//
Municipality in Canada
Photo: WikiPedant, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Prince Edward County is a county and amalgamated municipality of about 26,000 people (2021) in Eastern Ontario, Canada. Locally, it is nicknamed "the County".
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Staggering views from towering limestone cliffs overlooking Lake Ontario. Rock beach for swimming, picnic areas and firepits. Usually quiet and private.
This theatre built in 1922 plays full length films and hosts local theatre and musical performances. The building is a historical landmark of the area and has been restored as close as possible to its former glory. Usually offers a family-friendly matinée through the summer, a great way to escape a rainy day on the beach!
Small lavender farm that hosts an annual lavender festival. Has several lavender fields and sells a variety of lavender-related goods.
A museum and pioneer village, tour the many buildings (church, log cabin, barns, blacksmith shop, sap shanty, dairy and bee-keeping buildings) and gardens. Ameliasburgh Christmas in the Village in early December; Amelia’s Tea Room offers breakfast and lunch for special events.
Artefacts relating to local maritime history, from fishing and ship building through ice harvesting and rum running, include pieces recovered from shipwrecks by divers, the relocated False Duck Island lighthouse, Fort Kente and a huge row boat. Picnic area.
Beautifully restored home, gardens, a cemetery and a museum in a converted church. Tour near Christmas to see the house decorated with antique ornaments, listen to carols and try some hot apple cider from the large stone fireplace.
A traditional farm house in newly posh wine region Waupoos. If you are touring wineries you will surely pass by the Rose House. Stop in for a tour of the quaint home and barns.
Pays tribute to the Quakers that helped develop the area through displays and artefacts. Also includes an exhibit which outlines the importance of the canning industry to the development of the County (75 different canning factories operated between 1882 and 1996).
Prince Edward County is a high traffic migration point for many species and a popular destination for bird watching. An annual birding festival is held in May.
Yoga retreats are popping up all over Prince Edward County. Many offer group packages; most are in lovely, peaceful areas.
A new way to see the County! Hands-on experience at a local farm, accommodations and meals provided in some cases.
A self-guided tour of local studios and art galleries, metal smiths, glass blowers, painters, photographers, potters and jewellery creators. Visit as many or as few as you wish, watch artists work to create beautiful pieces. The Red Barns offer hands-on experience; try your hand at woodworking, glass blowing, stained glass or pottery.
formerly Festival Players
The region’s professional summer theatre company, bringing the beautiful landscapes, towns and villages of the County to life through the incredible power of theatre. Performances are held in various venues at the Eddie farm, including the open air Eddie Pavilion or the Sergeants Mess Hall at Base 31.
To escape the hustle and bustle of Picton on a busy summer day, take your lunch to the park overlooking the Picton harbour. Sometimes known as "Yacht Club Park" or "Armoury Park" it is only about two minutes from Main Street.
Playground and public skate park constructed in 2009.
This provincial park is a nice picnic stop with great views of the bay and Glenora ferries. There is no admission charge. Aptly named, the park features a natural wonder: a freshwater lake high above nearby Lake Ontario that has a flow of clean water from no known source.
A nice place to picnic, hike, mountain bike or bird watch. "Birdhouse City" is here; a grouping of many birdhouses constructed to resemble century homes. During the summer children's camps are run here so it may not always be a quiet retreat. In the winter be sure to try your hand at tobogganing the daunting hill! The Bloomfield Bicycle Company leads three club rides on the mountain bike trails, and that can be a good way to find one's way around the labyrinth of single-track.
One of the most popular parks in Ontario, Sandbanks offers three white sand beaches, breathtaking views, staggering sand dunes, limestone cliffs, canoeing, kayaking, picnic areas and five campgrounds. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent on the Outlet river. For a special view paddle up the Outlet into East lake, take a right and you may see some of the swans that live in a quiet marshy corner of the lake. Sunrise or sunset are best. The park also has evening entertainment in the form of music, trivia challenges and plays. Also ask about the Mother's Day Easter Egg Hunt, Lakeshore Lodge Day and the Fall Getaway Fun Run. Winter is a nice time to visit the park, admission is free and Cross-country skiing is the main attraction.
18-hole course, club and cart rental, renovated clubhouse, dining room and lounge. Stunning views of the Picton Bay and surrounding area.
A popular 9-hole course adjacent to a retirement-style housing development in Wellington.
The Prince Edward County Arts Council runs a juried art show, jazz festival, a music festival, studio and gallery tours, and photography shows. The studio tour is free and self-guided (guide brochures are available at the Chamber of Commerce in Picton and throughout the County). All events are very popular and have affordable or sometimes free admission.
Annual traditional county fair (early September) with livestock shows, baking competitions, midway rides, demolition derby, tractor pull, taffy, mini-doughnuts and lots of food.
Early June, two days. Artisan and farmstead cheese show with cheeses from across Canada.
Sugar shack shindig with maple-themed meal and live entertainment; a one-weekend Taste the County festival backed by several local maple sugar shacks.
Annual free all-day music festival in early September that draws lots of local talent. Great music, beautiful scenery, BBQ and kids' stuff.
Annual wine-tasting event. You must be 19 or older to drink alcohol in Ontario, and to attend the event. Held early June.
A self-guided tour of culinary hot-spots, restaurants, ice cream shops, wineries and cheese factories. Brochure includes a map and site descriptions (downloadable, or pick up a paper copy when you get into town).
Metro, No Frills, and Foodland in Picton are standard grocery stores offering pre-prepared meals as well as typical basic goods.
