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city in Essex County, Ontario, Canada
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North America > Canada > Ontario > Southwestern Ontario > Essex County (Ontario) > Windsor (Ontario)

Windsor is a mid-sized Canadian city on the southwest tip of Ontario. It's an extremely multicultural city with over 20% of its population having been born outside of Canada. The city's rich cultural background is evident in its Middle Eastern, Italian, and Asian neighbourhoods. Just across the Detroit River from Detroit and the American border, it's one of the very few places where you have to go south to enter Canada. Its main waterfront park stretches about 5 km (3.1 mi), from the 1929 Ambassador suspension bridge past the contemporary Windsor Sculpture Park. It ends near the 1894 Italianate Canadian Club Heritage Centre, which recalls when Windsor was a source for liquor smuggled to the Prohibition-era states.

Understand

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The Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival celebrates Canada's Canada Day and the American Independence

Founded as a French agricultural settlement in 1748, Windsor has grown into a city of about 230,000 people (2021 census). Reflecting its American neighbour across the Detroit River, it has a strong connection with the automobile industry, with Chrysler's Canadian headquarters based in the city. The riverside area of Windsor has been developed into a lush area of parkland that offers spectacular views of the Detroit skyline, and is the city's most well-known feature.

The 1981 Journey song "Don't Stop Believin'" mentions a boy "born and raised in south Detroit", which would be Windsor. Songwriter Steve Perry has said "I tried north Detroit, I tried east and west and it didn't sing, but south Detroit sounded so beautiful. I loved the way it sounded, only to find out later it's actually Canada."

Culture

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Even if you spend a day in Windsor you'll notice that it's a very multicultural city, yet still retaining a small town feel. Right off the bat, visitors will hear English, French, Arabic and Italian. Near the east side of the downtown area is the North African/Middle Eastern neighbourhoods with a large Lebanese community. Southeast of the downtown area is the Via Italia neighbourhood, with numerous Italian restaurants and shops. West of the downtown area is an area with strong Asian influences.

Climate

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The city has quite a wide range in climate conditions, with average temperatures hovering around -6°C (21°F) in January, while in July the average temperature is around 28 °C (82 °F). The sun is up from 6AM to 9PM in the summer months, but only between 8AM and 5PM in the winter months. The late summer is the best time to visit the city, though it can be humid and sultry.

Windsor's weather breaks the most records, in more categories, in both averages and extremes, than any other Canadian regions. Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada, yet mid-western, while surrounded by the Great Lakes. Some of these records measure heat, humidity, precipitation, lightning, variances, mild winters, etc. For specifics details see: climate.weather.gc.ca

Visitor information

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Get in

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By plane

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Windsor does have a passenger airport, but it's mainly served by flights from Toronto
  • 1 Windsor Airport (YQG  IATA), 3200 County Road 42 (off Walker Rd., south of E.C. Row Expressway), ☏ +1 519-969-2430, fax: +1 519-969-6053, . As of 2024, the only regular passenger services are a couple of daily flights from Toronto: Toronto Pearson International Airport operated by Air Canada, and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport by Porter Airlines. From the airport, take Walkerville 8 bus route to downtown for $3.10. Taxi to downtown costs about $25. Windsor International Airport (Q1052673) on Wikidata Windsor International Airport on Wikipedia (updated May 2022)

By train

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See also: Rail travel in Canada

By car

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Canada's busiest highway, the 401, is a major artery which begins in Windsor and follows the beaten-path Windsor-Quebec corridor, and becomes Autoroute 20 in Quebec. Highway 401 carries the bulk of the traffic between Canada's two largest cities, Toronto and Montreal.

Windsor is also easily accessible by crossing the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel or the Ambassador Bridge from Detroit. For more information about the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel and Ambassador Bridge and immigration/customs please see the From the United States section.

From Buffalo, Windsor is a sneaky shortcut which lops about a hundred miles off the trip to Detroit compared to a domestic route through Ohio. Unfortunately, much of the time saved is lost dealing with strange Customs on both sides. Take QEW from the Buffalo Peace Bridge to Hamilton, then take the 403 west to join the 401.

By bus

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From the United States

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The Ambassador Bridge crosses from Detroit to Windsor over the Detroit River.

U.S. and Canadian citizens are required to present a passport, passport card, enhanced driver's licence, or trusted traveller card when crossing the U.S.-Canada border. For more detailed identification requirements, visit Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). (See the 'Get in' section of the main Canada article for entry requirements for citizens of other countries.) Although it is efficient for an international border, this is the busiest crossing between the two countries, and is not as quick and casual as it once was.

