OntariosWestCoast.ca
HURON COUNTY
SPEND THIS SUMMER in your backyard!
ONTARIOSWESTCOAST.CA
INDEX
Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Our Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Accommodations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Restaurants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Patios & Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Drive-in Dining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Beer & Wine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Fresh from the Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 On the Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Beaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Cycling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Fishing & Paddling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Outdoor Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Indoor Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Museum & Historic Sites . . . . . . . . 23 Heritage Walking Tours . . . . . . . . . 24 Art Galleries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Family Friendly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Sample Itineraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Tour Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Tourism Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
IT’S TIME TO EXPLORE YOUR OWN BACKYARD This summer provides a perfect opportunity to explore Huron County. Use the information provided in this guide as your starting point to plan a day out, a weekend getaway, or as a reminder of all of the great outdoor amenities, amazing food, arts and culture, and recreational activities available on Ontario’s West Coast. There is so much more than can possibly fit in one guide.
Things are constantly changing this year and it is impossible to stay up-to-date with a printed guide. Please be sure to always check online for the most up-to-date opening information for any businesses or places you wish to visit this summer. Enjoy your summer and be amazed at what you’ll find in your backyard!
#OntariosWestCoast ONTARIOSWESTCOAST.CA
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EXPLORE OUR COMMUNITIES Tour Huron County’s scenic agricultural landscape and stop to visit our lively towns and charming villages. Here are just a few of the communities ready for you to discover: BAYFIELD Known for its boutique accommodations, charming coastal style and artistic vibe. Visit the sandy beach, or take a stroll down Main Street, a Heritage Conservation District, to enjoy the many shops, artists’ studios, and award-winning restaurants.
BLYTH The historic village of Blyth exudes Victorian charm. Stroll down Queen Street to feel the history and make your way to the world-famous Blyth Festival Theatre, the heart of the village. The southeast corner of Blyth is where you’ll find the distinctive architecture of Cowbell Brewing Co.
BRUSSELS Visit the idyllic Village of Brussels and appreciate the beautiful heritage homes and buildings located throughout its historic downtown. While there, stop by the Four Winds Barn, a 160 year-old masterpiece that has lovingly been recreated to host a variety of special events.
CLINTON Known as Canada’s Home of RADAR due to its association with the RCAF Station during World War II. Clinton offers a broad range of recreational opportunities that include the CNR School Car on Wheels Museum, Clinton Raceway, Gateway Casino and the Clinton Conservation Area. PAGE 4
EXPLORE YOUR BACKYARD
EXETER At the southern end of Huron County lies the town of Exeter, home to a wonderful selection of restaurants and shops. History buffs will enjoy strolling Main Street, lined with beautiful 19th century buildings, while nature lovers can spend the day on the South Huron Trail in search of a local curiosity – the white squirrel!
GODERICH Nicknamed the “Prettiest Town in Canada,” Goderich is the largest centre in Huron County. The town sits atop the bluffs overlooking Lake Huron and is renowned for its beautiful heritage architecture, breathtaking sunsets, and unique downtown Square that’s actually an octagon. The largest salt mine in the world extends under Lake Huron from Goderich harbour.
SEAFORTH Seaforth’s bustling Main Street features a mix of locally-owned small businesses. While shopping, take some time to admire its beautiful heritage buildings and 19th century façades. This year will launch the makeover of Seaforth’s Downtown Backalleys with their beautiful art displays and wall murals.
WINGHAM The town of Wingham is located along the scenic banks of the Maitland River. This small town has played a large role in Canadian arts and culture. It is the birthplace of Nobel Prize Winner for Literature, Alice Munro and serves as a backdrop to some of her famous stories. It is also the home of CKNX Radio (founded in 1926) the station’s Saturday Night Barn Dance was one of the most popular and influential radio programs in Ontario.
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ACCOMMODATIONS Whether it’s an overnighter to visit friends, a romantic weekend getaway, or a week or two of rest and relaxation, Huron County offers a variety of accommodation options for everyone of your getaway needs, budget or travel style. BOUTIQUE HOTELS & INNS Quaint luxury accommodations in the heart of heritage downtowns, our boutique properties are sure to provide the ultimate relaxing getaway.
MOTELS Looking for an affordable getaway at the lake? Our roadside motels are a great place to stay while taking advantage of all the fun family things to do on Ontario’s West Coast.
