A sweet and savory end to our Bruce Peninsula getaway
We started our last day on the road with a bit of routine — packing our bags, doing one last sweep of the hotel room to make sure nothing was left behind, and grabbing a quick complimentary breakfast. The bittersweet feeling of a final day hung in the air, but there was still plenty to see before heading home.
Our first stop was Sauble Falls, just a short drive from Owen Sound. The air was crisp, and the sound of rushing water welcomed us as soon as we stepped out of the car. The falls might not be towering giants, but their wide, cascading steps give them a unique charm — perfect for photos and for kids to explore the rocky edges. We spent about an hour here, snapping pictures and soaking in the calm morning vibe.
Next, it was on to the famous Sauble Beach. We didn’t plan on swimming, but standing barefoot in the shallow waters still gave us that refreshing “lake therapy” moment. The kids, however, were distracted by a more important mission: ice cream.
They struck gold at Happy Donuts — not your typical ice cream parlor. Here, soft serve is coated in your choice of flavors and toppings, making every cone a mini work of art. For the adults, the pull of caffeine was stronger, so we walked over to Amici’s Coffee. It’s clearly a local favorite, given the long 20-minute line, but the rich aroma and the first sip made it worth every second.
From there, we made our way to Southampton Beach, where the highlight was the massive Canadian flag proudly waving in the breeze. The town itself was peaceful, with quiet streets and lake views that looked like something out of a postcard.
Our beach-hopping continued at Port Elgin Main Beach, where we strolled the breakwater from end to end. Waves lapped against the rocks, and the lighthouse at the far end framed the view perfectly. It was one of those moments where you just want to slow your pace and make the day last a little longer.
By now, stomachs were starting to growl, and it felt like the right time to close our trip with a hearty lunch. We drove about an hour inland to Markdale, where we found Big Cheese Pizza. We left with not one but two boxes — a classic Canadian pizza and a parmesan chicken pizza that had us all agreeing it was the best meal to wrap up the journey.
With that, we hit the road for the two-hour drive back home, full from both the food and the memories we’d collected over three days.