A Guide to Prince Edward County, Ontario

I have heard amazing things about Prince Edward County, Ontario for years and I finally decided to plan a weekend in the county with two of my best friends. Prince Edward County was everything I imagined and more! Beautiful countryside, cute small towns, charming wineries, and amazing waterfront views – what more could you ask for? We visited Prince Edward County in late September and got lucky with Indian summer weather. I highly recommend visiting in the fall as the area is less busy. I hope you enjoy my guide to Prince Edward County, Ontario!

WHERE TO STAY

Accommodations in Prince Edward County fill up very fast and are often expensive. We decided to book an Airbnb in Belleville, which is just a 20-minute drive to the heart of the county. Booking accommodation in the areas outside of Prince Edward County is definitely a more affordable option, but for convenience, I would have preferred to stay in the county.

WHAT TO DO

Wellington

I would say that Wellington is the most popular village in Prince Edward County. This is probably because the Drake Devonshire hotel is found here. The Drake is a popular lakeside spot to eat and stay in the county. Wellington’s main street has some other nice places to eat and several shops. The most popular wineries in Prince Edward County can be found just outside of Wellington’s main downtown area.

Bloomfield

Just a short drive east is the charming village of Bloomfield. Bloomfield’s main street has great shops, cute restaurants and cafes, and a famous ice cream spot!

Picton

A little further east is the town of Picton. Picton’s main street is not as charming but I loved looking at the beautiful historic homes and there is a nice harbour.

Glenora

Glenora has some of the best waterfront views in Prince Edward County. With bays of Lake Ontario to the north and the Lake on the Mountain to the south, you are surrounded by water. For the best view, dine at The Miller House.

Wineries/Breweries/Cider

Prince Edward County is well-known for their wineries, breweries and cider companies. I had SO much fun visiting several of them and let me tell you, the product is amazing! Wine tours are very popular in Prince Edward County, especially biking wine tours – a great option when you don’t have a designated driver!

To read my blog post, “8 Great Wineries & Breweries in Prince Edward County,” click here.

Sandbanks Provincial Park

The infamous Sandbanks Provincial Park is located in south Picton. If you are visiting this provincial park, checking out Dunes Beach is a must. With rolling dunes, amazing views, and some of the softest sand you’ll ever experience, you will feel like you’re in the desert! In addition, the Lakeview Trail is a great hiking trail along the water. You could explore Sandbanks Provincial Park for days – I would love to return and camp here.

BONUS: Glanmore National Historic Site

Glanmore National Historic Site in Belleville was around the corner from our Airbnb and I was so excited to visit. As you may know, I love historic houses and let me tell you – this house did not disappoint. Glanmore is the most ornate and decorative historic house that I’ve visited in Ontario, it is absolutely stunning! I highly recommend visiting Glanmore on your way to Prince Edward County.

WHERE TO EAT

Some great places to eat on Wellington’s main street are the Drake Devonshire, Midtown Brewing Company, East and Main Bistro, and La Condesa.

In Bloomfield, Saylor House Cafe, Bloomfield Public House, and Flame + Smith are great options. Grabbing an ice cream cone at Slickers County Ice Cream is a must.

The County Canteen in Picton has an amazing fried chicken sandwich. Some other spots in Picton are Crepe Escape, Hartley’s Tavern, The Vic Drive-In, and The Lighthouse Restaurant. There is also a Slickers County Ice Cream in Picton.

As previously mentioned, for my favourite view in Prince Edward County, you MUST dine at The Miller House in Glenora. Another option is The Inn at Lake on the Mountain.