There are two ways to get to Windsor from Detroit:

  • 4 Ambassador Bridge (accessible from all interstates connecting to downtown Detroit). Bridge traffic can be congested, due to the high number of 18-wheelers. Expect wait times of 30 minutes. Toll per passenger car: $4.75 (C$ or US$). Ambassador Bridge (Q12575) on Wikidata Ambassador Bridge on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2022)
  • 5 Detroit-Windsor Tunnel (connecting to I375 from all interstates in downtown Detroit). Every time traffic backs up in the tunnel the tunnel is shut down until traffic congestion is eased, which can sometimes take quite a while. A "tunnel bus" connects downtown Detroit with Windsor, which may reduce parking costs; the customs and immigrations process can be quite lengthy for bus riders since everyone on the bus must disembark and be cleared through customs. Toll per passenger car: $4.50 (C$ or US$). Detroit–Windsor Tunnel (Q1129573) on Wikidata Detroit–Windsor tunnel on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2022)
  • Construction of a third bridge, the future Gordie Howe International Bridge between Brighton Beach (Windsor) and Delray (Detroit), began in 2018. The Windsor-Essex Parkway, an extension of Highway 401 which opened in 2015, will connect directly to the new bridge, which is expected to be completed in 2025. In the meantime, all traffic from Detroit lands not directly on the motorway but on Windsor surface streets (Ontario highways 3 and 3B), leading to substantial delays at the border.

Pedestrians cannot walk across the bridge or through the tunnel; they must use the tunnel bus. Bicyclists are prohibited from using the bridge and the tunnel, but (since 2017) can use the bike rack of the tunnel bus. One can also disassemble the bike and put it in a bike bag, which can be brought on the bus.

  • 6 Tunnel Bus, 300 Chatham Street West (Windsor International Transit Terminal), ☏ +1 519-944-4111, fax: +1 519-944-5121. Local Windsor city bus route through downtown Detroit, including Cobo Center/Arena, Joe Louis Arena, Rosa Parks Transit Center, Campus Martius and Hart Plaza. Additional sport stadium stops during Detroit major league home games and special events. $7.50/person (C$ or US$). (updated Oct 2022)

A Windsor-Detroit ferry crossing exists, but primarily serves truck traffic (including hazardous material) which cannot use the tunnel.

An alternative to crossing at Windsor-Detroit is the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia-Port Huron, an hour from Windsor-Detroit by motorcar.

Get around

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The majority of the hotels and entertainment are concentrated in the downtown area, so walking and reasonable cabs may be good options.

Streetview along University Avenue

By car

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Windsor is a city that was built for the car, or rather, a city built on building cars, thus earning the nicknames the 'Automotive Capital of Canada' or 'Motor City Canada' in addition to 'Rose City' branding (despite not particularly featuring more roses than other cities across Southern Ontario). If you are going to get around the entire city, not just the downtown area and immediate neighbouring districts, your best option would be to rent a car.

By public transportation

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Transit Windsor, ☏ +1 519-944-4111, . An inexpensive transit system, comprising 17 bus lines, one (Tunnel) of which connects to and from Detroit through the tunnel. The cash fare is $3.75 for adults (includes one transfer, to be made within 2 hours) and $11 for a day pass (the drivers do not give change). Credit or debit cards can't be used for buying a ticket on the bus; the other alternative for riding is buying a smart card that can be loaded with rides (TW Smart Ride) or day passes (TW Smart Pass). The international Tunnel bus is more expensive than riding within Windsor, tickets costs $10 (one way) or $20 (roundtrip). (updated Sep 2022)

By taxi and ride hailing

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  • Uber. (updated Aug 2022)

By foot

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Many attractions listed below are quite spread out - even more than 10 km from downtown - and as such impractical to visit by foot. However, some are concentrated in an area about 500 m across between the tunnel entrance and the river. Moreover the riverside park is almost certainly best explored on foot.

Map
Map of Windsor (Ontario)
  • 1 Ford City. The birthplace of the Canadian Ford Motor Company. The district is home to a wide variety of architectural examples, including four byzantine styled Orthodox churches built by immigrants, who came to work for the Ford Company. Several buildings have murals depicting the history and transformation of the Ford Company and Ford City. Ford City (Q5467686) on Wikidata Ford City, Ontario on Wikipedia 
  • 2 Little Italy, Erie Street, ☏ +1 519-962-5105. Little Italy, or "Via Italia", as it is affectionately called, is home to many Italian families and businesses. It is known for its restaurants and clothing boutiques, along Erie Street, from Moy Avenue in the east to Goyeau Avenue to the west. (updated Sep 2018)
  • 3 Old Sandwich Town (West Windsor on Riverside, turns into Sandwich). Established in 1797, it is considered one of the oldest, most historically significant settlements in Ontario. It has been the site of several important events in Ontario's history. Many historic buildings remain in Old Sandwich Town and the area hosts an annual festival to celebrate its heritage. The area is now a neighbourhood of the city of Windsor. Old Sandwich Town (Q7084898) on Wikidata Old Sandwich Town on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2017)
  • 4 Pillette Village (Pillette Road Village or Pillette Vintage Village), 4400 to 4900 Wyandotte East and 200 to 800 Pillette Road, . A small community between historic Walkerville and their hipsters to the west and the sleepy Olde Riverside suburbs to the east. Most of the commercial buildings from George Avenue to Thompson Boulevard are on Wyandotte Street or Pillette Road spreading outward from that intersection, leading up to the spectacular Coventry Gardens & Reaume Park, just a block away. Pillette Village features several restaurants and several vintage stores, unique enterprises, convenience, bowling, and common franchises (McDonald's, Subway, Shoppers, etc.) and utilities. Free parking except Wyandotte Street has parking meters. Neighbourhoods of Windsor, Ontario#Pillette Road Village on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2018)
  • 5 Walkerville (around Wyandotte and Ottawa Street). Incorporated in 1890, the town was founded by Hiram Walker, owner and producer of Canadian Club Whisky. Walker planned it as a 'model town’ (originally called 'Walker's Town') that would be the envy of both the region and the continent. He established a distillery on the Detroit River, diversifying the business by growing grain, milling flour, and raising cattle and hogs. Later, the town supported other major industries, notably automotive manufacturing. Walkerville (Q3565412) on Wikidata Walkerville, Ontario on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2017)

