Windsor
Around Windsor
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Metro area · Ontario · 422k people
Windsor
Locals say Windsor-Essex · “The Rose City”
Where the river meets the roses.
Windsor blueWindsor goldSpitfires red
Welcome to Windsor-Essex, where the riverfront is your living room and the Detroit skyline is your backdrop. Whether you're here for the pizza, the wine, or the greenhouse tomatoes, you'll find a friendly community that loves its sports and its border-town charm. Come for a visit, stay for a walk along the river.
Clubs for Windsor
No clubs for Windsor yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Windsor. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Windsor. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Dieppe Gardens Riverfront park with formal gardens and a view of the Detroit skyline.
- Windsor Sculpture Park Open-air gallery with large sculptures along the riverfront.
- Ojibway Park Nature park with trails through rare Carolinian forest.
- Point Pelee National Park Canada's southernmost point, a top birding and butterfly destination.
- Art Gallery of Windsor Contemporary and historical art in a striking riverside building.
- Willistead Manor Tudor-style mansion and heritage site set in a park.
- Outdoors Walk the riverfront trail
- Outdoors Birdwatch at Point Pelee
- With kids Visit Point Pelee National Park
- With kids Cool off at Adventure Bay Water Park
- Evenings Caesars Windsor
- Evenings Walkerville Brewery District
- Locals love riverfront parks
- Locals love Essex County wineries
Through the year
- Windsor International Film Festival October Screens Canadian and international films across the city each fall.
- Windsor Jazz and Blues Festival July Live jazz and blues performances along the riverfront in July.
- Leamington Tomato Festival August Celebrates the region's tomato harvest with food, music, and a parade.
- Art in the Park (Willistead) June Juried arts and crafts show in the grounds of Willistead Manor.
- Amherstburg Art in the Park July Outdoor art market in the historic town of Amherstburg.
Windsor has a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold, cloudy winters. It's the warmest region in Ontario, but also prone to lake-effect snow from Lake Huron. The best time to be out is from May to September. Best: Late spring to early fall is ideal, with warm temperatures and long daylight hours.
Talk like a local
- “The 'Windsor'”
- The city of Windsor, often shortened in casual speech.
- “The Tunnel”
- The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, used to cross the border.
- “The Bridge”
- The Ambassador Bridge, another border crossing.
Getaways
- Detroit, MI Cross the border for museums, sports, and music venues.
- Ann Arbor, MI College town with shops, restaurants, and the University of Michigan campus.
- Chatham-Kent, ON Rural area with fishing, cycling trails, and small-town charm.
- Toledo, OH Visit the Toledo Zoo and the art museum.
Local flavour
Teams
- Windsor Spitfires OHL
- Windsor Lancers U Sports
- St. Clair Saints OCAA
Also rooting for Detroit Red Wings (NHL), Detroit Tigers (MLB), Detroit Lions (NFL), Detroit Pistons (NBA)
Eat and drink
- Windsor-style pizza Thick crust, shredded pepperoni, canned mushrooms, and a sweet sauce
- Lake Erie North Shore wine Vintages from the Essex County wine region, especially Riesling and Chardonnay
- Leamington tomatoes Fresh, greenhouse-grown tomatoes from the 'Tomato Capital of Canada'
Where people go
- Riverfront parks Parks and trails along the Detroit River, including the Windsor Sculpture Garden
- Essex County wineries Vineyards and tasting rooms along the Lake Erie North Shore
- Greenhouse districts Vast glasshouses around Leamington, producing tomatoes and peppers year-round
Heritage and traditions
Windsor-Essex is proud of its role as Canada's southernmost city, a border town with a deep automotive history, and a melting pot of French, Italian, Lebanese, and other cultures that give it a unique, friendly vibe.
This time of year in Windsor
- Wine harvest Fall Grape picking and winery events in Essex County.
Say it like a local: “Pop” — Soft drink.
Festivals
- Carrousel of the Nations June A multicultural festival with pavilions celebrating the region's diverse heritage.
- Windsor-Essex Pride Fest August LGBTQ+ celebration with a parade and community events.
- Kingsville Garlic Festival August A celebration of garlic with food vendors and cooking demos.
- Tecumseh Corn Fest August A community festival centered on sweet corn, with live music and family activities.
- Windsor International Freedom Festival Late June to early July Joint Canada Day and July 4th celebration with fireworks over the Detroit River.
Landmarks with a story
- Fort Malden National Historic Site A War of 1812 fort in Amherstburg, now a museum.
- Amherstburg Freedom Museum Preserves the history of the Underground Railroad and Black settlement in the area.
- Assumption Church One of the oldest Catholic churches in Ontario, with a storied history.
- Olde Walkerville A historic district with early 20th-century architecture, founded by Hiram Walker.
- Francois Baby House The oldest building in Windsor, now part of the Chimczuk Museum.
Food traditions
- Shawarma A Windsor staple from the Lebanese community, with many shops serving it late into the night.
- Coney dogs Detroit-style hot dogs with chili and onions, popular in Windsor diners.
- Perogies Ukrainian dumplings, especially enjoyed at Christmas and community events.
- Tourtière A French Canadian meat pie, a holiday tradition in many households.
- Corn on the cob Fresh sweet corn is a summer highlight, celebrated at the Tecumseh Corn Fest.
Music and arts
- Electronic music scene Windsor has a techno and house music heritage, influenced by Detroit and artists like Richie Hawtin.
- Jazz and blues A vibrant scene with festivals and clubs, drawing on Detroit's musical legacy.
- Windsor Symphony Orchestra A professional orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Visual arts The Art Gallery of Windsor and local studios showcase regional talent.
A little history
- Early 18th century French settlement
- 1812-1815 War of 1812
- Mid-19th century Underground Railroad
- Early 20th century Automotive boom
- 1930 Detroit-Windsor Tunnel opened
Rivalries
- Windsor Spitfires vs London Knights OHL hockey rivalry with intense games and playoff battles.
- Windsor Lancers vs Western Mustangs OUA university rivalry in multiple sports.
- Windsor vs Detroit sports fans Friendly banter between Canadian and American fans of the same teams.
- Game day Windsor Spitfires hockey
- Game day Detroit sports fandom
- Outdoors Visit Pelee Island
- Outdoors Fish on the Detroit River
- With kids Colasanti's Tropical Gardens
- With kids Windsor Santa Claus Parade
Windsorites speak with a Canadian accent but adopt many American terms due to Detroit's proximity. French and Italian words appear in local food and place names.
Only here
- Southernmost city in Canada.
- Salt mine under the Detroit River.
- Ambassador Bridge is the busiest commercial border crossing.
- Only place where you can see the US from your backyard.
New here? A few tips
- Bring a passport for quick border crossings to Detroit.
- Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada, but winters are still cold—layer up.
- Try a Windsor-style pizza: shredded pepperoni and canned mushrooms.
- Say 'pop' not 'soda'.
- Enjoy the riverfront and the view of the Detroit skyline.
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Nearby
Every areaDetroitMichiganThe D: where the motor never stops and the coney dogs are always hot.MonroeMichiganA lakeside town with a river running through it.Ann ArborMichiganWhere the river meets the maples, and ideas take root.Chatham-KentOntarioWhere the tomatoes are ripe and the people are warmer.ToledoOhioGlass City spirit, lake breeze charm.SarniaOntarioWhere the lake meets the river, and every sunset is a masterpiece.AdrianMichiganWhere the maples meet the lakes, and everyone waves hello.FlintMichiganProud, resilient, and full of drive.
Windsor. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.