The sky is the limit for natural experiences in Lennox & Addington.
Surround yourself with nature and be rewarded with the serenity that only immersion in a natural paradise can bring. From gazing at the sky, to kayaking, Lennox & Addington’s natural experiences are beyond expectation. Read on to discover the 13 best ways to explore this area this summer!
1. View The Most Enchanting Spot For Stargazing
Staring towards the sky may seem ordinary, and this is anything but. Night sky viewing in the region brings escaping the city to a new level. Experience stargazing at the Lennox-Addington County Dark Sky Viewing Area, an awe-inspiring place where blankets of stars seem like they are at your fingertips. Bring a lawn chair, blanket and your sense of wonder – no special equipment is needed here although you might want binoculars and your camera, of course. The area is well known in astronomy circles, as the most southerly dark sky viewing area in Ontario, for providing an unobstructed view of the sky with no artificial light sources.
2. Nature’s Thirst Quenchers
History is brewing in Lennox & Addington! Local vineyards and breweries share taste and tradition in an area that has been known for its agriculture for centuries. The MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company does exactly that – using hops, wheat and barley grown on the family farm near Bath, Ontario which has more than 200 years of farming heritage under its belt. That’s not all! Mackinnon Brothers also has renovated century-old brans, a live music festival, taproom and a bottle shop. Stop in or pre-book a guided tour and tasting!
The Napanee Beer Company is another must-taste in the Lennox & Addington area. Stop by this trendy microbrewery to sample award-winning craft beer and chat with brewmaster, Geordan Saunders. Which will be your new favourite – Complicated, Sour Cherry Black Belgian Ale; Mayday, Belgian Pale Ale; Blacklist, German Black Lager; or, Deadline, their Premium Lager?
Bergeron Estate Winery on the Loyalist Parkway is another stop to enjoy award-winning wines that use its own grapes and locally-sourced apples for its wines and cider. Bring your appetite to Bergeron because Nonna’s Pizzeria on site is beyond delicious with crusts made from scratch and local-ingredient toppings.
Explore vines and wines at this new winery that is already earning rave reviews. Longrid Estates Vineyard & Winery is a family-run winery eager to help wine enthusiasts discover the story poured into each glass. Whether marveling at the beautiful waterfront views from the patio, kicking back in lounger chairs, wandering by the water or even walking among the grapes, this little gem is waiting to welcome you. Put a tasting on your to-do list – we hear the Midsummer Night is a must-try!
Looking for an off-the-charts patio experience? Enjoy beautiful waterfront fare at The Waterfront River Pub & Terrace in Napanee! This is it: craft beer, local wines, spiffy cocktails and the creative culinary of a cutting edge chef team in a limestone pub on the river. The views are gorgeous and the patio itself is spacious and cozy all at the same time. Fun fact: this heritage building was originally built as a brewery and now has more than 20 taps with local craft brews available alongside more traditional tap favs.
3. Cycle the County
Ride into summer and experience nature by pedal power in Lennox & Addington! The L&A County Trails have 12 looping cycling routes with 600 km of paved roadway. Ideal for road cyclists, the trails amble north from Lake Ontario revealing charming countryside, unique history and nature at its best. The icing on the cake is that the County of Lennox & Addington will even create free custom itineraries for cycling visitors who are keen to stay, sightsee and cycle.
Backroad Cycling is perfect for getting an authentic view of rural Ontario. Hit the open back roads with 10 loop itineraries that take cyclists along beautiful gravel and paved roads, along with some popular trails, too. Discover laid-back beauty while riding routes through communities in the heart of South Eastern Ontario; the planning is done for you – just enjoy the ride!
READ ALSO: County Rides In Lennox & Addington
4. History Revealed
Witness a window into Lennox & Addington’s past, by exploring items found here from prehistoric times to the first tire produced at the Goodyear plant in 1990 and beyond. The Lennox & Addington County Museum and Archives is home to incredible collections from the Lennox and Addington Historical Society – its artifact inventory tops 10,000 items! The rich local history in unveiled through furniture, textiles, clothing and toys, ceramics, household collectables and more.
5. Get Your Paddle On
Dip your paddle and be awestruck by the unique natural elements on the water in Lennox & Addington. Spend summer on the water with nine paddle routes featuring some of the incredible rivers and lakes that are begging to be explored. With dozens of lakes and rivers in Lennox & Addington, there are also more than 30 boat launch locations where you can hit the water and paddle for hours along the rich shoreline.
6. Immerse In Farming Life
Try your hand at agriculture at this adorable island farm. There are plenty of workshops to attend including dyeing yarn, shearing, and more. If you’re n animal lover, you only need one reason to go – lots and lots of sheep and goats! Sponsor your very own for $75 and make it a habit to go for visits to this calm and serene landscape.
Expand you visit and stay in a Mongolian Yurt! What is a yurt, you ask? It is a round tent covered with skins or felts that is the perfect space to unplug and unwind! Nicely tucked into the Topsy Farm landscape, you can enjoy up to 4 people for a private stay in this rustic and comfy sphere. Enjoy the outdoor lifestyle with an outdoor shower, private fire pit and the simple farm life.