Historical

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An Underground Railroad to Freedom monument, facing north-northwest from up Windsor's Civic Esplanade with the Detroit skyline distant across the river, from Pitt Street East, between Goyeau Street and McDougall Street, by the casino at a corner of The Colosseum.
  • 6 Willistead Manor, 1899 Niagara St (Walkerville, at Niagara Street and Kildare Street), ☏ +1 519-253-2365. A beautiful 36-room mansion in the middle of a 15 acres (6.1 hectares) park, the mansion was built by Edward Chandler Walker for his older brother, Willis Walker. 
  • 7 Mackenzie Hall, 3277 Sandwich St (Sandwich Towne), ☏ +1 519-255-7600, fax: +1 519-255-9538. The former courthouse, jail, and execution spot of the former town of Sandwich, which is now a district of Windsor. 
  • 8 McGregor-Cowan House Bakery/Breakfast (Olde Towne Bake Shoppe), 3118 Sandwich St, ☏ +1 519-258-0361. Historical bakery, housing the Olde Towne Bake Shoppe and as such apparently both an attraction and a place to eat. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 9 Spirit of Windsor Engine 5588, Dieppe Gardens (opposite Goyeau St). Dubbed the Spirit of Windsor, retired Pacific type 4-6-2 steam locomotive 5588 is on static display within Dieppe Gardens. (updated Oct 2021)

Museums

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  • 10 Art Windsor-Essex (Art Gallery of Windsor), 401 Riverside Drive West (west of Ouellette Ave. and just west of the Cleary International Centre, and the Radisson & Hilton hotels, at Church Street), ☏ +1 519-977-0013, fax: +1 519-977-0776, . W 11AM-8PM, Th F 11AM-9PM, Sa Su 11AM-5PM (closed: M Tu). A somewhat small art museum, but its exhibits are interesting and make the most of the available space. The gallery also has several works available for rent or for purchase. $3 per person. 
  • 11 Canada South Science City, 930 Marian Ave (one block north of Erie Street (Little Italy)), ☏ +1 519-973-3667, fax: +1 519-973-3676, . Interactive science museum, "temporarily closed" since 2021 but they hope to reopen sometime in the future. Canada South Science City (Q5029431) on Wikidata Canada South Science City on Wikipedia 
  • 12 Serbian Heritage Museum, 6770 Tecumseh Rd E, ☏ +1 519-944-4884, . Tu-F 12:30PM-3:30PM. Exhibits change every three to four months. Serbian Heritage Museum (Q97354508) on Wikidata Serbian Heritage Museum on Wikipedia (updated Apr 2021)
  • 13 Windsor Community Museum, 254 Pitt Street West (François Baby House) (directly behind the Cleary International Centre & Hilton Hotel), ☏ +1 519-253-1812, fax: +1 519-253-0919, . Showcasing different aspects of the Windsor's history, this museum is made up of several units. The Chimczuk Museum has a permanent exhibition of the local history from the Ice Age until today, an interactive learning space for children, an exhibition about the First Nations, and a gallery for temporary exhibitions. The Maison François Baby House and Duff-Baby House and Interpretation Centre are historical homes of late 18th-early 19th century politician François Baby. In addition the museum has extensive archives from maps to postcards; contact the museum if you want to access them to study the history of the region further. 

