We know, getting across the border can be a hassle. From the gridlock of Ambassador Bridge to the hassle of remembering your passport, it takes an exceptional reason to make the trip up ...south worthwhile.
While there are minor inconveniences, metro Windsor is filled to the brim with fun and appetizing activities, and hey, it technically counts as international travel, which you can brag about on Tinder.
Adventure Bay Waterpark
With kids or not, nothing beats a ride down a waterslide. Complete with a wave pool, lazy river, and “whizzard," Adventure Bay provides all the amenities for an enticing afternoon. The park’s address, rates, and hours can be accessed here.
After the trek across international lines, why not take some time to repose with a caprese panini. The Squirrel’s Cage is Windsor’s coolest new dining spot, serving paninis, salads, and house-brewed espresso. Regarding the Squirrel’s Cage, owners John Ansell and Steven Thompson “both have a very creative side and have always wanted to own and run our very own restaurant. Our love of cooking and entertaining is what drives us to keep our customers satisfied and coming back. If you haven't yet, come on in and give The Squirrel Cage a whirl!”
Nothing beats a panoramic view of the Detroit river. At the Windsor Flying Club, this view can be seen from the comfort of a Cessna 172 aircraft. The WFC offers various “scenic flight” options, including a 20-minute flight around the city, a 40-minute jaunt where one can “fly to Peche Island and then follow the Detroit river down as far as Amherstburg, then return to Windsor," and a 60-minute flight. Ticket prices range from $90-$224 and can be purchased here.
Although there is a significant amount of quality art on this side of the border (see DIA), the Windsor Sculpture Garden contains 31 internationally renowned pieces of modern sculpture. On the subject of the garden, citywindsor.ca states that “the naturalistic power of Pauta Saila's Dancing Bear meets the confused capitalist of William McElcheran's Business Man on a Horse; the fluid human form of Elisabeth Frink's Flying Men is juxtaposed with the abstracted and weighted geometric shapes of Windsor's own Joseph DeAngelis' Rinterzo.” All further information can be accessed here.
Whisky tasting included — need I say more? At the Canadian Club Brand Center, visitors get the opportunity to embark on a 1.5-hour tour through the distinguished whisky’s past. Tours begin in the infamous speakeasy room, where Canadian Club founder Hiram Walker would frequently meet with Al Capone and the Purple Gang during prohibition. After, tourists can visit the “sampling room," along with an art exhibition showcasing local Canadian art. At long last, the tour finishes with a Canadian Club product tasting. If Scarface himself made the hop across the border for Canadian Club, you have no excuse not to visit. Hours can be seen here.
Relax at Point Pelee National Park. According to the Canadian Parks website, Point Pelee is a “lush Carolinian forest oasis at the southern tip of Canada, Point Pelee National Park resounds with migrating song birds in the spring, hums with cicadas in the summer, flutters with Monarch butterflies in the fall, and is a peaceful place of reflection in the winter.” The park also houses various marshlands, perfect for an afternoon of kayaking. The only downside to Point Pelee is that it’s an hour drive from central Windsor, but the serene sights of the Canadian outback should make it worthwhile. More information can be found here.
