A Summer of Fun – Our Favorite Things to Do in South Frontenac, Ontario

Hello, summer! We’ve been anxiously waiting for you to arrive! 

On Bobs Lake in South Frontenac, Ontario, summer is our high season. 

We have so many visitors in the summer months because – you guessed it – the weather is perfect for outdoor recreational activities and spending time on and near the water. 

We can’t contain our excitement about summer in Southeastern Ontario, so we’re sharing our favorite summer events and activities near Bobs Lake in hopes of getting you just as excited as we are.

Planning a trip to Frontenac County this summer? Use this go-to guide to help plan your getaway and make your 2024 summer vacation the best one yet.

When you visit Ontario in summer, you’ll experience such pleasant weather that you won’t want to leave. Clear blue skies with little rain accompany temperatures that range from 20º to 30ºC (68º to 86ºF) during the day and average around 10ºC (50ºF) at night. 

It’s the ideal weather to spend lots of time outdoors exploring the Land O’ Lakes region. (Did you know that Ontario has over 250,000 lakes including Bobs Lake, obviously our personal favorite?)

The daily temperatures in June, July, and August are perfect for swimming, boating, kayaking, and all sorts of other aquatic activities. Plus, nighttime temperatures are amazing for sitting by the fire or taking a moonlit boat ride. 

If you haven’t visited the Ontario wilderness in the summer, what are you waiting for?

If you’re planning a summer vacation to Ontario and you’ll be near Frontenac County, see if you can check out one or more of these fun events. 

The Frontenac Farmer’s Market at Centennial Park in Harrowsmith holds Summer Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. all summer long (through October 25). No matter which summer week you’re visiting, you can pop over to the market to grab some fresh produce and chat with locals. 

There are several fun events planned for this summer as well. Check them out below and find more information on their website. 

Summer Solstice Party June 21, 2024 – onsite food, beer garden, over 40 vendors

Growing Mushrooms with Mark July 5, 2024 – workshop on how to grow Blue Oyster mushrooms

Microgreens 101 August 2, 2024 – a fun free workshop all about how to grow microgreens

Open Farm Days Kick Off Party August 16, 2024 – live music, onsite food, beer garden

Tomato Tasting August 23, 2024 – learn about and taste a variety of tomatoes 

If you’re traveling with littles, there’s nothing like an outdoor storytime to keep them entertained. When you need a break from days of exploration and adventure, a low-key, kid-friendly event like this is just the ticket. 

Grab a blanket and some sunscreen, pop the kids in the car, and head over to Sydenham Point for Storytime at 10:30 a.m. on any of the following dates: June 21, July 5, July 19, and August 2. Find more info at https://calendar.kfpl.ca/event/10041319.

More Sydenham Library events include Drag Queen Storytime on August 17 and the Puppet Show Tour (perfect for ages six and under) on August 12. Both require (free) registration beforehand. 

June 22nd kicks off the 2024 Music in the Park Series, hosted at McMullen Park in Verona. It’s a family-friendly event where you can kick back, relax, and enjoy live music on the shores of Verona Lake. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., enjoy live music, food vendors, disc golf, and even skills and drills on the tennis courts. So gather the crew, pack a picnic blanket and some lawn chairs, and head over to the lake.

Each month, the series moves to a different beach, so be sure to check out South Frontenac’s website for information on July and August’s events. 

To celebrate the Summer Solstice and the full moon, Wintergreen Studios, an environmental retreat center in South Frontenac, Ontario, is hosting a weekend of workshops, music, and celebration. 

Some of the activities during this weekend include a free Summer Solstice Labyrinth Walk and a Full Moon Festival on Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with five musical acts, a light meal, and dancing.  

Wintergreen Studios offers many events throughout the year, so be sure to check out what they’re offering while you’re in town.

Oh, Canada! If you’re visiting on July 1, celebrate Canada Day in South Frontenac. There are events and activities in various locations, all culminating in an incredible fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. at Gerald Ball Park in Sunbury with free shuttle service from various locations.

Last year’s Canada Day saw a full schedule of events at Centennial Park in Harrowsmith. Activities included live music, a dog show, inflatables, kids’ games and crafts, horseshoes, scavenger hunts, slip and slide, a beer garden, a vendors market, and more.