Gambling

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  • 14 Caesars Windsor (Windsor Casino), 377 Riverside Drive East (overlooking the Detroit river & Skyline), ☏ +1 519-258-7878, . Very large casino and popular among residents and tourists because the Canadian government does not tax any winnings. The casino exchanges US dollars to Canadian dollars at a low rate (it is therefore advised to exchange your money elsewhere). Absolutely no one under 19 is allowed on the casino floor; however, those under 19 are allowed to stay in the Augustus (new) Tower. Those who are under 22 will need to show an additional piece of identification (such as a school ID or a debit card) upon entering. Caesars Windsor (Q1025472) on Wikidata Caesars Windsor on Wikipedia 

Parks and gardens

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The Peace Fountain in Windsor's Reaume Park/Coventry Gardens facing west-northwest across the Pillette "Dock" and Detroit River to Belle Isle and a distant Detroit skyline.
Parks in Windsor, Ontario
  • 1 Coventry Gardens & Reaume Park (Pillette Park), Pillette Road & Riverside Drive East. A showplace and tourist attraction, Reaume Park and Coventry Gardens includes the Pillette Dock (a favourite fishing spot) with a grand northern view of the Detroit skyline and its largest park, Belle Isle, as the spectacular Charles Brooks Peace Fountain floats on the Detroit River spouting water 70 ft (21 m) in the air from April to October with radiant coloured evening illuminations. Coventry Gardens is elegantly maintained, with hanging gardens, trees, flowerbeds, tarmac and brick paths, and this park also contains a restaurant and restroom, but bicycles are not allowed in the park, due to its large attendance of pedestrians and tight curves. free + free parking + free overflow parking. Coventry Gardens (Q14875132) on Wikidata Coventry Gardens on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2018)
  • 2 Dieppe Gardens, Riverside Drive & Ouellette Avenue. At the northern-most base of Ouellette Ave., Windsor's centermost street, overlooking the Detroit River and skyline. free. Parks_in_Windsor,_Ontario#Dieppe_Gardens on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2018)
  • 3 Peche Island City Park, Mouth of Detroit River and Lake St. Clair. Only accessible by boat, this island park is fun for picnics and exploration, at the mouth of Detroit River and Lake St. Clair. free. Peche Island (Q7158666) on Wikidata Peche Island on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2018)
  • 4 Queen Elizabeth II Sunken Gardens in Jackson Park, Tecumseh Road East & Ouellette Avenue. A sunken gardens (i.e., garden dug slightly below the surroundings so water flows down to the plants), with flowers, rocks, and a former reflecting pool. free. Parks in Windsor, Ontario#Jackson Park, Queen Elizabeth II Gardens, and Windsor Stadium on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2018)
  • 5 Willistead Park (Willistead Manor). Willistead Park is located in the Walkerville neighbourhood, just east of downtown Windsor. The park contains the old Willistead Manor, a mansion built from 1904 to 1906. Most of the houses that border the park across the streets are stylized in industrial revolution-England style, with rounded windows and row-houses with steep roofs. Every year, this park hosts "Art In The Park", in June, a large and very popular arts and crafts show. Willistead Manor (Q8022133) on Wikidata Willistead Manor on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2018)
A seagull sculpture in Windsor's Odette Sculpture Park with a distant Ambassador Bridge crossing the river to Detroit, facing west-northwest.
  • 6 Windsor Sculpture Park (Odette Sculpture Park), Riverside Drive West (from the Ambassador Bridge to Church Street north Windsor's chain of parks sprawling between Riverside Drive West and the Detroit River). Touted as a "museum without walls" Windsor Sculpture Park is a 3.5-km park with over 30 sculptures dotting the park. All along Windsor's southern banks of the Detroit River from the base of the Ambassador Bridge (starting in Assumption Park at Huron Church Road) blending into Centennial Park on to Church Street where the park further continues as Dieppe Gardens at Ouellette Avenue and even further along Riverside Drive East. The park features large-scale contemporary sculptures for public viewing. There are 32 sculptures in the park, and the collection continues to develop every year through private donations. Admission: free, parking: metered. Odette Sculpture Park (Q1164723) on Wikidata Windsor Sculpture Park on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2018)

Amusement parks

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  • 8 Big Time Entertainment (former Springz Trampoline and Amusement Park), 2411 Dougall Ave, ☏ +1 519-250-1111. Describing itself as the largest gaming centre in Southwestern Ontario, here you can for instance play arcade games, drive go-karts or throw axes at targets. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 9 Zap Zone Fun Center, 1665 Lauzon Rd, ☏ +1 519-974-5768. M-Th noon-10PM, F noon-11PM, Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-8PM. Go for laser tag, glow golf, balladium and bumper cars. 

