Ontario, Canada’s second-largest province, offers a lot of exciting things to do. Windsor and Essex Counties are located in the region’s southernmost section. You may enjoy breathtaking scenery, delectable cuisine, and plenty of adventure along the Detroit River, which we share with our neighbors to the south.
While many people go to Niagara-on-the-Lake for a break in Ontario, Experts suggest going west to mix things up. You’ll like these entertaining things to do in Windsor, Ontario, and Essex County, whether you’re from across the country on a road trip across Ontario or an American seeking a change of scenery.
What are the top activities in Windsor? Discover these top Windsor tourist attractions, entertaining activities, and other hand-picked things to visit this weekend. Recognize that most activities are inexpensive or free.
1. Windsor Sculpture Park
Visit Windsor’s unusual open-air museum. Discover 31 highly acclaimed, monumental modern sculptures by well-known artists. Eve’s Apple by Edwina Sandys, a classic, and Claim Post by Scott McKay, a modern work, are just two stunning works seen around the park.
The web app for sculptures and monuments allows for self-guided excursions. From May through October, take trips on the Art Cart.
Visitors may take advantage of free art cart tours; they are invited to assemble at the newly designated spot in Dieppe Gardens, marked with a sign for the Windsor Sculpture Garden Tour. The Art Cart begins on the west side of Ouellette Avenue, near the Detroit River.
2. Detroit River
The Detroit River has long provided Canada and the United States with essential transit routes and a hub for industries that shaped both country’s economies. The price of human development has been great for the river and its ecology due to this increase.
The majority of what was formerly natural in and around the River is, in fact, both in our mind’s eye and go.
The only international animal sanctuary in North America, exceptional areas exist among the concrete, steel, and tended gardens of this immense metropolis, where people and animals may interact. Come experience nature’s beauty!
3. Canadian Club Brand Centre
Discover Hiram Walker’s past and the origins of Canadian Club whiskey. You will go on a guided tour of the original 1894 office building, which is a recreation of a 16th-century Italian Renaissance palace and highlights the Prohibition Era’s key phrases.
The boardroom, which currently houses a collection of seven paintings, the sample room, which details our main markets, and the speakeasy where the gangster meetings took place will all be on display when we get there. A formal whiskey tasting is also a part of the program.
4. Ojibway Praire Complex
In the Ojibway Prairie Complex in Windsor’s southwest corner, 247 different species have been identified.
Along with Ojibway Park, Black Oak Heritage Park, Tallgrass Prairie Heritage Park, Spring Garden Natural Area, and the Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve, the complex also houses other parks.
The center of activities in the Ojibway Prairie Complex is Ojibway Park, which has a Nature Centre and several well-maintained self-guiding nature paths where visitors may explore and learn about the ecology of the ecosystems of the pin oak woodland, savannah, and tall grass prairie. With the Windsor Trail, Ojibway Park is linked.
5. Ford City
There is a lot of interesting activity going on in Ford City, regardless of the season or the weather.
Having said that, While was there in the late autumn and had the impression that the neighborhood would be humming with activity in the summer, so keep that in mind as you plan your investigations.
It’s worthwhile to just saunter about Ford City a little and get your bearings. Remember that everyone will find something here as well. They advise looking through the Ford City directory so you can see everything that’s happening in the region since what people enjoy, you may not.
6. Adventure Bay Family Water Park
You may experience over 35,000 square feet of untamed water thrills at Adventure Bay Family Water Park. 5 enormous water slides, including the Master Blaster water rollercoaster, the Whizzard, and the Python, are among the features.
Activity Pool FlowRider Wave Pool River Lazy Tot Loch Splash Area with a water spigot Numerous water play elements, including bubbling jets, miniature cannons, tipping cones, and kid-sized bungee swings Cannon Cove is a dry playground.
7. Willistead Manor
The ideal venue for weddings, receptions, parties, gatherings, conferences, meetings, special events, pictures, and more is Willistead Manor.
With sit-down dinners for parties of 10 to 120 people and cocktail-style events for groups of up to 220, each room’s distinctive design makes it the ideal setting for a wide range of occasions.
