It’s not just cinnamon hearts that can spice things up! Memorable times await with your special someone in South Eastern Ontario. Read on for 35 ideas for romantic overnights, places to nosh and just plain cool stuff to do with your partner. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, indoor fun or unique experiences, we’ve got you covered!
1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways
1. Harlem Stonegate
An historic stone farmhouse that is the picture of delight and charm, Harlem Stonegate provides an inspiring atmosphere to promote health and rejuvenation. Each room has views of the property and is individually furnished with care in a modern farmhouse chic style, luxuriously appointed. Be awed by the striking original pine floors, gable ceiling, two-foot external stone walls and stained glass. But what’s more, the food is phenomenal! An all-around soul-nourishing couples experience in the country.
2. Furnace Falls Farm
Take part in an authentic farm-to-fork experience at Furnace Falls Farm near Lyndhurst! This century farm across the road from Wendy’s Country Market has been renovated and restored to welcome guests. A talented culinary team kicks the experience up a notch, and guests have the opportunity to dine on first-class, farm-fresh cuisine. It is also a working farm – be sure to ask about the Valentine’s lunch!
3. The Cove
The perfect all-in-one romantic destination! Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and experience country hospitality in a scenic setting. The Cove features hot live music and mouth-watering restaurant fare. This historic inn is newly-renovated with relaxation top of mind. Settle in and stay awhile overlooking the water. Nearby Foley Mountain offers one of the best panoramic views along the Rideau and picture perfect trails for snowshoeing.
4. Winter walks: Heritage River Trail
Make it a double date! This popular pathway runs along the waterfront for one of the longest riverside walking paths in all of Eastern Ontario. This paved portion takes walkers along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, and is complete with information boards about the historic industry in Prescott. In winter, time slows down here and the river is peaceful – making for a crisp, memorable time spent outdoors.
5. Romantic Getaway at Kemptville Suites
Need a couples getaway to reconnect and recharge? An intimate stay awaits at Kemptville Suites – exposed brick and stone walls give way to bespoke furnishings and distinct style with refined character. With soaker tubs, fireplaces, and plush amenities, let the suite create the perfect setting for romance.
6. Spa Jada
Providing a calming, comfortable spa experience from the booking process onwards! Spa Jada recently celebrated 17 years in business and is known for its welcoming atmosphere and attention to detail. Located in a heritage building in Kemptville, Spa Jada takes care of everything from spa packages to facial treatments, sugaring and waxing, micropigmentation, eyelash treatments and much more. This will be your new go-to spa.
7. Abbott Road Suites
After your outdoors time or spa treatments, rest at Abbott Road Suites with your loved one. These private well-appointed suites in Kemptville have outdoor entrances to the suites with private washrooms and luxurious beds. A great way to recharge!
Prince Edward County
8. Cheers To Winter
Raise a glass and discover something delightfully different at the local breweries and vineyards in Prince Edward County. The peacefulness of the local landscapes in winter allows you to savour every sip. So, raise a glass and discover something delightfully different at local breweries and vineyards! Taste the bounty of The County.
If wine pairs well with being active for you, Three Dog Winery or Sugarbush Vineyards offers snowshoes for their vineyard trails. At Sugarbush, a snowshoe rental even includes a wine tasting! Over at Three Dog Winery, sign up for a guided snowshoe tour, which sees you traverse the beautiful 100-acre property through vineyards, cedar, pine and maple forests. What’s more, the rentals are included, as well as a light lunch and two glasses of wine! Perfect for falling in love in the wintry woods. Find more outdoor winter fun at Parsons Brewing, where you can hold hands while skating at the covered rink, sip some quality brews and warm up by an enchanting fire.
9. Sip and talk
Grab a delish local coffee and chill! Stroll the streets of Picton and dream of warmer days with coffee in hand. Prince Edward County has niche coffee shops in almost every community catering to each caffeine-fueled whim. Live simply with your Valentine and just sip, walk and talk the afternoon away.
10. The Empty Nest
Share a peaceful paradise! The Empty Nest is a full-service, award-winning boutique bed and breakfast with lakefront suites. Watch the winter sunset and stargaze during the crisp winter nights from a private beach. Rest, relax, and recharge here with fluffy bathrobes, endless cappuccinos, and fresh-made signature breakfasts.
11. Kingstonlicious
Savour Kingston! Sometimes the most romantic things can be born of simplicity, like enjoying each other’s company over a beautifully-prepared plate of food. Celebrate the best food Kingston has to offer with Kingstonlicious. Starting in mid-January choose from premiere prix fixe culinary experiences at a variety of restaurants. Even sweeter: did you know you can get a $100 gift card when you book a Kingstonlicious Stay Package?
