You've done the Gatineau Hills. You've done the Rideau Valley. You've probably done Montebello. And they're all lovely — but if you haven't pointed the car toward Prince Edward County yet, you're missing the best weekend escape within easy reach of Ottawa.
It's about two and a half hours door to door. You can leave after breakfast on a Saturday and be feeding alpacas by mid-morning. Here's why PEC should be next on your list — and how to make the most of it.
The Drive Is Half the Point
Take the 401 to Highway 33 — the Loyalist Parkway — and follow it along the north shore of Lake Ontario into the County. It's one of the prettiest drives in Ontario: heritage villages, lake views, limestone architecture, and the particular quality of light that PEC seems to have more of than anywhere else. Give yourself an extra thirty minutes and take it slowly. You're already on holiday.
Start at Chetwyn Farms
Your first stop should be Chetwyn Farms — an alpaca farm and artisan studio in the heart of PEC that has become one of the County's most beloved experiences. Book an Alpaca Encounter and spend a morning with the herd: hand-feeding, learning their personalities, and stepping into a pace of life that Ottawa rarely allows.
It sounds simple. It's genuinely restorative. Bring the kids if you have them — the encounters are wonderful for all ages — or come as a couple looking for something unhurried and real.
The SHED studio on-site is worth browsing too. Alpaca socks, hand-dyed yarn, throws and home goods — all made from animals you've just met. These are the souvenirs worth bringing home.
Wellington & the Lakeside
From the farm, head into Wellington — a small village on the lake with a genuinely good main street, excellent coffee, and the kind of unhurried energy that makes you want to stay longer than planned. The lakeside Rotary Park is perfect for a stretch and a wander, especially with children.
Wellington is also the home of Drake Devonshire — one of PEC's anchor restaurants and worth a reservation for dinner if you're staying the night.
Closson Road Wineries
No Ottawa visitor should leave PEC without spending time on Closson Road — the County's celebrated wine corridor. Closson Chase, Hinterland, and Norman Hardie are all within easy reach and all worth a stop. Ontario's wine country doesn't get more serious — or more beautiful — than this.
Sandbanks: Worth Every Superlative
If the weather cooperates — and in summer it usually does — an afternoon at Sandbanks Provincial Park is non-negotiable. The largest freshwater sand dunes in the world, a beach that rivals anything in the Caribbean for sheer beauty, and water warm enough to actually swim in. Arrive early afternoon and plan to stay until the light goes golden.
Picton: Dinner and a Long Evening
End your day in Picton — the County's main town and increasingly one of the best small-town dining scenes in Ontario. The Royal and Bocado are both must-visits; book ahead, especially on summer weekends. Parsons Brewing is ideal for a pre-dinner pint in a relaxed taproom.
Let the evening go long. You're not driving back tonight — or at least, you shouldn't be.
Stay at the Farm
If you're making a proper weekend of it — and you should — The Cottage at Chetwyn Farms is one of the most distinctive places to stay in PEC. Wake up on the farm, step outside to greet the alpacas before breakfast, and spend Sunday at whatever pace feels right. It's two and a half hours from Ottawa. It feels like another world.
Plan Your Trip
For everything happening in the County — events, markets, festivals — Visit the County is the best starting point. And for a full day-by-day itinerary once you arrive, our Perfect Day in PEC guide maps it all out.
Alpaca Encounters book up fast in summer. Don't leave it to the last minute.
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