Port Elgin Vacation Rentals

The majority of Port Elgin vacation rentals are cabins on the shore of Lake Huron. These cabins generally have three or four bedrooms and are ideal vacation rentals for families or groups of friends. Some of the cabins have lake access from the front porch, while others are hidden in the forest, offering peace and quiet.

Try the best local cuisine at Allan's Fireside

The town's restaurants are clustered in easy walking distance up and down Godderich Street, and vary between pizza places, fish and chip shops, and more upscale if still casual cuisine. Allan's Fireside is a well-known restaurant that is popular with locals and visitors alike. Their signature dish is an appetizer called Firestix. Thin cut fries are served with a sprinkling of spices and a hot sauce on the side. They are known for their delicious steaks, burgers, and barbecue ribs. If you want a romantic night out, try Chef Randy Felker at Ristorante Rosina. The ingredients are locally sourced and the menu is always changing depending on what is available.

Play at the Splash Pads or go fishing in the lake

The Splash Pads are located next to the main beach and playground, and are sponsored by the Lions Club of Port Elgin. This fun play area is open all summer long and provides a great way for kids to cool off. Take a picnic and spend a whole day letting your children have fun at the beach or jumping between the pads' water sprays.

Port Elgin has a Kids Dock, which is a perfect place to teach younger children how to fish. The area is safe and there are a number of fish species in the Saugeen River. Your little one is very likely to catch a fish here. However, if the Kids Dock is crowded, there are plenty of other fishing spots along the lake and river.

Watch live music next to Lake Huron in summer

In the summer months, you can watch a live music concert every Sunday evening at the Emmett McGrath Pavilion on Port Elgin Main Beach. Bring along chairs or a blanket and listen to the featured band of the week. The event is free and you are welcome to bring your own picnic basket or support the local vendors that set up stalls next to the water.

Head to the Queens Bar and Grill for some excellent pub-style food and a wide range of craft beers on tap. The bar has live music on most weekends and a small dance floor. Have a fun night out with friends and family at this popular local bar. The bar is in the centre of town so it is likely just a short walk away from many Port Elgin cottage rentals.

Take the SS Trolley to Southampton

The SS Trolley runs frequently between Port Elgin and Southampton during the summer months. This is a fun way to see the coastline and to experience the attractions of Southampton. A GPS tracking device allows you to see where the trolley is on its route. There are eight designated stops along the way and you can hop on and hop off to explore each of them.

The province of Ontario is known as a hikers' heaven, and Port Elgin offers some truly great trails to explore. Beiner's Bush Trail is accessed from Market Street in town. In minutes, you will be in the tranquil surrounds of nature. In the summer, the trail is full of hikers and bikers exploring the forest, but the most magical time to hike the trail is in winter, when everything is usually covered in snow.

Ride the Gran Fondo Lake Huron or have fun at the Pumpkinfest

Gran Fondo is a cycling event that provides funds for the local hospital. The event takes place in August each year and offers four different ride lengths. You can choose between 30km, 70km, 110km, and 160km events. There are a number of stops along each route with artisan food and drink available. Enjoy the scenery of the lake and surrounding countryside.

Pumpkinfest takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving Day (in Canada) every year and is a truly unique event. Attractions offered include two giant pumpkin weigh-offs, a vintage car show, celebrity pumpkin seed spitting contests, a Cinderella carriage, and over 100 vendors providing craft beers, artisan foods, and hand-crafted gifts. On the festival's Saturday night, there is a pajama party with live entertainment for the whole family. Book your vacation rental far in advance for this popular event.

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