Local Love Ontario: Where to Eat & Wander with your Family -

Local Love Ontario – Where to Eat & Wander with Your Family this Summer (UPDATED: including FALL)

It feels like forever-ago since we did a family travel post. I’ve missed it. All these life restrictions weren’t on our family vision board! 😉 Like many of you, we’ve had to post-pone/cancel Summer travel plans. So, we won’t be resorting or jet-setting to some of the exciting destinations we’d hoped (yep, our California dreamin’ getaway, among others, was squashed), but what a beautiful opportunity to soak in the gems right here in our province of Ontario we normally take for granted. We’ve been enjoying spontaneous day trips – most under or just over an hour from Toronto – and will share some of our favourites here: Local Love Ontario – Where to Eat & Wander with your Family this Summer (and FALL)!

*At the time of writing this, most destinations have specific safety protocols in place to operate responsibly due to COVID-19, including modified time openings, occupancy restrictions, sanitization/ requirements, crowd-control measures, etc., which may change over the course of the Summer. Definitely have a peek at their social channels (Instagram, Facebook, etc.) or main websites on the day you plan to day trip to avoid disappointment*

*If you’re not up for a full read, we’ve also shared tips + itineraries on our LocalLoveON highlight on Instagram and rounded up suggestions from fellow travel writers under our “Ontario Travel” board on Pinterest*

Disclosure: this post contains some recommendations from previous/current partnerships, meaning we earned/earn compensation and/or complimentary travel incentives. As always, opinions are our own.

Port Perry, ON (Scugog Township)

We’ve passed through Port Perry (about an hour from north Toronto) on the way to the family cottage for years without more than a quick pit stop at a local coffee shop. It was about time to give more attention, and I think your gang will be happy you do too.

There’s lots of FREE parking in the historic Downtown area (*we parked in Lot 4 off of Mary Street tucked behind the Post Office*) and all amenities suggested here accessible by foot.

Ontario Day Trip Family Port Perry Local Love

Suggested Itinerary (Saturday visit):

Grab takeout at one of the eateries off Queen or Water Street (most open at 11 am) & enjoy a family picnic in Palmer Park (*lots of shaded areas & picnic tables/benches*). We devoured the eats from Captain George’s Fish n’ Chips (*we got the Halibut family pack for 3 which was enough for the 4 of us*). For licensed patio dining, The Boathouse Grill on Water St. had the best waterfront view of Lake Scugog.
Take a stroll around the marina (or bring your lures along to fish), and cool off at the Palmer’s Park Splash Pad (*note: this part of Lake Scugog was not deemed safe to swim at the time of our visit*).
Pick up some farm-fresh goodies from the lakefront Farmers’ Market (opens at 8 a.m. every Saturday beginning in June).

If a frozen treat is an essential part of your day trips too, The Perfect Scoop across from Palmer’s Park will more than satisfy every flavour preference in your crew & then some. An array of handmade gelato & ice cream, smoothies & shakes are on the menu, including “Sorbetto” – a dairy-free option for lactose intolerant folks. Flavours we tried: Buttertart, Chocolate & Vanilla Gelato, double scoop of Pink Grapefruit + Green Apple Sorbetto (“Georgie’s Special”), and Strawberry Sorbetto – all verified dee-lish!

The “Georgie Special” – Green Apple + Pink Grapefruit Sorbetto combo @ The Perfect Scoop © House of Kerrs

Don’t leave without a pit stop into Hank’s Pastries – their cinnamon buns are world famous (DadChef’s fave dessert) & their apple fritters will melt in your mouth. (*Note: you can pre-order from Wed-Fri to avoid weekend line ups*)
Hit up Willowtree Farm before/after your downtown perusing – great quality in season fruit/veg, baked goods & locally sourced meats! Alternatively, pre-order your groceries online & do curb-side pick up!
If you’re looking for a great family resto in the area away from the downtown core, try out the legendary Haugen’s Chicken & Ribs (*featured on Food Network’s You Gotta Eat Here*). They have a nice selection of chicken & ribs meals paired with their well-loved dipping sauces, and even some vegetarian options. Fries & pies are made fresh onsite and the kids love their milkshakes. If you’d rather pick up then dine in, they have take out too!

