Windsor, Ontario is sits across Detroit on the Detroit River. The city’s prominence as a commercial and economic center in the area is owed to its geographical location. Even back in the early 18th century, it was Windsor’s strategic location that made it a major center of the fur trade industry. Today, Windsor is closely linked with Detroit’s car manufacturing industry. Its tunnel and bridge also serve as the entry point into Canada.[1]
Attractions
In early July of each year, Detroit and Windsor jointly celebrate Canada’s national holiday and America’s Independence Day through the International Freedom Festival. This festival involves dances, music bands, parades, sporting events, concerts, and a lot of fireworks. In the first two weekends of every October, Windsor also celebrates Oktoberfest.[2]
The Art Gallery of Windsor provides a nice cultural diversion. The gallery occupies a renovated building located at 445 Riverside Drive West. On display is a sizable permanent collection of Canadian sculptures and paintings. There is even a children’s gallery where pioneer toys are exhibited.[3]
Top-class harness racing can be enjoyed at the Windsor Raceway, which is located outside of the city about 10 kilometers (6 miles) south along Route 18. The seating is enclosed and races are held 4-5 days a week from October to April.[4]
How to Get There
To get to Windsor from Toronto, it’s best to take Route 401, which runs past Kitchener and London before reaching Windsor. All told, Toronto is about four and a half hours from Windsor. For those driving from the U.S., a bridge and a tunnel connect Windsor and Detroit. Amtrak also has a train that runs from Chicago and Detroit all the way to Toronto and Montreal, stopping at Windsor and London along the way.[5]
References:
Carroll, Donald. Insider’s Guide Canada. Edison: Hunter Publishing, Inc, 1996. ISBN: 1556507100.
[1] Carroll, 229
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id. at 229-30
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