Weekend Itinerary

A weekend in Prince Edward County is enough to get a real feel for the place, but only if you plan well. The county is larger than most visitors expect, and trying to see everything in two days leads to more driving than enjoying. This itinerary is designed around a Friday-to-Sunday visit based in Picton, with enough flexibility to adjust based on weather, energy and personal interests.

Before You Arrive

Book your accommodation well in advance. Summer weekends fill months ahead. Reserve dinner for Saturday night at a county restaurant. Download offline maps for the area, as cell service is unreliable on rural roads.

Stock up on groceries on the way in. The Belleville grocery stores are the last full-size options before you enter the county. Picton has a grocery store, but selection is limited compared to city options.

Friday Evening: Arrive and Settle

Most visitors arrive Friday afternoon or evening. Check into your accommodation, unpack and take a moment to decompress from the drive. If you arrive with time to spare, walk through Picton's Main Street. Browse the shops, get your bearings and have dinner at one of the village restaurants.

For a casual Friday dinner, look for a patio seat. Picton's restaurant patios are one of the town's best features, and eating outside on a warm evening sets the tone for the weekend. If you arrive late, pick up food from a local shop and eat at your rental.

Saturday Morning: Beach

Start early and head to the beach. Sandbanks Provincial Park is the top choice, but arrive before 10 a.m. on summer weekends to guarantee entry. Outlet Beach is best for families with young children. Dunes Beach has the most dramatic scenery.

If Sandbanks feels too busy, Wellington Beach is free and within walking distance of the village for a mid-morning coffee or snack. North Beach is a quieter alternative on the eastern side of the county.

Spend the morning at the beach. Swim, walk, read. Do not rush. This is the time to settle into the county's rhythm.

Saturday Afternoon: Wine Trail

After lunch (pack a picnic or eat at a village restaurant), head to the wine trail. The Hillier-Closson Road area has the highest concentration of tasting rooms. Pick three or four wineries and take your time. The drives between properties are short and scenic.

If wine is not your thing, spend the afternoon in Bloomfield instead. The galleries, antique shops and cafes fill an afternoon nicely, and the village has a relaxed atmosphere that invites lingering.

Saturday Evening: Dinner

This is the meal you booked in advance. The county's best restaurants serve seasonal menus built on local ingredients, paired with county wines. Take your time. A long dinner with good food, local wine and no rush is one of the signature PEC experiences.

After dinner, head back to your accommodation. If you are in a rural property, step outside and look up. The county's dark skies reveal stars that city dwellers rarely see.

Sunday Morning: Eastern County

Sunday morning is for the quieter side of the county. Drive east from Picton to Lake on the Mountain. The lookout over the Bay of Quinte is stunning, especially in morning light. Watch the Glenora Ferry cross below and take in the view.

If you have time, take the ferry across to the mainland and back. The round trip takes about 20 minutes and is free. It is a pleasant experience and gives you a different perspective on the county from the water.

Continue south from Lake on the Mountain through the farmland and orchards around Waupoos. Stop at the cider house if it is open. The eastern county is the most rural part of PEC and gives you a sense of what the whole county used to look like.

Sunday Afternoon: Departure

Head back through Picton for a late lunch before departing. Stop at a farm stand on the way out to pick up produce, preserves or cheese to take home. If you entered via the Murray Canal bridge at Carrying Place, consider leaving via the Glenora Ferry for a change of scenery, or vice versa.

Adjustments

For a rainy Saturday, swap the beach for rainy day activities: browsing Bloomfield galleries, visiting the Regent Theatre in Picton, or cooking a long breakfast at your rental.

For a longer weekend (Friday to Monday), add a full day of relaxation at your property. Read, cook, walk the back roads and let the county work on you at its own pace. The extra day makes a significant difference in how the trip feels.

For families, see the travelling with kids itinerary, which adjusts this plan for children.