BED & BREAKFASTS Staying in bed and breakfast accommodations connect you with knowledgeable hosts that are ready to provide a local touch – adding a small town concierge approach to your visit.
SHORT-TERM RENTALS Looking to get away for a few days or a few weeks? Rent a single room in someone’s home or an entire Lakefront cottage for your family.
HURON COUNTY OFFERS GREAT CAMPING Canadian summer is all about getting outdoors and camping is a great way to enjoy Ontario’s West Coast. Pitch a tent for the weekend or park your RV on a full-service site – our local campgrounds offer various camping experiences and activities for you and your family!
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EXPLORE YOUR BACKYARD
RESTAURANTS Catering to all tastes, Huron County’s chefs are ready to serve flavour-packed dishes, delightful home-baked goods and local brews. Find a quick snack, a picnic lunch or a fullcourse dining adventure – the options on Ontario’s West Coast are endlessly delicious! RESTAURANTS From casual fine dining and ethnic cuisine to country truck stops and local pubs, our chefs are ready to provide you with a delicious dining experience! Sample and savour the local flavour on Ontario’s West Coast!
CAFES & BAKERIES Make it a habit to drop by our local cafes and bakeries that pride themselves on fresh pastry delights and locally brewed coffee. A warm and fragrant welcome awaits!
QUICK BITES After a long day at the beach or an outdoor adventure, some visitors are looking for a quick bite. We have a variety of drive-in, deli-style and fast food establishments ready to serve you! * photos by Dianne Brandon
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PATIOS & DECKS Summertime is patio time! Pick your perfect patio from the list below or find your own favourite, as many restaurants have expanded their patios this summer. EXETER BAYFIELD The Barn Restaurant & Pub Albion Hotel 1 Main St. N., Bayfield at Exeter Golf Club albionbayfield.com
Bayfield Brewing Co.’s Public House 14 Main St. N., Bayfield Bayfieldbrewingco.com
Black Dog Village Pub & Bistro 5 Main St. N., Bayfield blackdogpubbistro.ca
40374 Kirkton Rd., Centralia exetergolfclub.ca/the-barn
Crabby Joe’s 58 Main St. N., Exeter crabbyjoes.com
Eddington’s of Exeter 527 Main St. S., Exeter eddingtons.ca
The Dock’s Restaurant & Bar
GODERICH Beach Street Station
76559 Bluewater Hwy., Bayfield docksrestaurantbar.com
2 Beach St., Goderich beachstreetstation.com
The Lake House of Bayfield
Park House Restaurant
21 Main St. N., Bayfield lakehouseofbayfield.com
168 West St., Goderich parkhouserestaurant.com
BLYTH Cowbell Brewing Co. 40035 Blyth Rd., Blyth cowbellbrewing.com PAGE 8
Part II Bistro 10 Courthouse Square, Goderich part2bistro.ca * photo by of Dianne Brandon EXPLORE YOUR BACKYARD
DRIVE-IN DINING Huron County is home to six independently-owned vintage drive-in restaurant and hamburger stands. Each of them have their own unique specialties but the one thing they have in common is that they continue to serve quality locally-sourced grilled summertime standards. WOODLAND DRIVE-IN
FREEZE KING
17 Mill Rd., Bayfield facebook.com/Woodland-Drive-In
42566 Huron Rd. (Hwy. #8), Seaforth
FARMER’S DELL
SKY RANCH DRIVE-IN
6 London Rd. (Hwy. #4), Brucefield facebook.com/farmersdell2018
facebook.com/skyranchdrivein
WILLY’S BURGER BAR
FROSTY QUEEN
267 Huron St (Hwy. #8), Clinton facebook.com/willysburgerbar
81669 Bluewater Hwy., Goderich
143 Josephine St., Wingham facebook.com/ frostyqueenandfrostypitaplace
* photo above courtesy of Woodlands Drive-In
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BEER Ontario’s West Coast has quickly emerged as one of Ontario’s newest craft beer, cider and wine regions. Use the map on ontarioswestcoast.ca to plan your strategy for visiting our 7 breweries, 6 wineries and be sure to raise a glass to Ontario’s West Coast beer and wine producers! BAD APPLE BREWING COMPANY LTD.
