A Scenic Day Trip to Prince Edward County: Best Things to Do

Prince Edward County is a great destination for a day or weekend trip for those craving a nature- and wine-filled adventure in Southern Ontario, Canada. The rural county is consistently growing in popularity due to the beautiful Sandbanks Provincial Park and the numerous wineries in the area. Travellers from nearby cities such as Toronto head out to the county to experience a relaxing getaway from the bustling city. Plus, there are so many things to do in Prince Edward County!

From the colourful flower fields, scenic hiking, camping, and beaches, to the delicious wine and food, there are amazing things to do for a variety of tastes in Prince Edward County.

Continue reading to find out what to do in Prince Edward County for an amazing day trip!

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Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Prince Edward County is definitely during the summer due to the amazing weather. During this time, the flower fields are in full bloom, and the weather is great for swimming, hiking, and camping. You will find the county quite busy during this time, so you will have to head to the beaches early to get a prime spot. This is when there are the most things to do and explore in the county.

This is not to stray you from visiting the county at different times throughout the year! All year-round, the county hosts a variety of local events ranging from art, music, to various shows and festivals. Visiting Prince Edward County during the cooler Spring or Fall seasons makes for great hiking weather too!

How to Get There

Prince Edward County is conveniently located off of Highway 401 making it an easily accessible destination by car in Southern Ontario. In addition, there is a train station in the nearby city of Belleville, which is around 10-30 minutes from Prince Edward County, depending on your destination.

Toronto: Driving distance is about 200km and will take around 2 hours to reach the county.

Kingston: Driving distance is about 80km and will take around 1 hour to reach the county.

Ottawa: Driving distance is about 270km and will take around 3 hours to reach the county.

Best Things to Do in Prince Edward County on a Day Trip

Prince Edward County offers plenty of outdoor activities for people of all ages. It also makes for a great family getaway for kids of all ages! There are certainly many more things to do in Prince Edward County, but here are my top recommendations for a day trip!

Visit a Flower Field (If Visiting in Summer!)

One of the main attractions that brought me to Prince Edward County was the beautiful flower fields. It had been on my bucket list for quite some time to visit a sunflower field! Typically, the sunflowers bloom between mid-July and mid-August, creating a sea of yellow flowers that appear endless. Depending on the time of day, the sunflowers will face in different directions as they follow the sun!

The field that I stopped by was at the Sunflower Fields Ice Cream Shop, located at 886 County Road 10 Prince Edward County. With a $5 admission, you can wander through the sunflower fields and take plenty of photos. Whether you visit this one or another, be sure to monitor their social media to stay updated on the growth of the flowers before you visit so you know what to expect!

During early summer, social media becomes flooded with beautiful lavender fields. The most extravagant fields are found in Provence, but there are a few smaller lavender fields in Prince Edward County! As you wander through the rows of lavender, you will be calmed by the wonderful smell. They certainly make for great photos as well!

I visited Millefleurs lavender field, located at 17461 Loyalist Parkway, Prince Edward County. For $4, you can adventure through the rows of lavender and admire the smaller sunflower patch. Here, there is also a lovely shop that sells various lavender items, including soaps and essential oils.

Hike Through a Provincial Park

In the Prince Edward County area, there are two popular Provincial Parks – Sandbanks and Presqu’ile. At both parks, visitors can book campsites, set up at day-use areas, hike through the forest, swim, and relax at the beach. These parks offer a great nature escape from the city, that’s for sure!

Sandbanks Provincial Park is the more popular of the two, due to the long stretch of beaches and sand dunes. I personally prefer Presqu’ile Provincial Park as it is slightly less busy and there is a really neat lighthouse overlooking the lake!

Indulge in Delicious Food

My favourite part of travelling is definitely eating. I always love to try local foods where I can (it can sometimes be difficult as a vegetarian!). In Prince Edward County, you’ll find plenty of charcuterie boards at wineries, and restaurants ranging from pubs, seafood places, taverns, and more! On a day trip to Prince Edward County, you’ll likely only have time to try a few places. I opted to eat (too much) cheese at a winery and tried out a burger at a local restaurant. Be sure to check out some of the top local restaurants and support the community!

Hang out at the Beach

I for one love relaxing on the beach on a summer day, especially in Southern Ontario. One of the best things to do in Prince Edward County is to spend a day at the beach! The beaches in the county are, in my opinion, the best in the area. People from the Toronto area flock to the county during the summer season for beach days due to the large beach area, great swimming conditions, and the numerous great things to do in the area. During the peak sun times, the beaches are typically very easy. I do not fair well with the sun and too many people, so I like to visit earlier in the morning or later in the evening.

Go to a Local Event

The county hosts a variety of local events all year round. Events range from food festivals, yoga events, lavender festivals, and so much more. There are also some smaller music festivals to check out when you’re exploring wineries!

Go Wine Tasting at a Local Winery

If you’ve read my Chile blogs, you’ll know that I LOVE wine! I enjoy dressing up and jumping from winery to winery tasting different types of wines. One of the main reasons people visit Prince Edward County is for the wineries. The county has over 40 different wineries, each with its own unique niche! Most of the wineries have lovely outdoor spaces and allow you to adventure through at least a part of the rows of grape plants.

To adventure from winery to winery, you can drive (with a designated driver!), bike, walk, or book a tour. I visited Sandbanks Estate Winery and By Chadsey’s Cairns Winery when I was there. You bet I’m planning a girls’ trip back in the future to do more wine tasting in the county!

Staying Longer? Where to Stay in Prince Edward County

A day trip to Prince Edward County allows you to see the highlights, but the county is great for a relaxing weekend getaway. Here are some great places to stay in Prince Edward County:

• Not only is Newsroom Suites located in the centre of wine country, but it’s also a cute B&B! It’s one of the best-rated placed to stay in the area.
• The Lakeside Motel boasts a waterfront location with a stunning pool to enjoy during your stay.
• If you’re looking for a vacation rental, this waterfront cottage will surely leave you speechless.
• For a luxury stay with a home movie theatre and beautiful outdoor areas, check out this vacation home.
• For more places to stay in Prince Edward County, check out Expedia.ca, Booking.com, or VRBO.

What are your top things to do on a day trip to Prince Edward County? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

You might also like:

• 9 Stunning Waterfalls to Visit in Southern Ontario
• Where to Visit in Ontario in Summer
• Best Places to Visit in Canada in Summer
• The Most Beautiful Place in Ontario – Bruce Peninsula National Park
• A Day Trip to Bruce Peninsula National Park
• Breathtaking Places to Visit This Fall in Ontario
• Valley of the Five Lakes: One of the Best Hikes in Jasper National Park

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Updated: May 2021