essex county tourist attractions

50 things to do in Windsor and Essex County before you die

What do you get when you combine a bucket list with Windsor and Essex County? Oodles of food, frolicking and fun.

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From thrill-seeking to history-appreciating, from honouring to partying, from healthy to decadent  – with a little attitude thrown in – here is the Windsor 50 plus one, a gotta-do list that revs up the area like a summer heat wave.

Have we missed something? Is there a local experience that absolutely must be on a Windsor and Essex County must-do list? Let us know. Send in photos and ideas to [email protected]

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and Tweet to #windsor50. We’d like to share your take on taking the area by storm.

Most of all: get out there and have a blast, Windsor-Essex style!

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50 things to do in Windsor and Essex County before you die:

• Zip down the Python at Adventure Bay, with or without kids
• Camp out with garden chairs all day by the riverfront railing and watch the Freedom Festival fireworks from the front row
• Enjoy a big-name act at the Colosseum and then go gambling at Caesars Windsor
• Stay overnight at a bed and breakfast on Pelee Island
• Watch a mass migration at Jack Miner’s Bird Sanctuary
• Go on a Detroit River boat cruise
• Party till the wee hours at an Ouellette Avenue dance club
• Roll along in style during a local Tweed Ride
• Get covered in reds, blues and greens in the annual Colour Run
• Walk, run or roll the length of the Ganatchio Trail
• Enjoy an afternoon snack on a picnic table at the Klassen blueberry farm
• Tie up and hop from boat to boat on a sunny summer afternoon on Crystal Bay
• Go tobogganing at Malden Park
• Fly in a small plane over the Detroit River
• Buy a bottle of local red or white at the Shores of Erie International Wine Festival and check out historic Fort Malden
• Join the party on Erie Street after Italy wins a World Cup soccer game
• Spend a Saturday strolling Old Walkerville and dining at one of the eateries in century-old buildings
• Watch art burn at the Fahrenheit Festival of Fire Sculpture in LaSalle
• Rent a limo and go winery hopping on a lazy summer day
• Join a Bikes & Beers Cycling Tour with WindsorEats
• Take a trip, such as the Beer, Wine and Whiskey Tour, aboard the Windsor Essex Trolley
• Watch a film and take part in discussion afterward at the Windsor International Film Festival
• Talk to an author at BookFestWindsor
• Visit Assumption Church, the oldest parish in Canada west of Montreal
• Take a ride on the Art Cart rolling through the riverfront sculpture garden
• Cheer on the Spitfires during a playoff game at the WFCU Centre
• Cheer on the Express basketball team during a playoff game at the WFCU Centre
• Brave the Polar Bear Dip in the Detroit River
• Walk to the tip of Point Pelee, the southern-most part of mainland Canada, and dip a toe in the water
• Stay overnight in a downtown hotel overlooking the Detroit River, just because
• Go skating on New Year’s Eve at Charles Clark Square
• Check out the North American Black Historical Museum in Amherstburg
• Check out the car collection at the Canadian Transportation Museum on the Arner Town Line, then have a burger and ice cream in the ‘50s-style diner
• Pet a furry friend at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens in Kingsville
• Take a historical tour of Willistead Manor
• Drive out to Texas Road on Halloween or Devil’s Night and go for a walk in the dark, if you dare.
• Take a selfie under the Ambassador Bridge
• Attend a reception at the Art Gallery of Windsor and peruse the art while you’re there
• Attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph
• Stumble in to Phog Lounge and stay for whatever band is rocking that night
• Get to know the people who grow your food at one of the local farmers markets: Downtown Windsor Farmer’s Market, Ottawa St. Market, Walkerville Market
• Sing O Canada in front of the red-and-white “Canada House” on Lincoln Road
• Take in a concert with the WSO at the Capitol Theatre
• Eat renowned Windsor pizza from any of Windsor’s pizzerias (Armando’s, Capri, Franco’s, Koolini’s, Vito’s, Caboto Club…)
• Attend the Harrow Fair and play Bossy Bingo, where you win if the cow poops on your square of grass
• Pack a picnic and kayak or canoe over to Peche Island
• Channel a little Boardwalk Empire as you take the Rum Running tour at the Canadian Club Brand Centre.
• Journey out to North Ridge in Essex for a Boston Cooler and a mammoth soft-serve ice cream at Dairy Freez
• Bike the Greenaway Trail from Windsor to Harrow for breakfast
• Eat tomato, corn, strawberries or any other produce at a local festival honouring an Essex County tradition: food