HALF HOURS ON EARTH BREWERY
Located in a century barn and surrounded by orchards where they grow produce for their recipes. badapplebrewingco.com
This brewery produces an extremely easy to obtain product with their online store, retail store and availability at across the province. halfhoursonearth.com
STONE HOUSE BREWING CO. The Stone House Brewing Company offers Czech Pilsner, Dark Lager, and Bavarian Lager. stonehousebrewing.ca
BAYFIELD BREWING CO. The Bayfield Brewing Co, opened in early 2019, in the heart of historic downtown Bayfield. bayfieldbrewingco.com
COWBELL BREWING CO. Located in Blyth, this awardwinning brewery features familyfriendly restaurant, retail store, and entertainment spaces. cowbellbrewing.com PAGE 10
RIVER ROAD BREWING & HOPS Bayfield’s first farm-based brewery, grows the very ingredients that makes up their beloved beverages. riverroadbrewing.com
SQUARE BREW Square Brew produces roughly 2000L of beer per week in such flavours as Huron County Mango Squad, and Square One. squarebrewco.com
EXPLORE YOUR BACKYARD
WINE & CIDER 2ND STREETLIGHT ESTATE WINERY Planted with five different vines of Cabernet Franc, Baco Noir, Vidal, Chardonnay and Riesling. Retail side opened in 2019. 2ndstreetlightwines.ca
BAYFIELD BERRY FARM WINERY In addition to its beloved baked good, fresh produce, and preserves, the business now offers a collection of fruit wines, ciders, wine coolers and schnapps. bayfieldberryfarm.on.ca
CORNERFIELD WINE CO. Located on a 175 year-old farm and employing traditional winemaking processes in their half dozen wine offerings. cornerfieldwineco.com
DARK HORSE ESTATE WINERY Planted with over 22,000 vines consisting of such varieties as Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Baco Noir, Vidal, and Marquette. darkhorseestatewinery.com ONTARIOSWESTCOAST.CA
EAST STREET CIDER CO. With a combination of 100% Ontario apples, innovative ideas, and a traditional atmosphere, East Street Cider Co. have managed to craft an easy-drinking cider that all can enjoy. eaststreetcider.com
MAELSTROM WINERY The Landsborough family paved the way for wineries in Huron County, establishing the first in the county. Today, the family produces over a dozen different wines! maelstromwinery.ca
SCHATZ WINERY, HESSENLAND INN After having perfected the accommodation side of Hessenland Inn, the Ihrig family was ready to add a new facet to their business. With all hands on deck, the family carried out their first harvest in October 2017producing fan favourites such as Frontenac Blanc and Petite Pearl. hessenland.com
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FRESH FROM THE FARM Finding local, fresh and delicious food doesn’t get any easier than it does in Huron County. As one of the largest food producing regions in Ontario, the diversity of food products available throughout the year is remarkable. Visit ontarioswestcoast.ca for a list of retail outlets where you can purchase directly from the producers. THURSDAYS Blyth Outdoor Market 10 am to 2 pm, July to October facebook.com/ blythoutdoormarket
Seaforth Community Market
Brussels Farmers’ Market Four Winds Wedding & Event Barn 2 to 6 pm, May to October facebook.com/ Brusselsfarmersmarket
3 to 7 pm, June to October facebook.com/SeaforthCommunity-Market
SATURDAYS Goderich Farmers’ Market Courthouse Square/South Street/Montreal Street
FRIDAYS Bayfield Farmers’ Market
8 am to noon, May to October facebook.com/ FarmersMarketGoderichBIA
Seaforth Agriplex
Online Store/Clan Gregor Square 3 to 7 pm, May to October facebook.com/ bayfieldfarmersmarket PAGE 12
*Times and opening and closing dates subject to change. Please confirm time and location before heading out. EXPLORE YOUR BACKYARD
ON THE WATER SAIL HURON with a crew of experienced sailors on the 34 foot sailboat, Stir Crazy, for a afternoon cruise on Lake Huron from Bayfield. sailhuron.com
XTREME WATER SPORTS in Grand Bend offers Seadoos™, Jet Skis™ and Waverunners™ for rent, as well as an exclusive jet boat charter service and the latest water thrill-ride, FlyBoarding! xtremewatersports.ca
PARASAIL over Grand Bend beach and beautiful Lake Huron with the assistance of the skilled and experienced staff of Grand Bend Parasail. grandbendparasail.com
SPLASH PADS
360 BIKES ‘N BOARDS is located on the Square in Goderich and offers kayak rentals. 360bikesnboards.com THE YOGA DEN offers a variety of Stand Up Paddle Board classes and camps in Goderich, including SUP Yoga, SUP fitness, and SUP Kids camps. theyogaden.ca WINDMILL LAKE WAKE & ECO PARK offers water activities for all ages. Try wakeboarding, paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking and pedal boating on a 40-acre private lake. windmill-lake.ca
Exeter Splash Zone 2-70 Andrew St., Exeter
*Please confirm opening and times with local municipality
southhuron.ca
Bayfield (Lions) Splash Pad
80 Victoria St. N, Goderich
Victoria Park Splash Pad
6 The Square, Bayfield municipalityofbluewater.ca
goderich.ca
Clinton Children’s Splash Pad
281 William St., Wingham
85 Park Lane, Clinton
centralhuron.ca
Wingham Splash Pad northhuron.ca
BEACHES There’s no match to the feeling of being at the beach. Huron County has 14 public beaches located along 100 km of scenic shoreline.
