There’s a common piece of advice given by people with grown children: enjoy time with your kids while you can. Unfortunately, busy summer schedules can make that bit of wise wisdom easier said than done. This summer, set aside two days where you clear the books and make for the lake! We’ve mapped out all kinds of excellent options for a two-day getaway that will allow you and your crew to pick your pleasures as you explore in and around some of Lake Erie’s most beloved port towns. You’ll spend one night in the charming Elgin County and the next in scenic Norfolk County, ensuring a perfect balance of relaxation and adventure.
Elgin County
Day One: Morning
Set out early in the morning with a few snacks packed for the ride to Port Stanley. Upon arrival, stretch your legs on Port Stanley’s Blue Flag Beach before enjoying a late lakeside breakfast or brunch. Art & Soul Café is an excellent choice for breakfast items like French toast, yogurt parfaits, and smoothies.
Day One: Afternoon Pick Your Pleasure: History or Hike
If the folks in your family are eager to learn about how people got around in days gone by, you’ve come to the right place! Port Stanley Terminal Rail’s Scenic Train Ride invites guests to climb aboard for a sixty-minute train ride from Port Stanley to Whytes Park filled with fascinating railway history.
If marine history floats your boat, head east to Port Burwell to discover the HMCS Ojibway’s hidden Cold War secrets, and the Port Burwell Marine Museum and Historic Lighthouse.
There are plenty of fantastic options if a hike wins the draw for your afternoon activity. Solitude Nature Reserve’s main trail is now accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers. Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area has 208 acres of forests, ponds, wetlands and streams, new walking trails, and a butterfly habitat. Port Burwell Provincial Park has two excellent hiking trails with stops along the way that explain local geology, flora, and fauna.
Day One: Evening Pick Your Pleasure: Camping, Glamping, or All The Creature Comforts
If you’re a family who craves camping adventures, book a site at Catfish Creek Conservation Authority’s Springwater Campground.
If a bed and breakfast or a quaint inn is what your family prefers, everyone will love:
- Grey Gables Bed and Breakfast in Port Burwell
- Inn On The Harbour in Port Stanley
- The Windjammer Inn in Port Stanley
- Kettle Creek Inn in Port Stanley
Even if you’re camping, plan on dinner at a restaurant so that you can leave the cooking gear at home.
- If you’re spending the night at a Port Stanley inn, venture out to GTs On The Beach for a leisurely lakeside dinner on the patio.
- If you're looking to stay close to home base, check out The Windjammer Inn or The Kettle Creek Inn restaurants.
- An ice cream cone from Broderick’s Ice Cream Parlour while you watch the sunset is a perfect way to wrap up the day.
Day Two: Pick Your Pleasure: Foodie Fun or Family Float
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast where you’ve spent the night at That Breakfast Place before setting out for some morning fun.
If you’d prefer a morning boat ride, book a gourmet picnic aboard one of Legends of Lake Erie’s boats.
Norfolk County
Day One: Morning
If time out on the water wins the vote, consider a kayak down Big Creek, also known as Canada’s Amazon.
Before heading to enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your campground or inn, swing into Port Ryerse’s Fork In The Road for a quintessential Ontario chip truck lunch.
Day One: Afternoon Pick Your Pleasure: History or Hike
If you choose history, visit the Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum in Simcoe to explore the region's rich past through fascinating artifacts and exhibits, or head to the Backus Heritage Conservation Area in Port Rowan to experience a 19th-century heritage village and scenic trails.
If the outdoors beckon, Turkey Point Provincial Park offers sandy beaches and diverse hiking trails with stunning views of Lake Erie, while the Lynn Valley Trail provides a scenic 10-kilometre hike through lush forests and farmlands from Simcoe to Port Dover.
Day One: Evening Pick Your Pleasure: Camping, Glamping, or All The Creature Comforts
If you’re a family who craves camping adventures, book a site at Long Point Provincial Park. If you’d like a camping experience that’s a little cushier, consider glamping at Homegrown Hideaway or a Wilderness Suite or Camping Pod at Long Point Eco-Adventures. Bayside Vacation Resort’s rustic little cottages in Long Point are another great option.
If a quaint inn is what your family prefers, everyone will love The Harbourview Inn in Port Dover. With its charming rooms and picturesque views of the harbor, it's the perfect place to relax and unwind after a day of exploring. Alternatively, for a more luxurious experience, consider staying at Clonmel Castle in Port Dover, where you'll be treated royally with elegant accommodations and exceptional service.
Even if you’re camping, plan on dinner at a restaurant so that you can leave the cooking gear at home.
- If you’re staying around Long Point, hearty, family-friendly fare is always on the menu at Country Fork in nearby Port Rowan.
- If you’re calling it a night near Port Dover, The Beach House or The Mule are both fun choices.
Day Two: Pick Your Pleasure: Foodie Fun or Family Float
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast where you’ve spent the night or at The Beach Hut before setting out for some morning fun.
If the food lovers win the morning’s activity pick, head to the 15-acre patch at Blueberry Hill Estate for some early morning picking when blueberries are in season. Generations Marketplace’s family-friendly gardening workshops are another fun way to enjoy some food-focused family time together. Older tweens and teens may be interested in learning to make their own herbal teas using local wild plants at Homegrown Hideaway’s Wildcraft Tea experience.
If you love seeing how food goes from farm to table, you'll want to participate in the Cider Keg Farm Market's seasonal, four-course meals crafted by Red Seal Chef, Sarah Bertling. This dinner experience uses ingredients from Norfolk County, paired with local wines or beers (non-alcoholic beverages are available too), and an insightful farm tour, all served on their charming front porch!
Day Two: Evening
Plan a later alfresco dinner at Long Point Eco-Adventures' Marshview Patio and then settle in for some spectacular on-site stargazing. The Observatory Dome Experience is hosted by a trained tour guide who will show you some of the most prominent constellations in the night sky, and explain the stories behind them.