We didn’t have time to explore some of the local gems accessible by car – Ocala Winery, Christel Lake Lavender Farm …but we’ve got them on our radar for the next time we pass through.

Terre Bleu Lavender Farm (Campbellville, ON)

Inspired by a trip to a lavender field in Quebec, The Baird family left urban life in Toronto to farm Ontario’s largest organic lavender grounds sprawling over 160 acres set in the middle of the Grand River Conservation area. How lucky are we for this magical, serene place tucked in the rural area of the Town of Milton (*about an hour west of the City*).

Terre Bleu Barn Photo Local Love Ontario

Three stunning, well-maintained fields in total to explore (*bring your wandering shoes*), plus the Yellow Bench Trail through the centuries-old cedar forest (*pause at the meditation circle*), an equestrian showcase, & on-site Apiary (*Honey-bee House*) and Distillery where they make the Essential Lavender Oils they sell in their shop.

NOTE: tours are self-guided & some activations were closed due to safety protocols. Limited tickets available exclusively to Email Subscribers & entry times controlled.

In addition to the over 50,000 different Lavender plants in bloom that make a gorgeous backdrop for finding calm, tranquility & photo opps, there are art installations like the famous Yellow Door, the symbolic large circle, Galena Gardens, and a large swing with a view. Sunflower gardens are strategically grown as a beautiful yellow complimentary hue to the purple haze.

Before you go, pop into the lavender-infused everything boutique for some giftables. We picked up some of their culinary delights – the Lavender Gouda Cheese, Culinary buds, pints of Lavender Ice Cream, Bleum Sparkling Water & Lavender Maple Syrup. *Optional: You can order goodies online & do curb-side pick up.

Sunflower Fields are at peak season Mid-August © House of Kerrs

Tidbits:

July through August (*high season*) are the best times to visit for bloom maturity; The sunflower fields are at peak bloom mid-August
Naturally, there are lots of bees pollinating throughout the grounds and in the lavender plants (be cautious when smelling up close)
Controlled entry times, sanitization stations & social distancing were well respected
There are 3 fields – 1 is stand-alone (the one with the Swing & Galena Garden*), and the other 2 about 100 metres away (*you’ll have to park twice if you want to see them all*).

The farm grounds are wheelchair & stroller accessible, although given the natural environment, some areas may be a bit more challenging to navigate.
Personal photography is welcome, but commercial photographers will require a permit
Leave your furry friends at home, this is a people-only farm.

Cobourg, ON

About an hour & ½ east of Toronto, the Town of Cobourg is a wonderful spot for family focused fun & food in Northumberland County. Our visit happened late Summer last year & remains one of our most favourite day trips. The retro lifeguard towers that line the beach evoke a feeling you’ve teleported to Cali or the Caribbean. Here’s the loose itinerary we followed:

We stopped at Burnham Family Farm Market for fresh produce & baked goods (cookies, biscuits, breads & fruit) to enjoy picnic style on the beach. It’s under 10 mins away from the beach core.
We parked adjacent to Victoria Park (paid lots) which gave us walking access to all the amenities we wanted to experience – beach, boardwalk, marina & shops/eateries
We spent about 3 hours on the Lake Ontario beach – nice white sand, the shore large enough families weren’t on top of each other and well-maintained. The beach is accessible for all with a mat stretched from the boardwalk to the water’s edge. You’re also within a short walk to public restrooms, a snack bar, small playground & splash pad which we enjoyed once the kids were beached-out (*check website/social channels before your visit to see how things have been modified for Covid-19*).

