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Where to picnic in PEC

With physical distancing in effect, if you’re finding it a challenge to snag a patio spot or you just love a summer picnic, here’s where to grab a meal to-go for an al fresco feast:

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Please note: Following COVID-19 lockdowns, The County has become an even more popular destination for outdoor fun, but it’s taking a toll on our beaches and wild spaces. Please respect the flora and fauna by adhering to all rules posted at the beaches, parks and conservation areas, by taking your garbage away with you, using public washroom facilities, and avoiding crowded locations.

Picton

Leafy green Benson Park has seven physically-distant picnic tables set up, as well as public restrooms, right in the middle of town.

While Macaulay Heritage Park doesn’t have picnic tables, it does have a huge expanse of lawn, making it a great spot for a physically-distanced lunch. BYO picnic blanket.

Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area has a picnic shelter and lots of green space to relax and dine the day away. Find walking trails as well.

Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park is known as a place for picnicking – its tables overlook the stretch of water plied by the Glenora Ferry to the north, or the natural phenomenon that is a lake on top of a ‘mountain,’ itself surrounded by a lake, to the south.

What to eat: . Grab sandwiches and sweets at the aptly-named Picnic PEC, or a couple doors down at Beacon Bike + Brew or Lily’s Cafe. The Bean Counter Cafe’s got lots of sandwiches, soups, muffins and scones. Find crepes to go at Crepe Escape and all kinds of picnic-y goodness at Agrarian Market.

(Please help keep The County clean by putting trash where it belongs!)

Bloomfield

Fans of ice cream can find three physically-distant picnic tables behind Slickers in Bloomfield.

Bloomfield’s Mill Pond Park has three picnic pavilions and a standalone picnic table, adjacent to the tennis courts. This is a quiet spot, just south of the Main Street, edges a pond that’s great for amateur anglers.

What to eat: The Saylor House Cafe does a brisk lunch trade, with classic soups and sandwiches. Or go for southern comfort food at Bermuda, which has a large, leafy patio as well. Bloomfield Public House Market has become a grab-and-go market with a huge variety of prepared foods. Old Style Barbeque has set up onsite in the beer garden at Matron Fine Beer has a delicious kitchen offering pulled pork sandwiches, mac-n-cheese and more that pairs beautifully with beer.

Wellington

Two picnic tables can be found under the trees in front of the Wellington Public Library.

The park in the heart of Wellington has a grassy, shaded green space down near the water, perfect for pitching a blanket and biting into takeaway from Wellington’s diverse collection of restaurants. Eight new picnic tables have been added as well.

There are also two picnic pavilions at Wellington Rotary Public Beach, offering a sweet view of the water, or grab a spot on the sand for a beach picnic. (During the busy summer months, follow The County on Twitter or Facebook for updates on beach capacity and closures.)

What to eat: The County Picnic has your classic picnic ready to go, all packed up in an insulated bag no less. Pick up pizza pie – or actual savory or sweet pie – at the east end of town, at Rock n Rogers or My Pies, respectively. Stay healthy with vegan-friendly grub from the Good Place or a pressed panini and good-for-your-gut juice at Hello Bonjour. Grab a burger or a wood-fired pizza from Midtown Brewing Company, or Asian-inspired eats from Idle Wild. Enid Grace serves up all kinds of sweets and savouries, and next door, find vegetarian-friendly sandwiches at Lemons. At the west end of town, find Chinese and Vietnamese at Saigon, diner takeaway at Orchard Drive Dari-Bar & Grill or find doughnuts across the street at the Lakeshore Farms Market.

Hillier

Head to Karlo Estates with your basket, then pick up a glass of vino and one of seven (SEVEN!) of their picnic boxes which are made from scratch with local, whole ingredients. Head to the dry stone bridge, a heavenly spot in the vineyard where there’s room for picnic blankets and plenty of picnic tables as well. Accessible from the Millennium Trail.

The Grange of Prince Edward has teamed up with Old Salt Cocktails to offer an al fresco dining experience where all your beverage needs are fully met.

What to eat: There are lots of wineries offering lunch options – with a heavy emphasis on pizza. Or hit up Chef Jamie Kennedy’s new fry stop, at his farm on Station Road at Loyalist Parkway. Or stop in at Loch Mor Cider Company for a takeaway ploughman’s lunch. Consisting of bread, charcuterie, cheese and pickles, it’s as hearty as the name suggests. You can also find Flossie’s amazing sandwiches at Carson’s Garden + Market.

Black River/Milford

Milford Millpond Conservation Area is a perfect spot for a summer picnic beside the water. This 11.8 hectare (29 acre) property also contains the Milford Dam. 

What to eat: Tuck into the farm food shop at Quinta do Conde, where samosas and other farm-fresh savouries and just-picked items are on the menu. Or drop by Ruth’s Canteen, where the cookie cupboard offers contact-less pick-up of gluten-free and/or vegan savory and sweet treats. Lighthall Vineyards sells beautiful sheep’s milk cheeses. Find ice cream and made-to-order sandwiches at Black River Cheese Co. If you’re looping around Waupoos and The Horn, stop in at Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Co for charcuterie and cheeseboards.

