When you think of Hastings County, you might think of paddling a pristine lake or sipping a craft beer on a smalltown patio. But as the locals and winter revelers will tell you, Hastings is just as good when the temperatures drop and everything is covered in a blanket of snow. Don’t believe us? Bundle up and check off these bucket list winter adventures.
Where to dine after ice time in Hastings County If there are two things we know in Hastings County in the winter, it’s cold rinks and cozy food and drinks. So when you can pair the two, you’re always getting some of the best of what’s on offer here. Keep reading for a rundown of …
Is there a better time for a wedding than the autumn? Fall foliage provides the perfect backdrop, you won’t melt or freeze, and your guests won’t have to work around busy summer vacation plans. Add in the charm and wildness of Hastings County as the destination, and you have the ingredients for a wedding you’ll …
Fall wedding planning: All you need for the big day Read More »
Dig out your long underwear, a warm coat, toque and mittens because it will soon be time for the 51st running of the Lincoln Electric Rally of the Tall Pines in Bancroft! This popular event taking place on Nov. 25/26, is part of three series – the Canadian Rally Championship, Ontario Provincial Rally Championship and …
If you’ve driven through Tweed, chances are you’ve noticed the brightly painted fire hydrants lining the village’s streets. Some are splashed with animated characters like snakes and dragons and Sylvester the Cat. Others show local businesses, heritage buildings, and even Elvis Presley.
Few scents say “summer” quite like the rich, smokey aromas wafting from a hot grill. But not all proteins are created equal, which means not all barbecues are either. If you really want to impress at your next cookout this summer, pick up fresh, local meat at one of these eight shops in Hastings County.
The days are long, the nights are warm, and the mosquitoes are finally getting less annoying. It’s patio time. Whether you’re looking for river views, a more urban oasis, or craft beers under the stars, Hastings County has you covered. From north to south, here are a dozen of the best patios in the area. …
Soak up the sun: 12 patios to check out in Hastings County Read More »
If you’re like most parents, you have one goal this summer: keep the kids happy and cool! I mean, let’s be honest, if you want to have a fun and enjoyable summer, happy kids are a MUST! So, what keeps kids happy and cool during these hot and sunny summer months in Hastings County?
Parks, splash pads, beaches, snacks, and ice cream!
After two pandemic summers, this one is ripe for adventure in Hastings County. But if all that time indoors has left you wondering what to do, keep reading. These 10 can’t-miss experiences you’ll find across the region need to be on your bucket list.
When it comes to kids, I’ve learned a few things over the years. They love getting dirty, they love food, and they love to explore! So, getting out there this summer and exploring Hastings County would be a great way to spend some quality family time together.
Is there anything more refreshing than a crisp, cold beer after a healthy hike? Lucky for us, Hastings County has plenty of craft breweries just down the road from stunning nature trails. From Stirling to Madoc to Bancroft, here are some of the top spots to pair a walk in the woods with a post-hike …
Hikes and hops: Where to pair nature treks and craft beers in Hastings County Read More »
Finally, life feels like it’s returning to normal. We don’t have to wonder if the Rockhound Gemboree will actually happen or if we should bother getting out our boots for the Tweed Stampede. Yes, events are definitely back across Hastings County this summer. And to help you get ready, we’ve put together this guide to 12 events you’ll want to put on your calendar. From Canada Day festivities to music festivals to Marmora’s 200th birthday — it’s time to get back out there.
After living and working in the Toronto area, Janice Swiercz decided to make Hastings County her home for next chapter of her life and business.
Hastings County Artists Big & Small Love Playing Local Venues: Here’s where you can see them
this summer…
Tickets for the 2022 Tweed and Company Theatre Season are on sale now! They are thrilled to announce a series of concerts taking place in Tweed and Bancroft this Spring!
10 Spring Adventures to Have in Hastings County The weather is getting warmer, and little green shoots are finally poking through the soil. It’s been a long winter but spring is here, it’s time to take advantage of the longer days to get back to more time outdoors. If you need some encouragement to get …
It’s that sweet time of the year! Local maple syrup producers have been prepping for weeks, and now, the sap is running. Hitting the sugar bush is the first harbinger of spring, and after a long, cold, COVID winter, it’s a lot of fun to visit a local ‘sugar shack’, take in an Ontario Maple …
Sweet Talk: Hastings County Sugar Bushes are Fun Places to Visit Read More »
We’ve been celebrating Family Day in Ontario for 14 years now. It’s a day to experience whole family activities and have some fun amid warming February temperatures. This year, given the recent loosening of COVID-19 restrictions, we can eat in or get take-out at local restaurants, take in a movie, or simply get outside and …
After a long journey of self-discovery, Mozhdeh Nikmanesh sought a new home in Bancroft, inspired by the natural surroundings and the supportive community.