Our well-qualified personnel can provide planning advice and painstaking attention to detail to make sure your event exceeds expectations. Our caterer will provide an exceptional dining experience to help make your occasion genuinely memorable.
8. Windsor To Detroit International Freedom Festival
The Detroit-Windsor International Freedom Festival, which was first held in 1959, was a multi-day event that took place in late June or early July to Celebrate Canadian Day on July 1 and the 4th of July, which is the American holiday of independence. In 2007, the event split into two distinct occasions:
Windsor Summer Fest and Detroit River Days, but they usually often take place around the same time. Together, Detroit and Windsor held a multi-day extravaganza that attracted nearly 3.5 million people on both nations’ riverfronts.
The inaugural Detroit River Days celebration was organized by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy in 2007 to commemorate the “grand opening” of the freshly finished sections of the River Walk along the wider Detroit International Riverfront.
Since then, the distinct festivals have persisted and now provide a variety of activities along the beautiful River, including cuisine, music, and entertainment.
9. Visit Historic Houses
The Windsor Historical Society’s list of Old Houses in Windsor Built Before 1850 is the result of much study and compiling by local historian Beverly Garvan. To determine the approximate dates these historic homes were constructed, she studied property titles, tax assessments, probate documents, maps, and family lineages.
The list covers Windsor’s oldest known residences that are still surviving, although many more of the first-generation homes have since been lost to time. It is especially challenging to date buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries.
The first 20th century saw the assignment of genuine home numbers, even though many of them are located along Windsor Avenue, Broad Street, or Poquonock Avenue.
10. Holiday Inn Express
Located on Windsor’s Riverside Drive, the brand-new Holiday Inn Express Windsor Waterfront Hotel is a vibrant, welcoming, and entertaining hotel. Many of the 156 bedrooms and suites have the newest award-winning Formula Blue design and have stunning views of the Detroit River skyline.
We are only a few steps away from many important downtown facilities, including the St. Clair Centre for the Arts, the University of Windsor, the International Aquatic Training Centre, Adventure Bay Water, and the Art Gallery of Windsor.
Additionally, we are the closest hotel to Caesars Windsor Casino. Miles of breathtaking waterfront trails and the Odette Sculpture Gardens are also just outside our door, along with a wide variety of restaurants to suit any taste or budget.
11. Roy A. Battagello River Walk Bike Trail
At the moment, Windsor, Ontario’s “Windsor Loop” cycle path network is supported by the Roy A. Battagello River Walk Bike Trail.
A length of 8.0 kilometers (5.0 mi) or 5.0 miles, the bike path extends from the foot of the Ambassador Bridge (at Peter Street and Huron Church Road) to traffic signals at Riverside Drive and Lincoln Avenue (where it continues as bike lanes to George Avenue and Wyandotte Street).
The West Windsor Recreationway, which is mostly unpaved and has a length of 8.0 km, is the trail’s longest counterpart and the second-longest path in the City of Windsor.
12. Dieppe Gardens
The Essex-Kent Scottish Regiment’s many casualties during the 1942 World War II landing at Dieppe, France, are commemorated with the name of Dieppe Gardens. The park is densely covered with annuals and perennials in vibrant colors. There are several memorials there, including ones honoring the Canadian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The Detroit-Windsor Ferry Company docked its ships at the property for many years, during which time it also developed several cottages, shops, hotels, and other enterprises. The City acquired these structures in the late 1950s and had them destroyed so that the area could be turned into a large riverside park.
13. Windsor Riverfront
Discover the 9.5-kilometer out-and-back track close to Windsor, Ontario. This course, which is regarded as relatively straightforward, can usually be completed in 1 hour and 47 minutes.
Although this is a well-travelled track for walking, jogging, and hiking, you may still find some peace during the slower periods of the day. The trail is available throughout the year and is excellent to explore. The leash requirement applies to welcome dogs.
a quick waterfront stroll through Windsor’s downtown along the Detroit River. Between Ambassador Bridge and Great Western Park, there is a level, paved path. Along the trail, there are several sculptures, monuments, and gardens that make it worthwhile to explore. It also provides stunning views of the skyline of Detroit.
14. John R. Park Homestead
You may go back in time to the 1850s by going to the John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area. John and Amelia Park’s home and farm structures have been rebuilt to preserve the spirit of the nineteenth century.
