Top 5 Reasons to Visit Windsor
Are you looking for a weekend getaway?
I have the perfect place for you! Windsor, Ontario! I bet you are asking why Windsor? Maybe you don’t know too much about it…
Well, here are 5 reasons to visit Windsor, Ontario!
So, my husband and I were yearning to get on the open road and get out of town… So Friday night, we packed a weekend bag and started driving without a plan of where we were going.
We ended up driving as far as we could until we reached the border of Canada -Windsor! So, we stopped there.
If you don’t know much about Windsor, here are 5 reasons to Visit Windsor, Ontario.
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1. The Boardwalk
Windsor is by the water, relaxed, fun, and very beautiful!
As we got closer to the boardwalk, it was so refreshing to see people walking in shorts and t-shirts by the water. We immediately felt a sense of calm and a slower pace there.
When you walk along the boardwalk, you can see Detroit across the calm water.
There were people fishing off the dock, walking their dogs, chilling on benches, and posing for photos with the many life-size and BIGGER sculptures and statues. The “Windsor Sculpture Park” has art from many world-renowned artists.
It’s fun, and kinda funny too, to see people posing with elephants, horses, runners, many types of birds and even a big apple with a bite out of it! 
Most of the sculptures are metal there, all are very unique and attention-getting.
The Windsor Sculpture Park is all along the boardwalk. It is interactive, you can go between, under, and over the sculptures. We saw many people posing pretending that they were eating the apple, or running with the people or horses.
I interviewed some local people that we met while visiting Windsor. They said their favourite place to walk is the boardwalk from Riverside Drive to La Salle. So, we walked it! It was fun, relaxing, and beautiful!
I have included a screenshot of the google map above in case you want to do it too 🙂
On the board walk, there is an old steam train on display too. It’s pretty cool, it was built in 1911 and was running until 1961!! 
It was a passenger and freight train for years in Southern Ontario. 
In 1962, a crusade was started to stop the train from going to the scrapyard.
They were successful! The Historical Vehicle Society of Ontario brought the train to Windsor, instead of the scrapyard.
You can now go and see this train right on the boardwalk! They now call it the “Spirit of Windsor”.
2. Little Italy
On Sunday morning we were looking for a good breakfast place. So, we used google to see what was recommended. The reviews lead us to a place called “Toast” so we headed there and were very happy with our recommendation.
The food and atmosphere was great! Freshly squeezed orange juice too!🍊
To our surprise, we ended up in Little Italy! We didn’t even know that Windsor had a Little Italy.
You can check out more about Via Italia here. https://www.visitwindsoressex.com/places/via-italia-windsors-little-italy/
or here. https://viaitalia.com/
Little Italy feels like a nice day or night out when you visit there!
It was so chic and beautiful with so many cute shops and hip bars. We found our way around and to our breakfast place without any trouble.
“Via Italia”, as it is known, has bakeries, bars, bistros, cafes, wineries, salons, and much more!
I would recommend walking through Via Italia in the evening. It is popping with the energy of people out for the night. Seeing the patios and restaurants buzzing with the night-time energy of everyone under the outdoor patio lights.
3. Food and nature
Windsor’s surrounding area is farm land. There are many farms, which brings the area a lot of fresh veggies, fruits, meats and more!
There is a farmer’s market on Saturdays in Windsor where you can get a lot of fresh foods! The farmer’s market is located at Pelissier St. & Maiden Ln W. There are other farmer’s markets in Windsor as well.
You could even make a whole day just out of visiting farmers markets. You could take your time and get all of your fresh groceries while enjoying strolling through the markets and eating some great food too!
Another nice thing about having an abundance of fresh food close by, is that the restaurants can also buy fresh food and buy local too! Isn’t that how it should be! 😉
There is nothing better than biting into a fresh tomato or strawberry! My mouth is watering now…🤤 lol!
Here is a map of Windsor that I have highlighted some areas for you. You can also check out some hotels so that you can enjoy your stay even longer.
4. Nature and animals
This area of Ontario is well known for its’ nature and animals.
I recommend checking out the Ojibway Nature Centre. Anyone who is a birder, animal and nature lover, or just wanting to connect with Indigenous culture and honour that we are on Indigenous land here in Canada, visiting the Ojibway Nature Centre. It will be a great addition to your trip!
There is a bird of prey migratory path that goes through Pelee Island, which is only a 2 hour drive away.
Another extremely beautiful event that happens here is the monarch butterfly migration!!! Oh, I just love this so much!
If you go in the spring, you can see a lot of butterflies! It is so pretty!
Of course, there is the Detroit River, which has a lot of fish and other animals. We saw this cute guy swimming right by us as we walked on the board walk.
5. Cruises and Festivals
There are a lot of fun events happening in Windsor!
In July there is the Essex Fun Fest happening from July 7th-10th! It’s free on July 7th, then 7 bucks to get in on the other days.
There are different types of musical acts, games, fun fair activities and fire works on July 9th! 
Another relaxing and fun activity in Windsor is the boat cruises! Windsor Premier Cruises have different types of cruises that you can take.
You can check them out here: https://www.windsorpremiercruises.com/
Yes, there is food on board! In fact, there is even a lunch and dinner cruise! 
Yes, drinks too. A full service bar is available and snacks too!
They also offer sightseeing cruises! They talk about the history of Detroit and Windsor during this cruise.
These cruises are every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the summer time.
They have different types of festivals that are happening, mostly on weekend.
I just love festival season in Ontario!
If you are looking for a weekend getaway or to explore somewhere that you don’t know very well yet in Southern Ontario, I recommend Windsor, Ontario. If you haven’t experienced Fall Colours in Southern Ontario, Canada it is absolutely beautiful!
Planning on heading to Niagara Falls, check out Niagara Falls- Clifton Hill Attractions and 16 Epic Things To Do in Niagara Falls.
Maybe you’re looking for something different or something where you’re surrounded by nature, check out The Best Natural Attractions in Ontario!
Maybe you already know Windsor, what is your favourite reason to visit Windsor?
If you don’t know it yet, what are you looking forward to seeing in Windsor?
Comment below and let me know! 🙂
Looking for a hotel in Windsor?
You can browse hotels in Windsor and even book your hotel right here!
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The Comments
Lorraine Black
You’re welcome CIndy Sue! I hope you enjoy, please feel free to come back here and comment to let me know how your trip goes! Enjoy!
Cindy sue
Thanks for this info. I didn’t know much about Windsor before, I think I will check it out! 🙂