Prince Edward County Day Trip

Today we did a day trip to Prince Edward County, located on the northeastern shore of Lake Ontario about 1 hour west of Kingston. As you can see, Kingston is essentially at the intersection of the Saint Lawrence Seaway and Lake Ontario, the gateway to the Great Lakes. Back in the day, boats were the major form of transportation. Imagine as an explorer, working your way upstream on the Saint Lawrence and having the Great Lakes unfold in front of you. 

Today, we are driving the Loyalists' Trail into Prince Edward County, one of Ontario's oldest settled regions. Originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples, including the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee, the area later became a destination for United Empire Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution in the late 1700s. The county's rich agricultural land supported generations of farmers, while its strategic location along the lake made it an important centre for shipping and trade. 

To get on the peninsula at the east end, there is a short 15 minute ferry ride aboard M/V Glenora.

Today, Prince Edward County blends its historic villages, limestone architecture, and rural heritage with a thriving reputation for wineries, culinary tourism, and beautiful waterfront landscapes.

We spot a really cool old home called The Miller House, now converted to a restaurant with what looks to be a great outdoor patio.  We take a few pictures and make a mental note to potentially return for an end of day refresehment before catching the ferry back.

Across the road is the Lake on the Mountain Brewing Company's retail establishment, and it too looks welcoming.

The eastern end of the county, offers a glimpse into the region's Loyalist roots, historic hamlets, and scenic shoreline that have shaped life here for more than two centuries.

Just outside Picton, we visited Birdhouse City, one of Prince Edward County's most whimsical attractions. Created in 1980 as a community project, this miniature village features more than 100 handcrafted birdhouses, many modeled after local landmarks and historic buildings. Set among the trees at Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area, Birdhouse City celebrates the County's heritage while providing real nesting places for native birds - a charming blend of history, creativity, and nature.

There are hiking trails in the area near Birdhouse City, but we are not quite prepared for walking in the trail especially with the tick warning signs, so we decide to stay on the main trails, then head off to the next stop.

The next stop is Slake Brewery, perched atop a limestone ridge east of Picton. Built into the hillside and reached by a winding gravel road, the brewery overlooks East Lake and the rolling farmland of Prince Edward County. It's known for having one of the area's best sunset views, but we arrive about four hours too early to find out for ourselves. After taking in the scenery from the hilltop and enjoying a brief look around, our visit is short as we continue exploring the County's east end.

Well it is about 6pm and time to go catch the ferry back. But first, we need to check out The Miller House more closely. It had a welcoming patio, stunning views of the ferry crossing, and delicious snacks. When we see the ferry on its way back over, we clear our bill and zip down to the loading area, a short 1km drive away.