Cobourg Beach Marina Family Travel Ontario Local love

A jaunt down the boardwalk to the Marina from the beach was a highlight to boat-watch and get some family pics in front of the lighthouse.
We ended our day with some good eats – a late lunch at the newish Cucina Urbana (kid-approved options like pastas & the Eggplant Parm was delizioso!) & frozen treats from Harbourlight Delight right across – 24 soft serve ice cream flavours, slushies, funnel cakes & more…indecisive dessert pickers will be challenged 😉

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

A region that has stolen my heart and is good for the soul, just 1.5 hours from Toronto, soak in the sights, eats & historical culture amidst Ontario’s stunning Wine Country. I have suggested itineraries for:

Couples

Girlfriends

Mom-Daughter Date

Each of them including food & attractions options that could be modified to a family-friendly version. Tip – off-peak weekday trips highly recommended.

Pillitteri Estates Winery Niagara on the Lake

Grey County, ON

A family favourite region for all-seasons and just 1.5-2 hrs from the GTA, depending on how deep into Grey you go. And there’s so much more to experience than the popular Blue Mountain Resort (which we absolutely love…we’ve stayed at every on-property lodge & you can find our family favourite here) like the Apple Pie Trail, Conservation Areas, Water Falls, Cideries/Wineries & foodie haven that are scattered around the region in Meaford, Thornbury, Owen Sound & the outskirts.

The Resting Place Air bnb would make a fantastic, secluded oasis for your family’s stay, and pit stops to Thornbury Bakery & The Cheese Gallery on Bruce Street are a MUST!

The Resting Place Air BnB Grey County Ontario

The Resting Place Cottage Grey County, ON © House of Kerrs

If you’re looking for time to unwind sans kiddos, how does an exclusive dining experience with a 9-course Chef prepped tasting menu of Aboriginal cuisine in a natural, magical setting sound? Renowned Ojibway Chef Zach Keeshig with his talented culinary interns at Elephant Thoughts is now offering this one of kind, intimate dining experience at Riverstone Retreat in Durham Grey County. All courses are prepped using foraged/locally sourced ingredients. The first 3 courses are served outdoors by the Saugeen River (beautiful!) & from a restored wood-burning oven.

Wood Oven Sour Dough with Maple Syrup infused butter – Chef Zach Keeshig

Add on an overnight stay at one of Riverstone’s charming accommodations (either The Stone House, Eco-Nest or Authentic Restored CN Caboose Rail) with a feel good factor – all proceeds from bookings support developmental programming at Elephant Thoughts for disadvantaged youth. Book your immersive NAAGAN Foraged Feast dining experience ($100 pp) directly with Chef Zach via his Facebook page @Chef-Zach-Keeshig.

The Stone House Riverstone Retreat Ontario

Kawartha Lakes Region

Known as the “House Boat Capital of Ontario”, the Kawartha Lakes region is breathtaking & comprised of well over 200 lakes + rivers & roughly 1.5 hours north-east of Toronto. I’ve been travelling with hubs to this region since teenagehood & many Summer weekends spent at his family cottage near Coboconk (“Coby”).

We don’t usually venture far from the cottage, but some of our favourite spots to eat & wander are:

Butter Tarts n’ More – Little Britain, ON (a traditional family pit stop for tarts & veggie bread! They’re 1 of 50 stops along Ontario’s Butter Tart Tour!)
For families with the need for speed, you may enjoy Coboconk Go-Karts, Mini Putt, Candy Shoppe & Ice Cream Parlour (*offering just what their name says!*). We did not eat on premises, but did enjoy a 10 minute family ride ($20 pp) around their small, but fun go-kart track. Kids under 52″ must ride with an adult. (*disposable hairnets were offered to each rider & only one family was allowed on the track at a time).