12. Big screen winter plans
Go beyond the big screen and venture to The Screening Room in the heart of downtown Kingston with your special someone. This intimate, three-screen independent movie theatre plays an intriguing mash-up of genres, in a second floor locale. The atmosphere is down-to-earth and it serves a wide range of movie-watching interests within the Kingston community. Peek inside for art-house, indie, foreign and be sure to check out the classics, too, as Monty Python and the Holy Grail is playing soon, and Casablanca is opening on Valentine’s Day! What’s more, the Reelout Queer Film Festival is celebrating 25 years in February at the Screening Room, showcasing 90 films from 35 countries and revisiting beloved themes from past years!
13. Skating in the square
Lace up and spend time rediscovering the magic of outdoor skating at the Kingston rink at Springer Market Square. The square is historic in itself: the market has been on site in warmer months since 1801. Now, a public rink welcomes people to enjoy the colder temps, too; it’s the perfect place to rekindle your love of winter – and each other. Afterwards, warm up over dinner and drinks at one of the neighbouring restaurants in the downtown core. It’s fun watching the market square webcam, too!
Read more: 23 Charming Romantic Getaways in South Eastern Ontario
14. Romantic escape
Immerse yourselves in a different world! Escaping is the name of the game when booking into Improbable Escapes or Sherlock’s Escapes. Whether it’s a jungle adventure, finding a cure to save humanity from zombies, or breaking up a crime ring, local in person, outdoor and virtual escape rooms will have you and your fun-loving partner talking about this for weeks to come. Turn off your phones and plan an old school game night! Browse through a library of board games and puzzles at Improbable Escapes and enjoy some friendly competition with your Valentine.
15. Rosemont Inn & Spa
Lush accommodations and age-old splendour. Eleven modern Victorian guestrooms at The Rosemont Inn in Kingston are rooted in tradition with amenities beyond expectation. A continental breakfast is included with every stay while communal meals give way to friendships and indulging in a genuinely social hospitality experience.
16. Find your inner love bird
Feed chickadees out of the palm of your hand at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area near Kingston! Harness your Snow White vibe and be amazed creating memories with your loved one, hiking or cross country skiing on the trails at conservation area – then stop with palms outstretched with seed to find some feathered friends. Cross country ski and snowshoe rentals are available on site and lessons can also be booked!
17. Delta Hotels Kingston Waterfront
Lake views for days! These bright rooms in a modern hotel will make your heart soar, topped off by an indoor rooftop pool. Accompanying hip restaurant, AquaTerra, celebrates locally-sourced food, wine and craft beer, and has been recognized as one of the top 100 restaurants in the country.
Brockville
18. The Mill
Candle light dinner?! Authentic Italian food?! Yes, please! The Mill is a quaint, circa-1852 grist mill featuring Italian entrees, steaks and a separate tapas lounge. Romantic atmosphere through the roof – great food, friendly service. If you can’t make it into The Mill, order one of their charcuterie boards created for pick up, featuring Italian meats, cheeses, olives, pickles, fruits and much more. Experience a taste of Italy in Brockville!
19. Cook together at Maison Maitland
Nothing is as romantic as creating together in the kitchen – while paying tribute to local! Maison Maitland fosters bonding in the kitchen while learning from renowned chef and host, Cynthia Peters. Booking into these classes in pairs makes for a perfect activity day with your loved one. Get your hands dirty and experience an authentic cooking class together. Be sure to ask about the two-night winter retreats which include staying at the luxurious Maison Maitland Villas and spa services along with dining and classes.
20. Trail time
You and your special someone deserve some quiet time reconnecting with nature. Make your day memorable by forest bathing while snowshoeing or cross country skiing on local trails. Mac Johnson Wildlife Area near Brockville has everything from hiking trails, to cross country skiing and snowshoeing, to skating.
Frontenac County
21. Brilliant birdwatching
If bird watching is your thing, head to Wolfe Island in the morning. The island provides habitats for birds like open fields, woodlands, wetlands, bays and open water. But during the winter, it’s a special home for hawks and owls. Snowy owls are in abundance here in winter and routinely seen and photographed on fence posts, in fields, and even in flight overhead. Be sure to snap a few photos of these majestic and rare birds! You’ll have great stories to tell with you Valentine.
22. Hotel Wolfe Island
Whether it’s for delicious Sunday dinners or live entertainment along the waterfront, Hotel Wolfe Island hosts stays and experiences throughout the winter! Check out the upcoming winter birding weekend on Wolfe Island or reserve your spot for a Sunday dinner that your grandma would be proud of. Stay the night with your loved one and enjoy skating on the Wolfe Island Community Rink the next day!
