Father and Son Playing Game

Best Winter Warmup Spots in YDH

Baby it’s cold outside! For the crooners of old, that may have been a reason to bundle up and stay indoors, but here in York Durham Headwaters, it’s not a lament… it’s a rallying call! We love our Great White Winter Wonderland, because it means lots of fun outdoors in the fresh, frosty air. You won’t find us hiding inside when the temperatures dip below zero. We bundle up and head out for wholesome winter activity.

After a day of winter play, however, one absolute must-have is a place to go where you can warm up. Luckily, there are lots of great spots here in YDH to go for a hot drink and a toasty, cheerful atmosphere—so many, in fact, that we can’t possibly list them all. Here are just a few of our favourite spots for warming up after your day of winter fun.

York Region

They say that a sweet treat is like a warm hug. In the heart of Historic Main Street Unionville stands the Old Firehall Confectionery. Here, premium treats are handcrafted with love in small batches. From decadent truffles to mouth-watering macarons, a tasty bite and a hot drink is just the thing to end your winter day spent enjoying the outdoors.

Firehall Macaroons

A quiet café in a relaxed, country setting is what awaits you at Pine Farms Orchard in King. After your day of frosty fun, pick up a piping-hot, homemade soup, or a sweet treat from the bakeshop. In Schomberg, Grackle Coffee Co. has a wide array of coffee, tea and hot chocolate to cozy-up your cold tummy, as well as heartier dishes like soups, curries, chillis and sandwiches.

If your palate is craving something a little more sophisticated, head over to Holland Marsh Wineries in Newmarket, where they are offering mulled wine in the wine shop. If you don’t know what mulled wine is, you’re going to love this hot beverage, which is enhanced with delicious spices and sugars. It’s the perfect end to a perfect day spent at winter play.

Durham Region

What better beverage is there to warm you up after a day spent playing in snow than hot cider? Slabtown Cider Company in Uxbridge is authentic to the core. This family owned and operated orchard and cidery is dedicated to preserving Canada’s cider heritage with the largest collection of unique heirloom apple cider varieties. So, you may walk away from your post-winter-play visit with a beverage or two of the adult variety to share later… we recommend in front of a crackling fire.

Slabtown

Another Uxbridge favourite is the Tin Cup Caffé, which offers a wide variety of coffee, tea and other hot beverages, as well as homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a great spot for unwinding after your day exploring the frosty outdoors. Or there is Nexus Coffee Company in Port Perry. Warm up with a decadent drip coffee, latte, chai tea or another delicious hot drink, and take the edge off the appetite you are sure to have worked up by now with a sweet dessert.

Nexus

For a warm-up with an artistic twist, we recommend the Open Studio Art Café in Pickering. Here, passion for art, music and the love of coffee has created a unique artistic environment and specialty hot drinks. There is also the Food and Art Café in Whitby. Tickle your chilly insides with an impressive lineup of specialty teas and coffees and an all-day breakfast menu at this unique café full of dreamers and free spirits.

Headwaters

If you are spending the day enjoying the outdoors in Terra Cotta, then Heatherlea Farms is a great place to stop. Warm your insides with a selection of lattes, hot drinks and other from-scratch, local favourites as you browse the on-site farm store at this family-owned, farm-to-fork location for dinner inspiration. After all, there is nothing cozier than a family dinner at home after a day spent together enjoying our Winter Wonderland here in YDH.

Heatherlea Farm Pie

In Erin, the Tin Roof Café provides lots of wonderful ambience in a historic village while you toast your tum with locally roasted coffee, teas and other hot drinks, as well as all-day breakfast, sandwiches and soups, and delicious baked goods. As a bonus, if you are getting your fill of frosty fun at the Mansfield Outdoor Centre in Mansfield, your winter warmup is just steps away at the Pine River Café in the main lodge. So, you can warm up with a hot drink and snacks, and get back out and play until it’s time to warm up again!

Family infront of fire

Story by Katherine Ryalen

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