My Roadtrip Home

I don’t know what exactly it is that keeps pulling at my heart-strings and has me returning to this beautiful little town in Southwestern Ontario, over and over again? Whenever I find the need to escape the city, I find myself taking a road trip to my hometown of beautiful Kincardine.

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Is it the roar of the waves or the beautiful sunsets over Lake Huron?  Could it be the people young and old, who take time out of their busy day to speak to everybody, whether they know you or not?  Is it the childhood memories of days many years ago?  Or could it be the familiarity I feel surrounding me whenever I return.  To me it doesn’t matter what the reason is.  I just know that Kincardine is home and that’s where my heart has remained.

How to Get to Kincardine

Kincardine is a small town that lies along the sandy shores of Lake Huron in Western Ontario. It’s 2 hours and 44 minutes from Toronto.

Kincardine is my quick got to road trip when I just want to escape the city for a day or two.  I always love to explore my home town as if I was a tourist, and I never fail to find something new.  Kincardine has so much to offer and I never have a problem filling my day without breaking the bank.
This is why Kincardine has become my favorite summer Ontario road trip destination.

When visiting my hometown, the first place I visit is my childhood home.  The last time I was there, the home just happened to be for sale.  Was this an omen and I was being called back to my hometown?  Of course as I was taking photos and reminiscing of days gone by, a friendly neighbour came along and we spent at least the next half hour talking.  I did mention that the people are really friendly and like to talk!

Things to do in Kincardine

Kincardine has many things to offer, but the beach is the primary reason people flock to this small town. As a hometown girl, I recommend that you spend the day close to the water.

Tiny Tot Playground

216 Lampton Street, Kincardine, Ontario

Next on the agenda, I always pay a visit to the beach and my favourite area from my childhood days, the Tiny Tot Playground.  This is a playground area located right on the beach on the north side of the town.  This is a fantastic area to visit if you have children, and even if you don’t.

Like the name suggests, there is an amazing playground for the kids and also for the kid in all of us.  In addition to the playground and the beach, there are also numerous picnic tables, several tennis courts and the lawn bowling area, and public restrooms.  Bring a picnic as you can easily spend the entire day at the Tiny Tot Playground.

NOTE: After at least 60 years, the Town of Kincardine has recently changed the name of the park to MacPherson Park. It will always be known as the Tiny Tot Playground to this hometown girl

Rock Garden and Pavillion

Rock Garden: 155 Durham Street, Kincardine, Ontario

Kincardine Pavillion: 156 Durham Street, Kincardine, Ontario

After playing on the beach for a bit, I recommend taking a walk down the beach towards the rock garden, which is also located on the beach and has spectacular views.  What an incredible spot for a wedding, with beautiful Lake Huron offering the perfect backdrop.

Next door to the rock garden is the Kincardine Pavilion (fondly known by the locals as the “pav”), which is also located directly on the beach.  The outdoor patio offers the perfect place to lounge and watch the sun go down over the lake.  My daughter was so impressed with the beauty of this location that it has now been added to her list as being a potential wedding venue.

INSIDER TIP: After visiting the Rock Garden, continue walking and you will hit what locals call Lover’s Lane. Walking Lover’s Lane is a very easy short 2 minute walk that provides peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the main beach. Back in the day, teenagers would sneak to Lover’s Lane with the “love of their life”. Hence the name Lover’s Lane was born.

The Tiny Tot Playground, Kincardine Pavillion, Rock Garden and Lover’s Lane are all connected and an easy short walk for all fitness levels.

Grey Matter Beer Company

726 Queen Street, Kincardine, Ontario

When it’s time to cool off with a nice cold beer, the Grey Matter Beer Company offers beer by the glass, as well as beer tasting flights.  Given that I’m not a beer drinker, I was very impressed with the quality and taste of the beer. The staff were extremely friendly, providing an easy laid-back atmosphere.

You can easily spend a couple of hours at Grey Matter, tasting the different beers, playing games, people watching, or enjoying the sunset as it sets over the sky of Lake Huron. Everyone is made to feel welcome at this establishment, even our fur buddies. What could be better than making a pit stop for a beer when out walking your dog? 

The beer is brewed on site and the floor below has an opening so you are able to see the tanks below.

I would highly recommend making Grey Matter Beer Company your first stop when visiting Kincardine, however, make sure you have a designated driver after testing their beer flights. Better yet, book a room and spend the night.

Grey Matter Beer Company is located on the lands and treaty territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation

Station Beach, South Pier and Kincardine Harbour

No road trip home is quite complete without a visit to Station Beach, the South Pier and the Kincardine Harbour.

