Loyalist
Beautiful communities,
waterfront views
Whether you explore inland or on the island you’ll be greeted with small-town hospitality and an amazing array of things to see and do.
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Redefining Rural
Museums & Historic Locations
If you love early Canadian architecture you’ll love Fairfield House. It is one of several wood framed structures still standing from the Loyalist era. Built in 1793, this home is a must see.
Location: 4574 Loyalist Parkway, Amherstview
In the historic village of Bath, you can visit a beautiful example of what early Canada homes looked like. This Georgian-style home is fully furnished with items from the Victorian era. The Fairfield-Gutzeit House is one of the first dwellings built in Ontario on the shores of Lake Ontario.
Location: 341 Main Street, Bath
Note: Closed for the 2023 Season
Learn about the first settlement of 1789 and see artifacts from Canada’s grain merchants in this quaint building that was once the island’s General Store.
Location: 5220 Front Road, Stella (Amherst Island)
This area was known for its many mills with the first one founded in 1830. Today you can see Babcock Mill which at one time generated power for the nearby village as well as manufactured baskets.
Location: 100 Bridge Street, Odessa
If you like WWI memorabilia, United Empire Loyalist & Native artifacts on display in this 1861 Town Hall. The Bath Museum has a rich collection of arrowhead and tool artifacts dating back 400 years.
Location: 434 Main Street, Bath
The Loyalist Parkway’s eastern entrance in Loyalist Township is marked by impressive gates that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II officially dedicated in 1984. Once on the parkway, you’ll travel by more than three-dozen commemorative plaques showcasing the unique history of this area. This includes everything from Sir John A. MacDonald’s family home to the British corvette Royal George which was attacked by seven American ships during the War of 1812. Today this scenic drive takes you through many of our communities and an array of interesting businesses, parks and parkettes.
Parks, Trails and Outdoor Adventures
With 117 hectares of woods, wetlands and waterfront views, Parrott’s Bay is a great place to spend the day outdoors. Hike on the trials, go fishing or pack a picnic and enjoy the views.
Location: 4977 Bath Road, Amherstview
All through Lennox and Addington there are amazing looping bike routes. If you’re in Loyalist Township and are an avid cycler explore the ones that are in this area.
The Loyalist portion of the Waterfront Trail comprises about 40Km of the entire trail and travels along the Loyalist Parkway. See rural landscapes, historic villages and beautiful views of Lake Ontario.
If you love outdoor adventures you’ll love Amherst Island. Board the ferry and head to the island for an abundance of things to see and do.
- Irish Dry Stone Walls – Amherst Island is known for its stone walls, may are nearly two centuries old. As you tour through the island, keep on the lookout for these amazing tributes to our historic past.
- Birding – Amherst Island is a hot spot for birding enthusiasts. In fact the island is a globally significant important bird areas and home to some of the largest concentrations of breeding grasslands in Canada. It is also a world-renowned site for observing large concentrations of wintering hawks and owls.
- Swimming – Pack your beach gear and head to South Beach Wetlands Conservation Area.
Golfing
Established in 1971, this semi-private course provides members and visitors with the area’s best facilities for a great day of relaxing golf. The gentle terrain makes Amherstview Golf Club an easily walkable course.
Location: 477 Golf Course Road, Amherstview
Camden Braes Golf & Country Club is a challenging 18 hole course, just minutes from Highway 401 in Loyalist Township.
Location: 1459 Simmons Road, Odessa
The Loyalist Country Club is a beautiful Ted Baker design golf course with 5 sets of tee blocks, offering challenging play to golfers of all skill levels.
Location: 1 Loyalist Boulevard, Bath
Visit a Farm, Apiary or Orchard
This is farm filled with happy sheep all ready to say hello. Visiting Topsy Farms is a pretty cool experience – take the ferry over to Amherst Island, see the sheep, go for a hike, browse the hand-made wool products in the store and enjoy the island views.
