It’s time for a baecation!
Grab your S.O. and hit the 401 highway for a trip for two to Cornwall & SDG Counties. Here are our top picks for romantic places to explore with that special someone.
Skate Through This Winter Wonderland
Our trip began with skating throughout a winding 3 km trail at Countryside Adventures. Surrounding yourself around the snow-covered trees is the definition of a winter wonderland. The weather was perfect for us to enjoy a couple of rounds of skating. Once you finish skating for the day, warm up with some hot chocolate by their bonfire. There’s also a food truck on sight to fill up on moose ears (their version of BeaverTails) and poutine!
Know Before You Go:
Where: 16495 Sixth Rd, Moose Creek, ON (50 min drive from Ottawa, and a 2-hour drive from Kingston)
Cost: $12 per person
What to bring with you: You can bring your own skates and snowshoes or you can rent out a pair for 4 hours ($10 per person.)
Additional Tips: Check out their Facebook feed for the latest updates on ice conditions.
Stay at the Chesley’s Inn
The accommodation for our overnight stay was at the historic Chesley’s Inn, a beautiful Georgian house built in 1814. This is one of Ontario’s oldest Inns and has hosted famous guest such as Charles Dickens! Upon arriving, we were greeted by our gracious host Robert and his resident dog “Hamish.”
The decor of the Chesley’s Inn is a mix of antiques and modern art. Throughout Roberts’s travels he has collected many beautiful items and displays them proudly throughout his home. We stayed in The Governor’s Suite, which was lined with hand made embroidered drapes, luxurious duvets, and furnished with more antiques.
Feeling Fancy At Table 21
Sometimes, you just want to feel fancy. You want to grab your bae and treat them to some delicious wine and gourmet cheeses. A quick 4 min walk from the Chesley’s Inn was Table 21. I can’t say enough about how good the food at this swanky place was. But, not only do they offer a beautiful array of foods and a selection of wines but, also an upscale ambiance. Dining here feels like you’re in a metropolitan restaurant. It’s that good!
We shared the blue cheese sauce escargot and a charcuterie board featuring local cheeses from Glengarry Fine Cheese. I had the French Filet Mignon topped with camembert cheese and paired with a spinach mushroom risotto. My partner had the Moroccan spiced Lamb shank with rice and tasty grilled vegetables. Naturally, for us, we shared bites from our meals and determined that although both were juicy “melt in your mouth” cuts of meat, the lamb shank took centre stage.
The next morning we had a lovely spread of local goodies prepared for us by Robert who also joined us for breakfast. We sat down together shared stories about travelling, history, and art. After breakfast, we were given a tour of some pieces that had caught my attention since the previous night. Robert showed me a Montreal graffiti piece from 1841 that he preserved during the renovations. I was drawn to one painting by Northern Alberta artist Jane Ash Poitras who is known for creating mixed-media collages. My partner loved so many pieces including the 3 piece tables from Syria and an antique piano. The Chesley Inn is like an open art gallery and you could easily spend the day going through all of Roberts’s art collections.
Exploring St Raphael’s Ruins
It seems like around every corner in this region, there’s a historic gem waiting to be explored! We made our way to the legendary St Raphael’s Ruins in Glengarry. Known as one of the first English-speaking Roman Catholic churches in Canada, St Raphael’s Ruins was a beautiful church that was built in 1821. In 1970, a fire destroyed the church but left the outer walls spared. Now the site is a photographers haven and has been used for weddings as well as concerts due to the acoustics. You can visit this beautiful ruin at any time of the year. A heads up to explorers and photographers planning their shots, the gates are locked when space is not booked for private/public events.
Enjoy A Taste Experience With Glengarry Fine Cheese
A short drive away from St Raphael’s Ruins is Glengarry Fine Cheese. Over the years, Glengarry Fine Cheese has perfected its methods and expanded its offerings from gouda to creamy Celtic Blue and a creamy bloomy Figaro. We were given the opportunity to try some of the delectable selections of artisanal cheeses. If you’re a true cheese lover, you don’t discriminate against different types of cheese. You know that every type of cheese in every form deserves equal amounts of love. In the end, we treated ourselves to some cumin gouda and specialty jams to pair with it for later. If you’re driving through Lancaster, stop at Glengarry Fine Cheese – It’s a gouda time!
Gallery Heist With Rush Hour Escapes
Our next stop was at Rush Hour Escapes for a challenging escape room. I have recently become such a fan of escape rooms that whenever I’m visiting a new city, I love to check one out!
At the Gallery Heist game, my partner and I play notorious art thieves trying to loot the Mona Lisa painting. The escape room has a 35% success rate, so you know you’re in for a challenge. The rooms were well thought out and challenging. Owner Colleen, was there to help us with clues and was a lot of fun from the moment we got there to the time we left. We failed to escape but we had a great time working together to find clues and solve puzzles.
Know Before You Go:
Where: 52 Pitt Street, Cornwall, On
Cost: $24 per person
Additional Information: The game requires 2-8 players to play
Additional Tips: Group rates are available
Mouthwatering Burgers At Truffles Burger Bar
To finish the incredible stay we have had in Cornwall, we headed over to Truffles Burger Bar (sister restaurant to Table 21.) I have been eyeing this burger joint ever since we featured it in our blog post: 11 Burger Spots You Must Put On Your Food Bucket List. Nothing beats an amazing burger and let me tell you, Truffles did not disappoint. They mean business when it comes to making burgers and they don’t leave any idea left behind. They offer options you’d expect at a regular burger joint but they also have intriguing options such as rabbit, duck, llama, alligator, boar and more! There’s also the solid gold burger which features black truffles and gold dust. Good luck on deciding what to get!
I opted for the Hawaiian burger which was topped with ham, pineapple and melty cheese. For a side, I chose the rich gooey classic mac & cheese. Count me in when a restaurant offers mac & cheese as aside. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous than your typical burger, check out Truffles Burger Bar in Cornwall.
Who would’ve thought that hidden in Cornwall & SDG Counties would be places like this that make the winter season seem not so bad after all!