The Pattie House (I’m laughing inside a tad adding this one – once a spot hubs & I let loose when we were young, wild & free, now a spot you can pick up or stay for family eats)
“Coby” is home to Canada’s Smallest Jailhouse – it’s now been converted to a craft shop & you can catch a glimpse of it running errands in town or visiting Thompson’s marina.
Balsam Lake Provincial Park – a short jaunt from downtown Coby up HWY 48, a very popular activity rich provincial park with a clean, gorgeous beach awaits. Definitely check the park’s website/social channels the day of before heading there to check on capacity restrictions.
The Kinmount Farmers’ Market (when restrictions from COVID lift, add the Kinmount Fair to your list too).
Hit The Butter Tart Bandits’ favourite four stops along The Buttertart Tour and head to the Farmers’ Market in Fenelon Falls

Kayak the Trent-Severn Waterway – soul-fuelling! © House of Kerrs

Kayak or SUP Board around the Trent-Severn Waterway
Visit the Beach Park, Just for the Halibut & Kawartha Dairy Headquarters in Bobcaygeon, ON – shoe lovers will also want to pop into the region’s famous Bigley Shoes & Clothing

Gallucci Winery – Piazza Dining in the GTA

A little taste of Tuscany just 30 mins outside of Toronto in Stouffville, Ontario, Gallucci Winery was a fabulous place for a family wine + dine. We had our son’s birthday dinner here last week – a special way to celebrate at a unique spot. Reservations are a must & tables are for 6 people max out on the Piazza (a la distancing) [*weather permitting – rain means cancellations*].

Gallucci Winery Ontario Fiat Fountain | Local Love Ontario

The menu is basic Italian fare with the usual suspects like antipastos, salads, brick-oven pizzas, paninis (no pasta) & Gelato for dessert [*mid-range prices $15 – 22 per item*]. The wine list is comprised of the vineyard’s offering – highly recommend the Donna Nella vino bianca (a nice blended white wine). There’s a pretty fountain, pond & lots of picture opps among the vines. Overall, a family-friendly spot, with satisfying casual dining amidst a unique ambiance & nice change of scene. TIP – book about a week ahead from when you want to go.

Friday Harbour Resort, Innisfill, Ontario

When it rained on birthday boy’s go-karting parade, we detoured and checked out Friday Harbour Resort in Innisfill which turned into a fun, spontaneous day trip. We parked along Sunreef Avenue (*FREE*) & grabbed take-out from The Beach Club for a beachy family picnic near the playground (*we tried the Turkey Burgers, Fish Tacos & Chicken Fingers + Fries – satisfied the hunger pangs but don’t expect fine dining quality*) *Reservations only for dine-in*. After, we went for a stroll along the wrap around boardwalk through the marina for fish & boat gazing then grabbed dessert at Beaver Tails & coffees at Starbucks.

NOTE: The beach loungers, pool & splash pad are for guests/owners use only. While we didn’t take advantage, there were bike & PWC rentals available. Hubs got googly-eyed for The Nest golf course on-site, which also has a clubhouse & other amenities. Overall, a nice spot to go for a stroll & dine {you can also stay at one of their rental units if you’re resorting this Summer}. One of our favourite restos is on premises – Fishbone – but is closed on Sundays & Mondays so we “missed the boat” ;).

King Township – Oak Ridges Trail at Seneca College

Some of our most favourite places to wander don’t cost a thing! For a few years now, hubs and I have been intentionally avoiding hyper-stimulating family activities & enjoying exploring the natural playground right in our own backyards via family hikes a whole lot more. One of our top picks for families is the Oak Ridges Trail at Seneca College in King, ON. It’s a mostly flat provincial recreational trail running the full length of the protected Oak Ridges moraine. It was a level “easy” according to AllTrails (which is an app to find trails suited to what you seek) and even with a bit of elevation very manageable for kids and all skill levels.

Best Family Hikes Ontario Oak Ridges Trail at Seneca College | Local Love Ontario

Eaton Hall – nature & Canadian history in one beautiful trek!

We entered from the Dufferin Street side and bypassed $2.50 parking at Seneca’s King Campus by parking along the road by the trail entrance (which is legal & many do). Lots of little streams and small bridges and a neat little stone-built fire hut the kids had fun chasing each other around.

Stumbling upon Eaton Hall overlooking Seneca Lake (former residence of Lady Eaton, gathering place for many Eaton Family celebrations & backdrop for several movies) made for a great history lesson and photo opp around the 1.5 km mark. Dogs are allowed on the trail but must be on a leash. The 9km trail is well marked. With kids ages 5 – 12 years old, we’ve still only conquered about 3 km of it so far, but we’ll keep trekking on as we grow.

