Town of Greater Napanee, Ontario: The Best Weekend Itinerary

Here's an amazing road trip destination in South Eastern Ontario that's a well-kept secret, the Town of Greater Napanee. It's right on the doorstep of popular Prince Edward County and it's a fantastic weekend trip for those living in Toronto, Ottawa, or elsewhere around Ontario and the northeastern United States.

Greater Napanee is located on the eastern end of the Bay of Quinte, and it's the largest settlement in Lennox and Addington County. The municipality of the Town of Greater Napanee incorporates Napanee, Adolphustown, North and South Fredericksburgh, and Richmond. I've listed it as one of my favorite small towns in Ontario.

I recommend spending a couple of days in the Town of Greater Napanee before or after you visit Prince Edward County. In fact, the free Glenora Ferry operates between Prince Edward County and Adolphustown, functioning as a convenient way to travel between both places. If you feel like making a week of it, I also suggest checking out the nearby town of Brighton and the city of Belleville.

Ferry from Prince Edward County - Glenora Ferry

Town of Greater Napanee Itinerary: Day 1

In day one of my weekend guide to the Town of Greater Napanee, we're not going to stray too far from downtown Napanee, Ontario. There are so many things to see and do in Napanee, so we're going to stay here all day. In this itinerary, I'm going to show you how to have the perfect day in Napanee.

Coffee at Ellena's Cafe and Pantry

Ellena's Cafe and Pantry is a great place to start your day in the Town of Greater Napanee. Located in downtown Napanee, stop by for breakfast, coffee and even some shopping. There is a menu of light bites, sandwiches and other treats.

You can order any kind of coffee or espresso beverage that you like, and they have a variety of plant-based milks as well. It's easy to find a place to sit and enjoy your coffee/meal with ample seating at the back of the cafe. In addition, go shopping for housewares, things for the kitchen, and unique ingredients for your next homecooked meal.

Napanee Falls and Springside Park

If you love waterfalls and local parks, Springside Park and Napanee Falls is a must visit spot when traveling to the Town of Greater Napanee. There's a large parking lot at Springside Park or you can easily walk there from anywhere in town. Also known as Springside Park Falls, Napanee Falls is a gently flowing cascade that's 30 to 40 metres long and 10 metres wide near the mouth of the Napanee River.

The Napanee River is one of two rivers in the world that experience "seiche", a change in tide due to the wind. Due to prolonged winds across Lake Ontario, the tides naturally rise and fall every two hours. Being able to experience high tide on the Napanee River is a registered Earth Cache on the Geocaching website.

After you've seen Napanee Falls, continue walking south on the boardwalk path towards the Napanee Conservation Park. It's an easy jaunt with plenty of beautiful scenery along the way. You'll be able to see wildlife (I spotted a Blue Heron!) and even public art on this boardwalk trail.

Public art in Napanee - Palletable Art Project

Napanee has a collection of public artworks under the Pallet'able Art Program. It's an initiative by the Town of Greater Napanee Arts & Culture Advisory Committee. Each public art work features original imagery painted across repurposed wooden industrial pallets or skids.

The majority of this public art is located in downtown Napanee between Springside Park and Napanee Conservation Park, so you'll spot several works of art on your walk. Here is a map with photos of the art collection with details on where to find each one.

Lunch at the Soup Can

After walking around the park, it's time for lunch in downtown Napanee. The Soup Can is described as a "Little Mom and Pop Shop" with fresh and homemade soups and sandwiches. They used to operate out of downtown Kingston but have since moved to the Town of Greater Napanee.

Their menu features wholesome selections with several vegan options that are all clearly marked. For soups, choose from the Coconut Curry, Cream of Broccoli (with coconut milk!), Fajita Soup or Macaroni and Tomato. Add a side of avocado toast or a hot, buttery pretzel.

Go Shopping in Downtown Napanee

Downtown Napanee has many unique boutique shops that are locally owned and operated. Be sure to take a stroll down the main strip (Dundas Street West), as well as Market Square. Some of my favorite shops include Starlet, Black Barn Co, Convenient Candy Shop and Napanee Blooms.

The Napanee Beer Company

The idea of The Napanee Beer Company started over a decade ago when its owner, Geordan Saunders, brewed his first batch of beer in his Toronto condo. He promptly decided to move back home to Napanee with the dream of opening up his own brewery. The Napanee Beer Company officially opened in 2016 and within its first year won the "New Brewery of the Year" award at the Ontario Brewing Awards.