Discover the Parks’ exquisite 1842 Classical Revival house, enjoy baking by the kitchen fireplace, or let the kids play with a wooden toy in their rooms.
Visit the blacksmith shop to see how tiny hardware is made and agricultural equipment is repaired in the coal-fired forge, and see the operation of a sawmill that was powered by a steam engine in 1885. A functional smokehouse, ice house, and barn are not to be missed.
Take a stroll along the beachfront boardwalk for some fresh air. Visit the gift store and display area for sure. The theatre offers an audio-visual spectacle that will send you back in time to John Park’s day.
There’s more, too! We cultivate heritage fruits, flowers, and veggies in the garden every spring. Livestock is a common addition in the summer.
15. Art Gallery of Windsor
One of the most remarkable things to do in Windsor Ontario is to visit the Art Gallery of Windsor,
An independent art gallery, The Gallery at Windsor was established in 2002. In addition to housing significant pieces from the George Weston Collection, The Gallery also extends an invitation to curators to react to the space with museum-caliber exhibitions of contemporary artworks, including paintings, works on paper, photography, and multimedia.
Leading modern artists have had exhibitions at The Gallery throughout the years, all under the leadership of The Hon. Hilary M. Weston and her daughter Alannah Weston. The most recent show featuring the daring works of British artist Rose Wylie, entitled Let it Settle, was held in 2020.
16. Fred’s Farm Fresh
One of the best things to do in Windsor, Ontario is visit Fred’s farm-fresh In Windsor, In addition to a comprehensive gourmet butcher line, Fred’s Farm Fresh provides a wide variety of exotic cheeses, deli meats, and local goods.
Freshly baked pieces of bread, prepared meals, organic items, and domestic and international groceries are all available at Fred’s. On-demand, delivery is available for fruit baskets, party trays, and flower arrangements.
Their seasonal Garden Center has the biggest assortment of plants in Windsor! Customer satisfaction and product quality are two things that Fred’s Farm Fresh is well renowned for. You’ll notice the difference when you visit Fred’s! They have the best choices and the freshest meals.
You and your family place a high value on proper nutrition and meal preparation. Let Fred’s specialists demonstrate to you what you need.
17. Take The Ferry To Pelee Island
Pelee Island, also known as Canada’s best-kept secret, is a unique vacation spot. The ideal island getaway is Pelee, which has a strong tradition of hospitality, abundant vineyards, warm sand beaches, and a gorgeously temperate climate.
A unique experience is taking the boat to Pelee Island. As soon as you leave the pier, everything is different. Your worries float away in her wake as the ship plows across Lake Erie’s warm waves. The moment the island appears over the horizon, you realize that this is only the beginning.
18. Caesars Windsor
You can get to the GM Renaissance Center and Comerica Park with only a 7-minute drive if you stay at Caesars Windsor, which is located in the center of Windsor. The Fox Theatre is 2.8 miles (4.5 km) and Ford Field is 2.6 miles (4.2 km) away from this 4-star hotel.
Caesars Windsor is a hotel in Windsor that has a connection to the convention center. Cultural features include the Colosseum and Fox Theatre, and the GM Renaissance Center is an important monument. Looking to take in a performance or a game?
View the events taking place at Comerica Park or Ford Field. Spend some time learning about local pursuits, such as golf instruction and golfing.
close to Caesars Casino In one of the 758 bedrooms with refrigerators and minibars, you may make yourself at home. High-quality bedding is included with your pillowtop bed. There are flat-screen TVs with cable programs and free wired and wireless Internet connection.
19. Thomas McBroom’s Ambassador Golf Club
The preferred location for public golf in Windsor & Essex County, Ontario has long been the Ambassador Golf Club. Since 2005, when Ambassador first opened for business, it has been recognized as Canada’s and Ontario’s “Best New Course” by Golf Digest (OG Magazine).
More than 7,000 yards long and more than 7,000 yards wide, this masterpiece by famous architect Thomas McBroom is conveniently close to the Ambassador Bridge and the Windsor/Detroit Tunnel.
