Food, wine, and sandy beaches draw visitors to Prince Edward County, a historically agricultural region sandwiched between the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario, east of Toronto. These days, the fields mostly grow grapes, and the three dozen wineries make good chardonnay, pinot gris, and pinot noir. Restaurants, inns, and craft breweries fill The County’s three main towns: Picton, Bloomfield, and Wellington. On the south shore, Sandbanks Provincial Park, one of Ontario’s top destinations for campers, is known for its sand dunes near West Lake and its long beaches along Lake Ontario. Campers and RVers can also opt for lakeside sites at nearby commercial campgrounds.
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In the County’s largest town, with the largest concentration of shops and services, art galleries line the main street, with more in the surrounding countryside. Follow The County’s Arts Trail for a self-guided gallery tour.
You’ll find lots of wineries, and increasingly, good restaurants, in and around this community at the west end of Prince Edward County.
This university town east of Prince Edward County was Canada’s first capital and retains many Victorian-era buildings and 19th-century historic sites. Kingston is also a gateway to the scenic Thousand Islands region along the St. Lawrence River that divides Canada and the US.
Northwest of Prince Edward County, this Ontario region is dotted with forests and lakes, with several provincial parks and wilderness regions for campers, hikers, and canoe-trippers.
While the busiest season in Prince Edward County is June through early September, both spring and fall can bring pleasant weather and fewer crowds. The campgrounds at Sandbanks Provincial Park are open from late April into October, and book up months in advance for weekend getaways in summer. Come mid-week if your schedule allows. During the cold winter months, from January to March, many businesses around The County close entirely or significantly reduce their hours.