Whether you are an outdoorsman or a foodie connoisseur, the Bay of Quinte will always deliver. Known for its beautiful parks and top-notch fishing, there is rarely a dull moment when travelling through the beautiful lake-side bay. With memory makers from sun-up to sun-down, your summer bucket list awaits in the Bay of Quinte.
1. Pop-Ups On The Bay
Pop-Ups on the Bay, is s a hub of activity with shops, and food trucks on-site, in addition to trails and parks. It’s where artisans and adventure collide; where entertainment meets eats, and where discovery takes an unexpectedly pleasant turn. Wood-fired pizza dabbles with colourful flowers, local art and food trucks and striking murals to create Pop-Ups across the region in Quinte West and Belleville.
2. Golfing
If you ask the locals, they will tell you the same – there is nowhere like the Bay to play a game of golf. From Black Bear Ridge to Trillium Wood, to the Bay of Quinte Golf & Country Club, you’ll want to play a few extra holes after spending some time in the picturesque Bay of Quinte.
3. Growing Happiness
Be enchanted by the stunningly beautiful flowers at Dahlia May Flower Farm in the rolling Murray Hills. This small, family operation cultivates romantic, fragrant flower of all varieties to offer at their farm stand, as well as at specialty shops and farmers’ markets in the Quinte area. Dahlia May is known for its rustic and elegant design. See for yourself – these blooms are captivating!
4. Water Sports
Get out on the water with kayak, canoe or SUP rentals across the Bay of Quinte! The Trenton Rowing and Paddling Club in Quinte West has social events throughout the summer for water enthusiasts of all skill levels. From evening group paddles to paddle potlucks, the club also has stand-up paddle boards, canoes, and kayak rentals available during July and August. Work out your core with instructor-guided stand-up paddle boarding with Go Active Ontario or explore the wilderness and become one with the water on a canoe trip with Cruising Canoes. If you want to settle down for a relaxing fishing trip, check out Quinte Fishing Charters. No vacation is complete without some fun in the sun, and when it comes to fun the Bay has you covered!
5. Museums
There is more to the Bay than beautiful scenery and fun activities. The Bay of Quinte has a rich history that is proudly displayed at the local Air Force Museum. Travel to the National Air Force Museum at CFB Trenton to discover the history of Canadian aviation by taking an up-close and personal look at historic aircraft with lessons from aviation experts. If architecture is more your style, head to Glanmore National Historic Site and prepare to be transported back in time by the beautiful antique furniture, elegantly painted ceilings and charming historic paintings.
Did you know whales used to have legs? It’s true – and you can find out more at the Quinte Museum of Natural History during a whale of an exhibit on now. Learn about these ocean giants through life-sized whale skeletons; be fascinated by their habits, anatomy and behaviour! Be sure to also catch T-Rex in film, and spend time discovering local fossils up close at this museum in Trenton that is committed to providing educational and exciting exhibits for the public’s enjoyment.
6. Meet Me At The Market
It’s fresh on Front! The Front Street Farmers’ Market in Trenton is like finding a treasure trove of special in-season produce, baked goods, VQA wines and ciders, artwork, maple syrup, honey and preserves. Held Wednesdays and Saturdays from May to October, the market is the place to be for local love. Top that with live music throughout the summer and it’s the perfect way to start your day.
7. Batawa Trails
Hit the trails through forests that surround the Batawa Ski Hill – many are multi-use and ready for feet as well as tires! Spend quality time outdoors going for a run, hike or bike in the Bay of Quinte region, surrounded by natural beauty at the Batawa Trails. Lace up and be sure to check out the new fitness trail here that turns a normal run on its head. With natural wood obstacles and even equipment along the way, it will add an extra fun element to your workout routine.
8. ‘Slip’ Into Summer
Trent Port Marina is a boater’s dream: we’re talking 374 fully-serviced slips for both seasonal and visiting boaters, close to downtown Trenton, easy access to the Trent-Severn Waterway, the Rideau Canal, Bay of Quinte and Murray Canal which leads to Lake Ontario. Trent Port Marina will be part of a superb experience of sightseeing, shopping, restaurants and entertainment.
