Weekend Escape: Bruce County Adventure Passport

Crystal-clear waters, majestic forests, jaw-dropping cliffs and sandy beaches. These are a few things you can expect when visiting Bruce County. Located approx. 2 hrs drive from Toronto, the area is known for its stunning landscapes — and what better way to explore it than via scavenger hunt?! Yup, you read right: in 2005 someone had the brilliant idea to take adventuring in the county to a whole new level by coming up with the Adventure Passport…

Essentially a punchcard with a list of 12 “passport stops”, the Adventure Passport is a unique (and FREE) scavenger hunt that has locals and visitors alike on the hunt for specially marked boxes around the county. Sounds fun, right?! It is! We had such a great time hopping from stop to stop (Amazing Race styles) on our recent family getaway with Little L. Here’s a recap of what we did, where we ate and where we stayed…

What To Do In Bruce County

Relax On The Beach At Lion’s Head – We kicked off our Adventure Passport journey in Lion’s Head, the cutest little town on the Bruce Peninsula. Arriving just before sunset, we had a chance to enjoy some live music by the marina as the sun dipped below the horizon. There is something really magical about Lion’s Head — but I can’t put my finger on exactly what. Located halfway between the equator and the north pole (45th parallel), it’s a serene realm that we will definitely return to time and time again. The soft sandy beach surrounded by beautiful limestone cliffs was the perfect spot for Little L’s very first dip into a lake…

Snap A Photo At Lion’s Head – In the morning we made our way to the local market by the marina, checked out the lighthouse and snapped a photo of Lion’s Head (when viewed from Georgian Bay, the limestone cliffs look like the head of a lion!) It’s a great spot to sit and watch the waves crash on shore. So tranquil…

Check Off Passport Stop #2: White Bluff – With three different loop trails to hike on (varying from 5.5 to 9.8 km), this activity is one of the more challenging ones in the Adventure Passport, but it’s worth it for the views across Isthmus Bay. Make sure you take plenty of water and keep your eyes peeled for snakes, black bears and poison ivy!

Bask In The Sun At Sauble Beach – Bruce County is home to many beaches (they have over 2, 400 km of Great Lakes shoreline!!) so a visit to the second longest freshwater beach in the world is always a must for us when we’re in the region. We kept things low-key this time around since we were travelling with Little L, but if you’re feeling adventurous head over to Jack n Jills Surf Shop to rent a SUP. And don’t forget to punch your punchcard at the Sauble Trading Post (passport stop #5).

Support Local Artisans In Paisley Village – This riverside community is dotted with really unique artisanal shops. Our favourite was Nature’s Mill Works: located in Paisley’s historic flour mill (one of the largest in Ontario), it’s a hub for local artisans to showcase and sell their work.

Catch The Sunset At Port Elgin Beach – Not only is the beach here perfect for families, but the sunsets are to die for. I felt like we were in Santorini again as we gathered with hundreds of strangers to watch the mesmerizing sky. Some people even clapped! It was truly one of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen. No reservations required…

Passport Stop #9: Walker House In Kincardine – This was a quick stop for us as we explored the cute town of Kincardine by foot. The historic building was built in 1850 by Francis “Paddy” Walker and served as a hotel and tavern for more than a century.

Station Beach Kincardine – We loved hanging out with Little L at this beach. Shallow water, soft sand and the perfect water temps. Bonus: stroller-friendly beach access — woot woot! There were lots of people trying SUP and even some surfers out when we visited (yup, Kincardine has some of the best surfing conditions in the province).

What To Eat In Bruce County

Crêpetown (Lion’s Head) – Instead of having breakfast indoors, we headed to the Saturday market wedged between the beach and the marina to devour breaky. These were honestly some of the best crepes I’ve had in Ontario!

Rachel’s Bakery and 50’s Diner (Lion’s Head) – Step back in time at this 50’s diner where meals are homemade with the most important ingredient of all: love. Their motto “arrive as a guest and leave feeling like family” couldn’t be more true with their friendly service. Oh and their baked goods and soups are delish.

Casero Taco Bus (Sauble Beach) – I can’t visit Sauble without a few rounds of tacos at this “food truck.” It’s the cutest little taco bus I ever did see (a 1949 double-decker to be exact). But more importantly, their tacos are amazing. The Georgian Bay Whitefish and Crispy Cauliflower tacos are my faves!

Amici’s Coffee Bar (Sauble Beach) – A trip to the beach isn’t complete without ice cream — am I right or am I right?! This was my first time at Amici’s and certainly not the last. These guys make a killer Salted Caramel Toffee Nut latte and the Lindt Milk Chocolate Gelato is divine. And oddly, they pair well together if your teeth don’t protest too much (think of it as the Sauble affogato lol).

Ristorante Rosina (Port Elgin) – We loved everything about this resto: the ambiance, the attentive service, the food…everything. The cuisine is modern Italian with a seasonal menu that’s inspired by southern Italy. Order the Pan-Seared Scallops and the fresh Rigatoni and your stomach will thank you.

Rabbit Dash (Port Elgin) – I went in for coffee and came out 10 lbs heavier at this local coffee house. That’s because their homemade waffles were so good I had to order two!! Do yourself a favour and pop by for the Saucy Rabbit or Funky Chunky Monkey, you will not regret it.

Bruce Steakhouse (Kincardine) – We had no idea this place had such a lovely patio overlooking Kincardine’s harbour so that was a nice surprise. AND the patio is fully accessible so we just rolled right on through the resto with our stroller. Loved that the Famous Bruce Burger is made with local beef from Lemoncroft Farms in Kincardine and the Fish & Chips dish was amaze (it was also the size of my head)…

Best Friends Bakery & Ice Cream (Kincardine) – Having spent the afternoon at Station Beach we were craving another dose of ice cream so we headed to this cute shop on Queen St. We also couldn’t resist tasting some of their freshly-baked goods (the smell, the smell) so I was basically on a sugar high the rest of the day.

Where To Stay In Bruce County

45th Parallel B&B (Lion’s Head) – We felt like we were visiting family as soon as we stepped foot inside 45th Parallel. The husband and wife duo who run the B&B are just sooooo nice and have poured so much time, effort and love into their custom-made home. We loved chatting with them over breakfast and got some great, local tips (Willy and Jenny have been in the B&B biz for over 16 years so hospitality is in their blood). Make sure to book ahead as they fill up fast!

Super 8 Port Elgin – Having never experienced a Super 8 before we weren’t sure what to expect, but we were pleasantly surprised by how comfortable our stay was. We had a huge, clean room with all of the essentials (they even had a cot set up for Little L when we arrived!), the service was friendly and we loved the indoor and outdoor pools. The property is very family-friendly.

Chepstow Inn – Built in 1869, this inn also happens to be an Adventure Passport stop (#10 specifically). I was so impressed by how well-maintained the building was! And it’s filled with so much character thanks to the new owner, Kym, who saved the historical property (formerly called the King Edward Hotel) from demolition. I love that each room is named after a previous owner of the building — my fave was the McNab Suite…

Regardless of where you stay, what you eat or how you choose to spend your time in Bruce County, I’m certain you will love the region as much as we did. It’s a family-friendly destination with warm-hearted locals, great food and breathtaking landscapes. So what are you waiting for?! Grab your free Adventure Passport here (like me and the 90 000+ who have participated in the scavenger hunt) and your favourite people and head on over. The majestic forests and sandy beaches await…

A huge thanks to Bruce County for hosting us on this trip. We loved the region and can’t wait to return to check out Tobermory next time!