A long weekend feels different when there is space to enjoy. In Lennox & Addington County, that space comes naturally. The roads stretch out through farmland, the river moves steadily through town, and each stop feels like it belongs to the pace of the day rather than interrupting it. It is the kind of place where a two or three day stay makes more sense than a quick visit.

If you are planning a weekend getaway in Lennox and Addington, the experience comes from letting the days unfold across different landscapes and communities. You can move from trail to town to shoreline without needing to rush, and there is enough variety to fill a full weekend without repeating the same kind of time twice.

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A Weekend for Couples
A Weekend for Friends
A Weekend for Families
A Weekend for Outdoor Enthusiasts
A Weekend for Drivers and Motorcyclists

A Weekend for Couples: The Slow Path Through L&A

The Vibe: This weekend moves between quiet landscapes and slower moments in town, giving you space to reconnect without needing to fill every hour.

Day 1: River Vistas & Historic Charm

Focus: Decompressing and settling into a slower pace.

Morning & Afternoon: Downtown Napanee
Ease into the weekend in Greater Napanee, where the Napanee River serves as the town’s heartbeat. Start with a walk along the Waterfront Trail. It is paved and level, letting the steady flow of the water set your pace. Unlike busy urban centers, Napanee’s downtown is integrated with nature, allowing you to move from a peaceful river view to a boutique shop in under three minutes. Pop into Coffee Cravings for a local brew, then wander through the independent shops on Dundas Street. There is no rush hour here.

Evening: Riverside Dining
Check into your home base at The Red Brick Suites for a luxury apartment feel or Daisy Hill Bed & Breakfast for historic charm. For dinner, head to The Waterfront River Pub & Terrace. Request a seat on the terrace for a peaceful view of the Napanee River. 

Day 2: Forest Paths & Infinite Skies

Focus: Sensory experiences and natural wonders.

Morning: L&A Forest Trails (A 58-Minute Drive North)
Start your day by trading the hum of town for the quiet whisper of the pines. The L&A Forest Trails are a rare find because they are wide, flat, and impeccably kept. You do not need to watch your step for rocks or roots, which means you are free to walk side-by-side and keep your eyes on the towering canopy instead of the ground. It is the perfect, peaceful space to enjoy each other’s company without any distractions.

Mid-Day: Slowing Down in Napanee
After a morning in the woods, head back to Napanee for an afternoon with no agenda. There is an understated charm to the town that is best enjoyed together, without a schedule. Spend your time browsing the local boutiques or lingering by the water, just taking in the day at your own pace. When you are ready, settle into a long lunch or a well-earned pint at The Loaf N Ale. It is a local favorite that invites you to pull up a chair, talk, and let the afternoon unfold as slowly as you like.

Night: L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area (A 30-Minute Drive North)
As the sun dips below the horizon, head back out to the L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area. This is the most southerly point in Ontario where the sky remains untouched by the glow of city lights. There is no showtime here, just you and the expansive night sky. Bring a blanket and a thermos, and prepare for a slow evening spent watching the stars appear one by one. It is a deeply peaceful way to end the day, sharing a quiet moment under the Milky Way as it reveals itself in the darkness. 

As this experience is entirely weather dependent, be sure to check for clear skies before making the drive.

Day 3: Lakeside Reflections

Focus: A gentle soft landing before heading home.

Morning: The Village of Bath (25-Minute Drive from Napanee)
The final morning moves toward the vastness of Lake Ontario. In the historic village of Bath, the shoreline and marina offer a nautical, breezy close to the weekend. Walk along the water’s edge at Finkle’s Shore Park, then settle into a long, indulgent brunch at Welborne Commons. Bath feels like a hidden seaside escape and is the perfect place to reflect before the short drive back to the highway.