Said to be best hiked April – October, we really enjoy a less busy experience in the Winter months too. With lots of little wetlands throughout, bring your bug spray if visiting in the warmer months. For more of the Best Hiking Trails for Families in Southern Ontario, check out our friends in family travel’s post over on Kathryn Anywhere Blog. AllTrails has also just launched the “Trails Less Travelled” feature for families looking to head for a trek with less congestion!

Caledon, Ontario

Caledon is a developing urban area, but remains primarily rural with lots of opportunity to wander safely outdoors amidst beautiful conservation areas & trails and an array of options for delicious foodie pit stops. About 45 minutes from Toronto, and stretches across the southern region of York-Durham Headwaters. You could spend an entire day here and not fit it all in. We got the kids up bright & early, and even though it was a rainy day, we still had a wonderful time exploring some gems of the area. Here’s the itinerary we followed (*you will need to pre-plan if you want to visit certain conservation areas, see below*):

© House of Kerrs

Belfountain Conservation Area

A beautiful space to get your #LocalLoveON ❤ and very suitable for families of all ages. Fall colours were at their peak and we enjoyed seeing the historic “Belle” Fountain, taking a pause at the viewing platforms and trekking along the suspension bridge overlooking the falls that guide you to the walking trails set along the West Credit River. Entry is by reservation only and some trails are clearly marked “one way” to allow for proper physical distancing. If you have a stroller in tow, I’d recommend taking the Pond Loop (beginner trail with flat land) instead of the Gorge Loop Trail (intermediate and VERY rugged). Belfountain would make for a great couples’ date too – hubs and I want to head back solo to soak this one in a bit more than we could parenting while social distancing through a popular conservation area 😉

© House of Kerrs

TIPS & TIDBITS: book your reservation as early in the day as possible, especially if on weekends. We had a 9 a.m. slot and *almost* felt like we had the park to ourselves! The Credit Valley Conservation also offers this COVID-19 Safe Trail Use Guide. For family convenience, there is a washroom facility adjacent to the parking lot. Parking reservation fees are $17.70 +HST on weekdays & $22.12 + HST on weekends per vehicle, granting you a 2-hour timeslot to explore. *Members of CVC are granted free park entry but must still reserve your date and time.

Belle Fountain Belfountain Conservation Area Caledon Ontario Family Day Trip Itinerary

La “Belle” Fountain of Belfountain Conservation Area – Caledon, ON © House of Kerrs

Heatherlea Farm Shoppe

Under a 10 minute drive from Belfountain Conservation, Heatherlea Farm Shoppe is a perfect spot to feed your hungry brood after the morning’s trail walks. It’s a food market, fresh butcher and Cafe all in one, featuring specialty products from 50+ local farmers and producers. We picked up freshly baked goods (a sourdough loaf, foccaccia, brownies & butter tarts), some unique flavour infused condiments (like balsamic fig Dijon mustard and locally produced Chipotle Aioli) and ordered sandwiches to go from the cafe. The Rueben, Curry Chicken Salad Wrap & Peameal Bacon on Brioche were our faves! The also have an online ordering option & are offering Thanksgiving Dinner to go this year. York-Durham Headwaters offers some delicious recipe suggestions to make with your local produce haul.

Cheltenham Badlands

I have lived in the GTA my whole life & never did I ever know we had “Badlands” right here in Ontario until a week ago! The Cheltenham Badlands are part of the Niagara Escarpment and designated a “Sensitive Area” by the CVC, so walking onto the highly eroded Queenston Shale “badlands” (formed over 400 million years ago!) is restricted right now until further notice. As with Belfountain Conservation, a reservation to park is required, and you can access the viewing deck for photo ops in front of this geological gem either via the side walk along Old Baseline Road (*accessible access, about a 5 minute walk from the parking lot*) or by the Bruce Trail (*one-way*). If taking the trail, it’ll take about an hour roundtrip. This made for an edu-taining family experience (slip sliding through the wet trails and all ;)) – no dino sightings but it was fun to let the imaginations wander 😉

TIPS & TIDBITS: if visiting during or after a rain storm, and choosing to access the viewing deck via the nature trail, wear rainboots! Our gang was covered in clay-like dirt knee down. Also, there are no washroom facilities other than port-o-lets off of the parking lot, so pack some hand sanitizer. Respect the markers on the viewing deck to adhere to physical distancing. Cost to park is almost $10 on weekday and $15 on weekends per vehicle.

