Exploring the Bay of Quinte and the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory: A Weekend Itinerary
Known for its beautiful location along the water’s edge of Lake Ontario, the Bay of Quinte region is a magical place for a fun weekend getaway. The Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, located only 2 hrs from Toronto and 2.5 hrs from Ottawa, is a great place to immerse yourself in the vast history of the region, and learn more about Indigenous culture from its vibrant community and local artisans. From great outdoor activities on land, water and even underground, to culinary gems and some wonderful spots for shopping for locally-made art, crafts and antiques, there is no shortage of fun activities to fill a weekend. Plan a visit with our 3-day itinerary, highlighting some of the best experiences in the region.
Day 1
Afternoon – Road Trip and Roadside Eats
Sneak out of work early, pack the car and hit the road for the road trip to the Bay of Quinte region. As you drive into the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory via Highway 401, head down Highway 49 south towards Lake Ontario and make a stop at the Better Buds parking lot for a quick bite. Don’t let the location deceive you; the on-site food trucks offer up some of the best grub in the area, with locally caught walleye fish bites plus fresh cut fries and cheesy pizza being the top sellers on the menu. Chow down in the small picnic area with tables and umbrellas, and indulge your sweet tooth with treats like funnel cake, ice cream and cotton candy for dessert. If you need help with your appetite, the nearby Better Buds store can help you out as well.
Evening – Settle in at Lil Crow Cabin
Head back onto the road for a short 10-minute drive to your accommodation at Lil Crow Cabin and Pods. Lil Crow Cabin is truly a hidden gem in the region, with unique glamping pods and private cabins located right on the water’s edge. Owned and operated by award-winning and world-renowned artist David R. Maracle and his wife Kimberly of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, this beautiful peaceful spot is the perfect home base to explore the region.
At Lil Crow there are four on-site accommodations, which include two glamping pods with private picnic table, small deck and firepit, and two separate cabins, one with its own private courtyard, hot tub and covered sitting area. We stayed in the cozy Beaver Pod only steps away from the water’s edge with a beautiful view of the bay and Quinte Skyway bridge in the distance. The pod was very well equipped with two comfy folding chairs inside, two folding chairs on the private deck, a mini-fridge, electric kettle, glasses, mugs and an electric fireplace heater for chilly nights. There is also a small TV with DVD player for rainy afternoons, and several outlets for charging devices. The décor and small touches created a warm and cozy space, from the beautiful dreamcatcher over our bed to the toilet paper holder (made of a bitten beaver log!); the attention to detail was outstanding. Each pod has its own private washroom in a central building with hot running water and showers – which were immaculately clean.
For those looking to get active, there are retro bikes in the activity cabin available for guest use, as well as kayaks which can be launched from the small dock to explore the shoreline by boat. There is lots of wildlife nearby and you’ll likely catch a glimpse of the resident great blue heron, swans, Canada geese, and turtles. When we visited, we even witnessed a giant mother turtle laying her eggs nearby!
While on-site you’ll definitely want to make an appointment to view the stunning art of owner David R. Maracle at the Eagle Pod Gallery. David has been creating original sculptures since 1985 using natural materials like stone, bone and wood, bringing to life the ancestral teachings of the Haudenosaunee people’s way of life. His work is known around the world and featured in many prestigious art galleries, museums and private collections. David is also an award-winning multi-instrumentalist and has released over 17 musical compilations and albums over the years. His music with rare world instruments and the Iroquoian flute is hauntingly beautiful.
Night – Stargazing and Fireside Chats
When the sun dips below the horizon, head out to your firepit for a roaring fire, and whip up some sticky s’mores for a late-night snack. On clear nights the sky fills with stars, and the light of a full moon flickering on the water is the perfect nightcap.
Day 2
Dawn – Paddle, Cast and Go Wildlife Viewing
Drift out of your slumber and head out for a peaceful morning paddle in the bay. Keep your eyes peeled for the magnificent great blue heron camouflaged like a statue in the nearby reeds by the dock, and turtles popping their heads out from under green lily pads. There is some great fishing in the area, so be sure to bring your rod if you’re an avid angler and take advantage of the waterfront location to cast a line.
Breakfast – Coffee, Croffles and Donuts
Make a stop at the newly opened Coffee Shop Café on Highway 49 to grab a morning bite. Not only do they serve up a wide range of specialty coffees from lattes to macchiatos, and their Croffles (a cross between a waffle and a croissant), cookies, donuts and savoury croissants are nothing short of delicious. For those stopping by for brunch or an early lunch, they also have a great selection of homemade sandwiches, salads and juices for dine in or takeout.
Morning – Shop for Indigenous Art and Crafts
The Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory is packed with amazing shops featuring beautiful art from local Indigenous artists and makers. Some of the best spots are located on Highway 49, making it the perfect area for an art hop.
Drop by the studio of award-winning fourth-generation Mohawk Feathersmith Rebecca Maracle. An artist, traditional medicine healer and member of the Haudenosaunee, Rebecca’s art focusses on feathers, which are meant to instill positive energy and well-being into the body, mind and spirit. Her feather dreamcatchers are one-of-a-kind, and come in all shapes, sizes and colours. Other great things to pick up are hand-made feather earrings, colourful art cards, hand-crafted medicine bags, ornaments, framed featherwork, a great selection of Indigenous books (definitely some must-reads in there), silver jewelry, and locally-harvested maple syrup. The best part of her studio is that everything inside is 100% Indigenous-made, helping to support the local community and Indigenous artists and makers in the region.
