What to Bring to a Cottage: The Essentials, Food, for a Weekend, and as a Guest

When planning for a cottage getaway, packing well can be the difference between a relaxing vacation and a stressful one. There are several factors to consider when getting ready, such as what activities you are planning to do at the cottage, how long the trip is, what the weather will be, and what will already be available to you when you get there, to name a few. This article will help you get a handle on what to bring with you for different situations. 

We’ve separated the packing lists into different categories. Cottage essentials will be the same no matter what type of vacation you have planned. What food to bring to the cottage will depend on a few factors, such as diet, activities, duration of stay, and how many people you are with. We also give you ideas of what to bring to a cottage weekend to help you minimize your luggage without forgetting anything essential, and what to bring to a cottage as a guest when you get invited. 

Cottage Essentials

What Food To Bring To The Cottage

What To Bring To A Cottage Weekend

What To Bring To A Cottage As A Guest

Cottage Essentials

Cottage essentials is a list of things to bring and prepare for most any trip to keep you safe, prepared, and comfortable.

Personal wellness

First and foremost comes health and wellness. Medications must not be forgotten. This includes prescription medications and epipens, but also general items for common illnesses that can ruin a trip if not treated. Things like allergy medication, pepto bismol, painkillers, cold and flu treatments, and a first aid kit are better to have and not need than to need and not have.  They come in travel sizes, so they don’t take much room, and can save a panicked trip to the pharmacy or even the hospital.

Sleeping

Sleeping well is essential. If you require sleeping aids, such as a sleep apnea machine, specialty pillows, melatonin, or anything else to ensure a restful night, make sure you don’t leave without them. Also, check what linens will be provided and bring anything missing, such as bed sheets, pillows, and towels.

Plan for the Weather 

Like any trip, weather-appropriate clothing is essential, so check the forecast before you get out your suitcase. You’ll be glad you have your rain gear and base layer to stay warm if the weather turns, so you’re not confined to staying inside. Don’t forget about swimwear, comfortable shoes, and lounge wear.

What Food To Bring To The Cottage

Eating well is an important part of any vacation, so knowing what food to bring to the cottage and what makes more sense can get in nearby stores is crucial.

Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

Inquire about any allergies or dietary restrictions that may exist in your group. qThe last thing we want is to trigger a reaction and end up at the hospital. The second last thing we want is for people to feel left out from the group and unable to eat with everyone due to their dietary restrictions. Considering this will not only make the vacation go smoothly, but will also be very appreciated by those with restrictions. Some common allergies and dietary restrictions include nuts, gluten (Celiac disease), dairy (lactose intolerance), vegetarian and ketogenic diets.

Snacks

That being said, it is time to pack our food. Portable and convenient snacks like granola and energy bars, sandwiches, chips, and fruit travel well so the fun and adventures can keep rolling. These can go in a fanny pack, a small bag, or in a cooler, along with any other food for your excursion. 

Packing a cooler

For activities that warrant extensive snacking and even meals on the go, packing a cooler well will be a difference maker in the success of the outing. 

A good quality cooler will go a long way in keeping your snacks and beverages at a nice temperature. Picking the right one depends on what you’re using it for, from drinks on the beach for two, to multi day trips with a large group. Different features to consider when selecting the model include size, hard coolers vs soft coolers, and shoulder or backpack straps or wheels and extendable handles. Don’t forget to check if the lid is detachable and has room for water that can be frozen for extra frigidity.

In terms of packing the cooler, refreezable liquid packs will reduce your need to refill the ice as often. Perishables go closest to the cold source in tupperware, drinks get their own section if they don’t have a dedicated cooler for themselves, and then everything is layered amongst cold sources for even temperature distribution. 

Cooking

For the home cooked meals, remember cooking essentials like cooking oil, spices, and condiments to add flavour to your dishes. For perishables, a well-packed cooler is a must. For an even smoother culinary experience, consider meal prepping before you leave – pre-chopped veggies and marinated meats can save you time and effort in the kitchen.

Need some meal inspiration, check out our article on 10 Easy Cottage Meals to Make

Grocery and food stores

A pleasant experience on a cottage vacation is exploring local cuisines and specialties available at smaller, specialty markets and artisanal shops. See our regional guides to Muskoka and Parry Sound for help in discovering the culture of Ontario Cottage country.

