From the capital to The County

Combine the perfect mix of city and country on a romantic road trip for two to Ottawa, Kingston and Prince Edward County. 

A couple holding hands walking in Ottawa.

Ottawa | Destination Ontario

From Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, follow the Rideau Heritage Route to the city of Kingston and then chill out in Prince Edward County.

Experience unique heritage and culture, natural beauty, and great food, wine and local craft brews.

Here are some suggestions to start planning your itinerary.

Ottawa

From the stately government buildings on Parliament Hill and national museums and galleries to the historic Rideau Canal and bustling ByWard Market, discover all that Canada’s capital has to offer.

Where to stay in Ottawa 

ARC The Hotel 

Sleek and stylish, this hotel features local art and is within walking distance of many downtown attractions.

Location: 140 Slater Street, Ottawa

Fairmont Château Laurier 

A landmark, five-star historic hotel perched on the Rideau Canal with the finest touches and comforts.

Location: 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa

Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market 

Located in the ByWard Market district, the sweeping cityscape from the rooftop Copper Spirits and Sights cocktail bar is one of the best views of the city.

Location: 325 Dalhousie Street, Ottawa

Things to do in Ottawa

Capital attractions and museums

Parliament Hill

Take a free, guided tour at the seat of Canada’s federal government which is housed in striking Gothic revival-style historic buildings.

Location: Wellington Street, Ottawa

Rideau Hall

Visit the famous Tent Room and magnificent gardens at the residence of Canada’s Governor General.

Location: 1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa

Ottawa museums

Ottawa serves up Canadian culture in a big way, with seven of Canada’s top national museums. These are:

The National Gallery of Canada  

Location: 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa

Canadian Museum of History 

Location: 100 Laurier Street, Gatineau 

Canada Science and Technology Museum 

Location: 1867 St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa

Canada Aviation and Space Museum 

Location: 11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum 

Location: 901 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa

Canadian Museum of Nature 

Location: 240 McLeod Street, Ottawa

Canadian War Museum 

Location: 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa

Shopping

Hunt down the best bargains and treasures in Canada’s capital using this Ottawa Shopping Guide, from the Rideau Shopping Centre to trendy retail neighbourhoods like Hintonburg and Wellington West.

Food and drink tours

Explore Ottawa’s culinary landscape with a local. C’est Bon Cooking offers a variety of guided sweet and savoury gourmet food and drink tours, while Brew Donkey Tours leads curated "adult field trips" to some of Ottawa’s best craft breweries.

Boat and bicycle tours

Travel along Ottawa’s famous waterways, the Ottawa River and Rideau Canal and then explore the city by bike with Ottawa Boat Cruise and Escape Bicycle Tours

Locations:

Ottawa Boat Cruise: 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa

Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals: 65 Sparks Street, Ottawa

Ottawa City Rafting

Experience an epic outdoor adventure in the heart of the city on a river rafting expedition.

Location: 102 Greenview Avenue, Ottawa

Events and celebrations

Canadian Tulip Festival, May 10-20, 2024

See the world’s largest tulip festival with over a million in bloom tulips.

Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival, June 21-23, 2024

Honour Indigenous culture and heritage in Canada aligning with National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21.

Canada Day, July 1, 2024

Ottawa is the epicentre of Canada’s largest party. Dress in red and white and join the celebration from LeBreton Flats Park which includes activities, shows and fireworks.

Ottawa International Buskerfest, August 2-5, 2024

Watch talented and entertaining street performers including acrobats, dancers, daredevils and comedians.

Capital Pride, August 23-25, 2024

Celebrate Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQI+ community.

Where to eat and drink in Ottawa

ByWard Market

From early morning coffee to late night cocktails, the ByWard Market is always bustling with activity. Spanning several city blocks, it’s home to cafés, bakeries, boutiques, restaurants, lively pubs and cocktail bars as well as unique shopping opportunities.

Don’t miss the famous BeaverTails or pause for a refined tea break at Joy on Sussex. And if you’re looking for an upscale lounge, check out The Albion Rooms.

Location: ByWard Market, Ottawa

Wilfrid’s Restaurant 

Book a table at Wilfrid’s for a relaxed weekend brunch overlooking the Rideau Locks and Parliament buildings. Located in the historical Chateau Laurier, its regional menu changes weekly.

