8 UNIQUE EXPERIENCES TO REMEMBER

WWW.ELGINTOURIST.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 ELGIN EXPERIENCES

3 ThE WiLd WEST Horseshoe J Dude Ranch Backus-Page House Museum & Pearce Park The Wayside Dining Lounge Picard’s Peanuts Original Country Store

4 GArdENEr’S dELiGhT Canadale Nurseries | Heritage Line Herbs Moore Water Gardens | Shades of Green Silverthorn Landscape Supplies Family Flowers | Empire Valley Farm Market

5 rOmANTiC GETAWAy Port Stanley Festival Theatre The Windjammer Inn Telegraph House B&B | Kettle Creek Inn Eagles Rest B&B | Inn On the Harbour

6 FAmiLy BEACh dAy Port Stanley Main Beach Port Stanley Terminal Rail Mackies | Shaw’s Ice Cream Broderick’s Ice Cream

7 ViLLAGE ShOppiNG Anything Used & Sparta Country Candles Holistic Awakenings Day Spa Peter Robson Studios & Gallery Steed & Company Lavender Wildflowers Farm | Quai du Vin Estate Winery Sparta House Tearoom

8 FAmiLy WEEkENd Clovermead Bees & Honey Springwater Conservation Area Family Central Restaurant

9 LAdiES’ ExCurSiON Pinecroft Pottery & The Green Frog Tearoom Heritage Line Herbs & The Silver Birch Tearoom Sweet Magnolia House B&B

10 NAuTiCAL AdVENTurE HMCS Ojibwa Port Burwell Marine Museum & Lighthouse Grey Gables B&B | Simply Scoops

11 mAp OF ELGiN COuNTy

COVEr phOTOS Clockwise from top left:

Clovermead Bees & Honey, Canadale Nurseries, Horseshoe J Dude Ranch, Inn On the Harbour, Steed & Company Lavender, Pinecroft Pottery,

Port Stanley Terminal Rail, HMCS Ojibwa

TOuriST iNFOrmATiONELGiN COuNTy

ECONOmiC dEVELOpmENT & TOuriSm OFFiCE

Open Monday to Friday 8:30am–4:30pm450 Sunset Dr, St. Thomas

LOCAL PHONE 519-631-1460 x168 TOLL FREE 1-877-GO ELGIN x168

FAX 519-631-4549 EMAIL tourism@elgin-county.on.ca

TOuriSm kiOSkSOpen mid-May to the end of August

• Port Burwell Historic Lighthouse 17 Robinson Street, Port Burwell

519-874-4807• Port Stanley Theatre Building

Units #3 and #4, 302 Bridge Street, Port Stanley• Backus-Page House Museum 29424 Lakeview Line, Wallacetown

519-762-3072•Mobile Tourism Kiosk

At events in Elgin and surrounding areas

www.elgintourist.com

ELGIN EXPERIENCES 3

hOrSEShOE J dudE rANCh32553 Erin Ln, Fingal 519-762-5402, www.duderanchontario.com

BACkuS-pAGE hOuSE muSEum & JOhN E. pEArCE prOViNCiAL pArk29424 Lakeview Ln, Wallacetown519-762-3072, www.backuspagehouse.ca

DINING & SNACKS TO GO

ThE WAySidE diNiNG LOuNGE10680 Sunset Rd, Talbotville519-633-0360, www.waysidedining.compiCArd’S pEANuTS OriGiNAL COuNTry STOrE10683 Sunset Rd, Talbotville519-637-8704, www.picardspeanuts.ca

Mosey to the west and saddle-up for a ride through Elgin’s beautiful countryside. Horseshoe J Dude Ranch has been offering hourly trail riding and summer camps for children for over 50 years. A visit to the Backus-Page House Museum takes you to the heart of the Talbot Settlement—feel the whisper of spirits past on the cool lake breeze, hike the Spicer Trail or visit the museum, housed in a restored Georgian style house which was constructed in 1850. Then tame those wild appetites at The Wayside where they have been tantalizing taste buds since 1936. Before you start homeward, pick up some of Picard’s fresh roasted peanuts or confections.