Note: conditions permitting (continued access to CVC parks is dependent on responsible park visitation, adherence to physical distancing practices and remains subject to any changes in provincial or public health direction or guidance). Fall Access – Sep 8 – Oct 25 (subject to change)
Seven days a week – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (*reservations can be made up to 2 weeks in advance and each family/vehicle will be allowed a 1.5 hour window to explore*).

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery

At this point in our day’s adventure the kids were rightfully zonked, so while they caught a nap in the car, we made one last stop to Spirit Tree Estate Cidery – a cider house with tastings, a quaint restaurant/bistro (*patio dining only right now*) & mouth-watering farm shoppe bakery. They usually offer pick-your-own fruit in the Apple Orchard around back of the main building, but it’s weather-permitting & access was closed due to rain that day. I grabbed some Apple & Pear infused tall cans from their sweet ciders variety, sparkling apple cider for our Thanksgiving dinner & several slices of their thick, freshly-baked, ginormous slices of pizza to take home (*certified delish by our brood*).

Other Options in Caledon

We had already done our apple & pumpkin picking, but Caledon has lots of great agri-tourism spots for families, including the very popular Downey’s Farm we visited when the kids were smaller. When the time feels right, we’d love to do a couple’s retreat to the Millcroft Inn & Spa.

Downey's Farm Visit Caledon, Ontario Day Trip Itinerary

Circa 2013 – Downey’s Farm Visit

Also, if you desire to wander through the Conservation areas but didn’t make a mandatory reservation at Belfountain & Cheltenham Badlands, you can explore other options like the Albion Hills Conservation Area or Terra Cotta Conservation Area While we had this booked for a while, avoiding weekends is highly encouraged, as is respecting “No Parking” zones throughout the area. We are a more go with the flow bunch than tightly scheduled travellers, but pre-planning your route is definitely a wise move for this day trip made easier with this Caledon Fall Colours Driving Tours Map. *All park, farm & food shop openings are subject to change daily, so make sure you check attractions websites/social channels before venturing out.

Orangeville/Mono, Ontario

The towns of Orangeville/Mono are located in south-central Ontario about 45 minutes – 1 hour outside of the GTA along the seat of Dufferin County. Usually towns we visit casually during the kids’ hockey season, we we have more margin in our weeks with extra-curriculars on hold, so decided to explore these regions a bit more. We enjoyed a day trip last week, and here’s our very light, but fun itinerary (a mix of nature, novelty & nom nom!):

Mono Cliffs Provincial Park

Mono Cliffs is located on the scenic Bruce Trail with several hiking trail options throughout the park to soak in Ontario’s Fall colour show in all her glory. Given how expansive the park is, you could easily spend up to 3 hours exploring. It was a rainy morning for us, so we did a bit of research before we went to condense our route a bit.

We knew climbing “Jacob’s Ladder” between the large cliffs was a must, so we followed a tip to bypass the main parking lot (on 3rd line) & park along 2nd line instead, across from the TDSB Outdoor Education Centre (we cleared it with the park warden before following through so it’s all good! I marked the spot we parked with an “X” below).

Mono Cliffs Provincial park map where to park to see Jacob's ladder

Best parking to get to access the Clifftop Trail & Jacob’s Ladder – Mono Cliffs Park

Parking on 2nd line will allow you to bypass parking fees & head straight to the Cliff Top Trail where you can easily access the main “look out” point with a panorama view of the park & the stairs down to Jacob’s Ladder & bottom-up views of the 30 foot cliffs (*NOTE: the passageway to Jacob’s ladder is narrow & it’s a smaller area than you might gather from internet pics. To physical distance, one family went down at a time). We ventured off the trail a bit to pause along a calming pond, and wandered as far as where the Cliff Top Trail meets Walter Tovell Trail (about 4 km in total & almost 1.5 hour moving time).