Snuggle with a goat! At Barking Goat Farms, visitors can have an interactive, personal experience with goats, donkeys, chickens and the friendly barn cats. Enjoy a one hour farm tour cuddling a goat and learning about the animals. Visit the farm stand to take home some goodness from the goats!
Come see what all the buzz is about! Dive into the world of honeybees at The Bee Spot. Bee Tours show visitors where honey comes from and a day-in-the-life of a beekeeper. Suit up in beekeeping gear and get an up close and personal look at a real beehive, and then shop for some deliciously fresh honey products to take home with you. Beekeeping experiences are suitable for ages 12 and up. Just bee curious!
Visit Hickory Lane Alpacas, a family-owned fibre farm with alpacas, sheep, goats and more ready to meet and greet people on farm tours every weekend by appointment. Ruby’s Acres Alpaca Farm is family-oriented and showcases these smart and friendly creatures through alpaca walks and farm tours. Ruby’s Acres is open all year round and the farm store is stocked with amazing alpaca fibre items! Hop over to Lakehouse Alpaca Farm & Fibre Mill to experience farm and mill tours, alpaca walks and photo opportunities! This small alpaca and Angora goat farm has a mini-mill where the fibre is processed from the animals. Be sure to call ahead.
Taste summer sweetness in every berry! Paulridge Berry Farm is run by fifth-generation farmers on the land, with pick-your-own strawberries, raspberries as well as other seasonal produce like beans, peas – and even sunflowers! Berries by the Bay is L&A County’s premier grower of Saskatoon and Haskaps berries. Pick your own is popular here! Great berries coupled with great views of the lake from the berry fields, as well!
It’s a blooming good time! Wynn Farms Flower Fields is Ontario’s longest blooming sunflower farm – an instant pick me up and quintessential summer experience. Visit the sunflower fields, pick your own sunflowers, or cut and create your own bouquet from the cutting garden in the fields. There’s even a picnic area and scooped ice cream for a treat so plan to stay a while and enjoy a perfectly sunny summer afternoon.
Whether you are an avid hiker, or just someone who wants to get some fresh air, the Sheffield Conservation Area is the perfect place to challenge yourself. With 4.5 kilometers of trail that offers easy to difficult terrain depending on the hiker’s needs, you can bring those old and young to enjoy. What’s more – the wildlife around this area is amazing, so keep an eye out for some amazing animals including beavers, skunks and muskrats.
You and yours deserve to be pampered, and there isn’t anything that says “pamper me” like a visit to a spa! Check out A Touch of Wellness Spa in Napanee, where every appointment is the full experience, you can enjoy a number of exceptional treatments from skincare to nails and esthetics, while taking in the calming smell of essential oils and nibbling on cheese and sipping on wine.
Can you recover stolen and stashed money before the church is renovated? A new escape room at St. Alban’s Centre in Lennox & Addington is using authentic local history to challenge escape room enthusiasts! The task is to find the stolen loot from the real Great Bath Bank Heist, which was hidden in the church almost 80 years ago. Learn more about this intriguing true story! The venue itself is even rooted in history, as St. Alban’s Church was built as a memorial to the United Empire Loyalists who helped found the province of Ontario.
Nothing says summer like strolling and shopping. Find the perfect treasure in unique places in L&A County shops, boutiques and galleries!
Take that small town charm to the next level and explore the Tamworth Book Shop, Tamworth. Two floors of high quality second hand books in a Victorian coach house – what better way to hunt for your next spring read? Thumb through everything from local history books to cook books to Can lit and mysteries.
Another unique spot in which the location provides the ambiance is the Piggery Gallery. Down a scenic, winding road and inside a renovated old piggery building, this country gallery is the place to find eclectic handcrafted gems by skilled local makers.
Starlet is fantastically fun shop designed to make everyone who walks through the door feel like a starlet – and it delivers with jewellery, shoes, adorable fashions and bold, bright colours at every turn.
Lansing Gifts & Gallery is springing into the warmer seasons with lots of outdoor and indoor home décor. Known locally as the home of all things gnome, Lansing also offers a unique collection of artisan crafts, visual art and gifts filled with whimsy and delight. Lastly, Lakeside Studio Gallery features fresh local art by emerging artists. With more than 100 original works of art on their walls, Lansing Studio Gallery can find the right piece to brighten up your space. Watch Lakeside for upcoming workshops and gallery events, too!
13. Roll Your Way Into The Summer
Get your weekend rolling at the Disco Ball Event’s roller skating rink! Get those knee pads and helmets packed and an extra layer of socks and start rolling ‘round the disco rink with some of your best friends. Music is always a must as it helps you move with the groove and you can even enjoy some hotdogs and chips from the canteen on site.
13. Aboard The Norman Paul River Tour
Hop aboard a Norman Paul River Tour for food, fun and loads of ambiance – a fully-licensed 45-foot custom built pontoon boat cruising the Napanee River from the dock at The Waterfront River Pub and Terrace to the entrance of Mohawk Bay. This hour and a half tour typically travels about 16 km, with delicious food and drink on board. Fun times await on the Norman Paul! Did you know that the Napanee River has its own tide? The river will rise and lower regularly between six and sixteen inches due to a seiche tide!