Travel Logistics at a Glance

• Total Driving: You will spend approximately 3.5-4 hours on the road over this three-day span. We have designed the route to ensure these drives feel like scenic, leisurely transitions rather than a rush.
• Parking: Parking is free and abundant at every stop mentioned in this itinerary.
• Pro-Tip: To get the most out of your night at the L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area, arrive just before sunset. Bring a thermos of something warm, a thick blanket, and, most importantly, a red-light flashlight (or just dim your phone screen to the lowest setting). Keeping your eyes away from bright white light for 20 minutes is the secret to seeing the Milky Way in full, brilliant detail. 

A Weekend for Friends: The Highlands & The Shore

The Vibe: Built for shared stories and collective energy. This route moves from the social buzz of the riverfront to the rugged beauty of the northern highlands, ending with a relaxed lakeside hang.

Day 1: The Gathering

Focus: Meeting up and fueling up.

Afternoon: Napanee River Tour
Start the trip on the water with Napanee River Tours, a 90-minute scenic cruise aboard the Norman Paul, a 45-foot custom-built pontoon boat. This route travels 16km from downtown Napanee to Mohawk Bay and back, giving the group an easy shared experience before heading north. With room for up to 48 passengers, a licensed bar, pre-ordered food options, and relaxed river views, it works well as a low-stress first stop for everyone to gather and settle in.

If you choose not to order food for the river tour, you can head over to Santorini Mediterranean Grill after disembarking for a late lunch. This local favourite offers large platters which are ideal for sharing, then grab a round of caffeine at Coffee Cravings before the drive north toward your accommodation for the evening.

Evening: The Historic Hotel Hang
Head 32 minutes north to check into The Tamworth Hotel. This is not just a place to sleep; it is a social hub with a historic character that makes it a great home base for a group. The open door vibe of the hotel allows your group to lounge in common areas without being confined to separate rooms.

Day 2: Into the Wild (The Highlands)

Focus: Adventure and the Great Outdoors.

Morning & Afternoon: Bon Echo Provincial Park (45-Minute Drive North)
The drive up Highway 41 is a highlight as the farms disappear and the rugged Canadian Shield begins to emerge. The central feature here is Mazinaw Rock, a massive 100 meter cliff rising directly out of the water. It is a bucket list Ontario site that offers great flexibility for groups. The hikers can tackle the Cliff Top Trail for the view, while those who want to relax can rent a canoe or sit on the beach by the narrows. Everyone can meet back at the picnic tables for shared snacks.

Late Afternoon: The Return Loop
On the drive back, make a quick stop at Kaladar Station Bar & Kitchen. It is a nostalgic and easy stop for photos and treats that breaks up the drive. Instead of taking the main highway all the way back, follow the secondary backroads toward Erinsville.

Evening: The Local Legend
Enjoy dinner at The Lakeview Tavern. This is a classic community hub that is unpretentious and lively. It often carries the energy of a local gathering place, making it the perfect spot for a group to laugh loudly and recap the day’s hike over comfort food.

Day 3: The Soft Landing

Focus: Recovery and lakeside views.

Morning: Bath Waterfront (30-Minute Drive South)
Drive south toward Lake Ontario to the historic village of Bath. After the rugged vibe of the highlands, the manicured marina and calm lake views offer a nice contrast. Settle in for brunch at Beachside BBQ. BBQ is a communal and hands on meal that feels celebratory for a final group gathering. Take a final stroll through the Bath Marina to see the boats before everyone hits the road.

Group Trip Checklist

• Drive Times: Day 2 is your adventure day. Expect to spend about 90 minutes to 2 hours in the car total, but the shifting scenery makes it feel like part of the tour.
• Pro-Tip: Addington Highlands has limited cell service in certain pockets near Bon Echo. Make sure everyone knows the designated meet up spot before you head into the park.
• Booking: For groups of five or more, a quick call ahead to The Lakeview Tavern is a smart move to ensure you can all sit at one table.

A Weekend for Families: Easy Discoveries

The Vibe: This weekend is designed for low friction and high engagement. It focuses on stops that naturally entertain kids of all ages while keeping car time to a minimum.

