We are always asked for travel tips. One destination in particular is Prince Edward County. Just a short 3 hour drive from Ottawa or 2 hours from Toronto, it’s an easy daytrip or a weekend getaway.
This region, surrounded by water, is turning heads as Canada’s fastest growing wine region. And it is not all about the wine either! “The County” has been named as Maclean’s Magazine’s Canada TOP 10 Places You’ve Got to See in 2014. The town of Picton, Bloomfield, Milford, Wellington, Cherry Valley and all the points in between was hopping four years ago…and now there’s even more reasons to visit; our list is just a start.
Our 101 Things to Do in Prince Edward County was so popular that we’ve refreshed and updated for the second time. To help you discover all the neat things that are going on in The County, we got the Savvy Team together (over a glass of wine of course!) & jotted down our favorite things to do in Prince Edward County. Then we had a contest on Instagram and Facebook asking for hidden gems in the area…and went to the best source – the locals who live there for their secret spots. Here is the list for now….and if we missed something that needs to be included, don’t be shy….Let us know by email, Facebook or Instagram.
How far down the list can you get?
Start the car…and get rolling!
1. Visit North America’s largest dry stone bridge at Karlo Estates. And if you’re lucky, you’ll meet Spencer – one of Karlo’s winemakers – in the vineyard or in the cellar. (Spencer with a glass of his soon-to-be-released Rose, shown in photo right) 
2. Visit the Oeno Gallery at Huff Estates. Be sure to take advantage of their sculpture celebration happening from May to October 1st.
3. Want your wine tours to have a more rustic feel? Check out the historic barns at The Old Third, Closson Chase, Karlo Estates, The Grange of Prince Edward County and Hinterland Winery.
4. Sample amazing aperitif and dessert wines (and ports) – Sandbanks Winery, Hillier Creek, Keint-He Winery, Karlo Estates
5. Taste some of the best Canadian-made sparkling wines at Hinterland, Huff Estates , Rosehall Run, Casa-Dea & Lighthall Vineyards.
6. Cheese Please! All weekend long at the Great Canadian Cheese Festival (usually in June).
7. Sample County wines at great local restos – East & Main, Blumen Garden & The Hubb.
8. Nothing goes “feta” with wine than cheese, so be sure to pop into Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Co. for some artisanal cheese.
9. The infamous Toronto’s Drake Hotel now has a County location – Drake Devonshire. Stay over or go for dinner.
10. Indulge in poutine and milkshakes at the Dari Bar in Wellington.
11. Enjoy some great apple cider & lunch of lamb burgers The County County Cider. (Owner, Jenifer Dean, serving her famous cider, in photo right) 
12. Need some coffee before OR after sampling wine? Miss Lily’s Café or the Bean Counter in Picton.
13. Find your favorite mantra pinned to the wall in the Cherry Valley General Store (hint: they’re all about slowing down to smell the roses!).
14. Stop by one of many veggie stands – Laundry Farms, Hagerman Farms, Cherryvale Organic Farm.
15. Sit on the porch at a B&B or your weekend cottage and read Geoff Heinrick’s book A Fool & Forty Acres.
16. Pop in to the Agrarian Cheese Market & Speakeasy, featuring craft brews on tap, great ciders, wine and killer cocktails with live music on Fridays & Saturdays.
17. Take a cooking class at From the Farm.
18. Dining delight at Countylicious– twice a year, 8 restos offer a prix fixe culinary celebration for $30 or $35 plus grats & tax.
19. Get inspired by sustainable growing while you chat with Lee & Bryan at Keint-He Winery. They’ll help you pronounce that!
20. Hop on your bike & ride the back roads while exploring Canadian history along the Loyalist Parkway.
21. Take in Terroir Wine Festival at the Crystal Palace (Early June).
22. Plan for a beach day at Sandbanks Provincial Park.
23. Feel those rhythm mc-blues as you attend the PEC Jazz Festival (Mid August).
24. Discover new music talent from across North America at The Acoustic Grill in Picton.
25. Dive into the fantastic water sports at West Lake.
26. Take a billion pix of the gorgeous stain glass windows & hang out in the hammocks at Closson Chase ….then indulge in their wines.
