Windsor-Essex: Worth Wandering in

Have you visited the Ontario tropics yet?

We're talking Windsor, baby!

It may not be everyone's go-to city, but this place will forever be special to me. It's the birthplace of my mom & first Canadian city I lived in during my undergrad.

Windsor-Essex region is the southernmost area of Canada. It's also well-known to birders for being a huge migratory point in the fall and spring.

Make a stop at Point Pelee Provincial Park in Leamington to see amazing views of Lake Erie! The frozen waves during the winter are spectacular. I also really love the boardwalk marshland trail.

Windsor has had its economic struggles, but its resiliency never ceases to impress.

There are so many new, eco-friendly shops & initiatives to check out:

Urban Surf Co is a water sport rental business along Pike Creek. You can grab stand up paddle boards & kayaks from here in the summer. There are also paddle-fit classes and sunset rentals to entice you to get on the water.

During the winter, this business transforms into Sketch Clay and Pottery - a pottery wheel workshop led by Dani and other staff. Her mugs are so beautiful!

My mom and I went for a pottery class and it was awesome! For $50 you get 2-hours with the pottery wheel and endless amounts of clay. There's no mistake in art, we really learned to embrace the asymmetry in our pieces! Our Instructor, Alessia, was super patient and provided small-group and 1:1 instruction.

After 2-weeks, the shop will glaze and finish your piece before pick-up. Check out my Reel of the process!

Beside Urban Sup is Pike Creek. It's a river in Ontario that connects to Lake St. Clair. During the winter, this river turns into a hockey haven. You can skate or play ice hockey on the ice (CBC). According to some locals, you can apparently skate for hours, heading south all the way towards the 401 highway! Look out Rideau Canal! ⛸

If you're in need of some low-waste lifestyle items -- look no further. I had forgotten my toothbrush, so I picked up a compostable one from Green Envy.

This eco-friendly & cruelty-free shop has everything you need. It is also the perfect place to grab a sustainable gift for someone!

I got my new-mommy-friend some gentle baby soap & a "happy" bath bomb. She was thrilled!

Bring your empty containers, so you can avoid further packaging.

Feeling hungry? Check out Carrots 'N Dates. This delicious cafe/restaurant combines South African & Bulgarian Vegan food. I highly recommend the BBQ cauliflower wrap! In addition, there is a retail space that has a delicious anti-inflammatory Turmeric mix for your morning Oat milk.

Need a nature fix? Go to the Ojibway Prairie Park Complex off of Matchette Road in west Windsor for some lovely nature trails. There are multiple areas to access. There's also a great bird viewing area with lovely wooden pictures of common birds in the region to help you identify them. Be sure to keep your voice down on the trails, as tons of white-tailed deer can be spotted!

Enjoy free admission and parking. This is one of Windsor's few remaining natural areas, as forest canopy accounts for 6% in the region. It is open year-round and has beautiful winter scenery to absorb.

If you go at dusk during the winter, listen for the owls. You can also check to see if the Ojibway Nature Centre is running any programs online. The Address is 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor, Ontario, N9C 4E8.

Take a trip to Blue Heron Loop trail in Windsor. This manmade pond hosts countless bird species year-round and also serves as a stormwater basin to prevent flooding. In addition, it's surrounded by a smooth, paved sidewalk fit for longboarding. You can also take a small trek up 'Devil's Mountain' which is a landfill that has been capped and turned into a hill! It's impressive how many native species of flowers have been planted here for naturalization and all of the beautiful birds they attract - including Ring-necked pheasants! Fall is the perfect time to see the vibrant reds of the staghorn sumac - read more here!

The Riverside Drive is another iconic multi-use trail. You can check out the sculpture garden and naturalization areas along this 17.5 km trail.

Hungry for something organic and *plant-focused? Taloola Cafe has the best ambiance with funky art and cozy furniture pieces in a bright, open space. There is something for everyone on the menu. I especially love the loaded veggie loola and Mexican hot cocoa with a cayenne kick. This cafe makes hesitant plant eaters fall in love.

Windsor even has a pump track! If you're into taking your boarding to the extreme, go here! I like to watch the skaters effortlessly glide on the track. It also connects to the Little River Corridor that has plenty of biking, walking and longboarding trails through various green spaces.

Downtown Windsor is always a good time. I really love what's happening on Pelissier street. I checked out March 21st Cafe and was blown away by their coconut curry ramen. There is beautiful artwork lining the streets and plenty of new businesses and street art to check out.

Save this itinerary for your next trip down to the tropics!