The perfect weekend getaway from Ottawa or Toronto is waiting for you: the Kawarthas Northumberland Butter Tart Tour. The Butter Tart Tour is a self drive tour with a map of all the butter tart shops available in the area. Butter tarts are sold at local bakeries, cafes and restaurants. With over 50 locations selling the best butter tarts in Ontario, you’re sure to find one you love. As a bonus, you’ll enjoy all that the Kawarthas Northumberland has to offer.
Butter tarts pack up to go perfectly to take home with you! What’s great is that you can make this a cheap vacation from Toronto or Ottawa by doing this trip in one day or by camping overnight in the area, or make this a luxurious trip to travel in Ontario and stay at a resort. There is more to the area than just the tour so let me take you on a little trip!
How to Get to the Butter Tart Tour
This self drive road tour would take about 2 hours to drive from the farthest two butter tart locations. The Butter Tart Tour is a perfect day trip from Toronto (about a 1.5 hour drive from Toronto) and a day trip from Ottawa (3 hour drive). Alternatively, it is perfect for a getaway from Toronto or Ottawa.
The Tart Awards
Best Presentation: The Swiss Bear Restaurant and Bakery is found in Apsley, Ontario just off Highway 28. The presentation of these butter tarts is beautiful. If it is your first visit to the Swiss Bear for the Butter Tart Tour, the butter tart is on the house (with a purchase of food).
Most Instagrammable Bakery: The Little Pie Shack in Fenelon Falls is by far the quirkiest location, found in a pink building with a pie painted on the site.
Sweetest Flavour: Dolce in Fenelon Falls sells Skor butter tarts which are absolutely scrumptious.
Most Canadian: Bobcaygeon Bakery and their Maple tart is to DIE for. They also had a cute bakery and other local products like jams, honey and maple syrup!
Best Patio: Nutty Bean Cafe in Lindsay has the best patio. It is located is across the street from the best ice cream place in the neighbourhood: Stuff’d.
Where to Stay in the Kawarthas
For the luxurious traveller, stay at the Eganridge Resort and enjoy lunch or dinner at their restaurant. You can play a round of golf or enjoy their spa, both found on the resort.
For the romantic couple, stay at the Westwind Inn, a quaint bed and breakfast in Buckhorn. It is adjacent to the Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park. They have a host of things to do including rent canoes, kayaks, row boat, pedal boat, bikes, nature trails, cross country ski trails, in addition to fishing, skating on the lake under the stars, snowshoes, outdoor bon fires, swimming pool.
If you like camping, you can rent a campsite at Balsam Lake Provincial Park, Bell Haven Park, or Riverwood Park Campgrounds.
What to Do in the Kawarthas
This Ontario staycation would be best enjoyed in the summer. You’ll get to visit a few of the quirky villages and explore some of the history in the area.
Fenelon Falls: stop in the “Jewel of the Kawarthas”, rent some bikes and tour along the water, see the falls (you might get lucky and see a blue heron) and enjoy the locks.
Bobcaygeon: wander to the Settler’s Village to explore what was once a family farm and is now a collection of over 20 historic homes and buildings. Experience pioneer life in the Kawarthas and discover artifacts from 1830 – 1935. Kawartha Settlers’ Village was established in 1990 with the goal to preserve the history and culture of the Bobcaygeon area.
Ken Reid Conservation Area: bring bugs spray and talk a walk through this conservation area. You will get to cross some boardwalks, have a picnic in the picnic area, walk accessible trails and even find a lookout!
Lindsay: make a stop at Stuff’d for delicious locally made ice cream and walk along the Trent Severn waterway.
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