Relax, Recharge, Rejoice

Prince Edward County is a great place to be. People who live here know that, and visitors who come again and again know it. Our tourism industry is growing and hospitality businesses are booming. The County is rich in bed and breakfasts and country inns, laid-back lifestyle and remarkable scenery. Weary city folk come for the charm and peace, fine restaurants, antique shops, artists’ studios, hiking, cycling, spas and wide open spaces. It’s a lifestyle destination with all the delights of the countryside and a growing sophistication, too.

Campers to Spa Lovers
New services being established to meet demand include luxury spas, boutique shopping and great restaurants. If simple pleasures are more your style, we are still a favourite destination for outdoor activities - water sports, camping, fishing, cycling, birdwatching and hiking - enjoyed at rustic campsites and luxurious resorts alike. Dozens of artists’ and craft studios around the County are a year-round draw, and the annual studio tour is regarded as one of Ontario’s best.

Regional Cuisine
We have national food chains, and great local coffee shops, family restaurants, bistros and cafes, too, as well as truly fine dining. World- class chefs preside at several smart restaurants and at our lovely country inns. A gold-medalist Austrian pastry chef has made the County his home and runs two delightful European-style cafés. Wineries, breweries, cideries
We have nearly a dozen wineries (and more are planned), one cidery and a microbrewery.

Culinary tourism
that’s what it’s called when you seek unique culinary experiences in an area as well enjoying scenery and activities - and culinary tourism is driving a growing demand for our regional cuisine. Vineyards and wineries are new jewels in our crown and attract tens of thousands of visitors a year. spring with Maple in the County, and we celebrate harvest with a food and wine event called TASTE! a celebration of regional cuisine. In the historic old Crystal Palace building you can sample County wild boar sausages accompanied by organic salsa, washed down with County wine, beer or cider and lastly an exquisite handmade County truffle or tart. Visit our TASTE! a celebration of regional cuisine website here.

Geography
The County has a unique island character. Our 800 km of spectacular shoreline and clear waters are renowned among sailors, sports fishermen and scuba divers. We have pristine sand and pebble beaches and the largest freshwater dunes in the world at Sandbanks Provincial Park. What’s more we’re internationally recognized as an Important Bird Area. The rural landscape has a great network of roads connecting beaches, towns, farms and vineyards, and it’s dotted with stone farmhouses dating back to the early 1800s.

History
History buffs will delight in the County. Sir John A MacDonald practiced law here, and Picton’s courthouse still has its gallows. We were an important port and a shelter for ships from ferocious Great Lakes storms, but ships did go down and County waters hold many wrecks. During Prohibition, some County entrepreneurs became rum runners across the lake to the U.S., and Salmon Point had one of the first dedicated lifeboat stations in Canada. The Avro Arrow was tested in Point Petre waters … it’s a colourful history and here to explore.

Shopping
We don’t have malls or big box stores (they’re across the bridge in Belleville), but we do have national grocery chains, gourmet and health food shops, designer clothing boutiques, artists studios and galleries, sports shops and antique shops galore. You can buy a vintage Harley at Thunder Cycle or a Georgian tea set at Diva. We have a great bookshop with up-to-the-minute selections and good old fashioned service, and a wonderful secondhand bookshop where you can lose yourself in a good book, in a comfy armchair in a friendly little town.

Sports and Recreation
Keep fit indoors with the latest workout machines, weights and pool at our RecPlex. There’s curling, ice skating and hockey at community arenas, and for the gentler spirit yoga, tai chi and pilates - or how about an exuberant women’s drumming circle?

Outdoor activities - Now you’re talking! Kayaking, rowing, scuba diving, water-skiing and fishing - sailing from our many marinas - or keep your feet dry and go biking, hiking or walking on rural trails. Cross-country skiing in winter, long sandy beaches in summer, spectacular rocky coves and for the athletically adventurous an autumn marathon, too.

Gentler pursuits. Spend time golfing or enjoy a gourmet cooking class. Indulge yourself at a spa or look up your ancestors at the Marilyn Adams Genealogical Research Centre (the only one of its kind in Canada.) Take a wine appreciation class or get creative at an artist’s studio workshop.

Festivals and Events
We celebrate all year. We start in spring with a maple celebration and just keep going with the Jazz Festival, Art in the

Entertainment
The Globe and Mail recently referred to us as “Ontario’s other arts hot spot,” and suggested passing on New York and heading straight to Picton for cultural pursuits! Prince Edward County and the entire Quinte region has undergone an arts and cultural awakening in recent years.

Performing Arts
Picton’s finely-restored Regent Theatre adds its summer-long festival to a regional performance schedule that includes Pinnacle Playhouse in Belleville, Quinte Symphony Orchestra and the Quinte Ballet School, one of Canada's finest professional dance schools. You can enjoy live jazz, folk music, country, blues and rock at coffee houses, pubs and community theatres around the region.

Blockbusters and Art Films
While we are well-served with first-run movies - including double features at our vintage Drive-In - discerning cinephiles can enjoy a steady diet of top Canadian and international films at Cinefest Picton and the Quinte and Napanee film societies.