West PEC

Take a drive west, toward either the villages of Consecon or Carrying Place and stop in the community parks for snack (and a public toilet!)

What to eat: Stop in at Stratos for a deep-dish pie, or pick up poutine at Tabersnack, where there are 10+ picnic tables set up for roadside eating.

Where to go when you gotta go

Public restrooms are open from 8 am until 8 pm seven days a week and cleaned twice a day during the peak summer season. There are washrooms in every corner of The County from Cressy to Carrying Place. Find these thrones mapped here.

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Visit The County is the DMMO for #PrinceEdwardCounty, a rural community bursting with creative talent & natural stunners.

Prince Edward County ❄️🍷🍽️🍁
🍁 Maple in The County is back! 🍁 Maple seas 🍁 Maple in The County is back! 🍁

Maple season is in full swing and the celebrations in Prince Edward County will culminate in the long-awaited return of Maple in The County from March 25-26, 2023. Featuring 5 local sugarbushes and a host of local businesses, Maple in The County is a wonderful outing for the whole family. Come on out to tour a sap house, enjoy a pancake breakfast, walk through the maple woods, and so much more. Head to mapleinthecounty.ca for more information and to plan your Maple in The County route! 

Participating Sugarbushes: 

Sweetwater Cabin / Hubbs Sugarbush
Fosterholm Farms
Vader's Maple Syrup @vadersmaple 
Roblin's Maple Syrup @roblins.maple 
Loha Farms @lohafarms 

📷 by Ramesh Pooran of the Wellington Times

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #mapleinthecounty
🌱 Spring Countylicious 🌱 Countylicious is b 🌱 Spring Countylicious 🌱

Countylicious is back for spring from April 12 - May 1, 2023! Come out to The County for three weeks of prix fixe dining at restaurants you know, love, and have been dying to try. Stay tuned as we reveal menus and gift card giveaway from all 16 participating restaurants: 

@flameandsmith 
@7numberspicton 
@bloomfieldpublichouse 
@555brewingco 
@parsonsbrewing 
@pastaonesta 
@theroyalhotelpicton 
@TheWaringHouse 
@DrakeDevonshire 
@MerrillHouse1879 
@JacksonsFallsCountryInn 
@BocadoPEC 
@MatronFineBeer 
@StellasEatery 
@HartleysTavern 
@waupoosestatesrestaurant 

Head to http://countylicious.ca/ today to start planning your Countylicious experience.

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #Countylicious
🍁 Maple & More 🍷 Wondering what to do in Th 🍁 Maple & More 🍷

Wondering what to do in The County this March? Check out our latest blog for a round-up of everything you can see and do this month, from indulging in maple treats at local sugar bushes and eateries with @maplemadnesspec  and @mapleinthecounty, to tasting wines at the inaugural Élevage: PEC Winter Wine Festival hosted by @pecwine , and everything in between. We've also included a preview of what you can expect next month (hint: it's de-LICIOUS 😉).

Link in bio 👆

Image description: Sweetwater Cabin at Hubbs Sugar Bush, Maple in The County participant, taken by Karen Palmer. Above the image is a banner which reads "Experience Maple & More in The County this March." 

 #PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #MapleInTheCounty #MapleMadnessPEC #elevagepec #pecwine #MarchinTheCounty
🍷 Élevage: PEC Winter Wine Festival 🍷 Want 🍷 Élevage: PEC Winter Wine Festival 🍷

Want the chance to tour through 7 Prince Edward County winery venues while tasting wine and cider from 21 local producers?

Want to experience culinary delights from local chefs that showcase the winter cooking techniques integral to Canadian food culture?

Join us for Élevage hosted by @pecwine on March 11-12, 2023 and celebrate winter in wine country.