Throughout Prince Edward County, from spring until late fall, vegetable stands offer a taste of the County with local produce and local flavour. Some offer firewood, baked goods or maple syrup. Perfect for campers looking to take a dozen ears of corn back to the site or day trippers looking for a snack on the go.
A stop on the taste trail thanks to the dozens of flavours of amazing gelato (which is handmade on site!) the Bean Counter also has great drinks and snacks. Cozy atmosphere with couches and comfy chairs as well as tables, a great place to meet friends!
Miss Lily's is adjacent to Books and Company, a fantastic book store. The décor is chic but accessible and the prices are reasonable. Free Wi-Fi is a bonus! Get there early or all the good sandwiches might be gone as they are pre-made on site.
In "Warings Corners" and part of "The Waring House". The Barley Room is a favourite local pub with great food, specials and usually live music on the weekends. They feature local ingredients in the food and offer many local wines, ciders and beers. The enclosed patio is open summer and fall.
Offers typical pub grub at good prices. Has three dining areas- the back patio, the bar and the front dining room. The patio is nice but overlooks a parking lot. Always busy on a Friday night, a popular local hang out.
Offers pub grub with an upscale twist. Prices are affordable and there is almost always live music showcasing local talent. Small place but very popular and usually busy.
Call to reserve a tasting.
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Gamay Noir, and rarer wines such as Muscat Ottonel, Chenin Blanc and St. Laurent, using only County grapes.
Restaurant, guest house. One of the largest and most established wineries in Prince Edward County. One of the very few Prince Edward County wineries that use only grapes from the County. Their licensed patio features Italian inspired dishes.
Specializing in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Gris grapes.
Natural winemaking with little intervention producing fruit-driven wines that have balance and great complexity.
Baco Noir, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Pinot noir, Vidal, Geisenheim and Marechal Foch.
Spa, heated indoor/outdoor pool, suites, full breakfast. Clara's Restaurant (open 5:30-9PM) overlooks Picton Bay.
Winery, gallery and country inn.
Resort with restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, a hot tub, and landscaped gardens.
Eight-room boutique hotel. Two-night minimum on summer weekends. Wifi.
Restaurant, inn, conference centre, spa & cookery school. CAA/AAA discount.
On Picton Bay, boutique motel with a retro and Californian vibe.
Boutique open 11AM-5PM daily in high season (May-Oct), weekends only off-season, closed winter.
Spa packages available at extra cost.
No pets, no kids under 12. Two night minimum on weekends.
Organic farm with bed-and-breakfast.
Boat rental, fishing charters, marina facilities and service. Cottages and lodge.
BBQ, swimming pool, docking and boat launch, playground, wi-fi, cottages with kitchen, satellite TV. Linens/towels not included.
Farmhouse rental (4-6 persons max). Fruits, vegetables, jams and preserves for sale.
Inquiries 8AM-10PM only. Cottages, boat rental, charters. wi-fi, outdoor pool.
Boat and camp trailer rental, boat storage, playground, coin-operated showers, hunting/fishing licences, store with bait, tackle, ice, coffee, groceries, farm produce, marine and RV supplies.
Trailer park and camping resort, pontoon boat rental. May-September. No pets.
Two bedroom cottages, deck, BBQ, RV hookups, shower, laundry, docking in harbour, ice, bait, swimming, fishing.
RV parking and dump station. Boat docks, boat launch ramp, store, playground, outdoor pool, showers. Store with ice cream, ice, bait and firewood. Fishing boat, canoe and paddleboat rental.
Motorboat, paddleboat and bicycle rental, fishing licences, campground and cabins.
Serviced RV sites, showers, washrooms, bunk house, cottages, general store, playground, beach, boat launch, canoe rentals. Hall seats eighty.
Antique shopping could lead you on an accidental tour of the County as dozens of shops are found in various nooks and crannies. With many shops, Bloomfield is a good starting point.
Wellington Farmers' Market (245 Main St.) Sa 8AM-1PM, Picton Artisan Market (116 Main St.) Su 9:30AM-2:30PM.
Quilts, linens, lace, lamps, pictures, home fashions, collectibles, candles, cards, jewellery and accessories.
New and used books, music, Wi-Fi. Frequently hosts readings and other events. Miss Lily's Café adjacent (try the almond croissant!) Walking distance from quiet, shady Benson Park for those who prefer reading outdoors.
Canadian regional chain with bargain clothing, food, housewares. Popular with folks headed to the beach because it has everything needed for the day - water toys, sunscreen, snacks, towels.
Sales, rentals, repairs, accessories. Road, mountain, BMX.
Fall corn maze, spring and fall wagon rides, annual Easter egg hunt, apples in season, maple sugar in season. Christmas and seasonal baskets, group tours. Various pick-your-own fruits and vegetables are in season at different times from June to October.
Picton's only winery and a pioneer in the area, Black Prince has been making well-priced wines from local grapes for over 10 years and is a fierce supporter of the local art scene.
Local cheddar, mozzarella and speciality cheeses, seasonal baskets.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Gamay grapes are planted in the vineyard. Apr/May Sep/Oct: Sa Su noon to 5PM. Jun-Aug: daily noon to 5PM.
By bus
By boat
The County is almost an island and therefore a popular stop for boaters touring Lake Ontario.
The easiest and most popular way to travel around the County is by car, as many points of interest are separated by fair distances. It is possible to hire a taxi to drive you between points but this can be costly.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Rochester · International · ROC
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Prince Edward County and Canada.
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.
