Bees, and go for a hike at Menzel Centennial Provincial Park.
- Roslin: Also northeast of Belleville, Roslin is a small rural community where you can visit Moneymore Maple Syrup by appointment.
- Shannonville: Swing by BEEotch Barn for local honey, bird seed, maple syrup and more, and pick up a coffee at Wavy, a combined cafe/skateboard shop.
- Stella: Stella is the main community on lovely Amherst Island. Visit Topsy Farms to buy wool and cuddle lambs. On summer Saturdays, pop into The Back Kitchen for fresh donuts (go early, before they’re gone!).
- Stirling: Located northeast of Belleville, the small town of Stirling is home to Farmtown Park. There, you can visit the Hastings County Museum of Agricultural Heritage and learn about cheese and butter making, farm machinery, and life in the 1930s.
- Tamworth: The hub of Stone Mills Township, Tamworth is close to several protected nature areas, as well as makers The Bee Spot (honey) and Salmon River Sugar Bush (maple syrup).
- Trenton: The largest community in the city of Quinte West, Trenton is home to CFB Trenton. On the base, you can visit the National Air Force Museum of Canada, which showcases the history of Canadian military aviation. Elsewhere in Trenton, hop into Kaleido Corner for coffee, baked goods, and eat-in or take-home from-scratch meals. The Grind & Vine serves coffee and tea, and locally sourced wine and charcuterie.
- Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory: On this rural Indigenous reserve, you can learn about heirloom and heritage plants at the Kenhte:ke Seed Sanctuary and Learning Centre, and shop for original creations at Little Owl Jewellery and Arts and Theresa Brant Studio.
- Yarker: This hamlet offers easy access to outdoor activities at Camden Lake Provincial Wildlife Area and along the Cataraqui Trail.
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