Trails

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  • 11 Ganatchio Trail (follow along Riverside Dr. East to pick up the starting point of the Ganatchio Trail, near Lauzon Rd.). Stretching from Windsor into Tecumseh, provides an excellent way for bikers, roller bladers, or the casual pedestrian to enjoy the afternoon. free. Ganatchio Trail (Q5520513) on Wikidata Ganatchio Trail on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2018)
  • 12 Grand Marais Trail, Grand Marais Road (Central Windsor). 11.3 km. free. Grand Marais Trail (Q5594786) on Wikidata Grand Marais Trail on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2018)
  • 13 Little River Extension (Little River Bike Trail or Little River Parkway) (South of Wyandotte Street East along Riverdale Avenue beyond Little River Road.). 7.5 km. free. Little River Extension (Q6651697) on Wikidata Little River Extension on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2018)
  • 14 Riverfront Bike Trail (The Roy A. Battagello River Walk Bike Trail), Riverside Drive East (all along the north waterfront of Windsor). 5.17 km. free. Riverfront Bike Trail (Q7338186) on Wikidata Riverfront Bike Trail on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2018)
  • 15 Russell Street Neighbourhood Trail, Old Sandwich Town (West Windsor). 16.6 km. free. Russell Street Neighbourhood Trail (Q7381802) on Wikidata Russell Street Neighbourhood Trail on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2018)

Sports

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The Windsor Spitfires are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
  • 16 Ambassador Golf Club, 1025 Sprucewood Ave (on the border of Windsor & LaSalle, across from the Windsor Raceway & Slots), ☏ +1 519-966-2425, fax: +1 519-966-2327. Weekdays: 9 holes $40, 18 holes $60; Weekends: 9 holes $45, 18 holes $68. 
  • 17 Roseland Golf And Curling Club, 455 Kennedy Drive West (east of Huron Church Road, just south of Cabana Rd.), ☏ +1 519-969-3810. 18-hole championship golf course, a challenging 9-hole Par 3, and a 6-sheet curling rink. Clubhouse with banquet facilities. 
  • 18 Windsor Spitfires hockey, WFCU Centre, 8787 McHugh St. The extremely popular local junior hockey team was Canadian champions in 2009 and 2010. They play at the WFCU Centre in Forest Glade. Tickets can be hard to come by; buy tickets well in advance. Windsor Spitfires (Q1785035) on Wikidata Windsor Spitfires on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2018)

Festivals

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  • Windsorite Festival Listing. Website listing upcoming events. (updated Jun 2017)
  • Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival. An enormous celebration of both Canada's Canada Day, held on July 1st, and America's Independence Day, held on July 4th. The festival, which began in 1959, evolved into the current pair of events (Windsor Summer Fest and Detroit River Days) in 2007. 
  • Windsor International Film Festival. next event is Oct 24-Nov 3, 2024. Film festival with screenings in three venues; the Capitol Theatre, the Chrysler Theatre and the Armouries and an awards event. Also has a summer series on Thursday evenings. 
  • 19 Windsor Emancipation Celebration Festival, Festival Plaza - 370 Riverside Drive East (overlooking the Detroit River and skyline), . An enormous celebration of Freedom, held on the first weekend in August Emancipation Celebration was once the largest outdoor celebration of its kind in all of North America. It boasted colourful parades that made its way from the riverfront into Jackson Park celebration grounds, Miss Sepia Pageants, talent contest, concerts, family reunion picnics and community wide barbecues. In fact these cross-border celebrations drew the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Dr. George Washington Carver, Jesse Owens, Diana Ross, Joe Louis, Eleanor Roosevelt and many other world renowned dignitaries annually to appear as guest speakers or simply to join the revelry of freedom. At its peak Emancipation celebration had over 250,000 in attendance. Free/$5 for concerts/shows. 
  • Bluesfest. four days, mid-July. Promotes not only the blues genre, but local and international artists. The 2024 event was scheduled for July but apparently cancelled. Four-day pass: $50, otherwise $20-25 per day. 
  • Pridefest Windsor-Essex, ☏ +1 226-348-3378. early August. LGBT parade to Riverfront Festival Plaza, and several events around town. 

Music & theatre

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Inside the Capitol Theatre

Music scene

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Windsor's underground music scene is blooming with talented musicians creating music genres such as rock, indie, metal, soul and more. Every single day there's a show being put on by the determined booking agents and venues alike who love this city. The scene in Windsor is tightly-knit, like a big family. It creates this home-like feeling, as most of the people who have left only miss the concerts. The venues in Windsor set the stage for gorgeous concerts to be brought down from all over the world!

  • 26 Dominion House, 3140 Sandwich St, ☏ +1 519-971-7400. Unfussy historic pub with billiards & a traditional menu of burgers, snacks & sandwiches. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 27 Phog Lounge, 157 University Ave W (in downtown Windsor, at Pelissier Street, on University Avenue beside the Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre, just west of Ouellette Ave. and south of Riverside Dr), ☏ +1 519-253-1605. Intimate, quirky nightspot featuring independent bands, pub grub like poutine & a full bar. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 28 Player's Sports Club (The Backstage), 1530 Langlois Ave, ☏ +1 519-256-6202. Bar with frequent live rock music. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 29 Villains, 256 Pelissier, ☏ +1 519-915-5215. Live music from many different genres, from heavy metal to "singer with guitar" - kind of music and electronic music parties. (updated Jun 2017)

Learn

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Canadian Club Classic aged whisky. Duty free shops for travellers heading to Detroit mainly advertise alcoholic beverages.