Bonus: Sail on Lake St. Clair

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Pelee Island

Pelee is one of Canada’s best kept secrets!

Tourism on Pelee Island

From historical sites to shops, nature walks, and night life, Pelee Island provides visitors with a myriad of opportunities. Whether taking a bike ride, going for a swim, browsing through the local shops or indulging in the food and drink that the Island has to offer, Pelee Island can satisfy your desire for calm and quiet or for new sights and sounds. Come and experience all that the Island has to offer and see why it is one of Canada’s Best Kept Secrets!

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If you come visit us, you might not want to go home.

Essex County boasts stunning water views. We're home to an ever-expanding  network of trails and paths connecting parks teeming with wildlife and recreational opportunities. We are blessed with wineries, distilleries and dozens of historic tourist attractions.

From Point Pelee National Park to Holiday Beach Conservation Area to the wineries along historic County Road 50, Essex County is a top notch tourism destination with attractions for kids, families and adults looking to get away from it all.

Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island is your one-stop shop to find attractions, events and things to do in Windsor-Essex.

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Introducing

Hedingham castle, hylands estate, chelmsford museum, things to do & places to visit in essex, in the spotlight.

The 900 year old Norman keep of Hedingham Castle stands in 160 acres of spectacularly beautiful landscaped gardens and woodland where the Lindsay family, descendants of the original owners,…

Colchester Chamber Choir is a small, very friendly and supportive choir and we are always looking for new members.

Chelmsford Museum sits at the heart of the city’s beautiful Oaklands Park. As well as hosting Essex Regiment Museum in the stunning redeveloped Oaklands House, it is free to visit where you…

Hylands Estate is a prestigious grade II* listed public park encompassing 574 acres of historic parkland.

Activities in Essex

Explore indoor and outdoor activities throughout Essex

Woodford Green

0208 504 1954

01245 468911

01206 383226

Waltham Cross

03000 030 616

01245 615050

Walton on the Naze

01255 678161

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Experience arts, culture and entertainment in Essex at craft centres, galleries, theatres and a variety of entertainment venues

01206 820813

Clacton on Sea

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07425 145022

0345 308 4620

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01268 769000

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Discover a multitude of Essex tourist attractions, such as animal centres & zoos, country parks & gardens, historic buildings & monuments, steam railways, theme parks and much more

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01799 510726

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Experience another side of Essex with a boat trip along the coast or river cruise on its waterways, take a steam train journey through the beautiful Essex countryside, or a guided tour of an historic house

Finchingfield

01371 811333

01277 500121

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01277 200483

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Burnham on Crouch

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Frinton on Sea

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A day trip in Essex needn't cost a fortune! Enjoy a priceless day out in Essex with these suggestions of things to do for free

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South Woodham Ferrers

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The 11 best things to do in Essex

From hidden underground bunkers to big-hitter attractions, there are plenty of more things to do in Essex than TOWIE

Forget any preconceptions you have about this English county: there are so many fun things to do in Essex. This varied area begins on the urban fringes of  London at one end and blends into rural Suffolk countryside at the other. Then there’s the 350 miles of coast, 35 islands, two international airports (Stansted and Southend ) and the oldest recorded town in Britain. From nature and nightclubs to seaside attractions and historical monuments, first-time visitors might be surprised by just how diverse this county is. The only way is—you guessed it—Essex.

Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere.

Find out more about   how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world .

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Best things to do in Essex

1.  colchester zoo.

Where is it? Colchester.  What is it? Home to actual dragons (of the komodo kind), this award-winning zoo is one of the biggest and best in the country. Its 60 acres of parkland are home to more than 260 different species, so there’s loads to pack into a day trip here. Why go? Hand feed elephants and giraffes, walk through underwater tunnels as sea lions swim overhead and, on sunny days, be transported to African plains in the Kingdom of the Wild, where you can feel like you’re on safari watching white rhino, ostrich and zebra.

2.  Tiptree Tea Room at the Jam Factory

Where is it? Er, Tiptree. Obviously.  What is it? If the jam world had celebrities, Tiptree Jams would be an A-lister. You can find several Tiptree tea rooms across Essex, from Chelmsford and Billericay to Osea and Saffron Walden. But to learn about its origins, spend the day where it all began: in its namesake village. Why go? A day at the Tiptree factory will be jam-packed (pun intended). Find out about the history of the Wilkin & Son and Tiptree preserves in the Jam museum – the family made their first pot of jam in 1885 – then head to the tea room for afternoon tea to sample some of the sweet stuff. Don’t forget to stop off in the shop to pick up your favourite preserve for the cupboards at home.

3.  Mersea Island

Where is it? In the Blackwater and Colne estuaries.  What is it? You’d better check the tide times before heading to Mersea Island, because at high tide The Strood – the only road connecting it to the mainland – is covered by water. This little estuary island offers the simple pleasures of a day by the seaside, complete with colourful beach huts, delicious seafood and a charming small-town vibe. Why go? If the seafood world is your oyster, Mersea is the pearl. Lovers of shellfish should visit The Company Shed to sample the world-famous oysters – this small, no-frills restaurant always has a queue outside. Continue a fishy theme with an afternoon crabbing from the small jetties and admiring the boats and peaceful estuary views from the beachfront.

4.  Mountfitchet Castle

Where is it? Stanstead Mountfitchet. What is it? This Motte and Bailey castle went through Roman, Saxon and Viking hands, before 1066 when the Normans made it into a castle like you see today. After coming to ruin, Mountfitchet Castle and its Norman village have been artfully reconstructed. Why go? Essex boasts several impressive castles, and the big names like Colchester or Hedingham might be the first to spring to mind. Lesser-known Mountfitchet is a reconstruction (the original was also made of wood), but it’s also the only castle of its kind rebuilt on its original site. Step back in time to the Middle Age – and you can also feed the friendly animals wandering around the place.

5.  Secret Nuclear Bunker

Where is it? Just outside the village of Kelevdon Hatch.  What is it? Visit Essex’s best-kept secret: an underground nuclear bunker. Strong enough to withstand a nuclear blast, this hidden bunker started life as an RAF air defence station, before becoming a regional government HQ. It was decommissioned after the Cold war and is now open to the public for self-guided tours.   Why go? A mast and simple-looking bungalow are the only things marking the entrance, but descend the 120m reinforced tunnel and you’ll find yourself in the heart of a nuclear shelter. Imagine life here by visiting the rooms built to recycle air and communicate with the outside, try on gas masks and even eat in the canteen. Afterwards, why not try an aptly-themed onsite escape room by Clue HQ?

6.  Dedham Vale

Where is it? North of Colchester.  What is it?  Dedham Vale, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the  picturesque Stour Valley sit pretty in the middle of Constable Country. Dedham village is filled with quaint cottages, tearooms and churches, and surrounded by ancient woodlands, verdant meadows and accessible walks – it’s the perfect escape to the countryside. Why go? It’s little wonder the surroundings here have inspired artists and writers. Follow the easy two-mile walk through fields of cows from Dedham to Flatford Mill. Or if you prefer, hire boats and row the same route along the River Stour. Finish your trip with cake in one of the many tearooms in the area, or head to nearby Le Talbooth restaurant for a top-notch dinner.

