One of the prettiest towns in Ontario? Try Port Hope!

Here in Niagara we often hear Niagara-on-the-Lake described as one of the prettiest towns in all of Ontario, and while I don't dispute the lovely setting situated at the mouth of the Niagara River and all the great attractions to be found there, I do have another Ontario town worthy of praise for beauty and   friendliness.

This past weekend, having two days off for the first time this summer, my far better half and I booked a couple of nights at the Plantation House B&B in Port Hope, just a short walk from the downtown core, and a world away from the ordinary.  Proprietor Rose welcomes you with evening tea and dessert to begin your stay, and provides exceptional service throughout your time there.

We enjoyed the accommodations, the food and the quietude especially, which made you feel you were out in the countryside while only steps away from the main street.  There are only two available rooms, but both have their own unique charm at this beautifully kept century home in the heart of town.

Sunday was our day to tour the town, which we have not visited since 2003, and the new residential developments on the outskirts of town indicate Port Hope is becoming home to many commuting Torontonians, I suspect.  The older homes in town are almost always well maintained and full of character, making a drive around town a pleasure if, like us, you enjoy looking at interesting older homes.

Shopping in the downtown core is plentiful, although Sundays will find several shops closed for the day.  But many remain open for tourists, so you will not be left wanting for retail therapy should that be of interest to you.  We enjoyed touring the antique shops, gift shops and the aptly-named Sugar Dust Bakery on John Street, which has only been open a few months now.

The main street, Walton, crosses over the Ganaraska River at the east end of town, taking you to nearby Cobourg and their spectacular waterfront.  The Ganaraska, incidentally, is where the Great Farini walked a tightrope overhead years ago, and eventually made his home there in town until his passing in 1929.  Today the river is better known for the April ritual of sending cardboard vessels through the water in what has become known as "Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny", which attracts spectators and participants every year from near and far.

There is no shortage of great eating establishments in town, and on this trip we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Dreamers Cafe and an Indian Tapas dinner at Cravingz, both in the heart of town.  There are several others, of course, but on this trip those two got our nod of approval, although Dreamers suffers from rather slow service, I found.

Music is very much a part of this artistic and agricultural community, with the 13th annual All-Canadian Jazz Festival coming up this weekend, in fact.  Running from September 5th to the 7th and taking place for the most part at Memorial Park, entertainment will be provided by the likes of the Ganaraska Sheiks, Fathead, Redhot Ramble, Jordana Talsky, Kelly Lee Evans and Susie Arioli, among others.

For tickets, call 1-855-713-9310, or log on to www.allcanadianjazz.ca.

Later in the season, the Port Hope Friends of Music 40th season gets underway, with performances ranging from clarinetist James Campbell and guitarist Graham Campbell teaming up on October 19th to Ensemble Caprice with Dawn Bailey in concert on December 12th.  In the new year, pianist Andreas Klein performs February 1st, the Amstel Quartet on March 20th and the TorQ Percussion Quartet on May 9th.  Performances take place at either the beautifully restored Capitol Theatre downtown or Port Hope United Church.

For tickets, call 905-797-2295 or go to www.porthopefriendsofmusic.ca.

What I love about Port Hope is the fact it is still a working, breathing town with locals sharing the downtown streets with tourists year-round.  It is not a town just for tourists, and that to me is important.  You shop where many locals shop and eat where they eat, and you get to know the community.  The people I find are friendly and very accommodating, no matter where you meet them.

If you want a short escape that will transport you to a peaceful place not that far away, head east on the 401 and turn off at Highway 2, then follow it into town and you'll find yourself on Walton Street before too long.  It is a trip you will long remember, and might just want to return again soon, as we plan to again this fall!

September 3rd, 2014.