For more information and to purchase tickets, head to the link in our bio 👆
❤️ PEC is for Lovers ❤️⁠ ⁠ Valentine's ❤️ PEC is for Lovers ❤️⁠
⁠
Valentine's Day is almost here! Whether you're spending the day itself in PEC or you're joining us for a romantic weekend getaway, there's plenty happening this weekend to help make for a memorable stay with your love (or your bff, we're here for platonic love too)! ⁠
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🎙️ Enjoy Dinner and a Show on Saturday night at @KarloEstates with The Bees Knees, which includes a vegan meal and wine pairings, or start your weekend with Tasty Trivia ⁠
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🖼️ Head to @oenogallery for their latest exhibition, "Conversations" and then have a conversation about your experience over a wine tasting @huffestateswine. ⁠
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🍽️ This weekend, enjoy early Valentine's Day meals at @adegapec, @wandertheresort, @flameandsmith, @grangewinery, @7numberspicton,  @the_blue_sail_seafood_company, and @TheWaringHouse. ⁠
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🧘 Start your Valentine's Day weekend with a refresh at @bodymatrixpec with Acu-Detox+Yoga.⁠
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🍫 Attend a chocolate-making workshop @shedchetwynfarms (limited spaces remain). ⁠
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💃🏻 Dance your way to Valentine's day on February 11 at @thewaringhouse and on February 13 at @stellaseatery. ⁠
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🍳 Go for brunch at @jacksonsfallscountryinn, @bermudapec, @parsonsbrewing, @karloestates, and many more delicious spots.⁠
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🧀 Have a cheesy day with a visit to @lighthallvineyards for Raclette Sunday. ⁠
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🏈 If football is your love language, spend Super Bowl Sunday in PEC at @555brewingco, @princeeddysbrewing, and @thecountycanteen.⁠
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❤️ On Valentine's Day itself experience special menus at @bloomfieldpublichouse, @creekside_cafe_pec, and @theroyalhotelpicton. ⁠
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📷️ Thanks to @OntarioTravel and @rto9_on⁠
Image Description: Two women, a couple, smile at each other while clinking glasses of white and red wine together at Adega in Consecon, PEC. ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
🍔 Burger it Forward 🍔⁠ ⁠ This month, enj 🍔 Burger it Forward 🍔⁠
⁠
This month, enjoy the signature burger at four participating restaurants in Prince Edward County and do some good. With each burger sold as part of the #BurgerItForward campaign, @lovecdnbeef will donate will donate the equivalent of 1 meal to Food Banks Canada. ⁠
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🍔 At @creekside_cafe_pec in Wellington check out their Creekside Burger, a 4 oz Local Beef Patty with Caramelized Onions, Tang Sauce, Garlic Aioli, Bread & Butter Pickles, and Cheddar Cheese. ⁠
⁠
🍔 Head to @theacousticgrill to enjoy The Acoustic Jam, a an 8 oz Angus Beef Patty with Fresh Tomato, Greens, Onion, Horseradish Mayonnaise, Roasted Corn Salsa, and Caramelized Onions served on a Toasted Bakery Bun.⁠
⁠
🍔 Head to @theroyalhotelpicton for The Royal Burger, which features a Canadian Beef Patty, Cheddar Cheese, Shallot Butter, Rosemary Ketchup, and Aioli.⁠
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🍔  And finally at @thewaringhouse you'll find The County Burger, an 8 oz 100% Brisket Patty topped with Canadian Cheddar, Crispy Bacon, Canadian Maple Syrup, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Pickle and Homemade Chipotle Mayo Sauce served on a Brioche Bun.⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
☕️ Take a Coffee (or Cocoa) Break ☕️⁠
⁠
It's a chilly one this weekend! When you need some relief from the cold, why not head inside for a bit of a winter warmer at a local café! Luckily, The County has lots of options for you and your kiddos to get warm with a coffee, hot chocolate or tea: ⁠
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🧸 Speaking of kids, if you have them you definitely want to head to @beaconbikebrew in Picton where their kid-friendly play area is perfect to keep them entertained while you relax with a brew. But thei café menu is ideal for big kids too! ⁠
⁠
☕️ Also in Picton you’ll find @misslilyscafe, the @thebeancountercafe, and @LusoBites, where you’ll find a whole host of delicious Portuguese delights (including pastel de nata!) alongside a large coffee menu. You can also pop into @theroyalhotelpicton for a warm drink alongside a memorable cannoli. ⁠
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🫖 If tea is more your speed, don’t miss @SavonDuBois, whose apothecary is sure to provide the perfect remedy to a chilly day. ⁠
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🍵 Other spots to warm up throughout The County include @BloomfieldPublicHouse and @BloomfieldBeautyCo, @GOODPlacePEC, and @PiccolinaMercato and @demorestvillecafe_convenience. (Honourable mention to @ConseconHoneyHouseCafe who are currently hibernating like the bees, but will be back again soon.)⁠
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Image description: A young child plays with toys on the kid-friendly green carpet Beacon Bike+Brew. Their mother is on the floor with him, coffee in hand. ⁠
Image by OneLook⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #WinterinPEC
❄️ A Winter Bucket List for PEC ❄️⁠ ⁠ ❄️ A Winter Bucket List for PEC ❄️⁠
⁠
We're going to let you in on one of our best-kept secrets: winter in Prince Edward County. Sure, it's colder and quieter, but for us those are just added benefits that make for some unforgettable experiences. For the uninitiated that may need some convincing, so head to our blog to discover our complete bucket list for an incredible winter experience in The County.⁠
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Link in bio 👆️⁠
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Note: this bucket list might not be accomplished in a single weekend getaway, but maybe that calls for making a PEC winter getaway a tradition. Or better yet, book a longer stay to enjoy a whole week of winter fun in The County. Discover unique and luxurious accommodations on our website at visitthecounty.com/stay⁠
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