Into every life, a little rain must fall. Even - gasp! - during a Prince Edward County getaway. If it's raining in The County, here are some suggestions for where to find the silver lining in those unwelcome grey clouds.
Take a trip around the horn
Most visitors stop in Hillier, Picton or Sandbanks, but many don’t make it all the way around to The County’s other areas, including the South Shore, Sophiasburgh, Ameliasburgh, Waupoos and Cressy. Stop for blueberries, wine, cider and more in Waupoos, or travel out along the horn to Cressy, where you’ll find cheese, mustard and some rather grand summer homes. (And since Lake Ontario can also produce wild swings in the weather, you may find yourself leaving rain and finding sunshine.)
Step back in time
Explore the rich history of Prince Edward County at various heritage sites, each offering a unique glimpse into the past. Macaulay Heritage Park in Picton features Macaulay House, restored to the mid 1850s; the historic former Church of St. Mary Magdalene, now a museum; the old parish cemetery; heritage gardens and the carriage house. Wellington Heritage Museum, located in the heart of the village of Wellington, was built in 1885 and features exhibits on local history. Ameliasburgh Heritage Museum has grown from one building, in 1968, to a full pioneer village. The main structure was built in 1868 as a Wesleyan Methodist Church. Over the years, several additional buildings have been added to the site, including a log cabin, display barns, an operational blacksmith shop, a sap shanty, dairy and bee-keeping buildings, and a large stone building housing the Goldie Corliss 18 foot flywheel.
Craft your own barn quilt tour
Stay warm and dry in the car while playing a little barn quilt bingo. Keep an eye out for one of more than 100 blocks adorning County barns and buildings. These eight-foot square (and smaller) painted replicas of quilt blocks are painted on wooden boards, then mounted on a barn or other building. Barn quilts draw attention to Ontario’s disappearing rural landscapes, timber frame barns, and the family farm.
Play a game
Escape rooms meet history at Escape Camp Picton. Visit Base31, the iconic WW2 air force training base turned culture destination and test your wits in an escape room game. If jigsaw puzzles are more your jive, Books & Company and Bonkers and Green Gables have great selections, plus other games to boot.
Visit an artist
Part of what gives The County its unique vibe is its rich vein of creativity. Check out the painters, potters, glassblowers, fibre artists, photographers, jewellery makers and more. Looking for a one-stop-shop on local art? On a day when its raining in The County you can easily spend the afternoon wandering around various studios to find all sorts of County gems.
Taste the terroir
The County’s bedrock of calcareous limestone is what gives the soil the minerality needed to produce world-class wines. From citrusy chardonnay grapes to full-bodied malbec, winemakers here are bottling up a bit of sunshine every season. Book a tour - whether in cars, carriages or bicycles - or plan your own trip. Or take in some of the craft breweries, cideries, and distilleries. By your third stop, you won't even notice the rain!
Pick up a book
When it rains, slow down and embrace a cozy day indoors. Explore Books & Company for a diverse selection of books and enjoy the company of Pushkin, the resident cat. For specialty reads, visit Zest Kitchen Shop for recipe books and KOKITO for cute books for kids. The County's six library branches are packed with cozy nooks, books, and often kids programming or activity spaces. Their staff are pretty amazing too for recommendations and local tips.
Seek retail therapy
Whether you're a big spender or just a window shopper there are dozens of stores and shops in downtown Picton, Bloomfield, Wellington and Consecon to peruse when its raining in The County. Clothes, books, locally-made arts and food products, body-care, antiques, furniture, knitting goods and even PEC-branded swag - there's something for everyone.
Embrace the rain
Embrace the weather with a visit to the shoreline. Consider parking on Main Street and heading for a walk at Wellington Beach, where wild winds can churn up some amazing waves, which put on a show as they crash into the iconic beacon.
Enjoy movies at The Mustang Drive-In or Regent Theatre
Rainy evenings gotcha down? The Mustang Drive-In has movies rain or shine and it’s a well known Sandbanks camper secret that rather than spend the night in a tent in the rain.. spend it laughing and snuggling in your car! Or try the historic Regent Theatre for blockbusters, art films and documentaries.
Perfect your swing
Rain or shine, day or night—golf is always on at The Golf Studio. This state-of-the-art, automated practice studio and golf simulator offers an ideal setting for perfecting one's swing regardless of the weather.