The holidays are just around the corner, and to help you get ready, we’ve put together a shopping guide packed with items and experiences you’ll find here in Hastings County. To make it easier, we’ve categorized the 30 gift ideas into six personality categories: The Outdoor Adventurer, The Gourmand, The Serenity Seeker, The Creative, and The Family. Happy shopping!
Autumn may just be the best season for a bed and breakfast staycation, especially here in Hastings County. From Maynooth to Deseronto, you’ll find cozy abodes perched on rural hillsides, hidden in forested valleys and tucked off side streets in sleepy towns. All of them come with views of vibrant fall colours right outside your window and smells of hot coffee and a warm breakfast just outside your door. Here are seven bed-and-breakfast options to get your autumn on across Hastings County.
It’s hard to beat the scenery of Hastings County in any season, but if you’ve been here in the fall, you’ll know these months are magical. A sense of calm sets in as the air starts to cool, and any outdoors-enthusiast will excitedly remind you that there are fewer mosquitoes to contend with come mid-September.
It’s hard to believe that fall is here, and that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. In Hastings County, there’s a lot to be thankful for and this year you can support local farmers, businesses, and artisans with a bit of pre-planning. As always, locally sourced items are abundant in the area. What better time than Thanksgiving to ty locally grown meats, veggies, desserts, beverages, and artisanal décor?
We recently spent a day exploring everything Bancroft has to offer and ever since then, we’ve been talking about how much we loved it! Bancroft is a charming little town right in the middle of cottage country and there are plenty of places to check out.
After years of experience, I know exactly where we are headed when the colours start to pop and now you will too. The best part is, while the landscape stays the same, Mother Nature paints the forest with unique vibrancy year over year.
Whether your kids are ready to try something new, or show off a well-practiced move, our local skateparks are the perfect place to get outside and enjoy the last precious moments of summer together!
It’s no secret that Hastings County is brimming with first-rate breweries, cafes, restaurants, cheese shops, bakeries, and farm stores. But with all of that choice, the big question is: where should you go?
We love getting out as a family and exploring the towns in our area, and we recently did a little day trip to an adorable small town here in Hastings County that has plenty of things to keep the family happy, active, and well fed!
From a tiny house on the Madawaska River to a Mongolian yurt just north of Deseronto, here are 9 more glamping retreats in Hastings County redefining the meaning of roughing it.
An authentic Indian food restaurant recently opened its doors in the village of Tweed and the food is incredibly delicious! Given the timing, this new venture is an example of ‘smart risk-taking’ that not only benefits the community but adds to the cultural diversity of Hastings County. Tweed Desi is a welcome addition to Tweed …
Indian Food Meets Hastings County and it’s ‘Truly’ Authentic Read More »
“To market, to market, to buy a fat pig locally grown, Home again, home again, jiggety-jig.” Updating a nursery rhyme that dates back to the 16th century is no easy task – but going to the market still is – and there are lots to choose from in Hastings County. Farmers’ markets and farm stands …
Writer Jordan Whitehouse sent us his take on some Wildly Authentic shops where you can find that perfect gift for Father’s Day. You might not be able to celebrate Father’s Day as usual with your dad this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still show him some love. Many shops across Hastings County are …
11 places to hit in Hastings County for Father’s Day Read More »
Love in the time of a pandemic has to keep its distance, but there are still lots of ways to show your mom how much she means to you this Mother’s Day. While it’s not business as usual for retailers throughout Hastings County, many have shifted to online models that allow you to get a special something for mom and have it delivered. From afternoon tea and flowers to yoga and home decor, here are local options to find the perfect gift.
Geocaching is a great outdoor activity that can be done absolutely anywhere, and is free to do aside from a GPS device (which most of us can use our cellphones for). If you haven’t heard of geocaching, it’s basically a worldwide treasure hunt. That’s right, geocaching is happening all around the world. How cool is …
Geocaching: An Outdoor Treasure Hunt that Anyone can Play Read More »
We all know the saying, ‘April showers bring May flowers’, but with this week’s forecast in mind, all this April rain will bring forth another fascinating natural event; high water levels.