Shopping in Windsor can be a treat particularly due to the abundance of ethnic stores littered about Windsor. There's a store to suit everyone's need, including the American cigar aficionado, who will be delighted to realize that due to Canada's cozier relations with Cuba than America's, Cuban cigars are widely available for purchase. Purchasing a Cuban cigar or Cuban products in Windsor, even if consumed on Canadian soil, is considered by U.S. government to be a violation of the U.S. embargo and you may be subject to hefty fines or jail time if caught. In practice, however, this might not be a big problem, as thousands of Americans travel to Cuba illegally every year with no problem.

  • 1 Ambassador Duty Free Store, 707 Patricia St (on the Ambassador Bridge), ☏ +1 519-977-9100. 24/7, every day of the year. Duty-free stores for travellers leaving Canada to Detroit, one at the tunnel and another at the bridge. Alcoholic beverages, perfumes, brand goods like sunglasses and bags. 
  • 2 Devonshire Mall, 3100 Howard Ave. (south on Howard from E.C. Row Expressway), ☏ +1 519-966-3100. M-F 9:30AM-9PM, Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 11AM-5PM. Over 175 stores, services and eateries. 
  • 3 Holland Consignment Shoppe, 1407 Ottawa St (Ottawa St and Moy Ave, behind the TD Bank), ☏ +1 519-977-5200, . In the heart of one of the last remaining local outdoor shopping districts. 
  • 4 Tecumseh Mall, 7654 Tecumseh Rd E, ☏ +1 519-944-7760. Around 60 businesses. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 5 Windsor Crossing Premium Outlets, 1555 Talbot St (in the town of LaSalle, just off Huron Church Rd., south of the Ambassador Bridge), ☏ +1 519-972-7111, fax: +1 519-972-6432, . M-F 10AM-9PM, Sa (Jan-May) 9AM-6PM or (Jun-Dec) 9AM-9PM, Su 10AM-6PM, Holidays 10AM-6PM, closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Shopping mall next to Highway 401 with outlet stores and some eateries. 
  • 6 Windsor Hobbies, 3895 Tecumseh Road East, ☏ +1 519-945-5471. Hobby and model shop. 
  • 7 Windsor Tunnel Duty Free Shop, 465 Goyeau St, ☏ +1 519-252-2713, fax: +1 519-252-1688. Daily, 24 hours. Another duty free store for travellers going to Detroit, next to the tunnel entrance. 

Windsor is known for being one of the great food places in Canada, with much of its reputation owing to the many ethnic restaurants in the city ranging from Italian, Lebanese, Chinese (Cantonese/Szechuan), Thai, Indian, Greek, African (Ethiopian/Somalian), Caribbean, as well as other specialties such as vegetarian/vegan restaurants.

Budget

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Mid-range

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  • 7 Cook's Shop Restaurant, 683 Ouellette Ave (downtown Windsor), ☏ +1 519-254-3377. Italian restaurant, pasta and meat entrees. around $30. 
  • 8 India Palace Sweet Restaurant, 1167 Ottawa St (Ottawa Street across from Lanspeary Park), ☏ +1 519-256-4104. Indian cuisine; vegetarian, lamb and chicken dishes. mains $10-15. 
  • 9 Sir Cedric's Fish & Chips, 468 University Avenue West (across the street from Mini Restaurant), ☏ +1 519-253-4044. Fish and chips in different versions, as the name of the place says. They also have other seafood dishes, as well as burgers and sandwiches. $10-40. 
  • 10 The Twisted Apron, 1833 Wyandotte St E, ☏ +1 519-256-2665. Brunch and lunch restaurant. $15-20. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 11 Niko Sushi, 10 Amy Croft Dr, ☏ +1 519-979-8996. Popular sushi house offering a range of well-known rolls, gyoza & tempura in a quaint dining room. different sushi sets $5-25. (updated Jun 2017)

Splurge

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Pelee Island Winery is always a great vintage.
  • 12 Mezzo Ristorante, 804 Erie St (Via Italia), ☏ +1 519-252-4055, fax: +1 519-252-9202, . M-W 11:30AM-10PM, Th-Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su 4PM-10PM. Decent Italian restaurant with a friendly and helpful staff. The restaurant is pleasantly decorated and offers an intimate atmosphere for visitors to relax and hang out. The restaurant hosts musicians on Thursday and a piano player on Friday and Saturday nights. 
  • 13 Spago Ristorante & Pizzeria, 690 Erie St E, ☏ +1 519-252-2233. Lively spot with an open kitchen offering thin-crust pizza, panini, pasta & other Italian classics. (updated Jun 2017)

Drink

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Ethanol tourism

The Ontario Wine Route logo.
Several breweries and distilleries – most notably Canadian Club – were established in the Windsor/Essex County area due to "dry laws" during the American prohibition experiment. Today, a significant part of Windsor's tourism is still directly related to alcohol, with Ontario's lower drinking age (and more liberal "exotic dance" regulations) drawing countless 19- and 20-year-old Americans over the border for legal drinks.