Day 1: Animals & Old-School Treats

Focus: Decompressing and burning off travel energy.

Morning & Afternoon: Napanee Waterfront
Start your journey at the Napanee Waterfront Trail. This isn’t just a path, it’s an adventure playground. The trail is paved and securely fenced, giving kids the freedom to race ahead and explore while you enjoy the riverside views. It’s the perfect way to stretch out after the drive. For lunch, head to Napanee Fish & Chips; it’s a local favourite where the vibe is friendly and the food is a guaranteed hit with the kids. Spend your afternoon wandering the riverside shops or watching the boats dock, enjoying the easy pace of town.

Late Afternoon: Basecamp Fun
Check into your home base at the Hampton Inn by Hilton Napanee or Comfort Inn & Suites Napanee. With both hotels featuring indoor pools, you have an instant win for the kids. It’s the perfect spot to let them splash around and dive into vacation mode while you relax and settle into the weekend.

Dinner: A View by the Water
End your day with a relaxed family dinner at The Waterfront River Pub & Terrace. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the river view offers a peaceful backdrop for your first night away. Because this spot is so close to your hotel, it’s an easy, stress-free end to the day that gets everyone back to the room quickly. This keeps your evening routine smooth and ensures everyone gets the quality sleep they need to be fully charged for tomorrow’s adventures.

Day 2: Rural Wonders & Falling Stars

Focus: Exploring the outdoors at your own pace.

Morning: Barking Goat Farms (20-Minute Drive North)
Head into the countryside of Stone Mills for a visit to Barking Goat Farms. Forget the glass enclosures of a zoo; this is tactile, sensory heaven. The kids can get up close and personal with the goats, feeling the textures and interacting with the animals in their own space. They’ll love being right in the middle of the action, and it’s one of the best ways to keep them engaged and smiling all morning.

Mid-Day: Village Explorations in Tamworth (15-Minute Drive from Barking Goat Farms)
After your farm visit, head to Tamworth for a laid-back lunch. It’s a classic village with a great, quiet energy. Spend some time browsing the local shops or, better yet, find a spot by the river where the kids can skip stones and explore the water’s edge. It’s a low-pressure way to enjoy the afternoon without the fast pace of city life.

Night: L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area (15-Minute Drive from Tamworth)
As night falls, head to the L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area for a real-life space adventure. There is no neon glow here, just the vast, twinkling expanse of the universe. Bring a warm blanket and a thermos of hot cocoa. Watching the kids spot their very first shooting star or see the Milky Way pop into view is pure magic. It’s a quiet, awe-inspiring way to end the day that they will be talking about long after you head home.

Note: As this experience is entirely weather dependent, be sure to check for clear skies before making the drive.

Day 3: Forest Air & Homeward Bound

Focus: A final, active morning in the pines before the drive home.

Morning: L&A Forest Trails (A 58-Minute Drive North)
Before you head home, make your final stop at the L&A Forest Trails. Think of this as your designated energy burner. Because the paths are wide, flat, and perfectly groomed, you don’t have to worry about tripping hazards or rough terrain. Let the kids run ahead and explore the towering pines while you walk at your own pace. It is an unhurried, natural way for them to release their remaining energy, ensuring they are ready to sit back and relax for the drive ahead.

Pack a simple, cooler-friendly lunch to enjoy at the trailhead picnic area as soon as you finish your walk. After an hour of fresh air and freedom, the kids will be much more settled for the trip back. It is the most effective way to transition from a weekend of play to a peaceful, stress-free journey home.

Travel Logistics at a Glance

• Total Driving: You will spend approximately 1.5-2 hours in the car over the course of the three days, with short, manageable drives between each stop.
• Parking: Free parking is abundant at every park, trail, and downtown area mentioned.
• Pro-Tip: Remember to book your time slot at Barking Goat Farms in advance, as the interactive sessions are popular and fill up quickly.

