WELCOME TO EPIC THE GREAT CAESARS WINDSOR WINE COUNTRY P.34 OUTDOORS P.39 GAMING & NIGHTLIFE P.50 WINDSOR ESSEX PELEE ISLAND OFFICIAL VISITOR GUIDE WWAARR OOFF 118811 22 AA ccoommmmeemmoorraattiivvee eevveenntt 220000 yyeeaarrss iinn tthhee mmaakkiinngg t s o H d u o r P 1-800-265-3633 | visitwindsoressex.com visitor guide contents Welcome to Windsor Essex Pelee Island ............5 Visitor Information ..................................................6 Our Communities ....................................................8 Arts & Entertainment ..........................................13 Windsor Essex Area Hotels ..................................24 City of Windsor Map ..............................................28 Essex County Pelee Island Map ..........................30 Wineries & Agri-Tourism ......................................33 The Great Outdoors ..............................................39 Gaming & Nightlife ................................................49 Culture & Heritage ................................................53 Sports Tourism ......................................................64 Meetings & Conventions ......................................69 ABOUT TOURISM WINDSOR ESSEX PELEE ISLAND Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island is the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the regional tourism industry. We are a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting and selling Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island as a remarkable destination for tourists, convention goers and business travelers. This Visitor Guide is a publication of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island. For information relating to any aspect of this publication, including advertising rates and data, please contact us at 519-255-6530, toll free at 1-800-265-3633 or write to: Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, 333 Riverside Dr. W., Suite 103, Windsor, ON, Canada N9A 7C5. Website: www.visitwindsoressex.com E-mail: [email protected] Much of the editorial content in this Visitor Guide is provided directly by the establishments and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island. All information contained in this publication is believed to be accurate and complete at the time of publication. Since much of the information is subject to change, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island assumes no liability whatsoever for any damages or loss arising from errors or omissions. We also recommend that details such as times and dates of events, etc., be confirmed in advance. A special thanks to our contributing photographers: Gordana Adamovic-Mladenovic (p. 3, 19, 44), Spike Bell (p. 12), Fort Malden National Historic Site (p. 53, 59), Kevin Kavanaugh (cover photo, p. 34, 57, 69), Ted Kloske (p. 15), Mike Cholubko (p. 61), Carole Loiselle (page 39), Brad Ouellette (page 41), Steve Pomerleau (p. 14, 50), Ryan Sapienza (p. 13), Ramza Saruna (p. 58), Gene Schilling (p. 52), The Windsor Star (p. 68), Town of Amherstburg (p. 58) facebook.com/twepi twitter.com/twepi youtube.com/visitwindsoressex 3 welcome to windsor essex pelee island Eddie Francis Tom Bain It is my pleasure to welcome you Welcome to our communities of to Windsor Essex and Pelee Island Essex County! The County culture along with the delights and sees its towns and villages hospitality of this southernmost celebrate everything that they have region of Canada. to offer. Whether it’s fresh off the farm or our vineyards, or if it comes As you will quickly discover, we offer from our history books or heritage, such a variety of attractions and I’m certain you will want to discover activities that it would be all that Essex County has to offer. impossible to list all of them in this letter of greeting or indeed, in this Our year-round festival destination entire Visitors Guide. welcomes you from the first taste of spring to the maple syrup harvest But we are honoured to offer you, our guests, the riches of an area and keeps inviting you through each season - be it the fresh tastes which is the oldest non-native settlement west of Montréal, the of summer, the bounty of our fall, or winter’s festival of lights. The comforts of Canada’s most moderate climate and, perhaps above and sweet taste of strawberries in LaSalle, tomatoes in Leamington, beyond all, the friendliest people in our country. corn in Tecumseh, apples in Ruthven and wine in Amherstburg along with some of the oldest agricultural fairs in Canada find their We have unparalleled shopping, gaming, hospitality, entertainment home in Essex County. You are sure to discover that season after and natural attractions, coupled with ease of access to a region season, "Festival Country" has earned its reputation as a premier which is within one day’s travel of half the population of the North holiday destination. American continent. In addition to our many festivals, Essex County is dotted with You’ll enjoy our famous nature preserves, such as Point Pelee numerous parks, conservation areas, beautiful beaches, marinas, National Park, our world-class