SDG Counties
23. Love birds: Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary
If your partner is into birding, this is a must-stop to steal their heart! Flock to the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary near Morrisburg to hit the trails walking, skiing or snowshoeing. With more than eight kilometres of self-guided, groomed hiking trails and close to 150 different bird species to watch for, this place is heaven for birding enthusiasts.
24. Glengarry Fine Cheese
Is your loved one a cheesehead? Impress them and get cheesy at Glengarry Fine Cheese. Best known for their delicious Lankaaster gouda style cheese, as well as creamy Celtic blue and bloomy Figaro, Glengarry Fine Cheese makes their fine artisan-style cheese on site.
25. The North Glengarry
Scottish roots meld with rustic charm at the unique restaurant steeped in history – in a stunning location. The building dates back to the early 1800s and is the oldest in Alexandria! Find elevated comfort food here, with what locals hail as the best fish and chips, as well as mouth-watering burgers, pizza, jumbo bbq ribs, and even chicken mushroom alfredo calzones. Romance doesn’t have to be fancy – but dinner does have to be delicious! Start the car.
26. Surreal skating at Countryside Adventures
This is unlike anything you’ve ever done before! Impress your special someone on the skate trails at Countryside Adventures near Cornwall. Tour through the forest while exploring a 3 km skating trail. As night falls, the skate trail lights go on for magical night skating through the woods! Have fun tubing down their hill and then warm up by a bonfire. Talk about romance.
27. Sheep’s Head Cornwall
Bursting with local flavours, class and culinary creativity, Sheep’s Head Bistro in Cornwall has signature drinks, epic brunch for those late and lazy mornings, and even Saturday afternoon tea service with a nine-item menu and mimosas. Get cozy in the intimate setting and dine on local favourites like duck, shrimp tacos, Sheep’s Head Burger or lamb shank, and finish with something from their extensive specialty coffee menu.
28. Tell fish stories with your love
Every year, anglers get hooked on ice fishing in the Bay of Quinte. Trophy walleye are routinely caught here – in fact it’s known as the walleye capital of the world. Celebrity anglers are seen traversing the Bay waters, like Bob Izumi, Ashley Rae, Big Jim and more. Don’t let the cold deter you; it’s worth it! Reel in love and make memories on an ice fishing adventure. Make a weekend of it and rent a cottage or indulge in a hotel room so you can enjoy maximum time with rod and reel. Merland Park Cottages even rents out ice fishing huts including bait, heat, transportation and rods!
Read more: A guide to ice fishing in the Bay of Quinte
29. The Lark in Belleville
This local culinary treasure serves up masterpieces that combine creativity with classics. Look here for craft cocktails, fabulous dinners and even bespoke foodie experiences. Definitely should be on the must-try list and what better time to go than on date night? Discover something new and romantic together.
30. The Empire Theatre
Snuggle up with your S.O. and enjoy a live show! With some great live shows and even an illusionist gracing the stage in the next month, the Empire is heating up winter in the best way. Check out the lineup for live music and movies.
31. Sweet Escapes
Love a good board game? Sweet Escapes in Belleville has a $5 Sit and Play Board Games deal in the lounge! Pair that with an epic variety of retro and novelty candy that is unique to the city, as well as four different escape rooms and you’ve got a whole day of fun wrapped up like a chocolate rose.
32. A Touch of Wellness
End the day with some self-love and rejuvenation. A Touch of Wellness Napanee is your total relaxation destination. It’s a spa-like no other. Located in the historical Dominion Bank circa 1860, it’s in the heart of downtown Napanee, where sophistication, charm, and warmth collide. Ask about the Mom-to-be experience or the stress-fix escape!
33. “Owl” love you forever
Take the ferry over to Amherst Island and experience the magic of birding in winter! Lennox and Addington’s Amherst Island is known for being one of the top spots to birdwatch in the wintertime due to the large number of hawks, owls, and waterfowl that live on this island. Walk hand in hand during a stroll in the Owl Woods.
34. Casselodge B&B
Enjoy the stone fireplace in the living room, the stunning view of the river from the dining room, or simply relax in the hot tub. Casselodge B&B is a country retreat where slowing down is top of mind. Receive a welcome tray and drinks when you arrive and then start each day with a full home-style cooked breakfast.
35 Cheesy way to celebrate at St. Albert
Sometimes the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach – and St. Albert is the perfect place to test that out! St. Albert Co-op has not only made fresh cheese and curd on site since 1894, but it also incorporates a restaurant with loads of poutine options. It’s worth every indulgence: we’re talking classic poutine topped with everything from bacon to Montreal smoked meat.
No matter where your romantic side takes you this winter, it’s all about the thrill of discovering hidden gems and making memories with your loved one along the way in South Eastern Ontario.