A Weekend for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Big Terrain Shift

The Vibe: A triple-threat of ecosystems. This itinerary builds across diverse landscapes, moving from lush forests to rugged granite shields to the Great Lake shoreline without repeating the same terrain.

Day 1: The Deep Woods & Eco-Living

Focus: Immersive forest bathing and landscape transitions.

Morning: L&A Forest Trails
Begin your journey on the L&A Forest Trails. These trails are built on a unique glacial ridge known as an eskar, where the morning is spent moving through dense forest and open sections that change with the elevation. For the enthusiast, it is a prime opportunity to spot diverse birdlife and unique tree canopies.

Afternoon: The Limestone Transition
Head into Greater Napanee for authentic Italian flavours at Jimmi’s Italian Kitchen. Enjoy fresh food made with quality ingredients, from house-made breads & sauces to flavour-packed pastas. 

Before leaving Napanee, take time to pick up food and any essentials for the rest of your trip. As you move deeper into the highlands, services become limited, so preparing ahead allows you to stay fully immersed once you arrive.

Once you’re finished, head north into Stone Mills. The drive itself becomes part of the experience as the landscape shifts from flat farmland to the dramatic limestone outcroppings that define this region. To remain close to the environment, stay overnight at Big Rock Eco Retreat. This off-grid location ensures you stay immersed in the natural world you came to explore.

Day 2: The Rugged North (Bon Echo)

Focus: High-scale adventure on the Canadian Shield.

Morning & Afternoon: Bon Echo Provincial Park (45-Minute Drive North)
The second day moves deeper into the Addington Highlands. With everything packed from the day before, the morning stays simple, allowing you to head straight into Bon Echo Provincial Park without needing to stop along the way.

At Bon Echo, the scale of the landscape expands, with rock, water, and forest all layered together. The centerpiece is the Mazinaw Rock, a 100-meter granite cliff featuring ancient Indigenous pictographs. Time here feels different than the forest trails. It is broader and more rugged. For a challenge, hike the Cliff Top Trail for a panoramic view of the highlands, or paddle along the base of the rock to see the scale from the water.

Evening: Staying in the Shield
As the day winds down, remain within Bon Echo Provincial Park or the surrounding highlands. This is where the experience settles in.

Whether you are camping along Mazinaw Lake or choosing a nearby cabin or off-grid stay, the evening becomes part of the landscape rather than a transition away from it. As the light fades, the scale of the cliffs softens, the water stills, and the park takes on a quieter, more reflective atmosphere.

With minimal light pollution and the stillness of the highlands, nightfall offers a completely different perspective on the terrain you explored during the day. It is an unhurried close, grounded in place and uninterrupted by the need to move on.

Day 3: The Maritime Finish

Focus: Open water and coastal recovery.

Morning: Transition to the Bath Shoreline
Wake to the stillness of the highlands before beginning the drive south toward Bath. The shift is gradual but distinct. Dense forest gives way to open farmland, and eventually to the wide horizon of Lake Ontario.

Arriving in Bath, the pace changes immediately. The marina, shoreline, and open water create a sense of space that contrasts the scale and intensity of the previous day.

Take your time here. Walk along the water’s edge at Finkle’s Shore Park, or settle into a long, unhurried brunch at Welborne Commons. There is no need to rush in the morning. This final stretch is about slowing down, letting the landscape open up, and easing back into the rhythm of the road home.

Travel Logistics at a Glance

• Total Driving: Approximately 3.5 to 5 hours over the course of the weekend. Day 2 and Day 3 include the longest stretches as you move in and out of the Addington Highlands.
• Parking: Free parking is available in village centers and at most trailheads. Day-use parking at Bon Echo Provincial Park requires an Ontario Parks permit.
• Pro-Tip: Pack for varying micro-climates. The dense forest of Day 1 and the open water of Day 3 can feel significantly cooler than the sheltered highlands.