wineries and our sporting museums and walking trails – something for everyone is available opportunities. Immerse yourself in more than 250 years of colourful no matter what the season. Essex County offers something for history – from our earliest settlements to our pivotal influence in The seniors and young families, couples and singles alike. War of 1812, from our anti-slavery activities supporting The Explore our natural beauty by birding at Point Pelee National Park Underground Railroad to our pioneering industrial endeavours – and paddling or kayaking at our extensive Conservation Areas like particularly in the automotive field – and so much more. Tremblay Beach or Hillman Marsh. Re-experience our rich history at the John Freeman Walls Historic Site, Canadian Transportation We are confident that your first experience with us will not be your last, Museum and J.R. Park Homestead. Experience all we have to offer and we assure you of a noteworthy time whenever you choose by taking a tour on ”A Trolley Named Desire.” Windsor Essex and Pelee Island for entertainment, relaxation and many new and memorable adventures. Whether you are just visiting or have lived here all your life, you will be amazed at the fun and entertainment there is just waiting for THE PERFECT GETAWAY Again, welcome. you to experience here in beautiful Essex County! Sincerely Discover what the region of Windsor-Essex has to offer. Whether you’re into festivals, theatre, wineries, shopping or the Tom Bain, Warden Essex County casino, the train makes getting there a pleasure. Eddie Francis, Mayor City of Windsor . c n I a d Buy now at viarail.ca a n a C l i a R A I V y b d e n w o k r a m e d a Rick Masse Join us on Facebook at Follow us on Twitter at r T M facebook.com/viarailcanada twitter.com/via_rail T Welcome to our Island. Pelee Island is a magical place where your activities will be limited only by your imagination. We have miles of sandy beaches, a magnificent winery, world-class birding, interesting hiking/ biking trails and excellent fishing. May you stay long, and enjoy our southern hospitality. P.S. Please don't forget to wave, it's an island tradition. Rick Masse, Mayor Pelee Island CANADA BORDER SERVICES AGENCY RAIL TRANSIT WINDSOR www.cbsa.gc.ca 300 Chatham Street West visitor information VIA RAIL Outside Canada Windsor, ON www.viarail.ca/en English 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 519-944-4111 Windsor Walkerville Rail Station WINDSOR ESSEX WELCOMES YOU TO OUR GREAT REGION! French 204-983-3700 or 506-636-5067 www.citywindsor.ca/transitwindsor 298 Walker Rd., Windsor, ON Within Canada Transit Windsor operates public 1-888-842-7245 he Windsor Essex County region is a cosmopolitan area with close to 400,000 people. Our community has a rich English 1-800-461-9999 transit service for the municipality of VIA Rail offers direct service from history and a bright future. We are known for our multicultural diversity and a healthy environment where citizens French 1-800-959-2036 the City of Windsor, as well as direct Toronto. Windsor is also accessible share a strong sense of belonging and a collective pride of place. Our great quality of life is reflected in our beautiful TTY within Canada 1-866-335-3237 service to downtown Detroit, Comerica T from the U.S. through Amtrak. and safe neighbourhoods, vibrant cultural districts and over 3,000 acres of open green space! Relax and enjoy your Park and Ford Field via the Windsor- CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION CANADA See our ad on page 4 Detroit tunnel. Transit Windsor... stay with us! www.cic.gc.ca Driving today for a better tomorrow. Within Canada 1-888-242-2100 AIRPORT/GROUND See our ad on page 74 TTY within Canada 1-888-576-8502 TRANSPORTATION GREAT ADVENTURE TOURS INC. LANGUAGE TOURISM U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION BY WATER INFORMATION www.greatadventuretours.com English and French are the two official VIP WINDSOR SHUTTLE SERVICES 498 Blanchard Dr., Tecumseh, ON languages of Canada, with English www.cbp.gov www.vipwindsorshuttle.com LAKEVIEW PARK MARINA City Marina, 9200 Riverside Dr. E., RESOURCES 519-727-3661 or 1-800-638-3945 being the primary language spoken by Within USA 1-877-CBP-5511 1855 Huron Church Road, Suite 201 Outside USA 703-526-4200 Windsor, ON Great Adventure Tours is the largest the majority of residents in our region. Windsor, ON Windsor Essex Pelee Island receptive TTD 1-866-880-6582 519-974-5466 519-948-3383 year-round TOURISM WINDSOR Signage, documentation and service Group Tour Operator offering Located where the Detroit River meets ESSEX PELEE ISLAND at any government office is, by law, in Lake St. Clair discounted and wholesale group rates GETTING HERE AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION DETROIT 333 Riverside Dr. W., both official languages, as are road on hotels, transportation, attractions www.dtwsedan.com Suite 103, Windsor, ON N9A 7C5 signs. You will also find package and more to students, adults and AIRPORT/AIR SERVICE 22231 Doncaster St. GETTING TO PELEE ISLAND 519-255-6530 or labelling in both English and French.