Follow the Arts Trail and visit galleries and artists’ studios all around Prince Edward County. The outdoor sculpture gallery at Oneo at Huff Estates is a fan favourite for all ages. Pairs nicely with pizza at the winery restaurant! There are always concerts, performances, festivals, and cultural events happening in the County, during all seasons. Check http://prince-edward-county.com/festivals-celebrations/ for the latest happenings.

There are new microbreweries, cideries, wineries, restaurants and bakeries opening up every year in PEC. In downtown Wellington alone, about a 15 minute walk, 5 minute bike ride or 2 minute drive from the house, you can enjoy an incredible selection of food and drink. Wellington Drake Devonshire in downtown Wellington. A truly magical spot, you can’t visit Wellington without a drink at their award winning dining room and patio. Chef Alexandra Feswick is committed to a menu filled with seasonal ingredients and local produce, and the company’s ethos is that everything on the menu is house-made from scratch. (Full disclosure: Rachel used to work for The Drake and helped open “The Dev” as marketing manager.) Enid Grace Cafe, for delicious baked goods and sandwiches, made by Enid herself. Get there early especially on the weekend, they only stay open until the bread runs out. La Condesa, a brand new Mexican restaurant that’s been garnering rave reviews. Fresh, authentic Mexican food on Main Street. Idlewild PEC, delicious, Asian-inspired gourmet takeout run by the former chef of the Agrarian, right in the heart of Wellington. Midtown Brewing, a great brewery and gastropub in the heart of town, the kitchen is helmed by renowned chef Neil Dowson. Very kid friendly with a good patio, it’s the Cheers of Wellington. The Stache on Main Street in Wellington for good food and live music. Wellington Farmers Market, where you can find celeb chef Jamie Kennedy making french fries alongside his sons at the JK Fries stand, slurp freshly shucked oysters from Sam Ravenda of The Shore Oysters, eat delicious Bajan food and to-die-for wood fired pizza made on site. Maybe Charles and Camilla will stop by for a visit! (True story.) The market is now open Saturday AND Sunday mornings from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving. Wellington Bakery across the street is owned by Joe, of the famed Richmond Bakery in Ottawa. The pies at the Lakeshore Farms Market two doors down are also tasty and you can get prepared meals there for a quick and easy dinner. The market is open from April - December. Around the County If you love seafood, Sand and Pearl on the way to Sandbanks is a great option. (Open seasonally) The popular and acclaimed Flame + Smith restaurant in Bloomfield is a great spot for dinner. Reservations recommended! In Picton, Chef Leah Marshall Hannon’s new venture, Stella’s is an intimate dinner spot with smaller plates great for sharing. Beacon Bike + Brew at 188 Main Street Picton is a cyclist friendly, kid friendly, everyone friendly place for coffee, brunch and snacks, as well as wine and beer. Outside of Picton, Parson’s Brewing has food, drinks and lots of space for kids to run around. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Prince Eddy’s brewing, with their ping-pong table, beach volleyball court and very good beer. Ten minutes past The June Motel, Lake on the Mountain is a magical place to visit with beautiful views over the bay, and two restaurants where you can eat and drink. Stop by the Perfect Lil’ Bakeshop on the side of the road for a perfect lil’ treat. Further down the “coastline” Waupoos Winery has a great restaurant with a good selection of local fare, a candy store to keep the kids happy, and gorgeous sunset views. Ideal Bike, located near Sybil Frank Gallery, offers bike rentals.

There is fabulous shopping in the County, whether you are looking for a locally made souvenier or your new favourite outfit. Some of our favourite haunts include: Oak Clothing Co., Wellington, run by former Brooklyn-based stylist, Adelaide Utman. She’s got an amazing eye and stocks her shop with a fabulous selection of on-trend, well priced clothing and accessories for women and men. Parlour Studio, Wellington, a jewel of a plant store run by the globe-trotting, multi-talented Jessica. It will inspire you to turn your house into the Jungalow, or at the very least, pick up a succulent for your collection. The Local Store, on the way to Sandbanks you’ll pass a blue and red barn. Don’t miss this interesting store-slash-art gallery stocked with locally made artisanal goods, jewelry, food, vintage, and of course - art. MacCool’s Reuse, on the way to Sandbanks. Another converted barn stocked with well curated vintage and mid-century modern housewares and accessories. Green Gables, Bloomfield, you may pass this shop on Main St. Bloomfield without a second thought - but do yourself a favour and stop in. Its many rooms stocked with unique items will surprise and delight any shopper. Kokito, Bloomfield, another destination for a well-curated selection of unique and beautiful items. Trendier stock than Green Gables. Zest, Picton, a fabulous kitchenwares store run by Toronto transplants Jenny and Kyle. They have an amazing selection of kitchen gadgets, cookbooks, tea towels and so much more. Luna, Picton, another on-trend clothing store with a great selection of women’s clothing and accessories. Coriander Girl & Sunday’s Company, Picton, an offshoot of the revered Toronto florist, along with a line of natural, locally produced self and home care products from Sunday’s Company. Surfer Girl, Picton, you’ll pass this interesting looking house/yard/store on the way into Picton. Check out their interesting selection of items sourced from all over the globe, particularly wooden furniture and crafts from Thailand and Indonesia.