From tree climbing to a multitude of activities on the shores of Lake Erie, visiting wineries and exploring exquisite gardens, “Ontario’s Garden” offers plenty of fun in the sun.
Long Point Provincial Park
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Turkey Point Provincial Park
What makes Turkey Point Provincial Park special is its proximity to restaurants, a winery, and a marina, and its reputation as the only provincial park with a golf course. This down-to-earth park offers car campsites, three tranquil trails that pass forested areas and the bluff overlooking Long Point Bay, and is the site for the Turkey Point Mountain Bike Club.
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Burning Kiln Winery
Paying homage to the agricultural and culinary heritage of Norfolk County, the Burning Kiln Winery is a repurposed tobacco park barn turned picturesque winery with a blatant historic charm. The winery overlooks the Long Point Bay World Biosphere Reserve and provides a lush atmosphere for wine tasting and fine dining.
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Blueberry Hill Estates
This beautiful rustic farmhouse winery is the Blueberry Hill Estates. Along with sweeping lakefront views, fruit and grape wines and hard cider, the estates also operate a farm market in the summer months where you can purchase or pick your own berries, as well as purchase jams and jellies, salsas and relishes, and pickled vegetables.
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Hay Creek Conservation Area
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Big Creek National Wildlife Area
Big Creek National Wildlife Area is all about wildlife. Amphibians, insects, birds, turtles, birds, and more reside in the wetland habits, but more impressively, up to 100,000 waterfowl in the spring and fall visit during their annual migration. Make your way up to the two viewing towers and take in the beauty of Big Creek.
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Backus Heritage Conservation Area
Backus Heritage Conservation Area is a blend of history and nature. Perfect for a day trip full of outdoor classics such as fishing, hiking, and picnicking, the park also offers 160 campsites. You can also get an insight into 19th century rural Ontario through 15 historic buildings in the Backhouse Historic Site like the old red mill.
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Deer Creek Conservation Area
If paddling and boating, or sleeping under the stars is something you enjoy, Deer Creek provides the feeling of Northern Ontario natural beauty right in Norfolk County. The star of the show here is the 80-acre reservoir that provides fishing opportunities, a boat launch, and a swimming area.
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Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum
The Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum is a vibrant learning center that houses exhibits relating to Canadian history and 19th and early 20th century artifacts from private collections. Visitors can get hands-on at workshops and enjoy events like a costumed guide through downtown Waterford and the Waterford Christmas Stop & Shop. To honour agriculture, the museum even opened up the Agricultural Hall of Fame in order to honour individuals who have contributed to agriculture in the community.
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Bonnieheath Estate Lavender & Winery
One of Norfolk County’s most visually beautiful places, Bonnieheath Estate Lavender & Winery is the perfect getaway destination to indulge in a field of lavender and enjoy a glass of wine or cider as you explore the charming estate. The estate is a re-purposed tobacco farm that is now abundant with crops, grains, lavender, and grapes.
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Villa Nova Estate Winery
What sets Villa Nova Estate apart from other wineries in Norfolk County is its ancient river valley and old pasture, wetlands, and hardwood forest that are habituated by grassland birds, wild turkey, and deer. It also has the oldest vines in the county. In their 10-acres their produce wonderful white and red wines, as well as a unique cider in a variety of flavors.
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Waterford Antique Market
The Waterford Antique Market offers anything from furniture, china, glassware and pottery, textiles, vinyl, and gadgets. Things stand out here at the antique market that makes it different from other vintage or antique stores anywhere else. It is a treasure trove of great finds that will have you continuously searching for more.
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Ramblin’ Road Brewery Farm
If wine isn’t your thing, the Ramblin’ Road Brewery Farm provides an alternative. Enjoy premium craft beers made on site including Dakota Pearl Ale, Country Pilsner, Country Lager, and fresh kettle chips on the side.
