Ontario · Canada
Where to stay in Windsor
Windsor is a city in Ontario, Canada, home to about 230,000 people.
- Best months
- September
- Nearest airport
- YQG8 km · Windsor International Airport
- Currency
- CADCanadian dollar
- Time zone
- America/Toronto
- Language
- English, French
About
About Windsor
Windsor ( WIND-zər) is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada. It is situated on the south bank of the Detroit River directly across from the U.S. city of Detroit, Michigan.
Founded as a French agricultural settlement in 1748, Windsor has grown into a city of about 230,000 people (2021 census). Reflecting its American neighbour across the Detroit River, it has a strong connection with the automobile industry, with Chrysler's Canadian headquarters based in the city. The riverside area of Windsor has been developed into a lush area of parkland that offers spectacular views of the Detroit skyline, and is the city's most well-known feature. The 1981 Journey song "Don't Stop Believin'" mentions a boy "born and raised in south Detroit", which would be Windsor.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Windsor
See
- Ford City
- Little Italy
- Old Sandwich Town
- Pillette Village
- Walkerville
- Willistead Manor
- Mackenzie Hall
- McGregor-Cowan House Bakery/Breakfast
- Spirit of Windsor Engine 5588
- Streetcar No. 351
- Art Windsor-Essex
- Canada South Science City
Do
- Coventry Gardens & Reaume Park
- Dieppe Gardens
- Peche Island City Park
- Queen Elizabeth II Sunken Gardens in Jackson Park
- Willistead Park
- Windsor Sculpture Park
- Adventure Bay Family Water Park
- Big Time Entertainment
- Zap Zone Fun Center
- Devonwood Bike Trail
- Ganatchio Trail
- Grand Marais Trail
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Windsor
14 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| A Hidden Gem Bed and Breakfast | 1.5 km | |
| Bondy House Bed & Breakfast | 24.6 km | |
| Caesars Windsor Hotel and Casino | 0.4 km | |
| Comfort Inn Windsor | 5.1 km | |
| Four Points by Sheraton Windsor Downtown | 0.3 km | |
| Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Windsor | 4.2 km | |
| Holiday Inn Express Windsor Waterfront | 0.4 km | |
| Holiday Inn Windsor - Ambassador Bridge | 4.3 km | |
| Quality Inn & Suites Downtown | 0.4 km | |
| Residence & Conference Centre - Windsor | 7.6 km | |
| Stonecroft Inn | 5.3 km | |
| Super 8 by Wyndham Windsor/Dougall | 3.6 km | |
| TownePlace Suites by Marriott Windsor | 0.5 km | |
| Ye Olde Walkerville Bed & Breakfast | 2.5 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Windsor
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Windsor are September. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 28 °C; April is the wettest, with about 89 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Windsor: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Windsor International Airport (YQG), about 8.0 km from the city centre in a straight line; Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW, 29 km) and Bishop International Airport (FNT, 93 km) are also within reach.
Getting around
The majority of the hotels and entertainment are concentrated in the downtown area, so walking and reasonable cabs may be good options. Windsor is a city that was built for the car, or rather, a city built on building cars, thus earning the nicknames the 'Automotive Capital of Canada' or 'Motor City Canada' in addition to 'Rose City' branding (despite not particularly featuring more roses than other cities across Southern Ontario). If you are going to get around the entire city, not just the downtown area and immediate neighbouring districts, your best option would be to rent a car.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
YQG · Windsor International Airport
DTW · Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
FNT · Bishop International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Windsor
Eat
Windsor is known for being one of the great food places in Canada, with much of its reputation owing to the many ethnic restaurants in the city ranging from Italian, Lebanese, Chinese (Cantonese/Szechuan), Thai, Indian, Greek, African (Ethiopian/Somalian), Caribbean, as well as other specialties such as vegetarian/vegan restaurants.
Stay safe
Downtown Windsor is safe and very lively, even late at night. The biggest danger is getting into a confrontation with an intoxicated person when the clubs close for the night. The usual precautions should be taken, such as, travel in groups, mind your own business, etc. However, the downtown core is usually well policed, so you should have no real problems. Beginning late into the evening touts will roam the streets offering free admission to bars, clubs, and strip joints. While for the most part touts operate individually you may be approached by two or more touts.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Windsor: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Windsor?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Windsor are September. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 28 °C; April is the wettest, with about 89 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Windsor?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Windsor International Airport (YQG), about 8.0 km from the city centre in a straight line; Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW, 29 km) and Bishop International Airport (FNT, 93 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Windsor?
Canadian dollar (CAD).
Nearby
Destinations near Windsor
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.