Station Beach is the most active beach in the area and this is where you will find the kiters, surfers and paddle boarders.  It is known to offer some of the best surfing in Canada.  There are also ample volleyball nets for the volleyball enthusiast like myself.  If you are looking for some serenity, you can escape the beach activity by taking a walk out onto the pier or along the trail which is accessed directly from the beach.

Kincardine offers some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Once you lay eyes on a Kincardine sunset, you will understand why Kincardine is one of the best destinations in Ontario. I highly recommend that you plan on sticking around long enough to take in this beauty.

The perfect ending to the perfect day.  I love my hometown.

More of the Best Things to do in Kincardine, Ontario

If you can stay for more than a day, there is plenty more to do and see. This hometown gal has the following recommendations:

Pipe Band Parade

I would be remiss in neglecting to mention the Scottish Pipe Band Parade which occurs every Saturday evening between mid-June until Labour Day weekend. 

Young and old alike have been flocking to the small Town of Kincardine from all across the globe since 1948 to participate in this fun-filled event.  If you are a piper, bring your bagpipes so that you can join in the entertainment.  If you are a tourist, beware the locals will always be able to spot you as you hoist the little ones up onto your shoulders and follow the band the two blocks down the main street.

It is at the end of the downtown that the pipers take their cigarette break and the children play the drums with Blinky (the mascot), before making their way back through the downtown to Victoria Park where they continue to serenade the crowd.

The parade is the place to be to catch up with friends, old and new alike.  A true Kincardine tradition and an Ontario must see activity.

Phantom Piper

If visiting Kincardine during July and August, you will have the opportunity to experience the Phantom Piper, which is a long-standing Kincardine tradition.  In honour of the late Donald Sinclair, one of the early pipers in Kincardine, a member of the pipe band will play his or her bagpipes, and can be found atop the Kincardine lighthouse or standing on the steps into the lighthouse.  On many evenings throughout the week at dusk, you may be lucky enough to hear the bagpipes playing as you walk along the shores of beautiful Lake Huron.

  HOME SWEET HOME 🙂

If you aren’t a beach person, there are several other ways to fill your days while visiting the friendly Town of Kincardine:

• browse the quaint locally owned shops
• antique shopping. Check out Reid’s Corner Antiques located 10 Km. south on highway 21 and concession 4 (open Saturday and Sundays)
• take a historic walking or driving tour
• hike one of Kincardine’s trails
• take a tour of the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant
• visit the Walker House, Kincardine’s oldest building located at 235 Harbour Street, Kincardine, Ontario
• take in a play at the Bluewater Summer Playhouse, located at 707 Queen Street, Kincardine, Ontario

Places to Eat in Kincardine, Ontario

When visiting Kincardine, it is important to remember that it is a small town and therefor won’t have the amount of food establishments that we are afforded in the city. Yes you will find the usual chain restaurants along highway 21, but I highly recommend eating at one of the local establishments:

• Hawgsbreath Saloon for pub fair $$$
• Bistecca Italian Steakhouse for finer dining $$$$
• Erie Bell $$$
• Tartan Tusk Pub and Eatery $$$ (my favorite for the location)
• Kings Pearl in Tiverton $$ (71 King Street, Tiverton, Ontario, 12 minutes outside of Kincardine)

Before visiting any of the restaurants check to see if they are open. Small town restaurants tend to be a hit and miss. If you are visiting during the Summer months, I highly recommend making reservations.

Places to Stay in Kincardine, Ontario

When visiting Kincardine, it is important to remember that it is a tourist town and accommodations book up well in advance of the summer months. Whether you prefer chain hotels, boutique hotels, airbnbs, or a unique stay, Kincardine has it all, however book early!

• Towneplace Suites by Marriott
• Best Western, Kincardine
• Holiday Inn & Suites
• Inn at the Harbour (BEST LOCATION)
• Kincardine Cabins (UNIQUE STAY)

For visitors looking for independent accommodations, there are cottage rentals, airbnb’s, and campgrounds.

DON’T LEAVE! You will want to read all about Lake Huron’s Lighthouse Trail: An Epic Ontario Road Trip!

I Hope You Enjoyed My Hometown: In Conclusion …

For more information on what to do, where to stay and where to eat when visiting Kincardine, visit Kincardine Tourism.  I can guarantee that you will love my hometown just as much as I do! Kincardine is the absolute best road trip or staycation destination in Ontario, and you really are “a stranger only once”.

Written in loving memory of Mandi Cartwright, a girl who LOVED Kincardine and made it her second home. I will remember this day forever RIP sweet girl.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME ON MY ROAD TRIP HOME 🙂

PIN FOR AN ONTARIO ROAD TRIP!