27. Spend a Sunday afternoon on the patio at Huff Estates Winery listening to live musical talent. (Be sure to get a taste of their new wood-fired pizza! Photo on right)
28. And for more live music, enjoy some dinner-side entertainment at East & Main Bistro.
29. Red White & Blues festival at Rosehall Run features music in the vineyard. (September)
30. Meet the dogs & owners at Three Dog Winery. Or you can practice your downward dog at their built-in yoga studio
31. Get limbered up for the Full Moon Yoga Festival (August)
32. Hear James call his Chardonnay vines ‘Bella’ at Long Dog Winery.
33. Stock up on your picnic goodies at Chef Michael Hoy’s Weekend Market at 106 Bridge Street in Picton.
34. Start your day “sunny side up” with bacon & eggs at Picton Harbour Inn. Declared by Grapevine Magazing as the top breakfast joint in PEC.
35. Harvest parties at Sandbanks Winery, Half Moon Bay Winery & Broken Stone are fun for the entire family.
36. Book a getaway room at The Manse, Newsroom Suites, The Inn at Huff Estates, Merrill Inn or the Cottage at Angeline’s.
37. Take an early morning walk on the ‘secret’ beach (at the bottom of Cold Creek Road).
38. Go apple picking at Campbell’s Orchards.
39. …or cool off with ice cream at Slickers.
40. Did you know that Hinterland Vineyards has peach slushies for the kids?
41. Visit the old-time school house at the Ameliasburgh Historical Museum.
42. Drinks & Dinner at Merrill Inn – guaranteed delicious!
43. What the heck is Wassail? Ask around about this pre-Christmas festival where you sing for your drink.
44. Do a County Chardonnay-a-thon trying every Chard you can find. Be sure not to miss Lighthall, Stanners, Exultet, Rosehall, Karlo….is just a start.
45. Pull a pint of Pumpkin Ale at Barley Days Brewing Co.
46. Maple in the County is a great spring weekend getaway
47. Check out the cideries that are popping up – 401 Cider Company, Apple Falls Cider, Clafeld Cider House, Kings Mill (in Stirling – near PEC), County Cider Co, and The Hard Way (in Bath – near Glenora Ferry)
48. Visit the Lavender Farm when the lavender is in full bloom (June/July) or take in the lavender from across The County at the Lavender Festival
49. Chat with Pat at Del-Gatto Estates .…where he lives la dolce vita!
50. What was that on the barn? A Barn Quilt! It’s a THING in The County & there are over a 100 of them.
51. They say one person’s trash is another’s treasure, so why not start your hunt at the many famous antique stores in Prince Edward County.
52. Discover a lost world of treasures at the County Spring and Fall Antique Show & Sale
53. Follow the Arts Trail & meet incredibly talented artists along the way.
54. In the summer, sip Rose wines as you tour around the Wine Trail – see how they all are different – different grapes used, hues of pink…and tastes!
55. Catch a movie at the Regent Theatre.
56. Visit the gallery at Small Pond Arts to see Milé Murtanovski’s paintings made with wine. The gallery recently reopened so be sure to make an appointment!
57. Unwind one of the few classic drive-in movie theatres in Ontario: Mustang Drive-In
58. Take a break for wine touring & leisurely shop on Bloomfield or Wellington Main Streets.
59. Meet the newest cider maker in town – Ryan Monkman. In his ‘spare time’ he works for 8…yes eight!…other cideries to help them make world class hard cider – the craft way. In addition to working with others, his FieldBird Cider is truly unique.