AMBERLEY BEACH This natural and secluded beach is somewhat rocky with grassy patches and small trees for shade.
ASHFIELD PARK A large, secluded beach. Take the steep and winding road down to the parking area. A small pavilion is located at top of the hill.
PORT ALBERT BEACH Port Albert offers a mid-sized sandy beach. The river flowing into the lake offers excellent fishing opportunities.
POINT FARMS PROVINCIAL PARK This large, sandy beach is located within Point Farms Provincial Park. Admission fee is required for day use.
SUNSET BEACH A long path followed by stairs leads to the rocky beach and provides excellent opportunities for birdwatchers.
GODERICH MAIN BEACH A large sandy beach featuring a boardwalk, snack bar and playground, making this an excellent choice for families. * Please note that changing water levels can have an impact on beaches.
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EXPLORE YOUR BACKYARD
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S BEACH
HOWARD STREET BEACH
A pavilion, playground and picnic tables make this rocky beach an excellent location for lakefront picnics and family gatherings.
This beach is reached by a staircase, which leads to the white sand stretching along the village’s coastline.
ROTARY COVE BEACH
HOUSTON HEIGHTS BEACH
A large sandy beach, this location also offers picnic tables, benches, a snack bar, trees for shade, and a large playground for kids.
This secluded location offers access by way of a staircase down to the sandy shores and a pavilion in a park-like setting.
BLACK’S POINT ROAD BEACH This natural area, popular with bird watchers, offers a wide beach with lots of grassy areas and small bushes.
PORT BLAKE PARK BEACH A sandy beach that is often busy with visitors, the location offers a picnic shelter and playground. Admission fee is required.
GRAND BEND BEACH BAYFIELD PIER BEACH Bayfield’s Main Beach is located next to the pier and marina, visitors can rent canoes and kayaks.
The largest beach on the Huron shoreline. Popular with visitors, this beach is often busy and offers recreational opportunities.
HURON BEACH INFO Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) monitors all public beaches in Perth and Huron Counties by testing the water for unsafe bacteria. For up-to-date information on water quality and beach openings, please check hpph.ca.
