Welcome To Windsor, Ontario

The city of Windsor, Ontario lies just across the border between the US and Canada, at the southernmost point in Canada. This city of over 300,000 has its roots deeply planted.  Windsor’s Coat of Arms, proudly displayed in the Council Chambers of  City Hall, carries the motto, “The River and the Land Sustain Us” as a reminder that the city’s well-being is dependent on appreciation and conservation of these valuable natural resources.

Easily accessible by car either from other cities in Canada or from the United States via tunnel, river, or bridge, the city welcomes visitors to celebrate its rich heritage and to enjoy its many fine restaurants, historic sites, and recreational activities. 

The main attraction that draws visitors to Windsor is Casino Windsor, which does a booming business with its slots and gaming tables. The waterfront is also a draw: The International Peace Fountain floats in the Detroit River, and the promenade at Dieppe Gardens is a perfect place to view the Detroit skyline. River cruises depart from the gardens.

Other Windsor attractions include Jackson Park with its summer rose gardens, the Hiram Walker (Canadian Club whiskey) Distillery Tour, and the Art Gallery of Windsor. Visitors interested in African-American history can retrace the route of those who escaped into Canada via the Underground Railroad in the 1800s. Sandwich Baptist Church, erected in Windsor in 1821, was the first Baptist church built by freed slaves. Nearby Amherstburg is home to the North American Black Historical Museum and Cultural Centre, which chronicles the slaves' journey to freedom. Also in Amherstburg is Fort Malden National Historic Park, site of a fortress that played a prominent role in the War of 1812. The park contains restored barracks and a museum with artifacts from the British and U.S. armies that occupied the fort.

The International Freedom Festival, a two-week celebration honoring the birth of both Canada and the U.S, takes place in Windsor and Detroit in late June and early July. The fireworks display is one of the largest in North America, and is typically held on a weeknight during the last week of June.

Point Pelee National Park, 35 miles southeast of Windsor,  is a large stretch of sand and marsh extending into Lake Erie at the southernmost point in all of Canada. The park is visited by  migrating birds and monarch butterflies on their way north or south. It offers an interpretive center, nature trails, a boardwalk and miles of beaches. Pelee Island lies south of Point Pelee on Lake Erie, and is a popular destination for fishing and winery tours.

At  Walker's Fine Candies, located on Wyandotte Street,  truffles are still hand-dipped and delectable treats are made the old fashioned way, with chocolate being melted in copper pots and formed on marble slabs. Walker's is also known for its peanut toffee ice cream topping!  Another unique attraction is the Windsor Wood Carving Museum, located downtown on Ouellette Avenue. Open year round, it is the only woodcarving museum in Ontario, and includes over 150 carvings.  

For a hands-on experience, visit Canada South Science City, one of the most exciting and challenging family and tourist attractions in southwest Ontario.  It features over 100 hands-on interactive science and technology exhibits, an exotic café, a state of the art computer science lab, a  "bean bag theatre" and a host of other exhibits for visitors of all ages to enjoy. 

Windsor has four distinct seasons, ensuring a different visit at any time of the year.  Summer tends to be the busiest time of the year.  With average temperatures slightly above 72F, it is  the perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy many of the activities available both in and around the city.  Spring and fall are cooler but still comfortable enough for any type of activity.  Both seasons are exceptionally lovely as Mother Nature produces spring colors as the blossoms bloom and the earth begins its transition back to green.  Fall showers the visitor with vibrant colors as the leaves turn and winter arrives.  The winter can be cold and it does snow, transforming the city into a post card-like picture where the visitor is seen sitting by a crackling fire, enjoying a warm drink while dining on some of the area’s fine cuisine.  Whatever the season, Windsor has an activity and the weather for it.

Whatever the reason for visiting, whether for business or vacation, this border city presents its  visitors with a rich history and  modern appeal.