When coupled with the Spring run-off, April hosts some of the season’s best views of our beloved waterways. While our true to the word ‘waterfalls’ are limited, many of our favourite scenes take on new life in the Spring. What was once a non-descript trickling creek, is now a fast-flowing spectacle.
If the back roads are one of Hastings County’s best-kept secrets, its network of off-road trails are the reason why. Over the years, the county has made a name for itself as a go-to destination for ATV and snowmobile travel in Ontario. These days though, two-wheelers are on the rise in the woods, and springtime (before the bugs are out in full force) is the perfect time to experience Hastings County by bike.
COVID-19 has thrown a wrench into our plans for over a year now, and March Break 2021 is no exception… or should I say April Break! Have you seen every piece of every puzzle in your home more times in the last year than you can count? Have you played every board game you own and feel like you have seen everything on Netflix?
It’s time to shake it up! Leave the living room behind and adventure into the outdoors! Here in Hastings County, we are so lucky to be surrounded by nature and unique local businesses. While we are currently under restrictions, that doesn’t mean we can’t have an exciting April Break!
If you’re stuck on what to do, check out some ideas shared in this post…
Easter is our first breath of spring and this year it feels long over-due. It’s the second time around that annual Easter Egg Hunts have been cancelled or held virtually due to COVID-19. No matter, there are lots of creative ways to refresh your traditions and support local businesses.
If you’ve never gardened before, growing your own vegetables can feel overwhelming, and you may not know where to start. However, with a bit of guidance, you can easily grow your own food. Three years ago, when I started my first garden, I started small. I picked four things to grow that year – tomatoes, cucumbers, cilantro, and lettuce. The following year I added a few more vegetables, and the third year I had a full-fledged garden happening!
Because sappiness rhymes with happiness. Taffy on snow. There’s something truly sappy about candied maple syrup rolled onto sticks. All you need is clean snow (ice will suffice if the snow’s gone) and real maple syrup to impress any kid – or the kid in any adult. This is all about simple, old-fashioned fun. There …
Sugaring Off: Sticky Stuff to Do with Maple Syrup Read More »
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Visitors often ask about the building and it’s name, Quinn’s of Tweed. In fact, tradition dictates that we keep, with honour, the name Quinn’s of Tweed, the original name of the store and building. The Quinn’s of Tweed building is one of the town’s oldest and most beautiful historic stone structures, dating back to the 1880s. The twelve foot walls allow us to hang paintings in the traditional French salon style. You’ll marvel at the craftmanship of the ash and maple staircase, the old bookeeper’s office, and the stained glass that brings one back to an era when a handshake and promise were as good as gold – today, we still believe in those principles.
Charles Frederick McGowan sold the lot in 1907 to William James Lawrence for $600.00. Shortly thereafter Mr. Lawrence erected the building which still stands there today. He conducted a furniture business until 1912, when he sold the property to the Traders’ Bank of Canada, which within the year, was taken over by the Royal Bank of Canada. It operated out of the building until 1942, when the war forced consolidations and closures due to a lack of tellers (men). The property changed hands a couple more times before local Tweed family, Gaylord Forest Products secured the property in 2003. Since then, they have evolved every inch of the interior into an experience. Each room throughout the building is a real life ‘showroom’ from top to bottom; you simply have to see it to believe it. The stairwell in particular holds a lot of history!
Experience the charm of our 1906 mansion, nestled in the village of Marmora, Ontario, an historic town celebrating 200 years in 2021. The large and stately home was built by Ed Shannon for lumber baron Henry Reginald Pearce (known as “Reginald”) and his family, who purchased the lot for $200. It remained a private family dwelling for many decades and eventually was converted to a Bed and Breakfast by Chris and Lilly Boldly.
It now operates as Marmora And Lake Inn B&B and boasts beautiful, spacious bedrooms with quaint old-world craftsmanship for a luxurious stay. Onsite amenities include an exceptional indoor swimming pool, bubbler tub, infrared sauna, large screen SMART TV’s in each room, wireless internet access throughout, and generous sized gathering rooms. And being a small town, the pool is open to the community and friends for a nominal fee (pre-booking is required).
Our guests enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast including locally baked breads and pastries, yogurt and fresh fruit, an extensive beverage and tea/coffee bar featuring a wide variety of flavours and blends. Great outdoor patio area for fair-weather relaxation and large private events.
Whether planning a romantic weekend for two, a small wedding, a family reunion or a week-long visit to bask in the natural beauty of the region, the Marmora And Lake Inn B&B will help make it a time to remember. (Please note that all bedrooms are on the upper levels and we don’t yet have accessibility assist.)
