Located at Canada's southernmost point, this Ontario city sits across from Detroit on the Detroit River. A key center for auto manufacturing and home to a major casino.
Windsor sits across the Detroit River from Detroit, Michigan, making it Canada's southernmost major city. Walk along the 5-kilometer Riverfront Trail for views of Detroit's skyline, try your luck at Caesars Windsor's 100,000-square-foot gaming floor, or join thousands of spectators for North America's largest fireworks display during the Freedom Festival. The city's streets tell stories of its communities: French street signs line Ouellette Avenue, Middle Eastern restaurants cluster around Wyandotte Street East, and traditional Italian cafes fill Erie Street.
Getting to Windsor
You can reach Windsor through Windsor International Airport, which handles flights from Air Canada Express, Porter Airlines, and WestJet. Most international travelers arrive through Detroit Metropolitan Airport, crossing into Windsor via the Ambassador Bridge or Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. Remember to bring your passport or enhanced driver's license for border crossing.
Weather and Timing Your Visit
Windsor has four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures reach 28°C (82°F) in July, while January temperatures drop to -6°C (21°F). Plan your visit between August and September for mild temperatures and lower humidity. During these months, you can enjoy outdoor concerts at the Riverfront Festival Plaza and swimming at Sandpoint Beach.
Neighborhood Guide
Erie Street, known locally as Via Italia, fills six blocks with espresso bars, gelaterias, and traditional Italian restaurants. Along Wyandotte Street East, you'll find shawarma shops, Middle Eastern bakeries, and specialty grocery stores. The street names themselves—Ouellette, Drouillard, and Pelissier—reflect the city's French-Canadian past.
Parks and Waterfront
The Detroit River shoreline connects several parks through walking paths and bike trails. You can cycle from the Ambassador Bridge to Sandpoint Beach on the Riverfront Bike Trail, which connects to the Ganatchio Trail and Little River Extension. Mic Mac Park spans 80 acres with six baseball diamonds, four soccer fields, and winter sledding hills.
Entertainment and Gaming
Caesars Windsor occupies two city blocks with a 100,000-square-foot gaming floor, five restaurants, and a 27-story hotel tower. The Windsor International Film Festival screens over 150 films each November. At the Capitol Theatre, built in 1920, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra performs classical and contemporary pieces throughout the year.
Annual Events
The Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival runs for two weeks each summer. The festival ends with a fireworks display over the Detroit River, celebrating Canada Day and American Independence Day. More than 500,000 people gather along both shores to watch North America's largest fireworks show.
Local Food Scene
Windsor-style pizza has a distinctive thin crust dusted with cornmeal, topped with shredded pepperoni and Galati cheese made in the city. The local food scene reflects its population: you'll find authentic Lebanese fattoush and tabbouleh, homemade Italian pasta, and Vietnamese pho throughout the city's neighborhoods.
