Frosty Hikes, Feathered Friends, and a Cozy BnB in Kingston

Snowy Owl Photo Credit: Rohit Gaur

If you struggle with enjoying winter in Canada, there is no better solution than dressing warm and hitting the trails! This 2-night itinerary combines the joys of winter wildlife spotting with a cozy base nestled in downtown Kingston.

Why This Winter Getaway Works

Just a 2.5-hour drive from Toronto, Kingston offers an easy weekend trip that feels worlds away. Amherst Island is a quick ferry ride across and is one of Ontario’s best winter birding spots, especially for snowy owls that perch like white ghosts on fenceposts and farm fields. Not to mention the fun of cruising on a frozen Lake Ontario and seeing pancake ice formations if it’s cold enough! After crisp morning hikes scanning for raptors, you’ll return to the Secret Garden Inn’s crackling fireplace, fresh breakfast, and board games by candlelight. It’s the perfect balance of wild days and warm nights.

Your Cozy Base: The Secret Garden Inn

Tucked in a Victorian home on a quiet Kingston street, this BnB combines the best of modern amenities with vintage aesthetics. Rooms mix historic charm (think high ceilings and original woodwork) with modern bathrooms and plush bedding. What sets it apart is the little touches: a shared library stuffed with paperbacks, board games for rainy evenings, and a fireplace parlor where you can thaw out with tea after birding. Here is a video showcasing the property - link.

The in-house chef makes breakfast fresh each morning. Mention your dietary needs (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free) upon arrival, and they’ll customize it beautifully. It’s included, hearty, and ready when you’re done with morning coffee.

Two-Night Itinerary: Owl Spotting + Kingston Comfort

Day 1: Drive In, Settle In (Toronto to Kingston, 250 km)

Leave Toronto after work (or on Day 1 of a long weekend). Check into the Secret Garden Inn. Walk five minutes to downtown Kingston for exploration + meals - there are plenty of vegetarian options around. Back at the inn, pull out a board game by the fire and plan tomorrow’s birding.

Day 2: Full-Day Amherst Island Owl Quest (Ferry + 5–8 km hiking)

• 8:30 AM: Breakfast at the inn, then drive 30 minutes to Millhaven Ferry Port (Departs roughly every 60 minutes; $10-20 round-trip per vehicle, cash or card on board. Check link for latest information).

• 10 AM: Reach Amherst Island after a chilly ferry ride and hopefully a frozen Lake Ontario ride with cool pancake ice formations! Take a left after exiting the ferry, drive along Front Rd until you reach the head of Marshall 40 Foot Rd and park here. This is the starting point the trail to Owl Woods. Please remember that this is private property and the owners opened it to the public graciously. Leave no trace and conduct yourself well. Upon reaching Owl Woods, look out for barred owls and great horned owls in the cedars.

• 1 PM: Pack a lunch since eateries on this island are limited/none.

• 1:30 PM: Drive or walk along quiet farm roads eastward towards open fields since this is prime snowy owl territory. Scan fence lines and rocky outcrops mid-morning when they’re active. Short-eared owls hunt low over meadows at dusk. We saw Snowy Owl, Snow Buntings, and a Bald Eagle!

• 5 PM: Take the ferry back (be sure to check the last departure time beforehand). Have dinner in Kingston.

• Pro-tip: Check eBird.org that morning for recent sightings (filter Amherst Island, last 30 days). Aim for 6–8 km total walking. These are flat, easy trails but do carry crampons since the trails may be icy.

Day 3: Morning Birding or Kingston Stroll + Head Home

Option 1 — More Owls: Repeat the ferry for 3–4 hours targeting any eBird misses.

Option 2 — Kingston Morning: Sleep in, enjoy breakfast, then wander around Kingston's popular spots.

Drive home by afternoon after successfully making the most of cold days outdoors!

Practical Tips for Winter Success

• Dress Right: Base layers, windproof jacket, balaclava, thick socks, and crampons for icy trails. Fingers numb fast scanning fields so bring hand warmers too.

• Gear: Spotting scope, or 60x binoculars for distant owls.

• Food Reality: Kingston’s downtown has plenty of veg/vegan options. But Amherst Island? Pack everything - food options are very limited.

• Weather: Check weather app before planning this trip. FYI, snowy owls love it when it's colder!

• Owl Ethics: Stay 100m back, no calls or bait. They’re wild, protected, and photogenic from afar.

• Booking: Secret Garden fills weekends so reserve early. Ferry takes first-come vehicles; arrive 15 minutes ahead.

This getaway proves winter in Ontario is magical. Snowy owls against white fields are quite a sight, and that inn fireplace feels even better after earning it. And that's the secret to enjoying cold winters in Canada - exploring the outdoors + getting cozy afterwards!