7.  Firstsite

Where is it? Colchester.  What is it? This visual arts space opened in 2011 and showcases an ever-changing creative programme of exhibitions, films, performances and events. Its contemporary golden building designed by architect Rafael Viñoly is work of art in its own right. Why go? With plenty going on (and free entry), it’s always worth checking to see what’s on at this under-the-radar gallery. Past exhibitions have included some big names, like pop-art poster boy Andy Warhol. There are plenty of alternative film screenings and art classes too for both kids and adults.

8.  Southend pier

Where is it? Southend-on-Sea.  What is it? Extending out into the sea for more a mile, Southend pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world. For more than 100 years, it’s survived fires, storms, boat collisions and two world wars – not bad going for a seaside attraction. Why go? As much a British seaside icon as fish and chips and striped deckchairs, no day at the beach would be complete without a mooch down the pier. It’s quite a walk, so take the electric train that runs the length of the pier one way, and save your energy for mini golf…

9.  Sugar Hut

Where is it? Brentwood.  What is it? This restaurant, cocktail bar and night club shot to fame several years ago thanks regular appearances on the popular reality show ‘ The Only Way is Esse x’ . Why go? There’s a reason this venue attracts revellers from all over the UK (and beyond). With a classy dress code and plenty of hen/stag dos around, you’re guaranteed to have a good time dancing the night away here – and who knows, you might even see a few famous faces while you’re at it.

10.  Audley End House and Gardens

Where is it? Just outside Saffron Walden. What is it? The opulent Jacobean mansion at the heart of the estate is one of the most impressive of its kind. An English Heritage site, you can wander the mansion’s great hall, state apartments and library, then spend time in the tranquil surrounding gardens. Why go? There’s lots to see at this historic property. Head down to the servants’ quarters, where costumed characters will help you imagine life here in its Victorian heyday. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the stable yard either, where you can meet the resident horses and catch a riding display.

11.  Harwich Redoubt

Where is it? Harwich.  What is it? This pleasingly circular fort was originally built to protect the Harwich harbour against Napoleonic forces (a destiny it luckily never had to fulfil). The ancient monument has since been restored to its former glory and is now open as a museum. Why go? The volunteers from the local historical society run the museum – and they are full of passion and knowledge for the place. See some of the original canons that manned the fort, as well as exhibitions of military and maritime collections. If you like your history lessons all guns blazing, reenactments of battles are sometimes held outdoors in the summer.

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Either with a tour guide or guiding yourself, Essex has an adventure for every person.

Find the tour for you and explore all that Essex has to offer!  

The Grove Bike Co.

If you love wine and nature, this is the experience made for you! With a storage bin, e-bikes and cruisers stationed at Colchester Beach and Harbour, you can take a joy ride along the county roads and by the water. Not only do you get some exercise, but you can, along with friends or family, ride to local wineries in Wine County. Keep your bottles cool in the cooler attached to the bikes themselves, and feel the breeze of the Summer air. Grab your friends, a helmet, and enjoy!

WindsorEats Wine Trail Ride

Meander through the farmlands along the Lake Erie coastline  a la bicyclette  and fall in love with Canada’s southernmost region. Their friendly guide will lead you to enjoy world-class wines at Essex Pelee Island Coast wineries. You’ll roll through the scenic, flat countryside at a leisurely pace and take in the sights, sounds and smells of a burgeoning wine appellation. Each Wine Trail Ride includes bicycle, helmet (feel free to bring your own), tastings, food at each location and a guide. Named the Best Culinary Tourism Experience in Ontario and the Innovator of the Year for the Canadian tourism industry in 2010. WindsorEats was also named the best tour company in Windsor Essex.