Meyers Pier offers and abundance of amenities for visiting boaters, from gas to security, walking trails, on-site laundry and showers and even wifi. With 160 seasonal and transient boat slips, located at 1 South Front Street in Belleville, visitors to Meyers Pier have shopping, groceries, trendy restaurants and more within walking distance. Perhaps the coolest part? Free bikes on site for use by visiting boaters!
There is never a dull moment for seasonal boaters who call Victoria Park home with inner green space and off-shore fishing on the west side. It’s also known for being the home of the Bay of Quinte Yacht Club – the second oldest such club in Ontario. Watch dragon boat racing here as the clubhouse for the Belleville Dragon Boat Club is also located here. Lace up to walk or bike on the close-by Riverfront Trail which accesses Belleville’s extensive waterfront trails.
9. Cycling Adventures
Did someone say cycle adventures? Explore the backroads around the Bay of Quinte Region on two wheels! Adam Tilley and Laura Voskamp of The Brake Room have created bayofquinte.bike routes to make everything from touring to group rides run smoothly. The routes vary in distance, difficulty and sights to see – like Brisket & Brewskis or Hella North 360 or even Two Bridges and a Mill. Explore the backroads around the Bay of Quinte Region on two wheels! They also host rides regularly so be sure to ask about their events calendar!
10. Conservation Areas
Potter’s Creek Conservation Area offers an abundance of recreational opportunities. Trails wind through the 140 hectares, past fragrant orchards, open meadows and scenic woodlands – making it the perfect spot for hikers and bird enthusiasts!
Pack a snack, your good camera, binoculars and get ready to stair climb for an amazing view! Sager Conservation Area, located near Quinte West, brings visitors to a lookout tower and reveals amazing aerial views of the countryside stretching into the Trent Valley.
The HR Frink Centre near Belleville is prime bird-watching territory and makes for a great escape from the city. A highlight is the 500-metre Wetland Ecology Boardwalk and look out.
The Trenton Greenbelt Conservation Area provides the perfect setting for a picnic or a quiet cup of coffee with the Jack Lange Memorial Walkway offering the chance to walk and cycle while viewing local wildlife.
The Glen Miller Conservation Area on the Trent River is a great place to relax and watch the boat traffic along the Trent-Severn Waterway. Located just north of Trenton, Glen Miller Conservation Area provides an ideal location to launch a boat and cast a line to fish for bass, walleye and more.
Where can you find a boulder guessed to be more than 2 million years old? The Bleasdell Boulder Conservation Area where visitors discover a massive, ancient boulder more than two stories tall! Take a journey through time with a short hike to the Bleasdell Boulder – one of the biggest known glacial erratics in all of North America. This place rocks!
Quench your thirst and taste the creativity at Bay of Quinte’s breweries! The Bay of Quinte region is a haven for craft brewing with dozens of amazing beer and cider breweries to explore. Witness the passion that goes into brewing and meet the makers before finding your favourite flavour at places like Signal Brewery or Wildcard Brewing. Check out the recently finished tap room at Meyers Creek Brewing Company with space to sit inside, outside and on the porch – or grab some beer for takeaway! Another fun brewer is Flyby Brewing Company, with its family-run taproom, brewing their own beer in-house.
12. Explore A Church Like No Other – Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
Rooted in history and a pillar in the community, the Christ Church is a stunning place to discover. Located west of downtown Deseronto, overlooking the Bay of Quinte in Tyendinaga, Christ Church, Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal of the Mohawk, is one of just six designated royal chapels in the world – and one of only two located in Canada. A place of great significance to the Mohawk people, and the history of Canada, this Gothic-style building was built in 1843 of local limestone and features stained glass windows, as well as a square bell tower and spire. It has also been deemed a national historic site of Canada. This is one church you don’t want to miss!
13. Tyendinaga Caverns & Caves – Tyendinaga Township
Tyendinaga Cavern and Caves provides a chance to experience the geology wonder of cave curtains, which developed about 100,000 years ago, and now have depths of up to 38 feet below ground. The park features an estimated 20,000-cubic-foot cavern that visitors can journey into. Visitors can toss a coin into an underground pond of water or slither into narrow side passages if they choose. Just make sure you’re dressed warmly – the temperature is usually about 10 C inside – and not uncomfortable with a little mineral water falling on your shoulders.
The Bay of Quinte really has something for everyone, whether you are an avid adventurer, relaxed beverage guru, or best friends with mother nature. Make sure you stop by one of these great spots on your next trip through the Bay!