Location: 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa

Atelier

Dining at Atelier is a bucket list experience for foodies. The unique 44-course tasting menu and wine pairing lasts approximately four hours and is an adventure for your taste buds.

Location: 540 Rochester Street, Ottawa

Riviera

A contemporary Canadian dining experience that’s garnered a lot of buzz. Located in a former bank, the ambience is on point and their everchanging menu is consistently delicious.

Location: 62 Sparks Street, Ottawa

Kingston

Approximate distance and time: 125 miles (200 kilometres), 2 hours

The Rideau Heritage Route connects Ottawa to Kingston and the St. Lawrence River alongside the Rideau Canal, through some of Eastern Ontario’s prettiest small towns and communities.

Home to Ontario’s oldest public market and Canada’s hippest live music scene, Kingston is a walkable city, with historic sites, amazing craft beer and antique markets tucked away in hidden alleyways.

Where to stay in Kingston

Frontenac Club

This former bank is now a luxury hotel that has retained its historic charm.

Location: 225 King Street East, Kingston

Rosemount Inn

There’s a timeless elegance to this intimate, boutique hotel in a beautifully restored Victorian building.

Location: 46 Sydenham Street, Kingston

Residence Inn By Marriott 

Enjoy the views of Lake Ontario at this convenient waterfront hotel.

Location: 7 Earl Street, Kingston

Hochelaga Inn

A quaint bed-and-breakfast-style property that’s full of character located close to downtown.

Location: 24 Sydenham Street, Kingston

Things to do in Kingston

Touring and sightseeing

Fort Henry National Historic Site 

Fort Henry is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just outside of Kingston by the mouth of the Cataraqui River. Witness 19th-century military life with guided tours, musical performances and military demonstrations offered by the Fort Henry Guard.

Location: 1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston

Kingston Penitentiary Tours 

Tour one of Canada’s oldest and most notorious jails, which stopped operating in 2013.

Location: 560 King Street West, Kingston

Kingston Trolley Tour

Explore the city with a hop-on-hop-off Trolley Tour, a flexible and fun way to tour historic sights and unique attractions.

Location: 248 Ontario Street, Kingston

1000 Island Cruises

Enjoy the views and a meal on a brunch, lunch or sunset dinner cruise along the St. Lawrence River. Famous for 1000 Island salad dressing, the 1000 Islands actually consists of 1864 islands of various sizes.

Location: 248 Ontario Street, Kingston

Creative Kingston Walking Tours

Discover a rich creative arts community on film, music and literary-focused walking tours available in both English and French.

Kingston Food Tours

Explore the flavours of Canada’s original capital city on a guided walking tour through the historic downtown.

Blue World Marine Adventures

Book a guided kayak tour over clear, shallow waters where shipwrecks are visible.

Location: 209 Ontario Street, Kingston

Shopping

Kingston Public Market 

Kingston’s oldest market in the historic downtown sells fresh products from local producers and unique finds from artisans. 

Location: 216 Ontario Street, Kingston

Antique Alley

Shop for antiques, vintage finds and a wide assortment of collectibles or original and printed artwork at Martello Alley.

Locations: 207-B and 203-B Wellington Street, Kingston

Where to eat and drink in Kingston

Pan Chancho

Whether you’re looking for an early breakfast or lazy brunch, the patio at Pan Chancho is the place to be.

Location: 44 Princess Street, Kingston

Atomica Kitchen

Delicious options include plant-based and gluten-free soups, salads and pasta.

Location: 71 Brock Street, Kingston

AquaTerra 

Located in Delta Hotels Kingston Waterfront, enjoy waterfront dining with sensational views indoors or on the patio.

Location: 1 Johnson Street, Kingston

Olivea 

A family-run business specializing in traditional and contemporary Italian food. Ingredients come from local producers.

Location: 39 Brock Street, Kingston

Craft breweries

Kingston is home to eight top-notch breweries and a cidery.

Prince Edward County

Approximate distance and time: 60 miles (95 kilometres), 1 hour

A couple enjoy a swim after a sauna in Prince Edward County.
Wander the Resort | Southeastern Ontario



Located in the northeast end of Lake Ontario, Prince Edward County or “The County” as it’s known by locals, has a long and rich farming tradition. With the introduction of grape growing in the region, the last few decades have seen The County grow into one of Ontario’s most popular destinations for wine, food, the arts and lakefront views.

