Prince Edward County is the perfect spot for city dwellers to escape to for a mid-week or weekend getaway. Discover top-notch new accommodations, explore the scenic countryside and shores of Lake Ontario and sample the latest in food and drink to see why locals and tourists alike fall in love with the county.

STAY

THE ROYAL– Located on Picton’s Main Street, The Royal, which opened in 2022, is cool and contemporary and has everything you need for an ultra-relaxing weekend. It’s set in a building that dates back to 1879, and the space has been thoughtfully restored by Toronto studio Giannone Petricone Associates to offer guests the modern comfort and attention to detail of a luxury hotel. The 33 guest rooms are all uniquely furnished with stylish mid-century-inspired pieces and plush bedding and stocked with locally made Telford Basics skin and hair products. Some rooms even have their own gas fireplace. If you can tear yourself away from the coziness of your private accommodations, check out the back patio, complete with a heated swimming pool and a vintage camper that’s been converted into a bar. If you’re in the mood to be pampered, make an appointment at the spa for a treatment, facial or massage tailored to your needs. And don’t forget to grab a pastry or snack from The Counter Bar, where a wide assortment of food and drinks (from fresh croissants, baguettes and salads to coffee and bottles of local wine) is served all day.

EAT & DRINK

THE ROYAL- At the hotel’s main restaurant, executive chef Albert Ponzo is definitely in his element. Ponzo, who honed his craft at many of Toronto’s best spots (including the beloved Le Sélect Bistro), takes full advantage of the produce at the hotel’s own local Edwin County Farms and sources from the area’s extensive list of local producers. Refined Italian cuisine with French flourishes takes centre stage here on an ever-changing seasonal menu. Standouts include the Cacciucco, or fish stew, made with Fogo Island cod, shellfish and a delicately nuanced tomato-fennel broth. For pizza lovers, there are classic options like the Margherita or, for those who like a little heat, the ’Nduja, which—with its namesake spicy spreadable Italian sausage, mozzarella, stracciatella, tomato and onion—would give any hot city spot some serious competition. There’s also a well-curated wine list featuring local favourites (of course) and some international picks as well as an original cocktail list.

THEIA – A short walk from The Royal, you’ll find Theia, a gem of a wine bar run by business and life partners Margot Kenny and Myles Harrison. The intimate, unfussy space invites you to share in their love of natural wine alongside some beautiful small plates of thoughtful food. With local ingredients forming the foundation of the menu, Theia’s specialties include Ontario coppa, Cressy House Wakefield cabbage and hand-cut PEC Black Angus beef tartare.

PARSONS BREWING COMPANY – Chris and Samantha Parsons co-founded this family-run brewery, bottle shop, restaurant and taproom, which is just a five-minute drive from The Royal. On offer is a wide array of beers, from refreshing summer suds, like the Crushable Pilsner, to more wintery beers, like the Stalwart Bastion Oatmeal Stout. The Latin American-influenced food features lots of local ingredients and is designed to complement the Parsons’ naturally unfiltered brews; standouts include a Caesar salad with charred corn and lime dressing and homemade empanadas

STELLA’S EATERY – Chef Leah Marshall Hannon’s cuisine at Stella’s Eatery is inspired by her memories of the food she shared with family growing up. In her contemporary bistro, she uses local ingredients to create warming comfort food and doesn’t shy away from flavour. The brunch, dinner and drink menus might change with the seasons, but the always-available country-fried rabbit with pickled hot peppers and coleslaw and the stacked cheeseburger and fries are tried-and-true faves.

TRAIL ESTATE WINERY – One of PEC’s early adopters of low-intervention winemaking, family-owned Trail Estate has been employing mostly organic and regenerative farming practices since 2018—and the results are in the glass. Clay, gravelly soil and layers of limestone along with the local climate and plenty of patience produce lively and refined wines that have just the right amount of natural acidity. Sip on whites with notes of citrus or reds that are reminiscent of the freshest summer berries while enjoying the outdoor seating overlooking the rows of vines, or head inside to the contemporary tasting room and bottle shop to sample the goods and bring some home to share.

SEE & DO

BOOKS & COMPANY – Books & Company is a well-curated independent bookstore. Browse the aisles to find your next great read—genres include obscure fiction, queer literature and imaginative YA—and don’t forget to say hi to resident cat Pushkin, who can often be found lazing around the stacks or lying in a patch of sunlight.

SANDBANKS PROVINCIAL PARK – One of the greatest draws of the area is the natural beauty of Sandbanks Provincial Park, where the world’s largest bay-mouth barrier dune formations lead to three beautiful sandy beaches. The less visited Lakeshore Beach is ideal for kids and novice swimmers thanks to its natural shallow drop-off, whereas Outlet Beach—which has crystal-clear waters that make it feel ocean-like—is swarming with larger groups and has a more festive atmosphere but still offers plenty of space for picnics and camping.

CYLINDER SHOP – It’s impossible to not get fired up about the handmade ceramics at Cylinder Shop. Owned and operated by skilled artist Caitlin O’Reilly, the calming gallery-like space is the ideal setting for showcasing her work, such as contemporary tableware, mugs, cups and vases that have natural textures and are finished with earth-tone glazes. She also has a selection of candles and other gifts just waiting to be taken home.

THE REGENT THEATRE – You can’t miss the beautiful neon-lit marquee and brick exterior of Picton’s Regent Theatre, which opened back in 1918 and was purchased in 1994 by The Regent Theatre Foundation, a community-based non-profit that restored the Regent’s art-deco design and has maintained it ever since. To this day, the Main Street fixture features both live performances and new and repertoire cinema. On the bill this spring? A Johnny Cash tribute concert, a live broadcast of New York City’s Metropolitan Opera’s performance of Madama Butterfly and so much more.

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