Tom McBroom’s transformation of a flat, otherwise uninteresting piece of ground into a dramatic, captivating grouping of golf holes is “another magic performance from the architect.”
20. Mettawa’s Station
Mettawa’s Station, which is housed within Kingsville’s old railway station, offers a laid-back setting for dining or just sipping a beverage. Trail users may pause en route and have a bite to eat since the Canada Chrysler Greenway runs close to the structure.
To create his extensive menu of appetizers, pasta, steaks, seafood, and other dishes, Executive Chef Anthony employs fresh foods from the surrounding area. Italian and Mediterranean influences are used in the preparation of every dish.
You’ll have a satisfying palette if you pair the cuisine with one of our recommended local wines, chilled craft beers, or delectable cocktails. Don’t forget to spare space for dessert and an espresso or cappuccino!
21. John R. Park Homestead
Travel back in time to the 1850s as you visit the John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area. As a way to revive the nineteenth century, John and Amelia Park’s home and farmstead structures have been rebuilt. Discover the majestic Classical Revival mansion of the Parks, constructed in 1842. Savor baked goods from the kitchen fireplace.
Visit the blacksmith shop to see tiny hardware being made and agricultural implements being repaired at the coal-fired forge. You can also see how a sawmill powered by a steam engine from 1885 operates. The functional ice house, smokehouse, and barn are not to be missed.
Visit the lakefront boardwalk for a beautiful stroll and some fresh air. The gift store and display area should be visited. Additionally, you may see a play in the theatre where an audio-visual performance will send you back in time to John Park’s era.
The list goes on! Heirloom veggies, flowers, and plants are planted in the garden each spring. Livestock is often included throughout the summer.
22. Coventry Gardens
Coventry Garden, a showcase and popular tourist destination on the banks of the Detroit River was created as a place of leisure and amusement as well as for civic pride.
The vibrant flowers on show at Coventry Garden are enjoyed by thousands of tourists each year, and the patios provide distinctive staging places for summertime activities like concerts.
The only global floating fountain in existence is the Charlie Brooks Memorial Peace Fountain. It can shoot water 70 feet into the air and puts on a nighttime light show. It usually goes into effect for the May long weekend holiday and is open from around 11 am to 11 pm. The week after Canadian Thanksgiving, the fountain is normally taken down.
23. University of Windsor
The University of Windsor was founded in 1857 and is a public research institution in Ontario, Canada. The institution, an establishment with a strong international focus, employs a talented professors and personnel.
The institution celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013, and it is situated in the city with the best weather in all of Canada. 17 different sporting teams from the institution have competed in both national and regional championships.
With 145,000 graduates located all over the world, the student-to-faculty ratio is 26:1. With so many clubs, groups, and other student-run organizations available, it’s not difficult for new students to fit in at the institution. Assumption, Iona, and Canterbury Colleges are all associated with the institution.
24. Shopping at Windsor
One of the most remarkable things to do in Windsor, Ontario is shopping. One of the main draws to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is shopping. Browse the shops in our pedestrian-only shopping centers and on the streets that are lined with stores that provide a fantastic mix of high-street brands and independent merchants.
Of course, there are many cafés and restaurants where you may pause to “refuel” and observe passersby! Windsor and Maidenhead provide very unique shopping experiences. To begin, use our Shopping Search.
Conclusion
The second-largest province in Canada, Ontario, is teeming with excitement. The southernmost part of the county is where Windsor and Essex County are situated.
Sharing the Detroit River with our neighbors to the south, you’ll find breathtaking views, delectable cuisine, and plenty of adventure. While many tourists go to Ontario’s Niagara-on-the-Lake for a vacation, I advise heading west to have a unique experience.
Whether you’re an American looking for a change of scenery or from the opposite side of the province on an Ontario road trip, you’ll enjoy these fascinating things to do in Windsor, Ontario, and Essex County. On the Detroit River, right across from the US metropolis of Detroit, sits Windsor, a medium-sized city.
It is a city rich in history and culture, which can be seen at every turn, with its historic structures, modern structures, and multicultural residents.
Since Windsor is home to many excellent sites, its economy is mostly focused on tourism. It also includes several lovely parks and open spaces, a bustling downtown area, and several excellent events.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty
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