Prince Edward County Weekend Getaway: Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore
- 9 hours ago
- 8 min read
If you’re new to Ontario, as per our licence plates, there really is a lot to discover. Currently, I live in Toronto and, as most of us know, there are only so many "big cities" in Canada, so many expats and immigrants alike move in and around the GTA.
This means that day and weekend trips often involve exploring sweet, picturesque nearby small towns such as Stratford, Elora, and Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL), where there are charming coffee shops and restaurants, as well as unique attractions like a thriving theatre scene (Stratford), an old mill (Elora), and glamorous vineyards (NOTL). But one day is generally plenty.
What’s the best option if you want to do an overnighter?
My vote is for Prince Edward County.
Planning your first trip to Prince Edward County? Here's my honest review after a girls' weekend getaway from Toronto, including where we stayed, where we ate, the winery everyone recommended, and whether I'd go back again.
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About Prince Edward County
What Exactly Is Prince Edward County?
PEC is made up of a collection of villages, hamlets, and rural communities. I asked AI how many and it said there’s no exact number and so probably better not to say lol.
Picton is the main and largest town though and has a lovely main street where you could easily spend a couple of hours exploring. Wellington and Bloomfield are also well-known towns, but there’s also Waupoos, Hillier, and more. All to say, Prince Edward County is definitely a place where it’s ideal to have a car so you can zoom around.
Where Should I Stay in Prince Edward County?
I went to Prince Edward County with a group of three other girls (girls' trip!) over the Victoria Day long weekend. We started planning about a month out, which meant... a lot of places were already full.
I researched some of the most well-known places, including The Drake Devonshire, Wander the Resort, and The June Motel, but they were either fully booked or had a hefty long-weekend surcharge. Also a number of popular spots required a two-night minimum stay, which was more than we wanted to commit to.
While reading reviews on various travel editorial sites and blogs (still my preference if I have time, over using AI!), I came across a beautiful property that had a farm-stay-meets-luxury-hotel vibe and immediately loved it. Blessedly, their family bungalow, which sleeps four to six people, was available at a reasonable rate. We booked it immediately.
Our Accommodation: The Eddie Hotel & Farm
The Eddie is located between Bloomfield and Wellington. While it's on a fairly busy road, once you're actually on the property it feels surprisingly peaceful. As we pulled up, one of the owners was gardening. Chickens were roaming around. And we were warmly encouraged to wander the grounds and explore.
Our family bungalow was very rustic chic. There were carefully curated antiques and tchotchkes all around, plenty of space, magazines and board games, and my favourite spot was the working fireplace in the sitting room attached to one of the bedrooms. We spent one evening there enjoying late-night chats while opening a bottle of wine from Norman Hardie (more on this below).
One afternoon, my friend O and I went for a walk around the grounds and chatted with one of the owners. She asked about the name, The Eddie, and he explained that they'd chosen it because of trademark requirements... because Netflix had once come to film a pilot based on their property! Apparently there wasn’t enough drama though so the pilot never got picked up, but the name stuck (it’s inspired by Prince Edward County), and they ended up with some fantastic photos and videos from the experience. All’s well that ends well.
Booking directly through The Eddie also meant we enjoyed a complimentary made-to-order breakfast.
The Eddie Hotel and Farm, 15786 Loyalist Pkwy, Bloomfield, ON K0K 1G0, +1 833-732-3276
Where to Eat and Drink in Prince Edward County
I feel like all we did was eat in Prince Edward County, which isn’t quite true, but we certainly sampled our way around.
On the first day, we checked out Wander the Resort and Drake Devonshire.
Wander the Resort
Wander was our pre-dinner stop, to their restaurant, Gather, for drinks and fries. I convinced my friend O to go mainly because I love the look of the place. It’s spa-like and Scandi-inspired — so relaxing. They have a large pool, a lakefront beach club, and a full-service spa. On the day we visited, the spa was still under renovation but should be up and running this summer.
Wander the Resort (right across from The Eddie), 5841 Loyalist Pkwy, Bloomfield, ON K0K 1G0, (613) 902-6650
Drake Devonshire
After freshening up, we headed to Drake Devonshire for dinner. I made the reservation but forgot to ask for a table by the window — don’t make the same mistake! It's a gorgeous spot wherever you sit, but being able to watch the sunset from your table would be an extra treat.
Dinner was slightly hit-and-miss, but overall it was a great experience. Skip the duck wings. Get the fisherman’s pie. Their desserts aren’t made in-house (they come from Circles & Squares), but they’re very good and worth ordering anyway.
Drake Devonshire, 24 Wharf St, Wellington, ON K0K 3L0, (613) 399-3338
Big Mike's BBQ PEC
On our second day, we discovered Big Mike's BBQ! It's well known but we'd happened upon it while googling for ribs and were blessed to buy out the last of their selection that day which was burnt ends and brisket (and they asked us to be in their 'sold out selfie'). This place is 10/10 for the food, vibe and service. Unbelievably tender meats and very cool to see their smokers hanging out beside the truck. Definitely go earlier in the day if you can, after we started eating at least five other cars pulled in but alas the food was all sold.