Location: 14775 Front Road, Amherst Island
Saddle up and go for a ride on this beautiful ranch that is committed to finding a forever home for horses in need. At Second Chance Ranch you’ll also see goats, alpacas and other farm animals at this busy little farm.
Location: 6038 County Road 2, Odessa
Visit Ruby’s Acres Alpaca Farm, a family-friendly hobby farm that caters to alpaca education and experiences! Tour their lovely farm and see a selection of alpaca fibre goods!
Location: 1000 Lucas Road, Odessa
Yummy, gooey and delicious honey and maple products produced and packaged onsite. Stop into Hogan’s Honey and see what the buzz is all about.
Location: 6605 Loyalist Parkway, Bath
Stop by the Brewery
The Mackinnon Brothers pour over 200 years of farming heritage into their ales and stouts with the hops, wheat and barley grown right on their farm. Taste the unique character with a trip to the brewery. Learn More
Location: 1915 County Rd. 22, Bath
Noteworthy Stops and Interesting Finds
On Amherst Island local and area artists and artisans have come together to exhibit and sell their more. Stop by the Weasel & Easel for fine art and crafts.
Location: 5220 Front Rd, Stella
The Wool Shed located at Topsy Farms on Amherst Island offers a variety of wool products made on site from their very own happy sheep.
Location: 14775 Front Rd, Stella
Operating since 1867 and taken over in 1925 by the Jensen family, this amazing little cheese factory has been wowing customers with delicious cheeses and quality artisan products for more than a century.
Location: 287 Simmons Road, RR#2 Odessa
Amherst Island is known for its stone walls, which are nearly two centuries old. As you tour through the island, keep on the lookout for these amazing tributes to our historic past.
Location: Amherst Island
With beautiful views of Lake Ontario and Amherst Island, take a break at Finkle’s Shore Park in Bath or Fairfield Park in Amherstview.
Our communities have plenty of interesting and unique shopping offerings. Spend the day browsing in Bath, Amherstview, Odessa and on Amberst Island.
With so much to see and do in the area, chances are you’re going to work up an appetite! What are you in the mood for?
Make the most out of your trip and extend your stay. There are many unique places to rest your head on the mainland and on the island.
Our Communities
To get to the island hop on the ferry in Millhaven and travel about 15 minutes to the Island. You’ll dock in the quaint village of Stella which was named one of the “prettiest towns in Canada” by Harrowsmith County Life.
This island is a paradise for hikers, birdwatchers, scuba divers and anyone who loves nature. In the summer the WaterSide Summer Series is popular for all types of music lovers. The island is also famous for the abundance of dry stone walls, the same kind that are very popular in Ireland.
- The island was settled by Irish immigrants in the 1800’s
- Located along the shores of Lake Ontario
- Many of the stone walls are nearly two centuries old
Once a subdivision on the outskirts of Kingston, Amherstview has grown into a thriving and beautiful community. Amherstview is known for its recreational facilities. The W.J. Henderson Recreational Centre houses a swimming pool, ice skating rinks and a public library. The centre also has fitness and wellness programs as well as a variety of workshops and programs for all ages.
Until 1816 the village of Bath rivaled Kingston, Ontario as a commercial and educational centre. On Main Street you’ll find businesses, a few restaurants and an ice cream parlour.
Once known as Mill Creek, Odessa is a growing village. Stop by and see the Historic Babcock Mill or the Odessa Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds are one of the oldest in Ontario. Relax at Mill Creek Park or pack a picnic and lounge in the gazebo.
Quiet charm and a relaxed atmosphere pretty much sums up the rural beauty of Wilton. But, anyone in the area will tell you this is where you go for cheese. The Wilton Cheese Factory is one of the area’s finest cheese makers and has been in operation since 1867.
- Check out the old Wilton schoolhouse built in the 1950’s and now acting as a restaurant
- Get ice cream at the General Store
- Look for yummy produce at a roadside market
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