EXPERIENCE #1:

ThE WiLd WEST

The Wayside Dining Lounge

4 ELGIN EXPERIENCES

CANAdALE NurSEriES269 Sunset Dr, St. Thomas 519-631-7264, www.canadale.com

SPECIALTY SUPPLIERS

hEriTAGE LiNE hErBS53443 Heritage Ln, RR #1 Aylmer519-866-5577, www.heritagelineherbs.commOOrE WATEr GArdENS4683 Sunset Rd, Port Stanley519-782-4052, www.moorewatergardens.comShAdES OF GrEEN48855 John Wise Ln, Aylmer519-773-7279, www.shadesofgreenhostas.caSiLVErThOrN LANdSCApE SuppLiES46400 Talbot Ln, RR #3 St. Thomas519-765-2379, www.silverthornlandscape.com

OTHER LOCAL GROWERS

FAmiLy FLOWErS44329 Talbot Ln, RR #3 St. Thomas519-631-6004, www.familyflowers.caEmpirE VALLEy FArm mArkET27983 Talbot Ln, Wallacetown519-762-3504, www.empirevalleyfarms.com

Canadale’s selection of annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs—many of which are grown in their 110-acre award-winning nursery—are a draw for avid gardeners. Stroll the inspiration gardens, and browse the selection of giftware and décor.

Elgin is also home to many specialty suppliers: Heritage Line Herbs offers organically-grown herb and vegetable plants, including many heirloom varieties; Moore Water Gardens has specialized in growing water lilies and aquatic plants for more than eighty years; Shades of Green has over 1200 hosta and 200 daylily varieties; Silverthorn supplies landscaping materials, including a vast array of water features, to help transform your garden and outdoor spaces. Other area growers include Family Flowers and Empire Valley.

EXPERIENCE #2: GArdENEr’S dELiGhT

Family Flowers

Moore Water Gardens

ELGIN EXPERIENCES 5

pOrT STANLEy FESTiVAL ThEATrE6-302 Bridge St, Port Stanley519-782-4353, www.portstanleytheatre.ca

ThE WiNdJAmmEr iNN 324 Smith St, Port Stanley519-782-4173, www.thewindjammerinn.com

PLACES TO STAY

TELEGrAph hOuSE B&B205 Main St, Port Stanley519-782-3006, www.telegraphhouse.comkETTLE CrEEk iNN216 Joseph St, Port Stanley519-782-3388, www.kettlecreekinn.comEAGLES rEST B&B140 Brayside St, Port Stanley519-670-2894, www.bbcanada.com/eaglesrestiNN ON ThE hArBOur202 Main St, Port Stanley519-782-7623, www.innontheharbour.ca

Savour a special meal, laugh, breathe… set the stage for a perfect little romantic getaway. Settle back on the porch or in the dining room of the award-winning Windjammer Inn, featuring truly inspired local cuisine. After dinner, experience drama up close and personal in the intimate 150-seat Port Stanley Festival Theatre, where the emphasis is on comedic Canadian plays—shared laughter may be the very best way to “get away”. Continue your romantic story at one of Port Stanley’s fine accommodations where you will find a welcoming atmosphere and just the right combination of casual, laid back and luxurious. Your evening could be the ultimate weekend getaway or just the beginning of a longer stay.

EXPERIENCE #3:

rOmANTiC GETAWAy

Kettle Creek Inn

6 ELGIN EXPERIENCES

pOrT STANLEy mAiN BEACh South end of William St, Port Stanley, www.centralelgin.org

DELICIOUS LOCAL TREATS

mACkiES124 William St, Port Stanley, 519-782-4390ShAW’S iCE CrEAm6598 Sunset Rd, RR #4, St. Thomas519-631-2510, www.shawsicecream.comBrOdEriCk’S iCE CrEAm 290 Bridge St, Port Stanley519-782-4492, www.brodericksicecreamparlour.com

pOrT STANLEy TErmiNAL rAiL309 Bridge St, Port Stanley519-782-3730, www.pstr.on.ca

Spread out the beach blankets, cold drinks, and sand toys for a couple hours of sun, sand and waves at Port Stanley’s Blue Flag certified Main Beach. Then enjoy a stop at long-time favourite Mackies, famous for their special fry sauce and Orangeade. Next, it’s all aboard for a scenic train ride over the tracks of one of Ontario’s oldest railways on the Port Stanley Terminal Rail (Elgin’s longest running tourist attraction). On the way home, an ice-cream treat may be in order—Broderick’s is celebrating their 30th year and 66-year-old Shaw’s has 41 flavours made on-site.

