Discover Why Napanee, Ontario Is Worth Your Visit

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I have to admit, I drove by Napanee, Ontario, countless times before finally stopping in a few weeks ago. The moment I arrived, my first thought was, “Why did I wait so long?”

That’s because Napanee really has everything you need for a fantastic weekend escape. Beautiful waterfront? Check. Charming shops and coffee spots? Absolutely. Affordable accommodations? You bet. A picturesque yet quick drive to another waterfront? Definitely. Plenty of free parking? For sure. And a VIA Rail station if you prefer leaving your car behind? Yes to that as well.

Keep reading to learn about the many fun activities available in Napanee and its surroundings.

Start your day with breakfast at a café/store

I felt a bit out of place when I first entered Ellena’s Café and Pantry (16 Dundas Street East, Napanee). Although I had read online that it was part café and part kitchen shop, the retail section caught my attention right away. Shelves were filled with tea towels, pot holders, dishes, cooking tools, jams, sauces and more.

Upon closer inspection though, I saw that the front counter also served as a bakery case where staff were busy preparing lattes and espressos for the morning crowd. I ended up ordering a bacon-cheddar scone along with a pot of Earl Grey tea which I enjoyed at one of the tables towards the back.

While eating, I had plenty of time to check out Ellena’s striking displays. In fact, I couldn’t resist going back to the counter to buy a blue apron decorated with colorful birds.

Explore Napanee’s lovely downtown

One of my favorite ways to familiarize myself with a new area is by taking walks. So after breakfast, I headed out for a stroll toward the nearby Museum of Lennox & Addington (more on that museum soon).

If you’re fond of well-maintained Victorian architecture, downtown Napanee will be right up your alley. From churches and post offices to an old town hall and courthouse-most buildings are beautifully preserved. Plus many homes boast charming front gardens. In this case, pictures speak louder than words; here are just a few snapshots.

The Greater Napanee Town Hall dates back to 1856. Trinity United Church. This impressive sandstone structure was built in 1887 and served as Napanee’s post office until 1969 when it became home to shops and residences. The County Courthouse in Napanee was constructed around 1864.

Discover some history at the Museum of Lennox & Addington

I get that not everyone shares my love for local museums but even if you’re not into them, you might want to check out the Museum of Lennox & Addington (97 Thomas Street East, Napanee). It’s quite an engaging civic museum-even though my initial impression upon entering was similar to how I’d felt at Ellena’s.

First off all-the lobby was dim until I walked past an unnoticed sensor that turned on overhead lights; it also brought over someone from behind the desk who accepted my $5 entry fee.

Secondly-and this truly threw me off-this summer’s temporary exhibition celebrates their 50th anniversary! So naturally enough for me-the first display cases featured ancient artifacts…from my own childhood!

Oh dear Lord…

There it was-a 1976 Eaton’s catalog that I’d distinctly remembered flipping through! Alongside were Canadian-made North Star running shoes-a brand name I’d completely forgotten about until now (mine were blue and yellow). There were Formica coffee mugs too along with S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders paperback edition plus Meatloaf’s Bat Out of Hell album…how could these things be in a museum?

However reminiscing brought back memories of how dismayed my mother had been years ago upon seeing Depression glassware displayed (“For heaven’s sake those came free in boxes of laundry soap!”), so eventually I got over myself-mostly.

Honestly speaking though-this 1976 exhibit is such fun! Be sure not to miss it while you’re in town.

The permanent exhibits do an excellent job showcasing regional economic and social history mainly focused on approximately the last two centuries or so-but staff mentioned they’re actively working on expanding Indigenous history presentations too.

I found particularly interesting Billy Ponton’s story-a bank teller from Napanee who faced accusations related to an heist back in 1897! Locals believed he seemed too kind-hearted and attractive for involvement in something so wrong-it got his trial moved out-of-town where he ended up being acquitted!

Shop for pickles among other treats

On my way toward the museum earlier-I noticed this neat little shop called Harvest Brinery (128 John Street , Napanee)-so on returning downtown later, I made sureto drop by!

Inside husband-and-wife duo Colleenand Mileswerebusy working hard-Colleen chattingwithcustomersoffering sampleswhile Miles whippedupnewcreationsinthekitchenarea.

They startedtheirbusiness asafarmer’smarketstandbeforeexpandingintothischarming storefront. Jars containingpickles, jellies, preservesandmoremadewithlocallysourcedproducefilledeveryavailable surface. Alongside stapleslike sauerkraut, sweet relish, and red pepper jelly were concoctionswhose names alone such as green tomato chow chow mustardpicklesblackcurrantjam transportedmebacktochildhooddays..

While Ipassedonthe pickled beetseven nostalgia has limits.; Butthe goodies I endedupputtinginmyshopping bagincludedspicy salsa Earl Greyteajelly. 

Enjoyteaintheoldbanksetting Speakingof Earl Grey: Bynow, in themorning, Ireallyneededa cuppa. Fortunately, a shortwalkawaytherewasanespressoanddessertbarcalled Coffee Cravings(86John Street, Napane)Locatedin formerspaceof Bankof Canada(later Bankof Montreal)branchit haslovelycofferedceilingcozyatmosphere. Despiteitsnameit makesfabulous London Fogtealatte. 

