Seven Unforgettable Winter Experiences

When you’re looking for a culinary adventure – add Windsor Essex to the bucket list! A lot of people don’t know the gems that are just a couple hour drive South of Toronto (the Southernmost point of Canada) to discover:

• we have 20 wineries along our Essex Pelee Island Coast, or what we call our EPIC Wineries
• you can explore 12 breweries along our Barrels Bottles & Brews Trail
• we’re the home of Canadian whisky, with J.P. Wiser‘s and Canadian Club being produced in the Hiram Walker Distillery, which is the largest distillery in North America
• you can experience the thrill of the game at Caesars Windsor, Canada’s largest casino resort
• head to the tip of Canada at Point Pelee National Park

If you’re new to the area, check out our Getting Here page – whether its by car, plane, or train we know you’ll love it once you get here.

Don’t forget this year you can claim up to 20% of your  accommodation expenses up to $2,000 in 2022 with the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit. It’s like you’re getting paid to travel in Ontario! Make sure you keep your receipts when you plan your trip to Windsor Essex this year to take full advantage.

Pro tip: while you’re here don’t forget to take a stroll along the Windsor waterfront and look at the Detroit skyline – we’re also the only part of Canada that is SOUTH of the United States.

Sip Bold Reds & Crisp Whites

Check out the EPIC Wineries digital tasting pass to get an exclusive tasting experience at 8 wineries along our EPIC Wine Route! You can purchase yours today (no downloading needed) and use it as you take a self guided trip across

Buy now: epicwineries.com 

Taste A Canadian Staple Since 1857

Take a tour of the J.P,. Wiser’s Experience and learn more about the liquid gold that is made in Windsor. The tour educates on the history of the distillery, how whisky is made, how its aged, the uniqueness of Windsor to making whisky- and you get to taste four samples of their unique blends.

Pro tip: don’t forget to explore the gift shop, or pre-order a commemorative engraved bottle to take home with you.

Buy now: jpwiserstour.ca 

Make Your Own Sausage

Take in a two hour class with WindsorEats and Robbie’s Gourmet Sausage Company for an evening of learning & eating. In the class, you will learn the scientific principles that go into making sausages. From choosing your preferred meat, to binding, preparing your casings and figuring out the perfect ratio of spices. You will mix, stuff and tie your own links under Robbie’s guidance.

Pro tip: WindsorEats also offers additional unique food, drink and culture tours. We suggest the Graffiti Art Tour in partnership with Bird Canada.

Buy now: windsoreats.com

Taste Canada’s Best Pizza

Rated the best pizza in Canada – and the world – when you come to Windsor you HAVE to try the pizza! Check out the Windsor Pizza Club and use it as your passport to exploring the best pizza shops in Windsor. Pick up a complimentary membership card – and if you visit all 8 stops while you’re in town you’ll receive a FREE commemorative gift!

Pro tip: nothing beats a Windsor ‘super’ – canned mushrooms, galati cheese, bacon, green peppers, and shredded pepperoni.

Explore now: windsorpizzaclub.ca (membership is free)

Make Your Own Charcuterie Board

Enjoy an afternoon at Michael Difazio Reclaim Artistry and make your own charcuterie board. During a Ford City Makers Club event you get to pick your own piece of reclaimed wood to turn into a charcuterie board, and you have the help from their team along the way. You’ll also have the chance to munch on a major charcuterie board prepared by a local shop plus local wines from our EPIC Wineries to sample.

Pro tip: while you’re in Ford City take some time to walk the streets and explore the alleys for dozens of unique murals created by local artisans.

Buy now: michaledifazio.ca

Explore Windsor’s Little Italy

Check out Nonna’s Shopping – a free passport program with no downloading needed – to help guide your way through Via Italia! Once you’ve registered for your passport you can step into shops along Erie Street and receive exclusive offers and discounts at the shops, markets and restaurants when you show your passport! While you’re at it, you’re also on your way to winning an exclusive Nonna approved gift: an apron, wooden spoon, plus her infamous red sauce recipe to make at home.

Pro tip: grab some take out or pick up some produce at one of the grocers and park yourself in the community parkette and take in the Via Italia mural (also one of the stops in the passport)

Explore now: www.visitwindsoressex.com/nonna (membership is free)

Hop On A Flight

Buy a flight log digital tasting passport and get an exclusive flight tasting experience at each stop on the Barrels Bottles & Brews Trail. The trail features 14 different stops across the region, and you can pick up a 1 or 7 day flight log to taste your way. For the die hard craft brew & spirits you can also sign up to be a Frequent Flyer and get a tasting experience at all 14 stops, monthly offers, a birthday tasting offer and more. The tasting passport required no downloading and will help you create a self guided tasting tour!

Pro tip:

Buy now: flightlog.ca

If you’re still stuck on ideas, you can also use our MyTrip Digital Itinerary Builder to help put together a stop-by-stop itinerary based on your dates of arrival and key interests. Or just click one of our suggested itineraries and download it right to your phone!