TRAILS This summer explore one (or more!) of the 30+ hiking trails available for all ages and skill levels. Here are a few favourites to get you started: MAITLAND TRAIL Follow the 49 km trail from Goderich to Auburn along the beautiful, winding route of the lower Maitland River. MaitlandTrail.ca
SAWMILL TRAIL One of the Bayfield River Valley Trails, the 2 km Sawmill Trail features a range of historical and natural points of interest. BayfieldTrails.com
SOUTH HURON TRAIL The 8 km all-season trail winds through the scenic Ausable River Valley between MacNaughton Park in Exeter and Morrison Dam Conservation Area. abca.on.ca
WAWANOSH VALLEY CONSERVATION AREA The Conservation Area offers a scenic 3 km trail loop that crosses the Belgrave Creek, passes through meadows with hedgerow plantings and down a steep hill to the cedar lowlands at the river. mvca.on.ca
BANNOCKBURN CONSERVATION AREA The 1 km trail loop located on Bannockburn Line is home to six different natural communities: wet meadow, white cedar, deciduous forest, marsh, old field and mixed scrub. abca.on.ca
HURON HIKING GUIDE Check out the Huron County Hiking Guide for a full list of trails in Huron County. Pick up a copy at local tourism centres or download a digital copy at ontarioswestcoast.ca
GOLF Ontario’s West Coast offers 10 different courses to choose from. While each course offers its own distinct course design, challenges, and hazards, the one thing they all share in common is the picturesque landscapes we’re famous for. BLUEWATER GOLF COURSE & CAMPGROUND
SEAFORTH GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
77416 Bluewater Hwy., Bayfield bluewatergolfandcamp.ca
42990 Front Rd., Seaforth seaforthgolf.com
EXETER GOLF CLUB
SUNSET GOLF CLUB
40374 Kirkton Rd., Centralia exetergolfclub.ca
33937 Golf Course Rd., Goderich sunsetgolfclub.com
IRONWOOD GOLF CLUB
WHITE SQUIRREL GOLF CLUB
70969 Morrison Line, Exeter golfnorth.ca/ironwood
72538 Bluewater Hwy., Zurich whitesquirrelgolfclub.com
THE MAITLAND 25 North Harbour Rd. E., Goderich themaitland.com
WINGHAM GOLF & CURLING CLUB
OAKWOOD RESORT GOLF COURSE
40292 Jamestown Rd., RR4, Wingham facebook.com/WinghamGolfCurlin gClub
70671 Bluewater Hwy., Grand Bend oakwoodresort.ca
WOODLANDS LINKS GOLF CLUB 37858 Huron Rd. (Hwy 8), Clinton woodlandslinks.com
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CYCLING Experience beautiful, rural scenery and diverse landscapes on a cycling adventure through Huron County! BIKE RENTALS Blyth Bike Tours offers bike rentals and tours. Off-season by request. blythbiketours.com 360 Bikes ’n Boards rents bikes and paddle boards to explore the Lake Huron coastline, waterfront and the Town of Goderich. 360bikesnboards.com
Goderich Bike Shop offers bike rentals available in-store, at the beach, or delivered to your cottage or home. goderichbikeshop.com Bayfield Archives & Heritage Centre offers Quadra-cycle rentals for $20 per hour. The quads are a big hit with people visiting and a fun way of touring the village with surprise spectacular views of Lake Huron. bayfieldhistorical.ca
OFF-ROAD CYCLING The Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail, known as the G2G, runs 127 km of multi-use green space along the former CPR railway line. The G2G Rail Trail offers a large and safe corridor to bike on for all ages and experience levels. g2grailtrail.com A new Huron County Cycling Guide is coming soon. Watch for it at ontarioswestcoast.ca EXPLORE YOUR BACKYARD PAGE 18
FISHING & PADDLING From anglers looking to reel in the catch of a lifetime, to families just looking for some fun on the water, the opportunities for fishing in Huron County are endless.
Fly Fitters provides anglers of all levels with guided fly fishing, spey fishing and sport fishing adventures on the Maitland, Bayfield and Saugeen Rivers. flyfitters.ca Maitland Valley Fishing Charters provides services to individuals and small groups for sport fishing on Lake Huron from early May through the end of September. maitlandvalleyfishing.com Enjoy fully-guided fishing charters for salmon, trout and walleye using the best fishing equipment with Grand Bend Fishing Charters. Charters run April through September. grandbendfishingcharters.com
HURON COUNTY FISHING Check out the Huron County Fishing Guide for a comprehensive overview of angling in Huron County at ontarioswestcoast.ca.
Whether canoeing or kayaking, Huron County offers a variety of paddling opportunities ranging from flat water rows to mild white water adventures. Rent a canoe or kayak from the Bayfield Marina and paddle up the mouth of the Bayfield River. If the lake is calm, paddle out past the pier walls to open water. municipalityofbluewater.ca/Public/Bluewater-Marina-inBayfield
HURON COUNTY PADDLING GUIDE Check out the Huron County Paddling Guide for a comprehensive overview of paddling in Huron County at ontarioswestcoast.ca.
THE PORT ALBERT FISHWAY Located in Port Albert, this man-made structure allows fish to by-pass obstructions to travel upstream on the Nine Mile River. Fish jumping can be viewed from late March until early May, with peak runs occurring the last 2 weeks in April. In the fall, jumping occurs from mid-September until late November, with the peak occurring during October and early November.