There is a small taproom and shop with an outdoor patio at The Napanee Beer Company where you can enjoy a pint or a flight. I decided to sample several beers before deciding on which ones to bring home for Justin and I to enjoy. The brewery has its core list of beers as well as special release, seasonal varieties, too.

Dinner at Santorini Mediterranean Grill

Town of Greater Napanee: Santorini Mediterranean Grill

Santorini Mediterranean Grill is the place to be for fantastic food, a spacious patio and live music on weekends. The servers are attentive, my food arrived to the table quickly and it tasted delicious. I ordered the falafel pita with French fries. The portion size was great and my food was really flavorful.

There's a wide variety of selections on the menu for every taste. The restaurant is open pretty late, so you may be able to schedule your dinner after your History and Hauntings Ghost Tour, depending on how you feel.

History and Hauntings Ghost Walks of Napanee

Feeling spooky? Embark on the History and Hauntings Ghost Walks of Napanee tour for an insightful and entertaining glimpse into Napanee's sordid past. Your guide, Lisa Bird, is an expert in paranormal activity and the town's history.

You'll go on a leisurely walk through downtown learning about the Town of Greater Napanee's architecture and history of the town. At the same time, Lisa will tell you about haunted stories and paranormal tales surrounding those buildings and past residents of the town. You'll also discover exclusive evidence gathered from past paranormal investigations.

This is a truly one-of-a-kind tour that you'll only find in Napanee. I really enjoyed my time wandering around town with Lisa who is an expert on all things Napanee. This haunted ghost tour lasts 1.5-2 hours in total and it's offered on Saturday evenings from July to October. Tours begin at 6:30pm at the Napanee Town Hall, and it's both family and pet-friendly.

Town of Greater Napanee Itinerary: Day 2

On day two of this weekend in the Town of Greater Napanee itinerary, we're going to venture out into the countryside. The majority of our day will be spent outside of downtown Napanee visiting local farms, wineries and natural spaces.

Coffee at Coffee Cravings

Coffee Cravings quickly became one of my favorite coffee shops in downtown Napanee. I suggest starting your day off with a coffee from Coffee Cravings. They've got all of the classic espresso drinks and enticing specials. It's a warm and inviting place to meet your friends and you can also enjoy their outdoor patio in the warmer weather.

Go Flower Picking at Wynn Farms

Town of Greater Napanee, Ontario: Wynn Farms

Wynn Farms is an unmissable spot in the Town of Greater Napanee. The Wynn Farms Apple Orchard was planted by the owner's grandfather and parents over 35 years ago. The legacy of the farm continues with Jim and his wife Sarah who took over the farm in 2012.

Wynn Farms has a variety of activities and events throughout the summer and fall, including its flower farm, apple orchard, corn maze, pumpkin patch and "Haunted HalloWYNN" event in late October. You can even have your wedding at Wynn Farms for a picturesque waterfront ceremony.

As I visited in the summer, I checked out the flower farm. Wynn Farms is home to Ontario's longest blooming sunflower farm. They strategically plant several fields of sunflowers to ensure that there are blooms all summer long. Wander through the sunflower fields, take selfies and photos with the flowers, and even pick your own flower while you're there.

You can also go for a stroll through the flower fields for their field-to-vase experience. The owner, Sarah, plants a wide variety of different flowers that contribute to the perfect bouquet. Some of these varieties are quite unique and you won't find them at other flower fields. Take a leisurely wander around the flowers and pick the ones you like the most. Build a beautiful bouquet to bring home wtih you.

Lunch at Bergeron Estate Winery & Cider Co

Right next door to Wynn Farms, you'll find the perfect pit stop for lunch and a glass of wine. Bergeron Estate Winery & Cider Co has a beautiful patio overlooking the vineyards. For lunch, they have a wood-fired pizza oven where you can order from the menu or build your own pizza. This spot is popular with cyclists traveling through the area, but their pizza is worth the wait.

Visit the Wineries of Greater Napanee

This afternoon, you can take your own self-guided tour of the wineries of Greater Napanee. After stopping at Bergeron Estate Winery, there are two more wineries in the region: Longrid Estate Winery and 33 Vines.

I stopped by 33 Vines for a short tour of the bar (great place for live music at night or events!), the barrel room, the art gallery with works by local artist Todd Muller, and the outdoor patio. Sample wine or a pint of beer, stay at the Airbnb on site (The Nest), or you can even host your wedding here!

