A weekend getaway is always a good idea! Prince Edward County – affectionately known as “The County” – has been a popular choice for a short escape for a couple of years now and it only continues to gain momentum with more hotels, restaurants and wineries continuing to pop up. My RBC Avion card helps with that and this trip was no different!
Not only do I earn RBC Rewards points on all of my purchases, but especially on all my travel-related purchases like hotels and car rentals; ideal for road trips like that to The County. How to maximize those points? Avioners can easily search by city on the RBC Travel Rewards website to see how they can use their RBC Rewards points all over the world.
In this case, I’ll be showing you where I stayed, shopped, wined and dined in The County. I’ve spent a few weekends in The County, and I wanted to share some of my favourite spots in case you were thinking about spending either a day or a whole weekend there.
Where to Stay
Not only is this the ultimate spot for a weekend with the girls, but it’s actually a great place to relax on the outskirts of downtown Picton. The highly Instagrammable decor is what sets it apart from the other hotel and motel options in The County. Each uniquely decorated room comes with a wine bar, and you can even order breakfast in bed! Just text them in the morning to have it delivered! Opting for a Cocktail? Yes! You can enjoy in the lobby bar and on the patio.
The exterior is just as Instagrammable: splashes of pink on the outside (with a flamingo or two) highlight the motel with a view of the water, and it’s only a short walk from the restaurants and shops of downtown.
This hotel is FUN! It’s a few steps from tiny little downtown Wellington, complete with gorgeous lake views seen from its buzzing restaurant (more below!). The whole place has laid back feel: there’s a ping pong table and games room, outdoor fire pits, and bicycles for guests to take out on a jaunt around the many trails that surround The County.
Our room was situated on its own floor, complete with its own lobby which separated our matching rooms on each side. We stayed with our son, who loved having his own separate space in our room!
Food
The restaurant at the Drake Devonshire is buzzing at breakfast, noon and night and the food here is SO good! One of my favourite dishes is the Chicken and Waffles, finished with their own ‘County spin’. I love that they have special meals for little ones, as well as creative and tasty cocktails.
This spot is one we have frequented a few times on our trips. The staff are amazing and so accommodating! Their lunch and dinner menu are both fabulous, but their dessert is what I love the most! Not only do they present everything so carefully, but everything is so fresh! My tip: you can also take hot chocolate, tea or coffee to-go along with your favorite food or dessert! I do love the décor and cozy café vibe; the large windows make it perfect for people watching, so we always ask for a window seat!
The Vineyards
You can’t miss this beautiful purple barn that leads to the tasting room at Clossen Chase. The inside of the winery is gorgeous, and the cozy feel continues outside to their beautiful seating area overlooking the vines.
My personal favourites are the 2017 Pinot Grigio for a nice light wine with dinner, or their 2016 Pinot Noir.
You may feel like you’ve stepped into Italy when you drive down the dirt path that leads to this rustic winery! They have done an amazing job making this spot feel like you’ve left Prince Edward County, and the wine boldly matches the vibe of the winery! They are known for their full bodied reds, and their pizza is raved about across The County!
Shopping
The Gilbert & Lighthall Marketplace
My favourite spot to shop in Picton is the Gilbert & Lighthall Marketplace. It’s the prettiest spot chock-full of artisan made gifts, furniture, and more. It’s one of those spots where you think to yourself, ‘I’ll buy one for you, and one for me!’.
The General – Coffee, Gifts, Goods
The General is a quick stop in Wellington for specialty coffee and a variety of artisanal sandwiches and pastries. They offer a very cool selection of toys, gifts, clothing, and an updated record section.
I’m sure I will need to update this guide on future visits here, as the region continues to add new destination-worthy places. Is there anywhere I’ve missed? Please let me know in the comments what I need to see or do next time I’m in The County!
This post is sponsored by RBC Avion. All reviews are fabulously my own! Follow @RBCAvion on Instagram for more travel inspiration.