60. How about a visit to Dead Peoples Stuff? (antique store).
61. Lunch al fresco at Casa Dea Estates Winery, Huff Estates or The Grange.
62. Go house hunting – it does not cost anything to dream!
63. It might be a wine region, yet there is a distillery – Kinsip House of Fine Spirits – that is a must visit. Especially for their Canadian Pine Vodka, Loyalist Gin, rums & whiskies too. (Photo on right) 
64. Watch the sunset over Hubbs Winery or let Batista – the winery owner – chat your ear off until the stars come out!
65. Enjoy classical music in a small church during the Prince Edward County Music Festival (September)
66. Make annual family traditions by renting one of the many of the Sunrise Cottages.
67. Drop by Highline Mushrooms to buy fresh gourmet mushrooms.
68. Homemade donuts like my grandfather would make await at Schroedter’s Market at Huff Corners – at Hwy 62.
69. Spend an hour or two checking out City Revival – a high end consignment shop.
70. Marvel at the Lake On The Mountain– it’s mystical up there. After you have figured out the geographic phenomena, head to the pub for a drink.
71. Stop at Black River Cheese Co. in Milford to try…and buy…all kinds of cheese. Savvy Cheese Sommelier, Vanessa Simmons recommends: Maple Cheddar & fresh curds (TIP – when you put curds in the fridge, they lose their squeak)
72. Where else can wines be as easy as Not Red, Almost Red and Not White? At Sugarbush Wines.
73. Did we already tell you about North Beach Provincial Park? You gotta go!
174. Go strawberry, raspberry or blueberry picking on the roadside – they grow wild! (July, August, September)
75. Grab some wine after your round of golf at Picton Golf Course, Barcovan Golf Club or Wellington On The Lake Golf Course.
76. Pop in & out of all of the cool shops along Picton Main Street. Treat yourself with a crepe too!
77. Bird-watching!! And don’t miss BirdHouse City. If you can’t get enough birds, be sure to check out the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory. (Trails are open-all-year-round but banding begins August 21).
78. More bird business…count how many birds yo spot at the Prince Edward County Birding Festival (May)
79. Take the scenic route. Drive along the Loyalist Parkway – Hwy 33. Start in Kingston or Napanee and it will meander all the way to Trenton.
80. Gorge on the farm fresh food at Seedlings (formerly The Hubb) in Bloomfield.
81. Get tickets to TASTE! (late September).
82. The December Busy Hands Craft Sale at Books and Company & Miss Lily’s Café – great sale for gifts.
83. Pop into Rosehall Run Winery for neat locally made gourmet goodies.
84. Play life size chess in the vineyard at Casa Dea Estates.
85. Stop for Italian thin crust pizza at Bergeron’s Estate Winery…and have a glass of wine or cider too!
86. Take photos of Lake Ontario with morning fog near Moonlight on the Lake B&B.
87. Buy Ontario wine…craft beer…and cider too!– not available in the LCBO – shop directly from the makers while you are in Prince Edward County
88. Get married!
89. Running and drinking…drinking and running during Terroir Run (June) or County Marathon (Registration in Sept).
90. Taste wine in a converted cheese factory that now houses Exultet Estates.
91. Rent a cottage on the water for a week and really live The County life.
92. Stop at a yard sale.
93. Take the Glenora Ferry – its free & runs every 15 mins (in the summer) or every 30 mins (in fall & winter)
94. Take a workshop at The Red Barns, an artisan’s playground, featuring blown and stained glass, pottery, and iron art.
95. Visit Canada’s first off-grid winery Redtail Vineyard.
96. Browse the books and say hello to Miss Ella Vader, the book mascot at Books & Company.
97. Spend a weekend at Claramount Inn & Spa. H.E.A.V.E.N.L.Y.
98. Stop by Huff Estates and get your picture taken with the giant steel pinecones.
99. Tired of wine tours? Satisfy your craft cravings with breweries like 555 Brewing Co. , Midtown Brewery, Prince Eddy’s and Barley Days.
100. Find out what all the buzz is about at Honey Pie Hives and Herbals!
101. Buy local ad support local farmers at the Wellington Farmer’s Market (July & August)
And there’s more …
So there is 101 Things – all new from our last edition of this blog – but there is still some many events and activities to see and to in The County. Let’s keep going….
102. Get belly laughs at The County’s Summer Comedy Series (May to Sept)
103. Let The County bring out your history buff with a Historic Walking Tour of Picton (July to Oct)
104. See The County from the coastline at Point Petre Wildlife Conservation Area, Sandbanks Dunes Beach, Little Bluff Conservation Area,
105. Winter is a great season for the County too so strap on those snow shoes or skies and head to one of the many trails in PEC. For a longer trail try the Millennium Trail – a whole 49km to enjoy!