Loyalist Trading Co

Loyalist Trading Co is a quirky shop outside of Napanee where the sign outside advertised coffee, scones and goats! It might seem like a strange combination until you pull up to the shop and see goats all over the roof. Their pet goats really enjoy climbing up to the roof from their paddock, so of course they are free to do so.

While the goats make for an interesting roadside attraction, the shop itself has many unique locally produced wares and consumables. There are artisan items, tasty treats, and all sorts of random products and gifts. I purchased some of their homemade soup mix that was a big hit when I made it at home. There are always new items arriving, so be sure to stop by to say hello to the goats and do some shopping.

Hike at Menzel Centennial Provincial Park

Town of Greater Napanee Ontario: Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve

Menzel Centennial Provincial Park is a non-operating provincial park in Ontario. This means that while there aren't any facilities, you can walk in and enjoy the park for free. As the park is located in the country, you can park at the side of the road. It doesn't get very busy here and there's plenty of space for your car.

This is a 627 hectare nature reserve located in the headwaters of Otter Creek of the Salmon River system. This provincial nature reserve protects one of the largest examples of open and treed fen (botanically rich wetlands) in southeastern Ontario. It also protects significant wildlife species, including the Olive Hairstreak Butterfly and Cooperís Hawk.

There is one hiking trail at Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve. You'll walk across flat paths and boardwalks until you reach a dead end at Mud Lake. Mud Lake is a shallow water body, surrounded by 19 different natural habitats. I actually decided to visit after dinner toward dusk to enjoy the pretty sunset over Mud Lake, though I recommend that you wear bug spray as the mosquitos are more active at this time of day.

Dinner at Waterfront River Pub (Option for Boat Cruise)

Let's finish our day of adventures back in downtown Napanee with dinner at the Waterfront River Pub. This award-winning establishment is often ranked as the best restaurant in the Town of Greater Napanee. The food is divine, the servers are incredibly attentive, and the chefs really do go above and beyond.

The Waterfront River Pub has an extensive cocktail list and boasts 20 taps with local craft beer and traditional favorites. Plus, the views from the patio are equally beautiful and serene.

I love that the Waterfront River Pub has a vegan menu. It makes ordering so much easier and there are quite a few starters, salads and entrees. I opted for the Waterfront Quesadilla and the Asian Ginger Salad. The chef also surprised me with a starter plate of vegan brie cheese and a watermelon/cucumber/feta salad that was awesome!

Norman Paul Boat Tours - Things to do in Napanee Ontario

To get even closer to those waterfront views, have dinner and drinks on a river boat tour from downtown Napanee. Take the Norman Paul River Cruise from the Waterfront River Pub and Terrace, a fully licensed 45 foot pontoon boat. Enjoy a meal, drinks, and conversations with your travel buddies as you drift down the Napanee River to the entrance of Mohawk Bay.

Be sure to pre-order your food (I ordered a vegan falafel wrap) and the boat has a fully licensed bar. The pontoon travels 16km roundtrip and the cruise lasts around 1.5 hours. The Norman Paul Boat Tour is one of the best things to do in the Town of Greater Napanee, and it truly elevates your dining experience at the Waterfront River Pub.

Where to Stay in the Town of Greater Napanee

I spent two nights at The Red Brick Suites in the Loft Suite. This luxurious apartment within an 1895 Victorian red brick home is right in the middle of downtown Napanee. The suite is completely renovated and modernized, but manages to retain its historic charms.

Wade and Shawn are the ideal hosts who have thought of everything to make your stay feel like your home away from home. The king-sized bed is the perfect restful retreat at the end of a busy day. The list of amenities is endless, from a well stocked coffee bar to streaming channels on the massive flatscreen TV.

The loft itself is a private suite totaling 900 square feet within this regal property. There's a spacious kitchen with high end appliances, living room, bedroom, and large bathroom with a claw foot tub. The space is beautifully designed, and comes complete with fancy toiletries and locally brewed beer in the fridge.

This is the best home base whether you're exploring the Town of Greater Napanee or making a road trip around the Bay of Quinte Region and Prince Edward County. I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again!

More Places to Stay in the Town of Greater Napanee

Looking for more hotels, accommodations and apartments in the Town of Greater Napanee? Use this handy map to browse all properties. Enter your travel dates for more accurate details, and click on each property to learn more and book your stay.