Big Mike's BBQ PEC, 6 Stanley St, Bloomfield, ON K0K 1G0, (613) 391-9594
Other Recs
Other stops included ice cream from Old Greenhouse (a bit too artificial tasting for our liking) and Slickers (definitely go and order the Campfire flavour — it’s renowned for a reason), a takeout salad from The Royal (overpriced and not especially fresh), and drinks at Lake on the Mountain Resort (mostly great for the view).
Where I really wanted to go was Flame + Smith in Bloomfield, known for its wood-fired dishes, but they were fully booked. Next time.
Oh, and while we were having breakfast at The Eddie, we started chatting with the couple beside us, who were Toronto residents and Prince Edward County regulars. The wife was also a huge foodie and mentioned they'd gone out for two dinners the night before. My kind of person! She recommended Theia in Picton and Stella’s Eatery in Waupoos. On my list for next time.
Things to Do in Prince Edward County
Honestly, we didn’t really do anything out of the ordinary except relax, which is probably the point of a trip to Prince Edward County. Being wine country, of course we had to stop at at least one winery.
Norman Hardie Winery
Norman Hardie was the Prince Edward County winery, stocked by hundreds of Michelin restaurants they say, that was recommended by everyone from our hosts at The Eddie to the Toronto and visiting German couple we met at breakfast. We grabbed a pizza while we were there and picked up a bottle of Calcaire, a stony, minerally, easy-drinking wine that was new to us, as well as their award-winning biltong (the owner is South African).
Norman Hardie Winery, 1152 Greer Rd, Wellington, ON K0K 3L0, (613) 399-5297
Shopping Around
After that, we browsed what felt like every store in Picton. There are bookstores, consignment shops, homeware stores, pottery-painting studios, and more.
If shopping isn't your thing, another option could definitely be just staying put at your hotel or resort and relaxing. If we'd had an extra day, that's what we said we would have done — either spent more time at The Eddie or gotten a day pass for the beach club at Wander.
Would We Go Again?
At the moment I’m writing this, I’ve just come back from another weekend in Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL), where we explored three wineries and ate our way around town. And while I genuinely enjoy everything NOTL has to offer, there’s something about Prince Edward County’s vastness that really appeals to me... and I’m not much of a country girl. It feels like I could easily spend up to a week in Prince Edward County and not be bored, enjoying relaxation, great restaurants, wineries, and maybe even a hidden cocktail bar or two!
And surprisingly, we didn't make it to Sandbanks Provincial Park this trip, despite it being one of the most popular attractions in Prince Edward County. It was also highly recommended by two of my colleagues who have been and loved it.
So if you’re looking for a short getaway destination that feels very "Canadian," says the girl who has lived in Canada since she was eight but then spent more than a decade abroad, Prince Edward County is a must-do.
I hope this review was helpful! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below — happy to help if I can. Happy travels!
Prince Edward County FAQ
Is Prince Edward County worth visiting?
Yes! Prince Edward County is one of the best weekend getaway destinations in Ontario, particularly if you enjoy great food, wineries, boutique accommodations, and exploring small towns. What makes it stand out is its size. There's far more to see and do than many first-time visitors realize.
How many days do you need in Prince Edward County?
I'd recommend at least two to three days. A weekend gives you enough time to explore a few wineries, enjoy some excellent restaurants, browse around Picton and the surrounding town and still have time to relax. We stayed for one night and could easily have filled another day or two without running out of things to do.
Do you need a car in Prince Edward County?
You can rent a bike once you're there but it will be easiest if you have a car. One thing worth knowing before your trip is that Prince Edward County is quite spread out. The wineries, restaurants, accommodations, beaches, and towns are scattered across the region, and having a car makes it much easier to explore.
What is the main town in Prince Edward County?
Picton is considered the main and largest town in Prince Edward County. It has a good mix of restaurants, cafés, shops, accommodations, and crafty businesses, and is a natural starting point. We spent hours wandering around Picton and still didn't make it into every store that caught our eye. Wellington and Bloomfield are also popular stops.
When is the best time to visit Prince Edward County?
Late spring through early fall is generally considered the best time to visit Prince Edward County. We visited over the Victoria Day long weekend and it felt like an ideal time to go. Patios were open, the wineries were busy but not overwhelming, and the weather was perfect for exploring. Summer is the most popular season.
What are the best wineries in Prince Edward County?
Norman Hardie was by far the winery that came up most often during our trip. It was recommended by everyone from locals to fellow visitors, and it ended up being one of our favourite stops. Other wineries that were recommended to us include Closson Chase and Sandbanks Winery.
What is there to do in Prince Edward County besides wineries?
Plenty! While wineries are a major draw, Prince Edward County also has excellent restaurants, beaches, boutique hotels, cafés, galleries, shops, and scenic drives. We spent a surprising amount of time simply wandering around Picton, browsing bookstores, art galleries, consignment shops and local boutiques. It's the kind of destination where you can build an itinerary or just be spontaneous and have a great time.
Is Prince Edward County a good weekend trip from Toronto?
Absolutely. As it's about a 3-hour drive, Prince Edward County is close enough to Toronto to make for an easy weekend getaway and once you're there it feels like you're in another world. The combination of wineries, food, small towns, beaches, and slower pace makes it one of the most popular Ontario road trips for a reason.