Bars, pubs and clubs

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  • 1 Thompson House, 5370 Wyandotte St E, ☏ +1 519-915-9992. Pub with a "British vibe", also serving pub food including dishes you would find in the UK. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 2 Lefty's on the O, 341 Ouellette Ave, ☏ +1 519-915-1418. Bar with frequent live music or DJs playing. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 3 The Bull and Barrel, 670 Ouellette Ave, ☏ +1 519-973-4884. An "urban saloon" boasting Windsor's largest outdoor patio. Two bars, a food menu centered on chicken wings. Parties on W F Sa nights. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 4 Wild Child (formerly The Pubclub), 527 Ouellette Ave, ☏ +1 519-258-3291. Nightclub, not for budget travellers. Patrons need to buy a "bottle service" including a bottle of liquor and mixers, starting at $200 depending on the beverage. They have a strict dress code too. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 5 Treehouse Bar & Grill, 351 Ouellette Ave, ☏ +1 519-252-6626. Affordable drinks, comfort food and party every night. In business since 2000. (updated Jun 2017)

Breweries & distilleries

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Hiram Walker's Canadian Club whisky headquarters is a Canadian cultural heritage monument.
  • 6 Craft Heads Brewery, 89 University Ave W (on the corner of University and Pelisser), ☏ +1 226-246-3925. Brewery with taproom and bottle shop. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 7 Frank's Brewing Co., 12000 Tecumseh Rd E, ☏ +1 519-956-9822. Has a taproom and restaurant with pizza, sandwiches and other small dishes. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 8 Hiram Walker & Sons Limited, 2072 Riverside Dr E (along Riverside Dr. E.), ☏ +1 519-561-5499. M-Th closed, F-Su noon-5PM. Whiskey distillery. The tours and tastings have been discontinued, but there is a shop and occasionally they arrange blending classes. (updated Sep 2018)
    (Don't confuse the Hiram Walker & Sons Limited with the Canadian Club Brand Centre tourist attraction at 2072 Riverside E, that is permanently closed.
  • 9 Walkerville Brewery, 525 Argyle Rd (east side of the city, off Wyandotte St.), ☏ +1 519-254-6067, fax: +1 519-255-9245, . Su-W 11AM-6PM, Th Sa 11AM-7PM, F 11AM-9PM. 45-minute tours ($7 each includes tastings) are given on Saturdays between 12:30PM, 3:30PM and 5PM. You can also buy beer at the brewery. 

Sleep

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Budget

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Mid-range

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  • 7 TownePlace Suites Windsor (former Quality Suites Downtown), 250 Dougall Ave, ☏ +1 519-977-9707, fax: +1 519-977-6404. Rooms are more like apartments, in addition to normal amenities they also have a kitchen and a space for office work. There's a fitness center, business center and a convenience store. Free Wi-Fi. Room rates include breakfast. Paid parking. rates from $170. 
  • 8 Ye Olde Walkerville Bed & Breakfast, 1104 Monmouth Rd (at Richmond and within walking distance to Caesars Windsor), ☏ +1 519-254-1507, fax: +1 519-252-5542, . B&B with five rooms, each with individual character. Rooms have private bathrooms and TV, and rates include breakfast. $109-169. 

Splurge

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  • 9 Caesar's Windsor Hotel, 377 Riverside Dr W (east of Ouellette Ave), ☏ +1 800-991-7777, toll-free: +1-800-991-8888. A casino hotel on the bank of the Detroit River. No-one under 19 allowed. There are six restaurants and Caesars is also an event venue. rates from $150 (if there's a sale), but guests have to pay a resort fee of $25/night and make a deposit of $200 "for incidental charges". 
  • 10 Four Points by Sheraton Windsor Downtown, 430 Ouellette Ave, ☏ +1 519-256-4656. Well equipped rooms. Free Wi-Fi. Fitness center, restaurant. rates from $189. (updated Jul 2024)

Stay safe

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Downtown Windsor is safe and very lively, even late at night. The biggest danger is getting into a confrontation with an intoxicated person when the clubs close for the night. The usual precautions should be taken, such as, travel in groups, mind your own business, etc. However, the downtown core is usually well policed, so you should have no real problems.

Beginning late into the evening touts will roam the streets offering free admission to bars, clubs, and strip joints. While for the most part touts operate individually you may be approached by two or more touts. Standard precautions should be taken when considering following a tout to a strange location or to a bar that you've never been to before. If you feel uncomfortable walk away.