Grape Vine Tours

Ride the Vine & Let Someone Else Drive! Grape Vine Tours offers excursions for groups of 2 to 12 visitors. We pick you up at your residence, hotel, B&B, or marina anywhere in Windsor or Essex County, tour you and then return you. Enjoy the experience and leave the driving and details to us. Savour award winning wines and culinary delights while enjoying the beautiful countryside. Indulge.

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1 . Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

2 . Harvard University

3 . New England Aquarium

4 . Quincy Market

5 . Freedom Trail

6 . Boston Common

7 . Boston Public Library - Central Library

8 . Chinatown

9 . Salem Witch Museum

10 . Boston Bay

Popular types of attractions in essex county, popular restaurants in essex county, popular destinations, recommended attractions at popular destinations.

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Lavender tourism is in full bloom for this Essex County farm

Local lavender farm boasts one of the largest lavender collections in canada.

Lavender tourism is in bloom for this Essex County farm

Social sharing.

When Suzanne Dajczak and her husband started a vineyard in Essex County about 17 years ago, they were looking for a way to stand out among the fierce competition southern Ontario's wine country. 

As they started growing grapes, the couple also started planting lavender, something they were noticing at other wineries across North America. 

Nearly two decades later, Dajczak said their plan has worked: Lavender tourism is blooming. 

"It has increased in this area dramatically and we are really grateful for that," said Suzanne Dajczak, owner of Serenity Lavender Farm

It is the only lavender farm in Windsor-Essex County and grows more varieties of lavender than any other farm in Canada, she says. 

There's more than 40 different varieties on the property because of her growing curiosity and a passion for sharing that knowledge with others. 

"There's an added sensory experience here. You can come in and have a piece of lavender cheesecake or shortbread … so you're tasting it," Dajczak said.

"Then as you pull into the driveway you see the colour, smell an aroma and you can hear it. The bees at work are busy all the time."

Dajczak said increased traffic — from people looking for views of the beautiful, buzzing gardens — has impacted the county as a whole. 

"There's a lot to see in our own backyard and people don't realize how diverse we are."

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CROSSROADS Historical Guide

CONNECTING THE PAST & THE PRESENT

Step out of the present day and enter the past with the crossroads historical guide..

Windsor Essex has a rich and storied history. To fully appreciate what makes us so unique today, we need to immerse ourselves in our past. A past which encompasses our Indigenous roots, agricultural pioneers, French settlers, our role in the War of 1812 and place along the Underground Railroad, alongside the innovators and trailblazers behind the birthplace of the Canadian automobile and whisky. The Crossroads Historical Guide will shed light and provide an informative context to the settlements and advances that have played an integral role in shaping who we are.

REGISTER TODAY for your free digital CROSSROADS pass below to explore the historical significance of Windsor Essex. 

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War of 1812, prohibition, agriculture & french history, black history, register for your pass, explore select sites.

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Blogs: How To Experience Our Past

Remembering & Honouring: Black History In Windsor Essex

County Sights & City Lights: Windsor Essex Family Road Trip

Picture Perfect Sunsets: The Top Things To Do On Pelee Island

Best Things to Do in Windsor Ontario: Ultimate Weekend Getaway

Lost In Ontario: Black History In Windsor Essex

Itineraries: visit the places that tell our story.

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Intriguing History & Fine Dining: Discovering Walkerville

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Culture & Traditions: Indigenous History in Windsor Essex

Rag Tops & Retro Fun: A Blast From The Past In Essex County

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We acknowledge that we are on land and surrounded by water, originally inhabited by Indigenous Peoples who have travelled this area since time immemorial.  This territory is within the lands honoured by the Wampum Treaties; agreements between the Anishinaabe  , Haudenosaunee , Lenni Lenape  and allied Nations to peacefully share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes.  Specifically, we would like to acknowledge the presence of the Three Fires Confederacy (Ojibwe , Odawa , Potawatomi)  and Huron/Wendat Peoples.  We are dedicated to honouring Indigenous history and culture while remaining committed to moving forward respectfully with all First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

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