Jacob's Ladder Mono Cliffs Provincial Park

TIPS & TIDBITS: the trail is very rugged – lots of protruding rocks – so I’d advise against trying to bring a stroller if you have wee ones. Mono Cliffs is a popular provincial park and closely monitors visitor volume given social distancing protocols, so definitely check out the park’s website before venturing there to avoid disappointment. There are no pre-registration requirements like some other parks, but we went as early in the morning as possible to curtail potential crowding. Although we by-passed the main parking lot, we still opted to pay the parking fee as a way to support, as our parks derive most of their funds for park maintenance & preserving our natural landscapes for families to enjoy from day fees & donations.

Schitt’s Creek Motel

We’re a little late to the Schitt’s Creek craze party, but we’re on Season 4 now, and loving it! When I was looking at spots to check out for this day trip I stumbled upon a Hockley Valley visitor’s comment that the Schitt’s Creek Motel (aka Rosebud Motel) was in the Mono area. Cool! [*if you’ve followed the blog a while, you know I have an affiliation for visiting sets of our favourite films/TV shows :)]

Schitts Creek Rosebud Motel.Mono Ontario.Set Location

So, after our morning hike, we headed over for a quick view (*it’s about 10 minutes South of Mono Cliffs park on Hockley Road in Orangeville*). NOTE: the property is PRIVATE & currently up for sale so we didn’t trespass, but you can’t park safely on the shoulder of the road in front of it & grab a quick Schitt’s & giggles selfie 😉

If you want to check out all the other main set locations of the show (like Café Tropical, Rose Apothecary, Ted’s Veterinary Clinic, the park where David & Patrick get engaged & more) they’re scattered around Ontario in Goodwood, Stouffville, Unionville, Milton & Toronto, all detailed HERE.

Historic Downtown Orangeville

About 15 minutes from the Schitt’s Creek motel, we planned to park & stroll along the historic downtown of Orangeville. It was raining pretty hard at this point in our day, so we did a drive by instead, then ordered food to take out. NOTE: most of the restos along the main downtown strip (on Broadway avenue) have modified hours & many we wanted to check out – Son of Chef Bakery & the new Topville Jamaican Cuisine –were closed. Parking: public parking for the downtown area is off of Armstrong Street or at 200 Broadway.

Sur Irmaos Review Orangeville.Pulled Pork Beanasaurus Po Boy Sandwich.Where to Eat Ontario.Support Local. Portuguese BBQ

Where to Eat – Orangeville

We’d read great reviews of Sur Irmaos – Portuguese BBQ – and decided to give it a try. It was a wise choice for comfort foods on a dreary day. It’s off of the main downtown strip, and while you can’t dine-in for obvious reasons, they have take out & are following provincial safety protocols (*they only allowed one customer for in-shop pick up at a time, mandatory masks & sanitizer stations all along the counter*).

Foodie family recos – while they have the classics of Portuguese BBQ (roasted chicken, rice, potatoes, etc.), you’re definitely going to want to try their signature Po Boy sandwiches & poutines. The Pulled Pork Beanasaurus Sandwich (topped with fried Mac n’ Cheese – oh my YUM!) & Pulled Pork Poutine are a MUST! Cool factor: Their sandwiches were featured on Food Network Canada’s You Gotta Eat Here.

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We’ve got some short getaways planned (including our first secluded overnight anywhere since lockdown to Tobermory), so we’ll keep adding to this as the Summer/Fall goes on. Note: Our kids range in age from 4 -12 years old, so all these recos were age appropriate for this bracket.

We’d love to know your family’s favourite spots to eat & wander responsibly in Ontario to get your Local Love ON!

Keep well,