Seaforth - While away a winter day

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines to while away as “to cause to pass especially without boredom or in a pleasant manner”. We can think of no better place to while away a winter day than in the quintessential Ontario town of Seaforth.

After grabbing a double double at the local Tim Hortons, you can mosey down Main Street where the local retail scene is flourishing. The Seaforth downtown core has managed to stay bustling, with many unique stores and services. A stop in Seaforth is not over until you have visited Blooms n’ Rooms for the perfect floral accent piece or picked out an exquisite one-of-a-kind gift at Seaforth Artisan Emporium. Whether you are an avid quilter or just a lover of fine fabrics, The Cotton Harvest will surprise you with its array of wools, threads, notions and kits.

Not far from The Cotton Harvest, housed in a century-old factory that was once a creamery, the Sprouted Mill & Bakery specializes in sprouted grain flours that it uses in its authentic sourdough breads and other sprouted baked goods. You can also buy the flour and mixes, as well as a host of local products, including preserves, honey and maple syrup.

A well-deserved lunch break can be spent at one of the lovely downtown restaurants. Maria’s Wok N Dine features an Asian fusion menu and, for something completely different, Juncti8n has a unique mix of Canadian and Dutch cuisine.

To dig in to the history of the area, you can download a self-guided brochure for the Seaforth Historical Walking Tour (winter tip - you can do this as a slow-roll in your car, if the weather is not co-operating) or an audio version is available through the Driftscape app. Both tours are available on the Municipality of Huron East’s website at www.huroneast.com

Why not enjoy the afternoon sun (or pretty snowfall, as the case may be) with a little nature break? Tucked away at the northwest corner of the village (literally, at the corner of North and West Streets!) is a gem of wooded trail. Munn’s Grove Walking Trail is a half-kilometre trail that loops through a forest that buffers the town from the neighbouring farms, with a whimsical entrance that invites walkers with a display of bird houses and folk art. 

Be sure to finish off the day with an iconic Huron County eatery. “The Boot” is the sister restaurant to the famous Blyth Inn, with a comprehensive selection of comfort pub grub to warm you up after a busy winter day.