While we’re huge proponents of the “leave nothing but footprints” approach to camping and glamping, there is at least one exception. The dollars left by travellers who choose to support local restaurants, farms, wineries, craft breweries and retailers during their stay play a critical role in creating thriving destinations. 

Think about it this way, when you visit a locally owned market and purchase an apple that’s grown at a nearby farm, not only will your apple be fresh since it isn’t travelling a long distance to get to the market shelves, but your dollars will support the destination in multiple ways. Buying an apple brings revenue to the local market store and will encourage them to continue purchasing apples from the farmer. This also supports job creation and more people being able to spend within their community.

 

Dunnville Farmer's Market Apples

 

Rather than packing the cooler before your next trip, consider stocking up once you arrive. Here are suggestions for four glamping getaways, complete with local shopping recommendations that will help ensure the lasting impression you leave is a positive one!

Glamping Getaway #1: Lungovita Beach Retreat, Harrow

 

Lungovita, an adults-only beach retreat perched on the shore of Lake Erie, encourages its guests to embrace experiences over things. Cozy geodesic domes, which are available year-round, and roomy bell tents, available from May through October, offer luxuries like comfortable beds and lovely bedding. On-site amenities include hot tubs, saunas, fire pits, summer swimming, cruiser bikes, and more.

 

Lungovita

 

Locally Sourced Sips

 

Located smack-dab in the centre of the EPIC Wine Region, Lungovita is a beautiful basecamp for sipping and stocking up at Viewpointe Estate Winery, North 42 Degrees Estate Winery and the winery’s tasty Bistro 42 restaurant, and Paglione Estate Winery.

Support Small Business

 

Downloading the W.E. Heart Local passport is your ticket to the freshest locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats, and other tasty products in the Windsor Essex area!  The passport makes it easy to find the region’s best farms, roadside stands, markets, restaurants and shops and offers some added perks for those who check in at multiple stops. With over 70 partners, you’ll have no shortage of options! Don’t miss Melegs Orchard, Farmer Mac, The Fruit Wagon, Wrightland Farm, Kranicz Orchards, and Hawksview Honey.

Glamping Getaway #2: Homegrown Hideaway, Port Dover

 

Open seasonally from May through October, Homegrown Hideaway offers a small collection of luxury tents on its gorgeous 17-acre farm property.

If a farm-to-teacup experience appeals, Homegrown Hideaway’s Wildcraft Tea experience is sure to delight. After foraging nearby wetlands and meadows for seasonal native and naturally grown plants, you’ll gather in a rustic barn to sample locally harvested herbal teas that reflect the rich flavours of the land and craft your own signature tea blend to take home. 

Locally Sourced Sips


Meuse Brewing, a farmhouse brewery, farm and market in Norfolk County, crafts beer that’s shaped by the terroir of Ontario’s Garden. Meuse grows its own organic barley and sells a tasty selection of seasonal produce from area farms.

 

Meuse Brewing

 

Support Small Business

 

Generations Marketplace is an on-farm learning center with a focus on self-sufficiency, sustainability, and education. From farm animal and garden tours to interactive workshops, special events, and an on-site market selling local meats, preserves and produce, there’s always something fun taking place at this friendly farm. 

 

Apple Hill Lavender is a century-old family farm that embraces environmental stewardship. The rolling lavender fields set amidst a third-generation apple orchard offer a picture-perfect place to enjoy a picnic or take a lavender-scented stroll. Shop for artisan lavender products in the Carriage House Boutique and enjoy some award-winning Lavender Vanilla Bean Ice Cream from the Bakehouse. 

Downtown Port Dover, just a short drive from Homegrown Hideaway, is home to excellent restaurants, shops and cafes, including Ivory Fern Foods, The Dover Cheese Shop, and Urban Parisian, just to name a few.

Glamping Getaway #3: Long Point Eco-Adventures, Turkey Point

 

Long Point Eco-Adventures encourages guests to connect with nature while creating treasured memories in the great outdoors. Wilderness suites and camping pods put guests just steps away from all kinds of outdoor activities, including ziplining, kayaking, stargazing, mountain biking, and more. Eco-Stay certified, Long Point Eco-Adventures' efforts to reduce its environmental footprint to date, including reducing energy consumption, water and waste, have already offset the equivalent of 48 airplane trips around the planet! 

Sip From A Local Source

 

Just a short walk from Long Point Eco Adventures, Burning Kiln Winery’s sustainability story began with the repurposing of a former tobacco farm into a beautiful winery. Today, the tobacco pack room is a space for wine production and hosting visitors, and old tobacco kilns are now used to create delicious Appassimento-style wines. Be sure to check out other stops along the Toast the Coast Trail.

 

man tasting wine

 

Support Small Business

 

A trip to The Cider Keg is guaranteed to put a little sparkle in your day. Many of the products you’ll find here are grown on the century-old farm or brought in from other local farms and businesses. Austin’s has been providing pre-picked and pick-your-own produce for over 44 years. The farm also has an incredible market that sells fresh-baked pies and treats, preserves, and sauces. 

Glamping Getaway #4: Jireh Hills Family Homestead, Alvinston

 

If you’re looking for a responsible getaway that lets you park the car and really soak up the destination for a day or two, a farm stay at the 2022 Sustainability Trailblazer of the Year award recipient, Jireh Hills, is an excellent option. Choose between the seasonal glamping RV or the cute-as-a-button year-round Nature Lodge. A wide range of activities are available to add to your stay, including alpaca encounters, baby goat snuggles, cheese- and yogurt-making workshops, summer flower picking, goat-keeping classes, soap-making classes, and an immersive farm and forest revival. The farm’s fresh eggs, herbs and herbal teas, and handmade soap products are available for guests to purchase.

 

Jireh Hills

 

Sip From A Local Source

 

If you’d like a change of scenery during your stay, Alton Farms Estate Winery in Plympton-Wyoming is well worth the 30-minute drive. In addition to great wine and regular live music performances, the winery offers guests access to its beautiful hiking and cross-country ski trails. 

Support Small Business

 

Munro Honey, Ontario’s first meadery, has been keeping bees for over 100 years. The apiary’s shop sells a broad selection of honey products, carefully crafted meads, as well as live bees for anyone interested in learning about beekeeping. Petrolia’s Black Gold Brewery is another small business that’s well worth the stop.

Looking for even more unique ways to escape the city for a local getaway? Browse our collection of experiences and itineraries that have been specially crafted for adventurous souls craving the kind of connection that can only be found off the beaten path.