My Favourite Places to Visit in Prince Edward County

If you’re planning a getaway in Ontario, Prince Edward County should be at the top of your list.

Known for its rolling vineyards, sandy beaches, charming small towns, and thriving arts scene, it’s no wonder this region has become a favourite escape for weekend travellers.

From hidden wineries and craft breweries to local cafés and galleries tucked into picture-perfect towns, you can’t help but be entertained—whether you’re visiting for a day or staying for the weekend.

I’ve been returning to Prince Edward County for over 20 years, and what keeps me coming back isn’t just the wineries or restaurants. It’s the slower, more relaxed pace of the place itself.

Just a couple of hours east of Toronto and west of Ottawa, Prince Edward County offers easy access for a day trip or a slower, more immersive experience.

I’ll show you the best towns to explore, the must-visit spots, and the unique experiences that make PEC unlike anywhere else in Ontario. Consider it your insider roadmap to discovering all the top places to visit in Prince Edward County.

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Why Prince Edward County Feels Different From Other Ontario Getaways

What keeps drawing me back to Prince Edward County is that it offers a completely different pace and atmosphere from many of Ontario’s other popular weekend destinations.

Places like Stratford and Elora tend to centre around one main downtown filled with restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and historic streets. Bayfield and Goderich, along Lake Huron, feel more tied to the water and beach-town atmosphere, especially during the summer months. Creemore has that postcard-worthy village charm that people instantly fall in love with.

Prince Edward County feels more spread out and exploratory than any of them.

The experience here happens between the towns just as much as inside them. The back roads, vineyards, weathered barns, shoreline views, farm stands, tiny hamlets, and scenic detours all become part of the day itself.

Compared to Caledon, which I associate more with rolling hills, forests, scenic drives, and countryside hamlets close to Toronto, Prince Edward County feels more coastal and agricultural at the same time. Norfolk County shares some similarities through its quieter roads, rural landscape, wineries, and slower pace, but The County feels more rooted in food, wine, art, and creative culture.

And honestly, I think that’s why people return here repeatedly instead of visiting only once.

Prince Edward County rewards slower travel. Wandering through Bloomfield without much of a plan. Taking the long route toward Waupoos. Pulling over for a farm stand or winery that wasn’t originally on the itinerary. Staying longer somewhere simply because the atmosphere feels good.

It’s one of the few places in Ontario where doing less somehow makes the experience feel fuller.

My Favourite Places to Visit in Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County is made up of a collection of charming towns and quiet villages, really, they are hamlets, each with its own personality.

Whether you’re after boutique shopping, local eats, historic streets, or just a place to soak up the scenery, exploring these towns slowly is one of the best ways to experience The County.

Picton – The Heart of Prince Edward County

Picton is the county’s bustling hub and the perfect base for exploring.

Its historic downtown streets are lined with cafés, artisan shops, and galleries. A favourite shop of mine is Luna.

Don’t miss the Picton Marina for a waterside stroll, or the Prince Edward County Courthouse for a touch of local history.

For food lovers, the weekly farmers’ market is a treasure trove of local cheeses, baked goods, and fresh produce. A must-try is Slickers ice cream (second location in Bloomfield). Many of the homemade ingredients come from local farmers and are only available in season. I remember trying rhubarb ginger and was blown away.

Picton has just enough buzz to feel lively, but it still maintains that small-town charm that makes Prince Edward County so inviting.

Bloomfield – Quaint, Walkable, and Timeless

If Picton feels like the county’s heart, Bloomfield is its cozy soul.

Bloomfield Village is easy to explore on foot, with boutique shops, local cafés, and seasonal markets. This is my favourite town for shops. Places I like to revisit are: Kokito, Terra Florens, KC’s Closet, The Local Store, and, for antiques, MacCool’s Reuse and Retrospective.

It’s a town where you can spend a few hours wandering, stopping for a pastry at a café, and chatting with locals.

Bloomfield is also a gateway to some of The County’s best culinary experiences—perfect for those who want a slower, more intentional visit.

Wellington – Waterfront Charm

Wellington sits along the Bay of Quinte and offers some of the county’s most picturesque waterfront views.

The Wellington pier is a great spot for a morning coffee from the Italian-inspired Enid Grace or an evening stroll at sunset.

Pop into local galleries, grab a scoop at one of the artisan ice cream shops, or wander the historic streets lined with boutique stores.

Rent a bike and take the nearby Millennium Trail, a former railroad that winds through the County from Wellington to Picton. Or, take the Sip and Cycle wine tour to visit a few of the local Prince Edward County wineries.

For first-time visitors, Wellington is a perfect mix of scenic charm and easy accessibility as the gateway to The County, making it ideal for a day of exploring.

The Villages of Prince Edward County

Beyond the main towns, don’t ignore these tiny villages, as they hold some of the most distinctive experiences. They are reminiscent of the hamlets found in Caledon, west of Toronto.

• Hillier: Home to the majority of Prince Edward County’s wineries, Hillier is the heart of the region’s wine country. Spend a day sipping at boutique vineyards and enjoying the rolling countryside. I always make a stop at Chetwyn Farms at their Alpaca store called The Shed.
• Waupoos: Known for housing the county’s first cidery, Waupoos is also where you’ll find the Lake on the Mountain Conservation Area—a unique geological feature with panoramic lake views.
• Cherry Valley: This scenic village is the gateway for camping at Sandbanks Provincial Park. It’s also a tranquil spot to enjoy the countryside and experience the slower pace of life in Prince Edward County.

Scenic Places to Visit in Prince Edward County

One of the biggest reasons people return to Prince Edward County again and again is the landscape. This is a place where vineyards meet water, and quiet back roads lead to surprising views.

Don’t discount the barns from the old and weathered to the new and modern, they are all over Prince Edward County and in every colour.

