Whether you’re planning to take the perfect weekend getaway during the cozy end of summer and fall, or any other time of year, the Bay of Quinte is a great region to visit. From taking a road trip within the region to feeling one foot under another in its green spaces, there is so much to do here.

Presqu’ile Point Lighthouse in the park of the same name—my favourite lighthouse in the province!

In my teenage years, one of my best friends had a family property in the Bay of Quinte. I remember being a teenager and not having much experience travelling east of Toronto, and being completely confused about what the “Bay of Quinte” meant. After all, it’s Lake Ontario, isn’t it?

But when you take a closer look at Lake Ontario’s northeastern shores between Toronto and Kingston, just before the St. Lawrence River opens up, you’ll quickly see that the Bay of Quinte—which stretches the distance from Trenton to Napanee—is a uniquely shaped bay in Ontario, and connected yet completely separate from the lake.

The Bay of Quinte is enclosed and protected, with Prince Edward County shielding it from the open lake to the south. This makes for a vast array of beaches, bays, water sports and nature areas uniquely set against the ins and outs of the bay. From the water to north of Hwy 401, you’ll quickly realize that this is a sizeable region to set your sights on, with many unique corners to appreciate.

Chris and I visited the Bay of Quinte region a few years ago, so it was about time for us to return. We took an early fall getaway, and loved how cozy and relaxed the pace of the trip was. Let’s get into all of the ways you can go about taking a cozy getaway to the Bay of Quinte Region for yourself!

A Road Trip is the Way to Go

As I mentioned, the Bay of Quinte is massive! I’d highly recommend planning on taking a road trip to drive from place to place in the region, since this will enable you to visit so many of its small communities, local businesses and beautiful green spaces.

If you’re driving from Toronto like we were, it will take you a little over two hours, depending on traffic, to get to the region’s westernmost town of Brighton. If you’re coming from a more eastward direction, it will take you just shy of 3 hours to get to Napanee from Ottawa, and just under 4 hours from Montreal.

If it’s your first time visiting the region, I’d recommend planning to stay in a few different places. It will help you take your time and get a more full picture of all there is to do here. But if you want to stay in a single place for the trip, Belleville is a good place to do so.

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Where to Stay

The most central place to stay when you visit the region is Belleville. It has the highest concentration of hotels and accommodations in the region, many of which are conveniently located near the 401. The Best Western Belleville has friendly staff and comfortable rooms, a large pool, plus they serve local Ontario craft beer and wine in their lobby bar.

If you’re looking for an even more central location in a city, there are some well-appointed private apartments in downtown Belleville. Wind Rose Destinations’ apartments are walking distance to most points of interest in Belleville. We’ve stayed at Wind Rose 26 in the past, and there are several other properties operated by owner Sharon in the heritage building.

If you’re looking for more accommodation options in the region, feel free to use this map to help find the perfect place to stay for your trip! You can zoom out to look for properties across the Bay of Quinte.

The Recipe for a Fantastic Getaway Here

These activities are spread out across the region. So get out your navigation, and get ready for a great road trip across the Bay of Quinte!

Start the Day with a Good CUp of Coffee

I don’t know if it’s a matter of getting older or just a true appreciation for the craft, but there’s nothing that brings me more joy in a new place than stopping at a quality cafe. Fortunately, there are more than a few independent coffee shops in the region, and these are a few of my favourites:

Humble Coffee, Napanee: Located a short walking distance from the main drag of Napanee’s Dundas Street, Humble is just as it sounds: warm, inviting, and cozy with a few different spaces to sit and enjoy freshly brewed espressos, drip coffees, matchas, a small selection of baked goods, and even play a game of chess. There’s a family-friendly area here, too, where kids can play barista while their guardians can sip and relax.
Fawn Over Market, Carrying Place: Situated somewhat between Quinte West and Brighton, this chef-owned grocery store has an in-house cafe serving up espresso beverages made to perfection. They also have a variety of specialty baked goods—their scones are a delight!—and several breads and snacks.
L'Auberge de France, Belleville: A great place to stop in downtown Belleville for a morning coffee. They’re also famous for their fresh croissants and handmade breads available on Saturdays.

Get Lost in One of the region’s Green Spaces

Chris and I hiking in Sager Conservation Area

There is a lot in terms of shoreline access and collections of trails when it comes to the Bay of Quinte region, but there are a few areas that stand out:

Sager Conservation Area is a small park north of Trenton. It’s a nice place to come for a hike in the forest any time of year, but the path leading to its observation tower is an especially wonderful place to come during the fall season to see the leaves changing colour. There’s a trailhead in the northwest corner of the parking lot, marked by a boulder with a carving of a lookout tower and an arrow on it. Follow the steps up this quick trail and tower for panoramic views of the region.

