This beautiful city has a story to tell
Windsor, Canada lies just across the river from Detroit, providing an easy place for a weekend excursion for travelers. Discover the modern charm of one of Canada’s most historic cities. Bring your sense of adventure.
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Windsor Premier Cruises
The majestic Detroit River dividing the two cities accommodates several boat tour companies, including Windsor Premier Cruises. Narrated sightseeing cruises run from May to October, and the company offers 12 variations, allowing individual parties to choose their travel time and destinations. Book a cruise for special events, the Lunch Cruise on selected Friday afternoons, or simply to see notable locations on both sides of the river. Whatever your reason for taking a Windsor Premier cruise, expect a full onboard menu, top-tier service, and an enjoyable and accommodating experience.
Pelee Island Winery
A short ferry ride away from the city, this historic island has more than 10,000 acres of vineyards, farms, beaches, parks and forests, and thousands of species of animals. Other locations include the Vin Villa ruins, the site of Canada’s first commercial winery, and the Heritage Centre, documenting the history of shipwrecks in Lake Erie. An exhibit about Al Capone chronicles the island’s past role as a stash point to Ohio during Prohibition. There are numerous bed & breakfasts and inns across the island for visitors to spend the night.
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Walkerville Brewery
Founded by famous American entrepreneur Hiram Walker, this microbrewery is a cornerstone of the Walkerville neighborhood of Windsor. Offering a wide selection of flagship, special edition, and seasonal handcrafted beers, the brewery will have fresh flavors each time you visit. The award-winning libations contain quality malted barley, hops, and pure water without artificial preservatives. With events throughout the year, a local delivery service, and a rich local history, the brewery represents the Walkerville community with the authenticity the brewmasters apply to their craft.
Caesars Windsor
Caesars Windsor is a four-star luxury hotel with a wide range of dining options, excellent amenities and entertainment offerings only a Caesars establishment can provide. The casino houses 85 table games and 1,738 slot machines alongside a poker room. Caesars Sportsbook ensures that betting counters and sports betting kiosks are spread throughout the hotel.
The elegant Neros Steakhouse embodies fine dining, while Spago Traterro and Johnny Rockets make authentic Italian and American food with a more relaxed air. Find a drink and a quick bite to eat at the Legends Sports Bar and get morning coffee at the in-house Tim Hortons. Enjoy the nightlife from the comfort of your hotel. The House Sports Lounge has a pair of 98-inch televisions perfect for catching the big game, while the Cosmos Lounge has live music every weekend. The Bacchus Bar features a variety of tabletop games, while the Vu Bar is an ideal place for drinks and conversation with friends and family in front of sweeping views of the Detroit skyline. The Ariius Nightclub is a lively and exclusive spot for patrons seeking a night of high-octane fun. The hotel hosts concerts and comedy shows and has a luxurious indoor pool.
Willistead Manor
This 20th-century home designed by famous architect Albert Kahn resembles a 16th-century Tudor-Jacobean style English manor. Built in 1906, the 32-room manor, the Coach House, and the Gate House lie within the 15-acre property. Hand-cut, locally sourced gray limestone makes up each impressive structure. Some notable features from the interior include the Elizabethan-inspired Great Hall, the mahogany-lined Dining Room, and the Drawing Room, home to a white Carrera fireplace and ceiling-high mirror. On the grounds are the Paul Martin Gardens, a large floral memorial to the late Canadian Foreign Minister and High Commissioner to Great Britain, a proud resident of Windsor.
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Wolfhead Distillery
Since the distillery’s founding in 2016, the original lineup of six spirits has expanded to include 10 staples alongside a rotation of seasonal limited-edition releases. The hub for premium spirits in Amherstburg, Wolfhead produces premium Canadian whisky made with rye and corn alongside award-winning wheat-based vodka. They also make River’s End Gin, the recipient of a Silver medal at the World Spirit Competition, which blends ingredients from all over the world. Wolfhead has claimed The Art of Cocktail award six times, boasts a 4.8 rating on OpenTable, and is the number one ranked restaurant in Amherstburg on TripAdvisor.
Fort Malden National Historic Site
First established in 1796 and utilized by the British Army during both the War of 1812 and the Upper Canadian Rebellion of 1837-38, the fort has been an army garrison, British Indian Department post, dockyard for the Upper Great Lakes, and even an insane asylum. Malden was also the location of an alliance meeting between British Major General Brock and Chief Tecumseh, the legendary Shawnee leader. The most impactful addition to the fort since its last stint as a martial fortification is the Hough House, constructed around 1861. Once a residential home, a mill, and a part of the asylum, the Hough House is now the site’s museum. Two important adjacent historical sites are the Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse and Blockhouse, across the Detroit River, and the Amherstburg Navy Yard, located along the waterfront near the fort.
Constructed in 1836, the Bois Blanc Lighthouse presides over the mouth of the river and access to the Upper Great Lakes. Canadian rebels invaded the island in 1838, and the blockhouse became part of Malden’s fortifications. Britain built their fleet at Amherstburg Navy Yard during the War of 1812, but the British burned the shipyard and the fort when they retreated. Destroyed and rebuilt countless times, Fort Malden now stands as a reminder of the region’s storied past and its importance to the history of both Canada and the United States.
The Rum Runners Tour
Want to learn about the non-military history of Windsor? The Rum Runners Tour is a four-hour biweekly bus tour organized and run by Encore Productions of Windsor. Guests travel through the city while costumed actors narrate the story of Prohibition in both Windsor and Detroit. Learn about backroom deals between bootleggers and gangsters like Al Capone and watch as The Fighting Parson battles lawless saloon owners. Enjoy a buffet at a recreated speakeasy, with live performances from singers and comedians. While guests enjoy the entertainment, they can meet icons like owner Bertha Thomas, discover the history of the illicit locations, and learn the steps of The Charleston. While the Rum Runners Tour is not for younger children, there will surely be something to intrigue adults and young adults alike.
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