Sandbanks Provincial Park is the most well-known natural attraction, and for good reason. The sand dunes and beaches feel almost out of place in Ontario. If you can, arrive early in the morning or visit in the shoulder season for a quieter experience.

Lake on the Mountain Conservation Area is one of the county’s most curious natural features. Sitting high above the Bay of Quinte, this small but striking lake has baffled scientists for years. The lookout alone is worth the stop, especially if you pair it with a visit to nearby Waupoos.

North Beach Provincial Park is a place to go to escape the crowds. It’s a thin stretch of sandy beach with Lake Ontario on one side and the calm waters of North Bay on the other. I like to come here with my dog and walk the easy loop.

Point Petre is another incredible place to visit while in the County. It’s a spot that most visitors never know about. Long pebble beach with flat limestone ledges leads you out to the crystal-clear water of Lake Ontario. It’s popular with locals to gather here for sunrise and sunset watching.

Birdhouse City is another fun place I found with my dog. It’s a dog-friendly conservation area with bird houses. Having a bird dog, a Vizsla, I wanted to bring him to see his reaction to the hundreds of bird species flying in and out of the whimsical birdhouses.

One of the best ways to experience Prince Edward County is simply by driving slowly through it. Some roads lead past vineyards and lavender fields, others follow the shoreline or pass weathered barns, farm stands, and tiny hamlets that barely appear on a map. No matter the season, these country roads offer some of the best scenic views.

Here are a few of my favourites:

• Milford, Cherry Valley, and Black River on County Roads 10, 13, and Miller Road
• Glenora, Lake on the Mountain, and Waupoos on County Roads 7 and 8
• Carrying Place, Ameliasburgh and Consecon on Highway 62
• Lakeside Drive
• Loyalist Parkway (Hwy 33)

Because PEC is fundamentally a scenic driving destination.

Creative Places to Visit in Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County’s creative spirit is woven into everyday life here. Art studios sit beside farms, and galleries appear where you least expect them—often down quiet roads or inside restored barns.

Small art galleries and studios are scattered throughout the county, especially in Picton, Bloomfield, and Wellington. Many feature local artists, making each visit feel personal rather than curated for tourists. Keep an eye out for seasonal studio tours, when artists open their workspaces to visitors.

I recommend you download the Art Trail Map so you know exactly where to go. Watch for the distinctive blue Arts Trail signs as you drive along the scenic country roads.

Food & Wine Places to Visit in Prince Edward County

Food and wine aren’t just things you do in Prince Edward County—they’re part of how you move through it. Meals stretch longer than planned. Wine tastings turn into conversations. And it’s often the unassuming places that leave the strongest impression.

Prince Edward County Wineries

Prince Edward County has earned its reputation as one of Ontario’s most exciting wine regions, particularly for cool-climate varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

As the second-largest wine region, right after the Niagara Region, there are new wineries in The County popping up every time I visit.

Many of the wineries are concentrated in Hillier and closer to Wellington.

What sets the county apart is its scale.

Most wineries here are small, intimate, and hands-on. Tastings often happen at the bar with someone who actually worked the harvest. Relaxed and casual, far from the more showier wineries in Niagara on the Lake.

My Tip: Plan fewer stops than you think you need. Two or three wineries in a day is plenty if you want to experience them slowly and still enjoy the countryside.

Best Restaurants in Prince Edward County

Dining in Prince Edward County leans local, seasonal, and unpretentious. Menus change often, depending on what’s available that week, and many restaurants work closely with nearby farms and producers.

You’ll find everything from casual cafés and bakeries to refined, farm-driven dining—often without the formality you’d expect elsewhere.

Some of the best meals come from places that don’t look flashy at all. A roadside eatery, a café with a short menu, or a patio tucked behind a shop can easily become the highlight of your trip.

I recommend you eat your way through The County by following the self-guided Taste Trail. I did several years ago, and it brought me to some new places that instantly became my favourites.

My advice: For those places you are dying to try, make a reservation, as the little County fills up quickly, especially on weekends and during the summer months.

Places to Stay in Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County offers an array of options from boutique inns to renovated hip motels. We’ve done both when we return. I recommend these: Drake Devonshire, The Lakeside Motel, and The June Motel for their cool vibes. A bit of a slower, luxury stay, you’ll want to check out The Wander Resort or The Wilfrid Boutique Farmhouse. And, lastly, a long-standing charming stay can be found at Angeline’s Inn.

My Personal Take on Prince Edward County

So, if you love small towns, friendly people, and a thriving arts community, take a day trip to Prince Edward County.

You will be treated to some delicious farm-to-table food and wines, craft beers, and ciders.

All the spaces – whether it be the eateries, wineries, shops, or accommodations have a similar vibe. It’s a little bit vintage and eclectic, and has that cool factor without trying to be. That’s the best of Prince Edward County if you ask me. 

I’ve visited Prince Edward County in every season, and each one completely changes the atmosphere. Summer feels lively and social, autumn brings vineyard colours and harvest season, while winter reveals a much quieter and slower side of The County that many visitors never experience.

That’s part of why Prince Edward County resonates with me so much. The slower back roads, unexpected winery discoveries, tiny hamlets, scenic detours, and spontaneous roadside stops all become part of the experience itself.

And honestly, that’s also why I love the idea behind Guess Where Trips.

Their themed surprise road trips encourage you to experience Ontario differently. Instead of rushing through a packed itinerary, the experience unfolds gradually throughout the day with curated stops focused on small towns, local food, scenic drives, hidden gems, wineries, cafés, and places you might never have discovered on your own.

If you enjoy Ontario day trips built around discovery, atmosphere, and letting the day unfold a little more slowly, I think you’ll genuinely enjoy them.