Best things to do in Windsor

Stroll or cycle Windsor Riverfront, which extends along the Detroit River. The paved route makes a perfect opportunity for biking, jogging, and rollerblading, or simply a leisurely stroll. Flowers and trees line the walkway, and the park-like setting offers playgrounds, benches, and fishing areas. Visit the sculpture garden, featuring numerous pieces by renowned sculptors, and snap panoramic pictures of the downtown Detroit skyline. The riverfront hosts seasonal concerts and events.

A total of 247 species have been recorded in the Ojibway Prairie Complex on the southwest corner of Windsor. Your destination for wildlife and nature, offering you over 15 km of woodland and prairie hiking trails and a state-of-the-art centre staffed with nature experts and filled with wildlife exhibits, hands-on programs and beautiful rooms to rent. A destination known around the world. Discover it now.

Free admission and parking

Take a tranquil stroll along the waterfront and survey the vibrant flowers displayed at Dieppe Gardens. The garden commemorates Canadian army regiments that lost their lives in the World War II landing at Dieppe, France in 1942. Take some time out to contemplate in peace as the ships roll in and out, and enjoy the heady fragrance of the plants here. Flowers on display include an abundance of roses, and various other annual and perennial plantings.

Take some time and explore Stones 'N Bones Museum. Operated by a local couple, the museum attracts both kids and adults with its fun and educational exhibits. Take your little ones to see the vast collection of natural and historical artifacts. In separate rooms on two floors, see dinasour bones, teeth and jaws of sea creatures, fish, birds, gemstones, and all kinds of other interesting exhibits, including fluorescent minerals displayed in a light show. Take a private tour, during which you'll learn about the history of the museum and its exhibits. Make sure to visit the gift shop, where you can find jewelry and other small presents.

Jackson Park is a park south of Downtown Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Acquired in 1929, with the persistence of then mayor Cecil E. Jackson, Windsor City Council voted in favour of purchasing the land from the Jockey Club. At the same meeting where the land was purchased, City Council decided to name the new park after their Mayor. Jackson Park has long been considered one of Windsor's most beautiful parks and attractions. It is most known for its yearly display annual garden beds and a large array of perennial plants. In the winter months, Jackson hosts Bright Lights Windsor, a Christmas light display put on by the City.

Willistead Manor is a historic house located in the former town of Walkerville, Ontario, now part of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Willistead Manor was designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn in the 16th-century Tudor-Jacobean style of an English manor house. It was built in 1904–1906, and was commissioned by Edward Chandler Walker, the second son of Hiram Walker. It is named after the first son, Willis Walker, a lawyer in Detroit, Michigan, who died young.

Contrary to popular belief, Hiram Walker never lived in the home. Edward and his wife never had any children. After Edward passed on in 1915, Mrs. Walker did not care to keep living in the big home alone, and she deeded the house and grounds to the town of Walkerville. When Walkerville was amalgamated with Windsor in 1935, it obtained ownership of Willistead.

In the years after its use as a residence, Willistead served as the Walkerville Town Hall, Art Gallery of Windsor and as a public library branch. In the late 1970s early 1980s, the City of Windsor, afraid of the repairs and upkeep on the mansion, wanted to demolish the structure. Preservationists stepped in and the home was saved. In 1976, Windsor City Council designated Willistead Manor and Park as a heritage property.

Today the 36-room mansion is used as a banquet hall, and the fifteen-acre (62,888 m²) grounds are incorporated in a larger public park. The house can be rented for occasions such as weddings, corporate meeting and private parties. The house is also decorated for the Christmas holiday.

Breathe in the fresh air during an adventure through Point Pelee National Park--15 sq km (5.8 sq mi) of protected land jutting out into Lake Erie. Take the boardwalk across the marshlands and head out onto sandy spits for extensive views of the shimmering lake. As the southernmost point of mainland Canada, the park offers sights of creatures unseen elsewhere in the country, such as the fox snake and the five-lined skink. Birders have spotted about 360 different species of migratory birds in the park, which is a meeting point of two major migration paths.

A place of heritage, community and of course – great hand crafted beer. Our history begins with Hiram Walker; a man better known as the manufacturer of great spirits including the world famous Canadian Club whiskey. Something many people don’t know is that Mr. Walker was also a beer man, and had a keen eye for the finer things in life. So when he opened the original Walkerville Brewery in 1890, he told the citizens and workers of his company and city that he would provide an ‘Honest Beer”. What he meant was anything produced from his brewery would only be crafted of the finest ingredients – no exceptions. Over 120 years later, we brew our beer with the same ideology using unpasteurised single batches, no artificial preservatives, flavours or colour to provide beer lovers with premium, fresh hand crafted brew. Today’s Brewery operates in one of Mr. Walker’s original buildings known as “Surge Plant 16”. Once an overflow storage facility for the production of whisky, this re-purposed 18,000 square foot facility is now home to the finest beer produced in Essex County and includes a tap room, community space and a retail shop.

Tours: Saturdays (or by appointment): 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm & 5 pm, $7

The tour includes a guided historical tour of the brewery, a sampling of beers available, and a 12 Oz. glass of beer of your choice to enjoy.

A showplace and tourist attraction on the banks of the Detroit River, Coventry Garden was designed for relaxation and recreation and as a place of civic pride. It features the Peace Fountain, the only international floating fountain in the world, which can propel water 70 feet in the air and displays a light show at night. Each year, thousands of visitors enjoy the brilliant flowers, and the patios serve as unique staging areas for concerts and other events during the summer.

Peace Fountain -operates from approximately 11 am – 11 pm. Put in around Victoria Day in May. Removed the week following Canadian Thanksgiving in mid October.

The Canadian Historical Aircraft Association, or CH2A, home to Windsor’s own Lancaster bomber and Mosquito KB161, is located at the west end of the Windsor International Airport, just south of Airport Road. We occupy the original hangar of #7 Elementary Flying Training School which was built in 1940 as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

The CH2A has maintained a fleet of flyable historic aircraft. Our pilots volunteer their time to take the aircraft to air shows so that people everywhere get the chance to experience these types of aircraft. Every time you see a “Yellowbird” in the air we are honouring our veterans. Members can purchase a 20-minute “Honour Flight” in one of our DeHavilland Chipmunks, Boeing Stearman biplane and Harvard.

Our dedicated volunteers are presently restoring the City of Windsor’s FM 212 Lancaster as well as a Mosquito Bomber KB161. As well, our volunteers give tours to school children and other groups, telling the tales of our veterans to honour their service. Volunteers from our archive group collect the stories and artifacts of our veterans and proudly display these in the Wes Bridgen Archive room.

We truly are where aviation history comes alive! Consider becoming a member and help us continue to preserve and honour!

Tour rates: $8/Adult, $6/Senior & Children 6-12, Veterans and Children under 6 free