Getyourretailtherapyfix Dundas Street isdowntown Napane’smain shopping thoroughfareand Ilovedbrowsingthroughindependent boutiquesalongtheway!

Amongstmyfavoritesjustaroundthecornerfrom Coffee Cravingswas Starlet(30Dundas Street East, Napane). Untilrecentlytheyhad satellite storein Perthbut nowopenedbranch Westport. Thisoneisdelightfullygirlie confectionwith chandeliersshoesgreetingcardsflirtydressesjewelryhandbags–you nameit. Asmall corner stockedprincessoutfitsforlittledivastoo!

Anotherbeautifulspotwas Sweet William(3Dundas Street East, Napane)–ahome decorstorefilledwith oversizedwallclocksglasswarefeaturing schoolsfishcake stands etched-glasscoversceramicowls. Theexposedbrickstonewalls makeeverythingpoponthe shelves.. 

For more info aboutotherstoresindowntown Napanehereisagoodguide!

Savorlunchatthe Waterfront River Puband Terrace Trustmeifyouwanttoeatonthatbigpatio during summertime-makesureyoupickareservationorarriveearly. Ishoweduponasunny Wednesdayaround12:10pmonlytofindthat savvy patrons hadalready claimedall tablesnexttothe Napanee River. It wasn’ttoo muchtroublethough-theview fromwhere Isatwasstillgreat.

Unlikemanyrestaurantswithabeautifulsetting, the Waterfrontdoesn’tjustrelyonthe view. Mymeal-a turkey brie sandwichcalled Champlain pairedwithlavenderlemonade tastedexcellentplus theservicewasonpoint. Icouldpayathometableusingmyphone-buttraditional payment optionsarealsoavailable,. Their lunchmenu offersanythingfromclassicpubgrubburgers&wings, musselsasiangingersteaksaladandevenescargots. Veganvegetarian gluten-friendly choicesaren’tmissed either! Waterfrontopensfordinner too You’ll findthem at22Water Street, Napanee. Takea Napaneeriver cruiseFromdocklocatedinfrontofthe Waterfront Pub, youcanboard14metrelongpontoonboat Norman Paulfor90-minutecruisealongthe Napanea River. Napaneeriver Toursoffers16kilometre round trip toursfrommid-Mayto October Although Ididn’tplanwellenoughduringmyvisitthatday-it’sdefinitelyoneactivity I’lladdtomylistexploringagainhopefullybringingfriends/familyalongnexttime! Packpicnicfor Conservati o n Park

Acrossriverfrom Waterfront Pubyou’llfind Conservation Park(10Pearl Street, Napnee)Ifhavingpicnicappealsmorethanlunchatthepubpackyourbasketorpickupsomethingsnackatthe Mr. Jerry’sfood truckwithinparktorenjoyoneofthemuch-scarred picnic tablesbytheriver. Ifweatherisn’t cooperatingbig pavilion shelters available. Detour Bathnearby Napa nee&nbsp ;

Greater Napa neecoversseveral smallercommunitiesboastingapproximately17k residents. Soitwon’ttake longtotraveltotownifyou’reinterested!.20km southeast lies Bathtakingabout20minsto reach.

The waterfrontvillagebathdidn’tspendtoolongduringmystaythough-Ipassedthroughon route Amherst Islandferryheadedtowards Topsy Farmsforthelamb cuddlingadventure!. Fortunately Iconcludedvisitingtwo nice storeswhilst there. The Hive Studio Gallery&nbsp ;

(363 Main St, Bath)isartist-runcollectivewherebrowsingart jewelrycardsothermemberitemsistoftentimesbringpleasure. The Hivealsooffersart workshops. As I chattedwithelizabeth Munro endedupbuyingpairporcelain earrings.,   

Y oumightthinkrightnowthatbasicallyshoppinghap penedaround Napan eearea. you’dbe correct however!.

Sohere Ilosttrackof time-caughtamomentbetweencatching ferry droppedinto Books On Mainsharingspacewi th Lodge Coffee House368Main St, Bath. Pleasedinedanylongerdeterminedwhatfictionnon-fictiondisplayedtemptingtitlesweresituatedthere.&nb sp;&lt ;/ p> Foodphotosaren’tstrongpointbutporchett sandwichat Welborne Commons Bathreallyhittheright spot!

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Afterjaunting Amherst Island, dinnertimepresenteditself. Welborne Commons locatedoppositeendwhere Books On Main restopen-endedfocuslocalingredients creating menusourcinglocallysustainingfarmers. I relishedporchetta sandwich toppedradicchio-fennelslaw Swisscheeseycrispyonions truffleaioli.

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Staynight Fox Motor Inn&nbsp ;

I can hear y’all questioning,”Whysuggestamo tel?”Trustmetheshopownersat Fox Motor Innisnotaffiliatedthedustyroadsidehole..

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