In Sydenham, festivities began with a parade from the firehall, then continued at The Point Park, with live music, food vendors, antique cars, face painting, inflatables, a bike decorating contest, a kids fishing derby, cookie decorating, a waterslide, and more.

Check the event schedule on South Frontenac’s website closer to the big day to see the activities for Canada Day 2024.

When you visit Southeastern Ontario in the summer, be sure to explore popular Frontenac Provincial Park. It’s open year-round, but summer is an especially prime time to visit the park and hike its 100 kilometers of trails, go canoeing or swimming in 22 lakes, enjoy excellent fishing, and view lots of wildlife. 

Frontenac Provincial Park also hosts events throughout the year, including the Happy Trails Hike & Paint event this summer. Join local artist Lisa Leskien on a three-kilometer hike to gather inspiration before creating your own 12 x 16 painting to take home. All painting supplies are included, and Lisa will guide you through her process using acrylic paints and oil. You can learn more and sign up for the event at www.lisaontheloose.com. 

You may not be visiting for a specific event, but there are always things to do in South Frontenac and the surrounding area!

As you know, Southeastern Ontario is covered in lakes (including Bobs Lake, Ontario’s largest wilderness lake). Whether you’re staying with us or enjoying accommodations elsewhere, you’d definitely be missing out if you skipped the water activities. Even if you just hike the trails near the lake, you’ll be wowed by the beauty of the waterways in this region. 

What water activities do we recommend? All of them! On Bobs Lake, for example, you can swim, fish, kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddle board. You can even rent a motorized boat from our on-site boat rental. 

Summertime is a great time to explore the popular K&P trail. Not far from Bobs Lake (about 40 minutes), it’s the perfect spot to go hiking, biking, or ATVing. You’ll love this scenic trail, which travels all the way from South Frontenac (entrance at Orser Road) to historic Kingston, with natural open landscapes, rock cuts, and wetlands along the way. 

Another wonderful trail to explore is Cataraqui Trail. A 39-kilometer multi-use recreational trail whose surface is mostly stone dust and loose gravel, it’s perfect for walking, biking, or horseback riding. The wildlife is plentiful along this trail, with opportunities to see everything from herons and ospreys to turtles, snakes, otters, foxes, and deer.

There’s nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than a cold drink. Here are some of our favorite wineries and breweries in the Frontenac area:

• Kick and Push Brewing Company in Sharbot Lake – a microbrewery close to the K&P Trail
• Auralis Botanical Brewing Company in Tichborne – produces zero-alcohol drinks that are 100 percent plant-based
• Scheuermann Winery in Westport –  woodfired pizza and beautiful scenery
• Westport Brewing Company in Westport – located waterfront in the heart of town

What better way to celebrate summer than to indulge in an ice cream cone? Why not visit one or more ice cream shops and sample until you find your favorite flavor?

At Limestone Creamery in Elginburg, they make their own farm-fresh ice cream onsite. Their farm store also sells organic dairy products, eggs, meat, produce, and more.

Next up is Cafe Tenango in Marysville. They source their decadent ice creams from Tracy’s Dairy. Grab a cone and then stroll down to the Wolfe Island ferry dock to enjoy the views. Cafe Tenango also has great coffee, including lattes, espressos, and more.

And last but not least, Vanilla Beans in Westport is our personal favorite. (Plus it’s the closest to Bobs Lake!) There you’ll enjoy coffee and espresso, grilled sandwiches, and bagels in addition to their Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream.

If you’re not relaxing by the lake or enjoying time out on the water, you’ll have plenty of other things to do this summer in Southeastern Ontario. Whether it’s strolling through a quaint town with an ice cream cone, enjoying live music at the park, hiking the trails, or attending a family-friendly event, there’s something for everyone.

And if you really want to experience the best of summer in Ontario, stay with us at Bobs Lake Cottages & Escapes, where there are endless complimentary summer activities right onsite. 

We can’t wait to host you! Contact us to start planning your summer 2024 trip to South Frontenac, Ontario today!