We recently headed out on a getaway to the north side of South Eastern Ontario and found lush farmland, beautiful waterways and all kinds of delicious eats! Follow this itinerary with all the details you need to know!
Where is South Eastern Ontario?
Okay, we know. Ontario is huge so you’re probably wondering what we mean when we say “South Eastern Ontario”.
This region is massive and starts way up, just south of Ottawa in the area affectionately known as SDG (Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry) then moves through Cornwall, Brockville, The 1000 Islands and Gananoque. That’s where we spent most of our time and this itinerary specifically takes you through SDG and Cornwall.
However, continuing south you’ll also find that the 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Area, Kingston, Frontenac County, Lennox and Addington, The Bay of Quinte and Prince Edward County are all part of this area too!
Want to know more? Check out the map on South Eastern Ontario’s website.
Packing Essentials
Of course, you have your packing basics, but we also recommend packing a refillable water bottle, market tote, a cooler (trust us, you’ll want to bring stuff home) and some sunscreen and bug spray since you will be outdoors!
Alright, with that all under our belt, let’s check out the itinerary.
Start Your Day!
Plan to arrive to your first stop around 11 am and Bob’s your uncle! This itinerary will bring you to some wonderful rural stops in Stormont-Dundas and Glengary as well as Cornwall.
Note: With the change in seasons, it’s always best to check days and hours of operation before heading out to avoid disappointment!
Stop 1: Stonehouse Vineyards
Where: 21065 Lochiel Rd, Alexandria, ON. (View Map)
After travelling in, you deserve a glass (or two) of vino! The folks at Stonehouse Vineyards are in the 8thgeneration of this farm which was created in 1793. Today, they grow 5 acres of cold climate grapes with 4600 plants. The best part? They only bottle what they grow.
Head into their tasting room to try some of their wines which include everything from a full-bodied Marquette (the vintner’s favourite wine they make!) to a jammy fortified wine, Frontenac White and a few others. Pair it up with some chips or book one of their foodie packages in advance (at least 48 hours) which showcase some wonderful local products from the area.
Drive Time to Next Stop: 28 minutes
Stop 2: Glengarry Fine Cheese
Where: 5926 Hwy #34, RR#1, County Rd 34, Lancaster, ON. (View Map)
If we could write a love letter to these brilliant wheels of cheese, we would. Roses are red, good cheese is bleu…you get it.
If you’re in the Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry region, a visit to Glengarry Cheese is a must. Making all their cheese on-site with milk from their neighbours’ cows, Glengarry Cheese is known for miles for their excellent cheeses. We’re talking the creamiest of bleus, nutty Goudas, mild and bright washed-rind cheeses and more.
We loved checking out the store, grabbing some cheese and checking out some of the other local accoutrements, preserves and crackers that we could pair up with our cheeses for boards at home!
Into a little amateur cheese making? Next door, they also sell all the accessories needed to make your own cheese.
Drive Time to Next Stop: 20 minutes
Stop 3: Esca GOURMET Pizza + Bar
Where: 317 Pitt St, Cornwall, ON. (View Map)
Next Stop: Cornwall! Head into Cornwall where pizza is the name of the game. There are several spots slinging ‘za in the downtown core including this host spot: Esca Gourmet Pizza + Bar.
With a cozy interior, you can pop in for lunch and enjoy it there or if the day is beautiful, take your pizza to a nearby park like we did to enjoy it outside!
Their light, thin-medium crust is nicely contrasted by a variety of topping options. We opted for the dill pickle pizza with an aioli base and fresh dill that was pretty darn delicious, but you can also check out pizzas like their Jedi pizza which features pesto crema, mozza, chicken, bacon, roasted red pepper, caramelized onion and more or something as simple as a pepp. Check out the menu online for pizza and other delicious entrees.
Want to try some of the locally-renowned pizza joints? King George Pizza and Riverside Restaurant serve it up Cornwall-style with the cheese on top of the toppings!
Drive Time to Next Stop: 34 minutes
Stop 4: Stone Crop Acres Vineyard
Where: 5242 Smiths Rd, Morrisburg, ON (View Map)
Don’t be intimidated by the drive time to get out here! The drive is beautiful as you roll through the vast farmscapes that make this area so special. Once you get to Stone Crop Acres Vineyard, it’s relaxation station.
This vineyard is the opposite of stuffy, it’s all about enjoying wine in an approachable and fun atmosphere. “My job is not to make you impress me with what you know about wine. My job is to make wine fun,” says co-owner and wine-maker Norene Hyatt-Gervais. Even if you know very little about wine, this is a place where you can find a glass you love with absolutely no pressure. Isn’t that how wine should be?!
Head into the tasting room to grab a flight of their different wines which range from chardonnay to solstice wine (which is orange!) and even a cider. Then bring it out to one of their wonderful patios. You can order food here too like a local cheese and charcuterie board or a stonebaked pizza.
Our favourite spot is the patio at the very back of the property which overlooks a row of sunflowers that back onto an expansive farm field. You can wander down a lovely row of pine trees too and just take a deep breath of rural air. Ahhh.
Drive Time to Next Stop: 10 mins
Stop 5: Upper Canada Creamery
Where: 11575 Waddell Rd, Iroquois, ON. (View Map)
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream fresh from the farm! At Upper Canada Creamery, you can shop cheese, milk, butter and…ICE CREAM! AND GELATO! Made using milk right from their own dairy herd, Upper Canada Creamery is a must-stop for any ice cream aficionado.
Check out the shop and grab one of their homemade waffle cones (is your stomach howling like ours?) to enjoy. We loved the coffee gelato, cookie dough and peanut butter swirl ice creams!
Drive Time to Next Stop: 50 minutes
Stop 6: Springfield Farms Organics/Gunpowder Golf & Country Club
Where: 8709 County Rd 25, Apple Hill, ON. (View Map)
To Note: Email ahead to book your time on the course and to inquire about a stay on the farm
Finally, point those wheels towards beautiful Apple Hill, Ontario to Springfield Farms Organics and Gunpowder Golf and Country Club. Does the name have you wondering what’s happening? Well this is an organic farm as well as an 18-hole disc golf course!
You can book a timeslot through their website for the evening and enjoy a course that varies from field to forest as you take your time enjoying the game, the sounds and the scenery. Never played before? Let owners Eleanor and Finbarr know in advance and they’ll hook you up with a couple of experts who can show you what to do.
If you’re looking for a unique stay, Springfield Farms occasionally offers up something pretty darn incredible. Email ahead to see if there is any availability as Eleanor and Finbarr sometimes open up their home to guests to stay the evening. Sip wine under the twinkling lights and perhaps a slice of pizza from your earlier travels. Finbarr will tell you about his beekeeping and Eleanor knows all about the farm which is certified organic.
Eleanor is even building an apple orchard of native trees to bring apples back to Apple Hill. The house itself is a cozy farmhouse perfect for relaxing with a couple of friends and enjoying a meal around the large harvest table or outside on the patio. They also host events on the farm so stay tuned on their website as things are happening!
Have Fun
Overall, we hope you just have fun. That’s what travel should be all about. Whether you’re sipping, munching or just kicking back, South Eastern Ontario has a lot to offer. Want to make this trip into a 2-3 day getaway? Stay tuned for Part 2 of this blog!
