Eastern Ontario Road Trip: Ottawa, Perth & the Bay of Quinte

A 6-Day Itinerary for Small Towns, Cheap Hotels, and Good Food

I love a road trip that allows for lots of stops in places that aren’t the traditional destinations. This one starts and ends in Ottawa – easy to get to by plane or train – but stops in small communities with historic downtowns, riverside patios, and small-town bakeries that never show up in the big Ontario guides. This is a great eastern Ontario road trip from Ottawa to the Bay of Quinte and back.

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Day 1-2: Ottawa

Ottawa is one of my favourite places to start an Ontario road trip because you don’t have to navigate the Toronto airport, and hotels are generally cheaper. The AC Hotel Ottawa Downtown is a new addition to the Marriott properties in the city, and though the location feels a bit grimy, it’s ideal for shopping, eating in Byward Market, and accessing Parliament with a short walk. It’s also one of the lowest price points for a Marriott family hotel in Ottawa, and at 30,000 Bonvoy points a night, it’s a good deal for collectors.

I no longer go to Ottawa without eating at Thali. As a vegetarian, I haven’t always found Ottawa to be a winner when it comes to meals, but this Indian restaurant fixes all that. Thali refers to the large plate of many small dishes, and the vegetarian option is my go-to order.

There’s loads to do and see in Ottawa, but if you’re only there for a day or two, hit the highlights: Parliament, and a walk along the canal. Visit the food stalls in Byward Market, and for a free museum that’s great for kids and adults, try the Bank of Canada Museum on Bank Street.

Day 3-4: Perth to Belleville

Pick up a rental car on the way out of Ottawa — you don’t need one in the city, and parking is expensive. Outside of Ottawa, you can get around by bus and train, but it’s nice to have the freedom to drive. Perth is only an hour from Ottawa, and makes a perfect day trip or, in this case, a stopover on the way west.

Lunch at Fieldhouse is a must — have a kale salad, of all things. Perth has a historic downtown and strips of independent shops, and a lovely river runs through town, making for perfect photo ops.

You can choose to stay in Kingston, a bustling university city. I opted for Belleville instead — cheaper hotels, and a more off-the-beaten-track downtown. From there, you can dine at Kafana, a funky Eastern European restaurant, without any of the crowds in Kingston. There are two Marriott family hotels in Belleville (only 20,000-25,000 points per night), which makes it an easy Bonvoy-friendly stop if you’re paying on points like I was in Ottawa.

Day 5: Quinte West and Brighton

Belleville makes a great home base for exploring the surrounding Bay of Quinte area, and Quinte West is worth the short drive. Start the morning with coffee at Grind and Vine, then head to the farmers market on Front Street — a good spot to pick up something for the road if you’re the type who can’t resist a road trip snack stash (I am).

From there, walk the bridge in Trenton. It’s a small thing, but the views over the water make it worth the stop, especially if you’re stretching your legs after a few days of driving. Save room for a stop at Wannamakers Bake Shop — the donuts alone are worth the detour.

If you have an extra hour, drive out to Brighton. The main street is cute in that unpolished, hasn’t-been-discovered-yet way I love in small Ontario towns, and Lighthouse Bookshop is a great spot to browse if you’re a reader — I could have stayed for an hour longer than I did.

Looking for more Ontario stops? Check out these 7 towns

Day 6: Finish this Eastern Ontario Road Trip in Ottawa

From Belleville, it’s about a three-hour drive back to Ottawa, easy enough to do in a morning to close out an eastern Ontario road trip if you want an afternoon in the city before your flight home. It’s a good excuse to swing back through Perth if you didn’t get enough of it on the way out, or just to enjoy the drive — this stretch of the 7 is quiet, and a nice bookend to a trip that’s more about small towns than highlights.

Is this Eastern Ontario road trip worth it?

This isn’t an eastern Ontario road trip built around one big must-see — it’s built around the kind of towns you’d normally drive past. Perth’s river, Trenton’s bridge, a bakery in Quinte West, a bookshop in Brighton: none of it is flashy, but together it makes for a very pleasant few days away from the crowds. If you’re already looking at Ottawa for a trip, don’t stop there. Rent a car, head west for a few days, and let the small towns do the rest.

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