Prince Edward, Ontario
Location: Lake Ontario
Ease of Getting There: 8/10
Ease of Staying There: 9/10
Ease of Eating There: 9/10
Known as “Ontario’s Great Escape,” Prince Edward can be found along the coastline of Lake Ontario’s northeastern shore. You will be amazed by the sweeping views of Lake Ontario in this small county filled with charming towns and rolling hills. Prince Edward may not be large, but each time you visit you’ll be sure to discover something new!
Commonly confused with Prince Edward Island, which sits in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Prince Edward County is another distinguishable beauty. Prince Edward has recently become a hot spot for vacationers after being known as a farming community for years. Perfect for a cold-weather shopping getaway, Prince Edward presents charming boutiques and extraordinary antique shops.
Some of the more mouth-watering festivals that Prince Edward, Ontario, hosts annually are the Maple Festival in March, and The Great Canadian Cheese Festival in June. It’s no wonder Prince Edward has been referred to as “the gastronomic capital of Ontario.” Stop by the largest bay-mouth freshwater sand dune system in North America, Sandbanks Provincial Park to see what makes Prince Edward so captivating. The park is made up of three sandy beaches for you to relax and observe the beauty of Lake Ontario. Your whole family can enjoy the park during the summer months, where there is daily interpretive programming.
Just minutes from Sandbanks Provincial Park, you’ll find plenty of choices for dining, like the Sand and Pearl Oyster Bar, which, to no surprise, specializes in freshly shucked oysters. Another local favorite is Jackson's Falls Restaurant and Inn. You can dine in the circa 1870 one-room schoolhouse and spend the night in one of the coziest rooms in town. There are dozens of other lodging options, primarily inns, boutique hotels and B&Bs, each complete with its own unique charm.
There’s no shortage of wine in Prince Edward, with over 45 wineries dotting the county’s landscape! The cool climate and limestone-rich soils of Prince Edward County create unforgettable flavors and allow for a variety of award-winning wines to be produced. If you’re partial to beer, check out Midtown Brewing Company, a newer microbrewery in Wellington (266 Wellington Main St.) with an expanding deli and market right on site!
If you are visiting from Toronto, you are only about 200 kilometers from Prince Edward, which takes about two and a half hours by car. If you prefer to fly, Kingston Airport (YGK) is about an hour drive from the center of King Edward County.