Another favourite is Presqu’ile Provincial Park. In my opinion, it’s one of the most underrated provincial parks in Southern Ontario. Given its humble size compared to some other provincial giants like Kawartha Highlands or Algonquin, it offers a wide variety of experiences and trails. The Marsh Boardwalk Trail is exactly as it sounds—a beautifully constructed path leading through some of the park’s marshlands. There are also several west-facing beaches here, perfect for a beach picnic or a swim depending on the season. And my favourite lighthouse in Ontario—the Presqu’ile Point Lighthouse—happens to be in this park, too. It’s easy to spend a day or more here, and they have overnight campsites if that’s up your alley.

Pop into a Great Restaurant

Reuben on Rye - The Counter

Fresh focaccia - The Counter

The Local Social House

Fawn Over Market

There is some excellent dining to be had in the Bay of Quinte! Every time I return, I continue to be impressed with the new places I get to try each time. Here are a few of my favourites that are worth making a note of for your next trip!

The Counter Restaurant, Trenton: Local, chef-owned elevated lunch and casual dinner spot. Excellent homemade preserves and foccaccia, locally-sourced bread and ingredients, and delicious takes on classic deli sandwiches, salads and soups. Dine in, or enjoy your meal on their back patio with water views.
The Local Social House, Belleville: A great place to come for a delicious lunch, dinner or drinks in Belleville overlooking iconic City Hall and the Moira River. Rotating seasonal menu with unique takes on classic, cozy favourites, and a great patio for the warmer months.
Fawn Over Market, Carrying Place: I already mentioned this spot earlier, since they have an excellent cafe on site, but they deserve another spot in this post since they’re a chef-owned gourmet grocer with daily flatbreads and other delicious delights!
Ellena’s Cafe and Pantry, Napanee: A great place for lunch or a sweet treat. Plenty of baked goods, sandwiches, paninis, wraps and homemade pies.

Other places I’ve been to before in Belleville specifically include Capers, The Lark, Toro Sushi and Chilangos Mexican Restaurant.

Wander, Shop & Gallery Hop on Scenic Main Streets

I’ve been coming to Napanee for years, and it’s so nice to see more and more wonderful shops popping up on Dundas Street with each visit. Starlet is an excellent shop to pop into, with all sorts of women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. On top of being a great lunch stop, Ellena’s also has wine, pantry items and housewares worth perusing. Don’t forget to pop into Black Barn Co. and The Bakery and Bistro Spot, too!

Another place I never grow tired of shopping in is Downtown Belleville. There are some truly underrated shops here, including Park Provisioners—on top of being a barber shop, they are an excellent stop for menswear and accessories. Boretski Gallery is also a great place to stop for vintage clothing.

On top of being home to great shopping, Belleville has a nice collection of galleries where you can admire the artwork, or take local pieces home. This return trip to Belleville brought us to Gallery 121, which is an artist-run collective. They have a frequently rotating collection of local art here, and Chris and I were both tempted to pick up more than a few local pieces during our visit. If you’re looking for beautiful, local art at a reasonable price, definitely head here. It’s also worth popping into the John M. Parrott Gallery in the Belleville Library to see what they have on display.

Take a Napanee River Tour

If you’re looking for an accessible way to get on the water without going to the open water, a Napanee River Tour is a great option. They depart from the dock at the Waterfront River Pub in central Napanee, and cruise for about 1.5 hours up the river and back again. It’s a nice way to get a breeze on your face and see some of the riverfront properties and wetlands from the river. You can even add a lunch order to your cruise, prepared by the pub!

The Perfect Region for Any Season

I’ve now visited the Bay of Quinte in the winter, the summer and the fall, and with each visit I love all of the ways the region is growing and changing. There are too many local businesses and restaurants to count, but I hope you’ve found this roundup helpful.

If you’re looking for more inspiration for your trip to the Bay of Quinte, feel free to check out Chris’s article all about Belleville, or this guide about outdoor activities in the region. Until next time, BoQ—I can’t wait for my next return trip to the region.

I’d like to thank the folks at the Bay of Quinte Tourism for hosting Chris and I as media on our most recent trip to the region. All opinions expressed in this article are entirely my own.

Bri Mitchell

Bri Mitchell is a travel writer and content creator from Toronto, Ontario. She loves to highlight all things nature, food, wellness, sustainability and adventure in her work. Bri writes and shares her travel experiences from across Canada, the United States and around the world on Instagram and TikTok (@brimitchelltravels), and in her articles for travelingmitch, Ultimate Ontario, and We Explore Canada.

Taking a Bay of Quinte Weekend Getaway: Cozy Ontario Main Streets, Scenic Nature Trails & Chef-Owned Dining Delights