Stay and Play in Ontario's Most Popular Province

Port Stanley
Port Stanley, among Lake Erie’s most quintessential beach towns, promises a blend of relaxed beachfront bliss, quaint harborfront shops and culinary delights. The beckoning Main Beach proudly displays its prestigious Blue Flag — a recognition of its high environmental and safety standards. While basking in the sun, indulge in the iconic neon-hued orangeade from Mackie’s for a refreshing taste of local flavor. Wander through the charming town, exploring shops and savoring delectable treats at Broderick’s Ice Cream Parlour. Discover treasures at Little Beach Antiques before spending the night at The Windjammer Inn, where you can dine on fresh, farmhouse cuisine highlighting local farmers.

Windsor
Make Caesars Windsor your base, which puts you right on the Detroit River for sparkling nighttime views and scenic daytime walks along the water. From the casino, it’s less than 2 miles to historic Walkerville, the town Canadian Club Whisky founder Hiram Walker built for his workers. Hit the Twisted Apron for brunch — lemon ricotta pancakes, anyone? — before heading back. 

Leamington
Legend has it that Leamington’s Seacliffe Inn exchanged hands in a poker game. But choosing to stay in this lakeside hotel is far from a gamble, as it’s just a short walk to the sandy beach at Seacliff Park and the Pelee Island Transportation ferry port. The renowned Point Pelee National Park, a birding hotspot at Canada’s southernmost tip, is just a 15-minute drive away. As Canada’s greenhouse capital, Leamington has plenty of restaurants that feature locally grown veggies, such as Crave Family Grill & Pub. You may, however, forget all about the healthy stuff when you get a load of its cheesecake milkshakes and house-made Honey Goat Bombs. 

Port Dover
In the early 1900s, Port Dover was home to the world’s largest freshwater fishing fleet. While that’s no longer true, the harbor town still feels like the kind of place where you could knock a few back at a local bar after a hard day of work. It’s also a great place to enjoy fresh Lake Erie perch. Many people swear by Knechtel’s on the Beach for quick and easy takeout, but if you want to slow down a bit, head to the Terrace Room at the Erie Beach Hotel, where you can sit on the Perch Patio and enjoy views of the lake, as well as perch tacos or lightly breaded perch dinners served with the restaurant’s famous celery bread.

Port Colborne
Port Colborne’s identity is tied to its rich maritime history, particularly its association with the Welland Canal — a vital shipping route that passes through town. Explore this rich history at the Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum. From June to September, the museum’s heritage village offers a unique experience: Volunteers in period attire serve afternoon tea at Arabella’s Tea Room. A brief stroll leads to Canalside Restaurant, Inn & Kitchen Store, where canal-view suites offer views of passing ships. For an unconventional adventure, go horseback riding on the beach with Horseplay Niagara.

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