A Weekend for Drivers and Motorcyclists: The Open Road

The Vibe: Here, the route shapes the weekend. The experience builds through the roads themselves, with each stop fitting naturally into the flow of the ride.

Day 1: Shorelines & Rural Backroads

Focus: Sweeping lake views and the transition to the interior.

Morning & Afternoon: The Loyalist Parkway
Enter the region along the Loyalist Parkway (Highway 33), where the Lake Ontario shoreline guides your path. Passing through the historic village of Bath, the marina offers a natural place to pause and take in the maritime air before continuing toward Greater Napanee. For lunch, stop at The Waterfront River Pub & Terrace. This brings you back alongside the river after a morning following the lake, providing a scenic backdrop for a midday break.

Late Afternoon: Into the Limestone Plain
From Napanee, the drive shifts inland and the terrain begins to change. Backroads through Stone Mills create a quieter, more rural stretch characterized by rolling hills and limestone outcroppings. The day ends in the village of Tamworth, where you can settle in for the night at The Tamworth Hotel. This locally owned hotel offers a historic, friendly atmosphere that fits the pace of the road.

Day 2: The Highlands Loop

Focus: Long stretches, rising elevations, and technical curves.

Morning & Afternoon: Addington Highlands
The second day pushes further north into the Addington Highlands. As you climb into the Shield, the roads lengthen, traffic drops off, and the landscape becomes more rugged and open. A stop at Kaladar Station fits easily into the route for a quick leg stretch and photo op. From there, take a longer loop through secondary roads that wind through the rock and forest of the north before beginning the descent back south.

Evening: The Defined End Point
Continue following the rhythm of the road until you reach the village of Amherstview. Dinner at Lakeside Bar and Grill gives the day a defined end point without breaking the momentum built during the ride. It is a local favorite that serves as the perfect spot to recap the day’s best corners and vistas. Stay overnight in or near Amherstview to position for an easy start to the final day along the shoreline.

Day 3: Ferries & Flexible Routes

Focus: Coastal cruising and a celebratory finish.

Morning: Loyalist Township & Amherst Island
The final day stays flexible to suit your return schedule. You can follow scenic secondary routes back through the heart of Loyalist Township or time your ride with the Amherst Island Ferry. Crossing the water to explore the quiet, wind swept roads of the island offers a unique perspective of the region from the seat of your bike or car.

Finish the weekend with a final stop at Beachside BBQ in Bath. The communal, laid back atmosphere carries the experience through to the end of the trip, offering one last lakeside view before you hit the highway for home.

Travel Logistics at a Glance

• Total Distance: This route covers a diverse range of pavement, from the high speed sweeps of Highway 33 to the technical, winding secondary roads of the North. Experience 5 to 7 hours ride time across the full weekend, with Day 2 serving as the primary ride through the Addington Highlands. Distances vary depending on route choices and optional detours such as Amherst Island.
• Fuel & Supplies: While Napanee and Bath offer full services, fuel stops are more spaced out in the Addington Highlands. It is a good rule of thumb to top up in Tamworth before heading further north.
• Pro-Tip: Ferries run regularly throughout the day, with frequent departures from the mainland. It is a short, scenic crossing that provides a great break from the pavement if you have an hour to spare.

If You Prefer to Have It Mapped Out

If you would rather follow a set route, our pre-planned itineraries bring these experiences together in a structured way. Our curated guides offer a clear path across the region while still leaving you with the flexibility to adjust your pace along the way. Whether you are following the shoreline or heading deep into the highlands, these itineraries ensure you spend less time planning and more time taking in the landscape.

Planning Tips

To get the most out of your weekend, we suggest planning one main activity per day and letting the rest of your experience build naturally around it. Combining a morning in the outdoors with a nearby community stop for lunch or shopping keeps the pace balanced and stress free. Before you head out, be sure to check our Events Calendar to see if a local market, live performance, or community festival coincides with your stay.