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Whistling Gardens
The Whistling Gardens is a privately run and award-winning Botanical Garden that spans 20 acres. Over 2300 species, cultivars, and hybrids make this the largest public collection of conifers in any botanical garden, 1200 peonies make it the largest public collection in North America, and an unbelievable fountain display of over 100 jets are choreographed to music composed by the owner of Whistling Gardens.
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Port Dover Harbour Museum
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Port Dover Beach
Port Dover Beach is the ultimate example of an Ontario resort town, with space to take a stroll, fish, relax on the sand, or head to one of the boutiques or cafes nearby in the downtown core. A visit to this beach is a summer favourite and is a big part of the community.
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Lighthouse Festival Theatre
This summer theatre in Port Dover has had 170 productions under its belt since its opening in 1980, and continues to offer incredible theatre experiences like a classic dinner and theatre package with several restaurant partners. There are five regular season productions within the summer months but the theatre is open year-round for a variety of community fundraisers, dance recitals, workshops, events, and concerts.
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New Limburg Brewing Company
New Limburg has transformed an old school into a microbrewery and bistro style restaurant. They aim to bring Belgian style ales and the culture of beer to Norfolk County. Aside from their classic brews, they are known to experiment to make unique limited-edition brews as well. Their cozy restaurant serves up delicious cheese platters, a warm pea soup during winter, a Dutch snack called Bitterballen, and many more.
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Waterford Heritage Trail/Waterford Black Bridge
The Waterford Heritage Trail is Norfolk County’s slice of the Trans Canada Trail. Significant on the trail is the city’s prized Black Bridge, a 166-meter-long bridge that offers panoramic views of the Waterford Ponds, potato and other crop fields, woods, and plenty of fauna to spot. Each season presents changing of the scenery – amber and red colors in the fall, and wildflowers dotted around the area in spring so you always have something new to bike or walk against.
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Long Point Eco-Adventures
From axe-throwing to kayaking to mountain biking to zip-lining, Long Point Eco Adventures presents a full spectrum of outdoor adventure experience that are eco-friendly. Additionally, don’t forget to visit the Long Point Observatory, which is a public astronomical observatory sat on one of the darkest points in Southern Ontario.
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Sand Hill Park
Operated by the Alton family since 1854, Sand Hill Park is a family-friendly destination that centers around the 350’ Sand Hills above Lake Erie where many like to watch the sunset. Several events are held at the park, including live music in genres ranging from country, Caribbean, and 70s rock, barbecue events, sand sculpture contests, and even a bicycle decorating contest.
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Tours with Long Point Tours
Go snorkelling in the world’s largest freshwater sand-spit that contains more endangered species than the rest of Canada. This protected piece of Southwestern Ontario is the perfect place for a tour to learn about Long Point and explore the UNESCO world biosphere reserve on fishing tours, photography tours, and boat tours.
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SUP Yoga with South Coast Watersports
This small company is owned by a group of friends who simply love the water. They aim to promote the wonders of watersports including stand-up paddleboarding, wakeboarding, and the likes. With SUP Yoga, the board acts as your mat and you can relax and unwind on the gentle waters on Wednesday nights to end your day or Saturday mornings to start it.
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Lynn Valley Trail
Set on the former CNR rail line, this recreational trail encompasses several habitats such as open grassland, wetlands, mixed woods, that are scattered with Carolinian flora and friendly animals like deer, turtles, and chipmunks. There are four trestle bridges, picnic tables, and signage and fencing that make it a comfortable place for hiking, relaxing, and cycling.
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Tree Climbing Canada
No adventure is complete without old fashioned fun with a modern twist!
Of course, there are plenty of farms and wineries to visit and many outdoor adventures in Norfolk county, but if you want to try something unique, yet something that many of us did as kids, try tree climbing!
Tree Climbing Canada gets kids, youth, adults, couples, families off the ground and into the canopy through saddles, and arborist rope. They are usually open on weekdays, closed on Sundays and open only by appointment on Saturday (Ph: (519) 718-8733). They also offer tree climbing courses (BTCC).
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