EXPERIENCE #4: FAmiLy BEACh dAy

Broderick’s Ice Cream

ELGIN EXPERIENCES 7

SHOPPING GEMS

ANyThiNG uSEd & SpArTA COuNTry CANdLES46361 Sparta Ln, Sparta 519-775-0054, www.spartacandles.comhOLiSTiC AWAkENiNGS dAy SpA46349 Sparta Ln, Sparta519-775-2606, www.holisticawakeningsdayspa.compETEr rOBSON STudiOS & GALLEry46340 Sparta Ln, Sparta519-775-2522, www.peterrobsonstudios.comSTEEd & COmpANy LAVENdEr47589 Sparta Ln, Sparta519-494-5525, www.steedandcompany.comWiLdFLOWErS FArm42338 Fruit Ridge Ln, Central Elgin226-926-6432, www.wildflowerstea.com

QuAi du ViN ESTATE WiNEry45811 Fruit Ridge Ln, St. Thomas519-775-2216, www.quaiduvin.com

SpArTA hOuSE TEArOOm46342 Sparta Ln, Sparta519-775-2313, www.spartahouse.com

Tour, shop and learn a little more about winemaking at Quai du Vin Estate Winery, perched on the rolling hills of Fruit Ridge Line. It’s a good way to start (or end) an excursion of eclectic shopping and back road sightseeing in and around the historic Quaker village of Sparta. Enjoy lunch or afternoon tea in the Sparta House Tearoom, which serves homemade traditional British fare and has an extensive teapot collection on display. Be sure to check the websites listed for information on events at these businesses.

Anything Used & Sparta Country Candles

EXPERIENCE #5:

ViLLAGE ShOppiNG

8 ELGIN EXPERIENCES

CLOVErmEAd BEES & hONEy11302 Imperial Rd (Hwy 73), Aylmer519-773-5503, www.clovermead.com

SpriNGWATEr CONSErVATiON ArEA8079 Springwater Rd, RR #5, Aylmer519-773-9037, www.catfishcreek.ca

FAmiLy CENTrAL rESTAurANT62 Talbot St East, Aylmer519-765-2444, www.familycentral.ca

A shared outdoor adventure is one of the very best ways to nurture family bonds and memories. Make your campsite at Springwater Conservation Area your outdoor home and base for hiking, canoeing, pedal boating, fishing, exploring… and a trip to nearby Clovermead Bees & Honey. The Hiemstra family at Clovermead is dedicated to giving your family bushels of fun at their Adventure Farm. After tackling the zip line, giant jumping pillow, farm animals, zipster pedal carts, play structure, wild bee ride and more, everyone will be hungry for food and a chance to catch their breath. The Family Central Restaurant is just the place for that. They dish up down to earth, delicious food and their philosophy is family first—there’s even a 10% discount if you make meal-time family time by putting away the cell phones.

EXPERIENCE #6: FAmiLy WEEkENd

ELGIN EXPERIENCES 9

piNECrOFT pOTTEry & ThE GrEEN FrOG TEArOOm8122 Rogers Rd S, Aylmer, 519-773-3435, www.pinecroft.ca

hEriTAGE LiNE hErBS & ThE SiLVEr BirCh TEArOOm53443 Heritage Ln, RR #1, Aylmer519-866-5577, www.heritagelineherbs.com

SWEET mAGNOLiA hOuSE B&B236 Talbot St E, Aylmer519-765-3038, www.sweetmagnoliahouse.com

Enjoy a day touring eastern Elgin with your girlfriends! At Pinecroft, you can dine in the tearoom amongst towering pines; shop for pottery which has been an Elgin County tradition for over 60 years; enjoy live music outdoors Sunday afternoons or sign up for a pottery class. Heritage Line Herbs grows over 180 varieties of potted herbs, and uses them in herb-infused products, available alongside their dried herbs, herb blends, and other Ontario-produced gourmet food brands. Their Silver Birch Tearoom is set amongst a beautifully landscaped garden with waterfall (Tues-Sat, Jun-Sept). At day’s end, check into the luxurious and welcoming Sweet Magnolia House B&B, then settle in to rehash your beautiful day together (and set a date for the next one).

