9 Experiences To Make The Most Of Your Summer In Windsor Essex

9 Experiences To Make The Most Of Your Summer

Original blog by Tourism Windsor Essex

Summer has officially arrived in Windsor Essex and to celebrate we’ve put together a list of  9 new experiences for you to make the most of this summer. Don’t let another season pass you by feeling bored and like your missing out on a great time. You have no excuse not to get out and explore Windsor Essex starting NOW!

There are 9 weeks of between the Canada Day long weekend and Labour Day and we don’t think it’s a coincidence that there are 9 municipalities that make up Essex County. Use our list below to guide you through a summer bucket list worth sharing!

1. WINDSOR

Start your day off with a stroll through Windsor’s Sculpture Park and Riverfront Trail. Book an Art Cart Tour and gain in-depth knowledge of the pieces of art that grace our waterfront. Next up, head to one of several Armando’s Pizza locations throughout the City for some true Windsor-style pizza! Adventure Bay will be open daily, 12pm to 4pm for some splashing and sliding fun and round out your day with an evening cruise down the Detroit River with Windsor Premier Cruises.

Looking for a more adult-centric day? Experience the story of Canadian whisky with a J.P. Wiser’s Experience Tour & Tasting, spend a night at Caesars Windsor and take in a show on the world-class Colosseum Stage. Stroll the streets of historic Walkerville and Sandwich districts with stops at Sandwich Brewing Co. and Walkerville Brewery (pro tip: purchase a Barrels Bottles & Brews Flight Log for tastings at our 11 breweries and 2 distillery partners).  Enjoy fine dining at F&B Restaurant or a casual dinner at Rock Bottom Bar & Grill.

2. AMHERSTBURG

Gets a hands-on experience of the area’s history at Fort Malden National Historic Site: costumed interpreters, musket demonstrations, watch blacksmith at work, play period games, all on the banks of the beautiful Detroit River. Stop by the Amherstburg Freedom Museum to learn about the area’s involvement in The Underground Railroad. Every weekend the streets of Amherstburg close down for Open Air Weekends with live entertainment, games and extended patios. Be sure to stop in to River Bookshop, Evelyn’s Candy House and White Woods Home for a little retail therapy.

19+: Enjoy lunch and drinks at Wolfhead Distillery and a tasting flight at Lot 10 Brewing Company. End the night with a romantic sunset stroll through King’s Navy Yard Park. Spend your Saturday morning at the Amherstburg Farmers Market at GL Heritage Brewing Co. to pick up fresh local groceries and enjoy a beer tasting with breakfast!

3. ESSEX

Travel back in time at John R. Park Homestead and Conservation Area, an agricultural and living history museum of farm life in the 19th century then stop at Priscilla’s Presents for some shopping a tasty treat at The Scoop Ice Cream Parlour. Spend the day at Colchester Beach and have a pizza picnic with OG Pizza!

For the grown ups: Find out what the “Buzz About Pollinators” is all about at Walnut Grove B&B – this 2 hour experience will have you strolling through a meadow, Carolinian Forest and enjoying locally sourced charcuterie and walnut syrup while decorating a bee keepsake to take home. Explore EPIC Wine Country with an EPIC Wineries Tasting Pass and put your Flight Log to use at The Beerded Dog Brewing Co. Don’t forget to stop by The Fruit Wagon to pick up fresh local produce and a tasting of hard ciders from Carolinia Cider Co. Download your free W.E. Heart Local Digital Pass before you go for special offers from participating partners.

4. KINGSVILLE

Pack up the bikes and the whole family and go for a pedal along the the Chrysler Canada Greenway. Still feeling adventurous? Take kayaks out for a paddle through Cedar Creek, or just spend the day at Cedar Beach Conservation Area and relax along the sandy shoreline of Lake Erie. Enjoy a stroll down Main Street during Open Streets Kingsville with expanded patios, live entertainment and theme nights the whole family will enjoy!