Unlike most mid-sized Canadian cities the custom in Windsor is similar to bigger cities like Toronto or Montreal in that drivers will not stop for pedestrians crossing a street who are not crossing at a marked traffic intersection (i.e. jaywalking). Jaywalking is specifically legal in Windsor but at the pedestrian's own risk. Windsor does not have stand-alone pedestrian activated crosswalks. Additionally, Windsor drivers tend to be quite aggressive. Windsorites drive similarly to the aggressive (but quick and efficient) Detroit or US East Coast style rather than the more laid back Canadian style. If you like to drive slowly and cautiously you may find yourself getting honked at, yelled at, given the finger, tailgated, etc.

Cope

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Religious services

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Private clubs & societies

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Nearby

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Belle River

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Harrow

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  • 31 Colio Estate Wines, 1 Colio Drive (just off Walker Road South) (Follow County Road 11 South until you reach Harrow - on the east side of Queen Street), ☏ +1 519-738-2241, toll-free: +1-800-265-1322. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 11AM-5PM. In 1980, Colio Estate Wines was granted the first winery licence since Prohibition in a region that was once the largest grape growing area in the country. The 200 acres (81 hectares) of vineyards in Colchester, Ontario are at the same latitude as Northern California and the Tuscany region in Italy. The vine-friendly soils, southwest winds, southern exposure to the lake and one of the longest growing seasons in the country are unique attributes. Tours are daily at 2PM. Open most holidays. Tours $3 per person - groups welcome by appointment. 
  • 32 Cooper's Hawk Vineyards and The Vines Restaurant, 1425 Iler Rd, ☏ +1 519-738-4295. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 33 Oxley Estate Winery, 533 Essex County Rd 50, ☏ +1 519-738-3264. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 34 The Harrow Fair, 243 McAffee St (at Wellington St), Harrow (Harrow Fairgrounds & Pollard Park), ☏ +1 519-738-3262. $8, kids (0-12) free. Harrow Fair (Q5666533) on Wikidata Harrow Fair on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2018)
  • 35 Viewpointe Estate Winery, 151 County Rd 50, ☏ +1-866-372-8439. (updated Jun 2017)

Lasalle

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  • 36 Lasalle Strawberry Festival (Lasalle Strawberry Fest), Gil Maure Park, Front Road at Laurier Drive, LaSalle (the Lasalle Strawberry Fest admission gates are off Front Road at: Laurier Drive beside parking lot (Main Gate 1) or Front Road at Huron Street (Gate 2)). Summer: runs both days from 5PM to 1AM. $5 per person, Persons over 65 or under 6 get in free. (updated Jun 2017)

Tecumseh

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  • 37 Taste of Tecumseh Festival (Taste of Tecumseh), Lakewood Park, Riverside Drive East, Tecumseh (drive down Riverside Drive East until you arrive at the circular mid-road chicane at the Manning Road intersection). A mid-June weekend Sa Su 5PM-1AM. The Taste of Tecumseh Festival takes place at Lakewood Park. This two-day event features delectable tastes and unique talents, all at a beautiful waterfront setting nestled on Lake St. Clair in the Town of Tecumseh, Ontario. Sample culinary delights, taste a variety of distinctive award-winning wines, get hoppy with craft beer, and enjoy live entertainment from talented performers. $15. (updated Sep 2018)
  • 38 Tecumseh Corn Festival (Tecumseh Corn Fest), 600 Lacasse Blvd (on the Lacasse Park baseball field), ☏ +1 519-735-4756 x421, . Summer - August. $3 daily admission collected at festival entrance gates; children 0-12 free, seniors 65+ free. (updated Sep 2018)

Go next

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The Detroit skyline across the Detroit River from Windsor.

For a more quaint experience, Essex County and Pelee Island can be of interest offering many sight-seeing experiences such as wine tours (Colio Wines & Pelee Island Winery) and Point Pelee National Park, which is a 40 minute drive from Windsor to Leamington along Highway 3. About 30 minutes away along the waterfront, Amherstburg is the home of historic Fort Malden. Nearby is Bois Blanc Island, an abandoned amusement park which used to be popular among Detroit visitors.

Windsor is the southernmost major city in Canada. Detroit is just across the river and offers museums and cultural attractions, most notably the Detroit Institute of Arts, Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, and the Detroit Zoo. Beyond Windsor/Detroit, a car ride can take you to many close cities in the United States, such as Ann Arbor, Toledo, Lansing, Cleveland, or Columbus. Chicago is a 4- to 5-hour drive west from Windsor.

Further out on the Windsor-Quebec corridor lies London, a 2-hour drive, while Toronto is a 4-hour drive northeast from Windsor. Also from Windsor, a 9- or 10-hour drive northeast give or take may bring you to Montréal or Ottawa, Canada's capital city.

Routes through Windsor
END ←  W  E  → Chatham-Kent → London
Ends at ←  W  E  → Chatham-Kent → London
Detroit ← ← Ambassador Bridge ←  W  E  → Essex → Leamington


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