EXPERIENCE #7: LAdiES’ ExCurSiON

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10 ELGIN EXPERIENCES

HISTORICAL EXPERIENCES

hmCS OJiBWA3 Pitt St, Port Burwell, 519-633-7641 www.projectojibwa.ca pOrT BurWELL mAriNE muSEum & hiSTOriC LiGhThOuSE20 Pitt St and 17 Robinson St, Port Burwell519-874-4807 (May – Labour Day), www.bayham.on.ca

SimpLy SCOOpS 38 Robinson St, Port Burwell519-874-1390, simplyscoopspb.weebly.com

GrEy GABLES B&B22 Erieus St, Port Burwell519-874-4644, www.bbcanada.com/3912.html

The HMCS Ojibwa is a BIG attraction! A tour of the 300-foot Cold War era submarine will give you a feel for the life of a submariner on the high seas and a chance to learn about Ojibwa’s astonishing capacity for stealth. Soak in some more nautical ambience with a climb to the top of the wooden 1840 Historic Lighthouse and a visit to the Marine Museum where you can learn about the village’s heritage, which included a booming 19th century ship-building industry. Stop in at Simply Scoops, known for its locally sourced burgers and fresh-cut fries, and vast array of ice cream flavours, then stroll down to the beach to catch a lake breeze. All that fresh air will leave you ready for a good night’s rest at Grey Gables B&B, a meticulously restored heritage home which gets rave reviews and repeat customers.

EXPERIENCE #8: NAuTiCAL AdVENTurE

HMCS Ojibwa

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CULLODEN ROAD

PLANK ROAD

IMPERIAL ROAD

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SPRINGWATER ROAD

QUAKER ROAD

FAIRVIEW ROADSUNSET ROAD

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ELGIN EXPERIENCES 11

1 Anything Used & Sparta Country Candles2 Backus-Page House Museum & Pearce Park3 Broderick’s Ice Cream4 Canadale Nurseries5 Clovermead Bees & Honey6 Eagles Rest B&B 7 Empire Valley Farm Market8 Family Central Restaurant9 Family Flowers 10 Grey Gables B&B11 Heritage Line Herbs / Silver Birch Tearoom12 HMCS Ojibwa13 Holistic Awakenings Day Spa14 Horseshoe J Dude Ranch15 Inn On the Harbour16 Kettle Creek Inn17 Mackies 18 Moore Water Gardens 19 Peter Robson Studios & Gallery20 Picard’s Peanuts Original Country Store21 Pinecroft Pottery / Green Frog Tearoom22 Pt Burwell Marine Museum & Lighthouse23 Port Stanley Festival Theatre24 Port Stanley Main Beach 25 Port Stanley Terminal Rail26 Quai du Vin Estate Winery27 Shades of Green28 Shaw’s Ice Cream29 Silverthorn Landscape Supplies30 Simply Scoops31 Sparta House Tearoom32 Springwater Conservation Area33 Steed & Company Lavender34 Sweet Magnolia House B&B35 Telegraph House B&B 36 The Wayside Dining Lounge 37 The Windjammer Inn 38 Wildflowers Farm

Please note that this map is for general information only. For a more detailed map of Elgin County, please visit one of the Elgin County Tourism kiosks (listed on page 2) or go to www.elgintourist.com.

mAp OF ELGiN COuNTy

From intimate live theatre, engaging museums and inspiring art galleries to warm sandy beaches, tantalizing food, family adventures and unique boutique shopping, you’ll have a summer experience to remember in Elgin County.

ENTER TO WINyou could win one of three Experience Elgin This Summer prize packages. Enter today atwww.experienceelgin.ca