cobourg
I never heard of Cobourg until I had the opportunity to visit for work. When work takes you to a small town as such, it’s easy to assume your time will be filled with meetings, emails, and maybe a few too many cups of coffee. But sometimes, you have to make time for a little exploration, and that's exactly what I did.
Cobourg has that small-town vibe with a lot of character - think locally owned shops, historic buildings, and a slow pace - all things I can appreciate. It’s the kind of place where you can easily wander and lose track of time.
It is also the filming location for several scenes of the hit Netflix series Ginny & Georgia. As someone who loves a good TV binge, I was excited to see how the town appeared on screen. I found myself at a few locations featured in the show, The EL, a cozy little spot that quickly became one of my favorites, and Victoria Hall.
I’ll be honest—getting around a small town like Cobourg wasn’t something I had thought much about before I got there. But, as luck would have it, I discovered Y Drive, a local rideshare service that made getting around a breeze. It was convenient, affordable, and the drivers were all incredibly friendly, offering helpful recommendations and tips about what to see around town. It was like having a mini tour guide every time I hopped in. I recall the drivers mentioning how I was the talk of the town being the young lady visiting from Texas and thought that was so funny. I kept getting the same driver named Shawn and he was super helpful!
What really stood out to me was the sense of community. Everyone I met, whether it was in the car, at the restaurant, or strolling through the town, was so welcoming.
Even though it was November and the weather was crisp, I couldn't resist heading to Cobourg's beautiful beach. There were no crowds, which I’m told is rare during summer months when folks from Toronto and other places come to visit.
As someone who visited Toronto in 2021, I couldn’t help but reflect on how different the pace of life felt in Cobourg compared to the hustle and bustle of the big city. It was almost poetic that my visit to Cobourg was in November, the same time I’d been to Toronto three years ago. There was a certain symmetry to the whole experience.
Visiting in November also added an extra layer of nostalgia. The crisp air, the golden fall leaves, it all felt like a full-circle moment. It was a chance to take a deep breath, reflect on how far I’d come, and appreciate the beauty of simple things like a quiet town, a nice cup of coffee, and the kindness of strangers.
Cobourg is one of those places that sneaks up on you. It offered a refreshing change of location that I needed. And while Toronto will always have a special place in my heart, there’s something uniquely captivating about Cobourg.
So, if you're ever in the area, do yourself a favor and take a little detour.