Where to stay in Prince Edward County

Wander the Resort

Experience peace and tranquility at this modern beachfront property overlooking West Lake in Prince Edward County.

Location: 15841 Loyalist Parkway, Bloomfield

Merrill House 

Victorian heritage boutique hotel with fine dining French cuisine restaurant, extensive wine cellar, cocktail parlour, onsite sauna and a Natural History Exhibit.

Location: 343 Main Street East, Picton

The Royal Hotel 

Located in a restored historic building, The Royal was included in Condé Nast's list of best new hotels last year.

Location: 247 Picton Main Street, Picton

The Lakeside 

Located on the water in Wellington, the Lakeside is a stylish hotel with an onsite restaurant, bar, patio and pool.

Location: 349 Main Street, Wellington

Drake Devonshire 

A hip, all-season boutique retreat steps from the shore of Lake Ontario.

Location: 24 Wharf Street, Wellington

Things to do in Prince Edward County

Winery tours and tastings

PEC Wineries

Prince Edward County is home to over 35 wineries that offer everything from wine tasting and tours to fine dining, culinary classes and more. 

Don’t miss the sparkling wines at Hinterland Wine Company, Chardonnay at Closson Chase, Reisling at Sugarbush Vineyards and Baco Noir or cider at Waupoos Estates, Prince Edward County’s original winery.

Explore Prince Edward County’s backcountry roads to wineries and more by bike. County Bike Rentals provide bicycle rentals, helmets, locks and route suggestions, as well as free delivery and pick-up.

Nature and outdoors

Sandbanks Provincial Park

From beaches and sand dunes to forests and trails, summer is a great season to explore the parks and outdoor spaces in The County. Sandbanks is a popular spot so plan a weekday visit. Make sure to book your park pass in advance as passes do sell out.

Location: 3004 County Road, Picton

Lake on the Mountain 

As its name suggests, this is an elevated body of fresh water with a mysterious water source. The park offers great views of the Bay of Quinte, where you can watch the Glenora Ferry cruising back and forth across the bay to Adolphustown.

Location: 296 County Road 7, Picton

Art and culture

Art galleries

Artists, artisans and creators have gravitated towards Prince Edward County for decades resulting in a flourishing arts community with amazing galleries and studios. Notable favourites include the Oeno Gallery at Huff Estates Winery, Mad Dog Gallery and Armstrong Glassworks.

Locations:

Oeno Gallery, 2274 Prince Edward County Road 1, Bloomfield

Mad Dog Gallery, 525 County Road 11, Picton

Armstrong Glassworks, 326 2 Avenue, Wellington

The Regent Theatre

Architecture buffs and culture lovers will appreciate the restored Edwardian-style opera house built in 1918 that continues to host live performances and film events.

Location: 224 Main Street, Picton

Where to eat and drink in Prince Edward County

Midtown Brewing

Enjoy craft beers and freshly made pub food, including wood-fired pizzas and flatbreads.

Location: 266 Wellington Main Street, Wellington

Good Place

Vegan and gluten-free meal options, as well as a large selection of teas and organic beverages.

Location: 153 Main Street, Wellington

La Condesa 

Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine.

Location: 298 Wellington Main Street, Wellington

Flame + Smith 

With a sustainably sourced surf and turf menu, meals are cooked over an open flame for a unique culinary experience. Make sure to book a reservation in advance.

Location: 106 Bloomfield Main Street, Bloomfield

Stella’s Eatery 

Comfort food made with fresh, foraged and seasonal ingredients.

Location: 2470 County Road 8, Waupoos

 

The County Cider Company 

Sample some of the tastiest craft cider flavours along with some of the best lake views in The County.

Location: 657 Bongards Crossroads, Waupoos

Slake Brewing 

Stop by for stunning panoramic views from atop a limestone hill and the latest selections of craft beer on tap.

Location: 181 Mowbray Road, Prince Edward County

Slickers County Ice Cream 

This is the place to go for creamy homemade ice cream and milkshakes in delicious flavours.

Location: 271 Main Street, Bloomfield, Ontario

Extend your trip

As you travel eastbound towards Quebec, consider exploring the sights along the St. Lawrence River, including the communities of Gananoque and the 1000 Islands, Brockville and Cornwall and the Counties.

For more trip-planning support and help building your itinerary, connect with one of our travel counsellors.

And discover even more amazing road trip itineraries in Ontario.

Last updated: May 31, 2024

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