THE OUTER ZONE
What unfamiliar treasures and pleasures lie just beyond the boundaries of our Northumberland County nest? Read on if you dare as we plunge into the unknown and explore… THE OUTER ZONE!
Prince Edward County
Ok, so I know we just said ‘unfamiliar’ and ‘unknown,’ but you’ve likely actually heard of Prince Edward County. This artsy enclave of small towns contains a bevy of fantastic food, galleries, live music, beaches, vineyards, eclectic boutiques, and all that awesome stuff. And the best part? It’s just under an hour’s drive from Brighton. Head on over to our pals at Watershed Magazine for all the fine details on this fantastic nearby gem.
Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden
Built on 535 acres of scenic land in Cavan-Monaghan, this cultural center offers breathtaking monolithic sculptures, shrines, galleries, and an unbelievably architecturally triumphant temple. It’s hard to put into words. When it is fully completed, it will be the largest single Buddhist complex outside of China. Your jaw will hit the ground in the most serene of possible ways.
Cedar Park Resort
Are you looking for Great Wolf Lodge-level fun but with a bit less howling at your credit card bill? Try looking in the direction of Cedar Park Resort, just north of Bowmanville, where you’ll find water slides, splash pads, pools, and water playgrounds for everyone to enjoy. If you want more than one day of splish-splashy fun, they offer tent-trailer, trailer, or RV sites to rent by night, week, or month.
Quinte West
Plopped along the Bay of Quinte and near the Trent-Severn Waterway, you’ll find plenty to do in the scenically beautiful Quinte West, from boating and fishing to exploring monuments, seasonal markets, pop-ups, and attending festivals, like the popular Hops on the Water Craft Beer Festival for instance. The National Air Force Museum of Canada is a must-visit for military aviation enthusiasts. If that doesn’t get your rocks off, The Quinte Museum of Natural History invites visitors to explore the wonders of the natural world, like fossils in rocks and stuff like that.
Lang Pioneer Village
About forty-five minutes from Cobourg, in the incredibly named town of Keene, you will find a portal to another time! Since its establishment in 1967, the Lang Pioneer Village showcases more than 30 meticulously restored and recreated buildings. Dressed in period costumes, interpreters bring to life the daily activities and trades of both First Nations people and settlers during the 1800s, with winding lanes, pathways, farm animals, vibrant vegetable and herb gardens, and other meticulous details. Open from Father’s Day to Labour Day. If all of this time travel gets your stomach rumbling, you should definitely check out Muddy’s Pit BBQ while you’re passing through Keene.
Stirling
Yet another fantastically named small town, Stirling, is super cute and hosts some very cool festivals, including Kegs, Corks and Curds, and Front Porch Shenanigans. Farmtown Park features nine buildings that celebrate the region’s rich agricultural history. From Victoria Day through the end of September, visitors can explore attractions such as the dairy museum, steam engine display, tractor building, harvest building, and the charming streetscape of Heritage Village. In addition to getting your farm on, Stirling boasts a beloved local theatre that hosts annual pantomimes, musicals, comedy shows, and more. The refurbished Stirling Grand Trunk Railway Station sits proudly along the old Grand Junction Railway of Canada, adding to the town’s rich tapestry of heritage.
Canadian Canoe Museum
If you love canoes, buddy, I have fantastic news for you. If you don’t think canoes are all that interesting, buddy, I also have some fantastic news for you. The Canadian Canoe Museum, located in Peterborough, is an interesting museum dedicated to canoes. The museum’s mission is to preserve and share the culture and history of the canoe’s enduring significance to the peoples of Canada through an exceptional collection of canoes, kayaks, and paddled watercraft. Beauty!
Riverview Park & Zoo
What’s the best word that rhymes with family glee? That’s right… Free! Also in Peterborough, Riverview Park and Zoo is home to more than 150 animals spanning over 40 species, all of which have the freedom to choose between hanging out in their private enclosures or chilling in their naturalized exhibits. A great place for learning and recreation, there are playgrounds, a splash pad, gardens, and park areas for humans to choose from. And all for free, including parking. What’s the catch? Well, I guess the absolutely adorable ten-minute miniature train ride will cost you $2… But c’mon pal, live a little!
The Marble Arts Centre
Most likely, this place was named after a wealthy donor whose last name was Marble, right? Wrong! The whole place is made out of white marble and is the only one of its kind in Canada! Located in Tweed, another town with an awesome name, this building was once a church and is now a vibrant hub for the performing arts. Now that you’ve been lured to the Tweed area, you’ll be pleased to discover that you are in a land of other great things to do, like exploring the Eastern Ontario Trail system, listening to live music, and enjoying annual festivals such as Art in the Park the Tweed Front Porch Rukus.