106. Have a getaway for Family Day at the Sandbanks Snow Fest and other family friendly activities
107. Get out on the water in a canoe, kayak or paddle board rented from Twin Birch Suites & Cottages or right at Sandbanks Provincial Park.
108. They say that we’ll spend 29.75% of our lives sitting so why not get outside with a hike in the County.
109. Try not to tip over while you cycle through the County’s best wineries on one of the many bike routes.
110. Put your feet up at The Ferg: a Scandinavian historic house.
111. Feel the beat at one of the areas famous music festivals like the Sandbanks Music Festival (September), Prince Edward County Chamber Music Festival (September), Prince Edward County Jazz Festival (August), PEC Fest (August) or County Pop (April).
112. Let the sweet and silvery voices take you to the south while to visit PEC’s Quinte’s Isle Bluegrass Celebration!
113. Park yourself down at a picnic table in the vineyards at Trail Estates or Traynor Family Vineyards
114. Stop and smell the roses at The County Blooms – The County’s Garden Show
115. Discover your artistic side at Art in the County (June/July) or at the old school Women’s Institute Art and Craft Sale
116. Show you national pride at Canada Day Celebrations in Wellington
117. Feel like royalty as you discover wineries in a horse drawn carriage with The County Carriage Co. 
(Photo on right)
118. Start practicing you lines to watch the Festival Players Theatre Company Productions
119. Get ready to rumble at the Consecon Soap Box Derby
120. Preserve the history of wine making, brewing, and more at the Ontario Fermentation Festival
121. Get your team together for the Wellington Lions Club Dragon Boat Festival (August)
122. It’s not Burning Man but you will get to camp in the woods and enjoy a line up of amazing performers for 4 whole days at the Country Jamboree (August)
123. Check out the cute pups and tractor pulls at the Picton Fair (September)
124. Get your bike in gear for the Gran Fondo (September). You can choose to a scenic ride of 50, 100 or 150 km.
125. Celebrate the harvest at Milford Fall Fair or Ameliasburgh Fall Fair
126. See The County with an artist’s eye at the PEC Studio Tour or the County Arts Fair
127. Support local at TASTE Community Grown (September) or The Makers Hand
128. Get into the Halloween spirit at Pumpkinfest (late September)
129. Come back at Christmas too for the Picton Santa Claus Parade
130. Ahoy! It’s time to set sail with the County Sailing Adventures. They can host private events or take you on a 2 or 3 hour cruises.
131. Find the plaque in Picton that explains the town’s claim to fame – where Sir John A. Macdonald grew up.
132. Be surrounded by creativity in the Rose Cottage Studio and Gifts in Picton.
133. Rest and recuperate at one of The Open Collaborative’s retreats. Choose from the “Run”, the “Activate”, the “Reset”, or the “harvest”.
134. Shop ‘til you drop at the Quinte Mall
135. Find your equilibrium on a Stand Up Paddleboard with Floating Lotus SUP
136. Get into the great outdoors with a luxury prospector tent at the Fronterra Farm Camp.
137. Find your perfect new outfit at Luna Boutique.
138. Be sure to veer off the highway and visit the newest winery in The County – Moranin Wines (just opened July 2018)
139. And last BUT definitely not the least…have breakfast, lunch and treats at Enid Grace Cafe in Wellington – go early because she makes only enough croissants, muffins, scones & cakes enough for the day. Once your favorite treat is gone, you’ll have to wait til the next day.
…and the list goes on!
Even more tips and calendar of events can be found on Prince Edward County’s tourism web site is prince-edward-county.com
Wherever you decide to go – for a day trip, getaway or long weekend – why not work your way through this long list of things to see and do. It’s a beautiful place where you can make great memories of food, wine, great scenery – and more. Call on our Savvy Sommeliers anytime on 613-SAVVYCO (728-8926) for tips of places to visit.
Enjoy Prince Edward County!