Adults Only: Home to several EPIC Wineries, rent your bikes from The Grove Bike Co. and follow your own wine tour using the EPIC Wineries Tasting Pass. Enjoy a delectable dinner at Mettawas Station Mediterranean Restaurant, browse the racks of Anna’s Home, Garden & Wellness, Cindy’s Home & Garden, Lee & Maria’s Market, Willow Tree Market and stop for a snack and a flight from Kingsville Brewery and Banded Goose Brewing Co. Looking to escape reality for the day? Book a spa day at Estate of Health and leave the real world behind!

5. LAKESHORE

Spend the day on the water with RAW Watersports boat and jet skit rentals. Don’t want to drive yourself? They also offer guided tours and cruises! Cast your line and try to reel in a big one at Lakeview Park Marina in Belle River then enjoy lunch or dinner at The G.O.A.T Lakeshore. Take a drive to Iron Kettle Bread Boutique for delicious pastries and stop by Sauve’s Country Market to peruse the bounty that Essex County has to offer.

6. LASALLE

Take a stroll (or a pedal!) along the LaSalle Trail System. Spend a summer morning at the splashpad, playground and skateboard park at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex. The G.O.A.T LaSalle is calling your name for lunch and don’t forget dessert at The Parlour Ice Cream Co.! Plan a day on the water with River Canard Canoe Co. offering canoe, kayak, rowboat and paddleboard rentals and guide tours and open 7 days a week! Explore the LaSalle Night Market on the last Sunday of every month to shop local handcrafted and handmade goods and local produce at the LaSalle Civic Centre.

7. LEAMINGTON

No trip to Leamington is complete with a trip to the point! Point Pelee National Park that is. Walk to the southernmost point of mainland Canada for the perfect photo op! Explore the boardwalk and nature trails or even better–book an overnight stay in an oTENTik! Download our FREE digital Follow the Flavours pass for a self-guided tour of unique and authentic culinary offerings featuring several partners in Leamington!

Adult Adventure: Head to Pelee Wings Nature Centre for a kayak rental and group sunset paddle of Lake Erie. Stop in to Cured Craft Brewing Co. for a tasting flight and pick up dinner from Bradt’s Butcher Block offering a large selection of produce, deli meats, baked goods, local and imported cheese and of course hand-selected, quality, responsibly raised meats.

8. PELEE ISLAND

Have you been to Pelee Island!? If you haven’t you a missing out on an absolute hidden gem! Keep in mind there are a few things to Know Before Your Go: click here to read our guide to visiting Pelee Island. Whether you’re planning a day trip or want to extend you stay for a night or two (or more!). Book your Ferry and get ready to explore by foot, by bike, by golf cart or by car! Some can’t-miss stops include: Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve, Lighthouse Point Provincial Nature Reserve, Vin Villa Ruins, Pelee Island Winery Pavilion and much more! Pick up a souvenir and rent your bikes from The Pelee Shop, grab a bite to eat at Stone House 1891 and rest your head after a long day at The Wandering Dog Inn. The 1.5 hour ferry ride leaving from Leamington or Kingsville is an experience in itself!

9. TECUMSEH

Ready for a day of outdoor adventure? Grab some friends and play a round of disc golf at Lakewood Park – Windsor Essex’s only 18-hold disc golf course. Stop by Lacasse Park for the state-of-the-art pickleball courts. A break for lunch and a tasting at FRANK Brewing Co. will fuel you up for an afternoon at Urban Surf Co. offering stand up paddle board, kayak, and bike rentals. Let your creativity shine through with painting or pottery at SKETCH Clay & Pottery and then stay for a sunset paddle onto Lake St. Clair. After a fun-filled day stop in to Oven 360 for pizza and gelato or dine on the KONA Sushi rooftop patio under the twinkling lights.

We said it once and we’ll say it again — there is no time to be bored in Windsor Essex! Use our suggestions above or create your own bucket list itinerary with our itinerary builder.

See how other visitors have spent their time in Windsor Essex by reading our first-hand account blogs.

Sponsored story by Tourism Windsor Essex. For more details on Tourism Windsor Essex click their website, or visit them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.