Native Renaissance is another great spot, with a large store full of everything from moccasins and Indigenous books to handmade baskets and locally-made dreamcatchers. The sweetgrass candles are one of our favourite items, made by local Indigenous business Peace Tree Candles. Before you leave don’t forget to take a peek at the art gallery upstairs, full of inspiring Indigenous art.
The Sacred Circle is a quaint shop full of everything you need for personal healing. They have a wide variety of healing stones, incense, smudging kits and essential oils. They also have beautiful locally-made wood crafts, feather art by Sacred Feather Creations, books and homemade beer soap.
Lunch – Afternoon Tea in Deseronto
After you’ve worked up an appetite shopping, head to the small town of Deseronto, just a short drive from Tyendinaga, to the O’Connor House Tea Room – a true hidden gem in the region. The elegantly decorated tearoom with sparkling chandeliers, antique furniture and beautiful mismatched vintage teacups and plates is the perfect place for a tasty lunch. We opted for the afternoon tea, served on a towering 3-tiered platter full of delicate finger sandwiches, fresh fruit and veg, and the ploughman’s lunch piled high with cheeses, meats, fresh bread and all the trimmings - including a tasty homemade chutney! Sip on a pot of tea, or on a hot summer afternoon opt for their tasty lemon ginger iced tea. Then indulge in their mouth-watering dessert menu which includes a fresh scone with Devonshire cream and fresh strawberries, sticky toffee pudding, coconut cream pie and old English bread pudding.
Afternoon – Antique Hunting in Deseronto
For those who love antiquing, Deseronto has some great spots to search for one-of-a-kind treasures.
Adjoined to the O’Connor House Tea Room is The Great Deseronto Antique Emporium, where you’ll find an extensive collection of antique tea sets, furniture, as well as vintage clothing and unique gifts. Just a short walk away you’ll also find Karen Brown’s Antiques & Collectibles, the go-to destination in Eastern Ontario for antique collectors, and the largest Antique market in southeastern Ontario! With over 12,000 square feet of showroom featuring antiques from multiple vendors, you’ll find everything from furniture and art, to old baseball cards, antique tools machinery, signs, vintage toys, books, jewelry and everything in between.
Evening – Cubby’s Chip Truck, a Tyendinaga Institution
Hop on a bike from Lil Crow for the 5-minute bike ride to one of most popular stops in the area, Cubby’s Chip Truck. This famous snack spot is known for their popular Cubby burger, and their curly fries spritzed with malt vinegar are a must. For poutine lovers, we highly recommend their poutine made with fresh-cut fries, loaded with mounds of cheese and smothered in piping hot gravy – they are not shy with the toppings! Enjoy your feast on the picnic tables outside the truck, or take the short walk down to the waterfront boardwalk and enjoy your food with a view.
Day 3
Morning – Brunch and Caves
Sleep in and then enjoy a coffee lakeside as you listen to the sights and sounds along the water at Lil Crow Cabins. Check out and then head west to Roxanne’s Place in Shannonville for brunch. Serving up all the breakfast classics like steak and eggs, omelettes and breakfast sandwiches piled high with bacon, they also have an extensive lunch menu with soups, sandwiches, salads, wraps and burgers.
Head north from Shannonville to explore the Tyendinaga Cavern and Caves, Ontario’s largest natural cavern system! This family-owned and operated business has been offering tours of the caves for over 15 years. Those with an interest in geology will be fascinated by 450-million-year-old fossils of corals, shells, mollusks and crinoids found in the caves, interesting geological formations, as well as rocks and minerals throughout the cavern. The 45-minute guided tour is fascinating, exploring the sink holes on the property and how they led to the discovery of the cave system itself. Then head underground and roam the tunnels surrounded by limestone walls and rare geological formations, and even try to squeeze yourself in a few of the narrow passageways within! With no light penetrating from outside, the moment of complete darkness when the lights are turned off momentarily is eerie, yet enthralling. Stop at the small gift store on the way out to pick out a special rock as a souvenir, or head for a short hike down the lilac pathway to enjoy the summer sun.
Afternoon – Boardwalks, Brews and Home
If you’re hankering for more of the outdoors, a short 5-minute drive from the Tyendinaga caves is the HR Frink Conservation area. With over 12 km of trails to choose from, you can enjoy easy hikes on forested paths flanking the Moira River, around a silver maple swamp, and the popular Wetland Ecology Boardwalk.
On your way back south to the 401, make a stop at Signal Brewery just outside of Belleville. Enjoy a woodfired pizza on their beautiful patio overlooking the Moira River, and cheers with a pint of their locally brewed pilsners, sours, or ales.
Hit the road with treasures in tow and start planning your next adventure in the Bay of Quinte region!
To find more information, or to plan your trip, visit Bay of Quinte Tourism.
*Some businesses may be closed or have reduced hours or activities due to covid-19. Please check hours of operation before visiting.
Some activities in the above were provided by Bay of Quinte Tourism, although all recommendations are our own.
