Beat The Blahs

Beat the Blahs in Port Hope!

Cabin fever meets its match in this winter feel-good family classic.

When the post-holiday cabin fever starts to set in, Port Hope hits the getaway sweet spot of close enough to feel easy, yet different enough to feel like a real change of scene. As winter settles in and slows down, this historic town and rolling countryside becomes a rare thing: a place where families can move, explore, and relax without a lot of planning.

The Opening Scene

Set the stage with a stay at the Hampton Inn by Hilton Port Hope, where the indoor swimming pool hits the we’re-having-fun vibe right away. From here, it’s a short hop to downtown or a quick drive north to forest trails, making it easy to follow the weather and the kids’ moods.

The Storyline

Downtown mornings tend to start sweet. Queenies Bake Shop, Dreamer’s Café, Milly’s Market & Café, and The Main all offer warm drinks and baked treats for your very own hot chocolate crawl.

The Scenery

Fresh air is never far away. A winter walk along Port Hope West Beach or East Beach and the Harbour Walk delivers big Lake Ontario views and space to roam. For a deeper nature escape, the Ganaraska Forest—southern Ontario’s largest contiguous forest—opens up more than 11,000 acres of winter trails. Families can explore the Ganaraska Millennium Conservation Area for easy winter walking, or head to the Ganaraska Forest Centre and Cold Springs Trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. 

Back in town, lunch stops like Olympus Burger and Café Lviv keep things simple and satisfying, while sweet treats from Frosted Flour Co. add an extra reward between activities. Toe Beans Cat Café offers a calm, joy-boosting pause, where meeting friendly rescue cats in a cozy space gives kids a gentle, memorable experience

The Finale

Winter weekends often end with something special. Live performances at the Capitol Theatre add a cultural highlight, and the rotating exhibits in the lobby are always worth a visit. If the weather cooperates, families can also squeeze in time at Memorial Park Playground, or skating on the Caroline Street outdoor rink (check conditions before you go!) or during public skate times at the indoor rink at Jack Burger Sports Complex.

The Fun Cameo

For those visiting over Family Day Weekend, Hibernate Festival brings the community together with live music, art, workshops, pop-ups, and hands-on activities spread throughout downtown.

Plan Your Visit →

This is historic Port Hope — starring the cutest kids ever.

Beat The Blahs Itinerary

Get out of the house and into your feel-good winter story with pool time, fresh air, and the best hot chocolate in town.

Day 1

Hampton Inn by Hilton Port Hope

A straightforward family base in Port Hope. The indoor swimming pool is perfect for burning off energy after travel or keeping the fun going when it’s too cold to head back out. Rooms are modern, breakfast is included, and the location sits right between downtown Port Hope and the Ganaraska Forest area. From here, you’re about 5 minutes to the historic downtown and 15–20 minutes to forest trails and winter activities, a perfect middle ground.

Olympus Burger

Start with lunch at Olympus Burger on Mill Street. It’s fast, casual, familiar enough for picky eaters, and fun for parents too, making it an easy first stop after the drive.

Frosted Flour Co.

Add a sweet stop at Frosted Flour Co., just across the street. This downtown bakery is known for beautifully decorated cookies, cupcakes, and seasonal treats that feel tailor-made for kids (and parents with a sweet tooth). Pick up a few treats to share back at the hotel or save them for a post-adventure pick-me-up.

Get Moving 

Check in and head straight to the hotel pool. Getting your swim time in early makes for an immediate vacation vibe!

Then bundle up for some outdoor exploring at Port Hope West Beach for a winter walk along the icy shores of Lake Ontario, or head to East Beach and the Harbour Walk for something shorter and closer to town.

Santorini’s for Family Dinner

For dinner, head downtown to Santorini’s. It’s a relaxed sit-down option with familiar comfort food and enough space for families to settle in without feeling rushed.

After dinner, stroll past the Capitol Theatre marquee to see what’s on, and take in the shop windows along Queen Street before heading back to the hotel.

A Warm Hug on a Cold Weekend: Hibernate Festival 

If you’re in town for Family Day Weekend, make sure to check out Hibernate Festival, a lively celebration filled with live music, art, crafts, and community spirit throughout the downtown area. In 2026, the festival runs February 13 to 16 and brings free artistic programming to shop windows, galleries, and venues, with family-friendly activities like scavenger hunts, workshops, popups, warm up hubs, activations and performances that invite visitors and locals alike to explore and create together.

Day 2

Breakfast (and Coffee) Options - Choose Your Pace

• Queenies Bake Shop for quick pastries and hot drinks before heading out

• Milly’s Market & Café if you want breakfast sandwiches and a bit more time at the table

• The Main for a locally sourced, farm-to-table start

Get Outside: Choose Your Own Winter Adventure

Ganaraska Forest

Come experience southern Ontario’s largest contiguous forest, where winter opens up more than 11,000 acres of quiet trails, towering pine stands, and wide-open space to move. Families can snowshoe, cross-country ski, or simply head out for an easy winter walk, choosing their own pace and distance.

• For low-key nature: Ganaraska Millennium Conservation Area offers wide, flat trails for winter walking without skis or snowshoes. There is no winter maintenance and gates are closed, so be prepared to walk in.
• For more active play: Drive north to the Ganaraska Forest Centre, the main access point for winter recreation in the forest. When conditions allow, trails may be groomed for cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing is popular throughout the area. Snowshoe rentals are sometimes available on site, and the Cold Springs Trails offer multiple loop options that work well for families. Winter conditions vary, so dress for the weather and check trail use guidelines before heading out.

Feel like staying indoors? A stop at Toe Beans Cat Cafe in downtown Port Hope adds an easy win to any day with kids. You grab a coffee, they get time with friendly rescue cats, and everyone leaves in a better mood. It’s relaxed, a little different, and the kind of experience kids talk about all the way home.

Lunch Stop at Café Lviv

Ukrainian comfort food that works well for families with perogies, soups, schnitzel, and cabbage rolls in a warm, relaxed, setting.

Capitol Theatre

Finish the getaway at the Capitol Theatre, one of the easiest winter wins in Port Hope. Family-friendly theatre runs year-round, and the historic interior makes it feel like a special event. Take the kids to a Mamma Mia! Matinee on February weekends for a fun burst of music and energy. Even without a ticket, the lobby is worth a brief stop with rotating displays and community exhibits.

Stay Outside

If a matinee isn’t your thing, here are some other family-friendly activities in town:

If the weather cooperates, families can also squeeze in time at Memorial Park Playground, the skating on the Caroline Street outdoor rink (check conditions before you go!) or during public skate times at the indoor rink at Jack Burger Sports Complex.