9 Ways to Embrace Winter in the Bay of Quinte
Winter is now one of my favourite seasons, although it wasn’t always this way. I split my time between Toronto and the BoQ, and I remember my first winter here was quite a shock. Once I got past the initial surprise, I found it helpful to reframe how I looked at the season. Instead of dreading the freezing temperatures and snow to shovel, I tried to see opportunities for cozy nights inside and the beautiful winter wonderland to explore. This truly allowed me to not just survive winter here, but to find joy in it. Here are the top 9 winter activities I love to do in the BoQ. Try a few of these and I’m positive that you’ll start to embrace the winter weather too.
Written by Courtney Evans
Read time: 3 min
Take a Winter Walk Through Snowy Trails
A winter walk in a magical snowy forest is my number one thing to do during the colder months. Goodrich-Loomis and H.R. Frink are my top two conservation areas to visit. At Goodrich-Loomis in Brighton, try the 2 km Pine Loop trail and get lost in the snow-covered pines. H.R. Frink in Belleville offers an equally beautiful walk and part of the 2 km Drumlin trail runs alongside the Moira River.
ORDER TAKE-OUT FOR A COZY NIGHT IN
I love staying inside on a cold winter evening with some delicious take-out and we’re lucky to have so many great options in the BoQ. A few of my favourite winter take-out spots are The Caribbean Jerk Spot, Pho Blue Basil and Gogi Korean Grill. Their dishes always warm the soul!
WARM UP AT A COFFEE SHOP
A local coffee shop with a warm drink in hand is my ideal place to spend a cold winter morning. I also enjoy treating myself after a long walk. No matter where I am in the BoQ, there is a cute coffee shop to cozy up in! Try Lolas Cafe in Brighton, The Grind and Vine in Quinte West, Benji’s Coffee Bar in Belleville, Wavy in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory or Coffee Cravings in Napanee.
SKATE ON THE BAY
I used to be a competitive figure skater, so I take any chance I can get to strap my skates on. Teach your kids to skate, play a game of hockey or do some double axels—it’s so much fun to skate outside and it doesn’t get more picturesque than the outdoor rink at Victoria Park Harbour in Belleville.
Sip and Sample at a Local Brewery
Meyers Creek Brewing Company (voted the best brewery in the Best of the Bay!) is the coziest craft brewery in Belleville to spend a winter evening. On a recent visit with my family, we enjoyed a tasting flight, some pints of beer and even a glass of wine. They also have lots of non-alcoholic options, tasty snacks and you can catch some live music most weekends.
GO OUT FOR DINNER
You can find me out for dinner most weekends in the winter—it’s a great excuse to get dressed up and out of the house. Plus, the ambience of dining in a warm restaurant while the snow falls outside is very idyllic. Some of my favourite restaurants in the BoQ are Capers and The Local Social House in Belleville and The Waterfront River Pub in Napanee.
Ski, Snowboard, or Snowshoe at Batawa
I find trying something new to be so rewarding and skiing is the perfect new activity to try during the winter season. Batawa Ski Hill is a beautiful but small hill, so it’s ideal for beginners. Try a ski or snowboard lesson, or if you enjoy a slower pace they also have great winter trails to hike or snowshoe on.
Unwind with a Relaxing Spa Day
In my opinion, a cold winter day is the best time for the spa. I look forward to getting hydrating facials, deep tissue massages and pedicures at The Beauty Collective or Kita Beauty Lounge in Belleville, or Whole Health in Brighton. After some self-care time you’ll feel relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to embrace the rest of the season.
Recharge with a Yoga Class
One of my favourite ways to lean into the slowness of the winter is with a good yoga class. Try Mindful Movements Studio and Oxygen Yoga and Fitness in Belleville or Shakti Yoga in Napanee to move your body and recharge.