What To Bring To A Cottage Weekend

A Plan

A weekend isn’t too long of a time to have a general plan of activities. The extent of planning required will be different depending on whether you’re trying to pack as many activities into a short amount of time, or to just kick back and relax. For the ambitious adventurer who wants to fill the weekend with excursions, having an itinerary will help everything go swimmingly. Don’t forget to download a map of the area you’re staying with all intended destinations that can be used offline. 

For those who like to wing it and don’t require extensive planning, a pre-organized meal plan can still be worth the effort for the time saved overall. No matter your holiday intentions, by filling out the following table, you can be confident that you’ll have everything you need to enjoy a fun-filled, stress-free weekend.  

Food

When it comes to planning what to eat for the weekend, the first question is what meals will you be making, and how often will you be dining out? For the latter, all you need is money and a good recommendation. You can find the latter in our guides to Muskoka and Parry Sound.

Cooking your meals, however, will require some planning to go gracefully. The itinerary chart from earlier will help plan your meals to go with your activities. Once your weekend is set, it is worth considering bringing some ingredients with you. Staples that pack small, like rice, pasta, trail mix, as well as any hard to find ingredients for those special holiday dishes will be valuable. See the above food section for a more thorough food preparation guideline.

Gear for activities

Coming prepared without overpacking is the name of the game when deciding what to bring to a cottage for a weekend. By having your itinerary, you can plan accordingly. Review our cottage essentials paragraph if you skipped it, and keep reading here for general categories to ensure you don’t forget anything.

Unless you plan to stay inside all weekend, outdoor gear is essential for the beach, lounging in the sun, or any other activities outside. Some essentials include 

• Sunscreen and bug repellent 
• Water bottle
• Swimwear, towels
• Blankets and chairs 
• Shade, like an umbrella or shade tent
• (A cooler of) snacks and drinks (make sure to pack the cooler properly) 
• Toys and entertainment e.g. snorkel gear, frisbee, book

Different activities require different gear. Here are some activities with some corresponding packing suggestions:

• Boating/fishing – see our guide to boat rentals in Muskoka)
  • Safety items 
  • Fishing gear

• Hiking
  • Shoes
  • Backpack
  • Snacks

• Golfing
  • Knowledge of the local courses – see our Muskoka Golf Guide
  • Clubs and balls
  • Weather and clubhouse appropriate clothes

What To Bring To A Cottage As A Guest

When joining friends or family for a visit at their cottage, there is an etiquette to follow so you’ll be appreciated guests and get invited back. The goal is to maximize joy and minimize inconvenience. Coming prepared is the first step.  

First of all, make sure you bring any personal wellness items so you don’t have to borrow, nor make a frantic trip to a potentially far away store and derail the itinerary.

Bringing food and drink to share is customary and considerate. Staples, like oil and spices are always appreciated. Special treats, like charcuterie, sweets, especially smores if a campfire is planned, and artisanal baked goods can’t miss. Libations for celebrations of life, and cooking a meal or two are nice gestures as a guest. Our regional guides to Muskoka and Parry Sound can tell you what’s in the area so you can shop local.

Bringing a thoughtful gift is a way to show appreciation for the invitation, and giving it to your host is a great way to start the visit. For ideas on what to give, maybe there is a theme to the cottage decor you can contribute to? An accessory for a host’s hobby, or gift certificate to a favourite shop is considerate, or even a useful household item or tool. Consider consulting with your hosts first if you’re unsure of what they might need, but if you can find out without them knowing, surprises can be fun. Maybe something for the beach, the lawn, the fire pit, a kitchen appliance, or a useful addition to the toolshed? 

A truly enjoyable cottage getaway will require some planning. Assembling an itinerary and packing list considering various factors such as trip duration, weather forecasts, and available amenities on-site ensures a seamless and stress-free vacation. By carefully preparing and packing accordingly, you pave the way for a relaxing and fulfilling escape at the cottage. 

For an extensive checklist of most, if not all considerations, see our Ultimate Cottage Packing List.