Things to do
prince edward county
There's so many things to do in Prince Edward County! There are activities in PEC for all ages and interests! Whether you are coming here to relax, explore, or experience the county's fabulous food and drink, PEC will not disappoint!
Known locally as "the county", it is situated about a 2 hour drive east of Toronto, and about 3.5 hours west of Montreal. It is an island with a cluster of hamlets and villages, on the northern half of Lake Ontario. Highlights of the county include Sandbanks Provincial Park, more than 40 wineries, oodles of lovely restaurants, a robust artistic community, and a plethora of festivals. Picton is the county's largest community.
If you don't know where to start planning your trip, may we suggest checking out To Do Canada's recommendations for the 25 Best Things to Do in Prince Edward County, and our own favourite picks below.
And PEC's official tourism website is a great tool. The links below will take you there then you have the ability to filter by Region and Month.
By far one of the most popular activities in Prince Edward County are winery tours. There are many winery tour options including self-guided, private, group, customized, winery tours in vintage vehicles, and 'sip and cycle wine tours'.
And If craft beer and/or cider is more your thing, there are cidery and craft brewery tours as well.
PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY ACTIVITIES
Here are some of our
FAVOURITE PICKS
Sandbanks Provincial Park is the largest freshwater barrier beach and sand dune system in the world! The beaches are great wide stretches of soft white sand that gently slope into the water. Lake Ontario never looked so good! When the light dances on the
water it creates hues of blue and green and you might think you're in the Caribbean. The dunes are great for exploring - some are nearly 5 stories high. And don't forget when you stay at the Loft on the Lake, a complementary pass to the park is included!
The Taste Trail is a self-guided gastronomic tour through the county taking in some of PEC's best food and drink offerings - whether it's at farm stands, or in vineyards or fields or served on a table. Menus
change with the season to take advantage of the freshest and tastiest ingredients available. Download the latest Taste Trail Brochure here.
Described as a hidden gem and one of the best kept secrets in Ontario, it is an 18-hole, par 72 Championship Course with dramatic elevations, superbly maintained bentgrass greens and demanding fairways.
Get to know another side of Picton from the water. During this 90 minute tour on a pontoon boat you will learn a little history, see waterfalls and some shallow coves, and get a peak at some of the natural habitats of the wildlife that make their homes in and around the water.
With all the wonderful food and drink we have in the county it's only natural that we have a superb cooking school! From the Farm Cooking School offers all kinds of culinary classes and events: there's classes on preserving, seasonal pasta
dishes, farm-to-table dinners, couples cooking, tapas, cheese making, crepes, harvest cooking, and so much more, including combo lunch/class & dinner/class events!
If you want to slow things down a bit and just enjoy some peace and quiet on the water for awhile, just pay a visit to Cabin Fever Kayak. They rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. (When you stay at Loft on the Lake you have complementary use of 2 kayaks on site.)
If you're looking for a unique experience during your stay in PEC, this is it! As a former restaurateur on 'The Taste of the Trail' your guide Chris got to know the heart & soul of the County, the growers and vitners. WIth that knowledge and he will design a custom tour just for you based on your interests and options. This is A County Experience you will remember fondly.
Horseback Riding
The Diamond J Ranch caters to both experienced and inexperienced riders, so if you've been longing to saddle-up this is your place! Enjoy a scenic ride through fields and woods with the possibility of seeing the occasional deer and some great bird watching. And when you get to highest point you'll get a magnificent view of Picton Bay and a great photo opportunity. The ranch is open to the public from May to October.
The Prince Edward County Arts Trail is a self-guided tour of PEC's year-round professional studios and galleries. Media includes paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and glass works - all at a variety of price points. Take the tour and be inspired!
There are lots of routes for cyclists of all levels around PEC. Make sure to build in extra time to take in some of the cafes, shops, wineries, and galleries you will encounter along the way. One of the most popular routes
is The Mellenium Trail - it's a former tree-lined rail-bed stretching 49 km from Picton to Carrying Place. It connects up to the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. If you don't have a bike, don't worry there are several options to rent a bike in Prince Edward County.
The Regent Theatre has been gracing Picton's Main Street since it first opened in 1918 and has been presenting movies, live performances, and special events through the years, and now digital programming as well. Click here to see their line up of live performances, movies, and other events.
PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY
EAT & DRINK
Marina
JUL 2021
"beautiful place and lovely hosts! had a great time :)"