OUTDOOR RECREATION CLINTON RACEWAY & CASINO Bring the whole gang to Ontario’s family track, Clinton Raceway & Casino for a day of exciting harness racing! Check out the 1/2 mile track, picnic areas, swimming pool, slots and more. clintonraceway.com
THE EDGE OF WALTON CHALLENGE Discover your limits at The Edge of Walton Challenge Course. The outdoor facility offers rope climbing, high tower and mountain biking adventures. edgeofwalton.ca
WALTON RACEWAY Walton Raceway is home to the longest running motocross tracks in Canada and hosts the Canadian Motocross Grand National Championship. waltonraceway.ca
GRAND BEND MOTORPLEX One of Canada’s premier racing facilities, the Grand Bend Motorplex is a multi-use sports facility that features Canada’s largest 1/4 mile drag racing facility. grandbendmotorplex.ca
GRAND BEND SPORT PARACHUTING CENTRE At the Grand Bend Sport Parachuting Centre Inc., a first jump is a free-fall skydive with two instructors assisting, until the parachute is activated. skydivegrandbend.com
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INDOOR RECREATION ALL-IN SKATEPARK
LITTLE BOWL
Located in Zurich, Southwestern Ontario’s biggest and best Indoor skatepark for BMX, scooters and boards. allinactionsports.com
Family fun with 12 lanes of 5-pin bowling for fun and parties in Goderich. Fully licensed. littlebowl.ca
CHUCK IT GODERICH
MAITLAND VALLEY GROTTO
This axe throwing facility is open to anyone ages 12 and up - those between 12 and 17 years old require a parent/guardian. chuckitgoderich.com
An indoor bouldering gym located in Goderich. Bouldering is one of the most efficient ways to learn rock climbing techniques. maitlandvalleygrotto.com
ESCAPE ROOM GODERICH
TOWN & COUNTRY BOWLING LANES
Test your teamwork skills as you work through puzzles and clues to escape various rooms. escaperoomgoderich.ca
Located in Zurich, offering 5-Pin Bowling in a small-town, friendly atmosphere. townandcountrybowling.com
FORE ON THE FLOOR Enjoy state of the art golf simulator and virtual driving range. HD racing simulator lets you choose your car, choose your track, and choose your thrill. foreonthefloor.ca
ICECULTURE Book a 90-minute guided tour in Hensall to see the process behind ice sculpture creation. iceculture.com
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GODERICH-HURON & CENTRAL HURON YMCA The Goderich-Huron YMCA and Central Huron YMCA offer annual memberships and visitor day passes. ymcaswo.ca * Businesses listed may not be able to open in 2020. Please check online for most up-to-date information. * photo courtesy of Maitland Valley Grotto EXPLORE YOUR BACKYARD
MUSEUMS & HISTORIC SITES * Some museums may not be able to open in 2020. Please check online for most up-to-date information.
HURON COUNTY MUSEUM 110 North St., Goderich Permanent and temporary exhibits that depict Huron County’s history and culture. huroncountymuseum.ca
HURON HISTORIC GAOL 181 Victoria St., Goderich A national Historic Site, Huron Historic Gaol served as the County Jail from its opening in 1841 until closure in 1972. huroncountymuseum.ca
BAYFIELD ARCHIVES & HERITAGE CENTRE 20 Main St. N., Bayfield The Heritage Centre features artefacts and short videos that showcase Bayfield’s history. bayfieldhistorical.ca
ST. JOSEPH HISTORIC PARK 33996 Park Ave. at Intersection of Hwy. 21 and Zurich-Hensall Road Historical information plaques tell St. Joseph’s unique FrenchCanadian history. stjosephmuseum.ca ONTARIOSWESTCOAST.CA
CNR SCHOOL CAR ON WHEELS MUSEUM 76 Victoria Terrace, Clinton Visit a century old wooden railcar that was part of Northern Ontario’s railcar school system. centralhuron.com/schoolcar
GAIRBRAID 81501 River Ridge Cres., Goderich The burial plot of Goderich founder, Dr. William “Tiger” Dunlop is located along the Maitland Trail on land where he planned to build a new town named Gairbraid. huroncountymuseum.ca/gairbraid
VAN EGMOND HOUSE 80 Kippen Rd., Egmondville Country manor house built in 1846 has been carefully restored and furnished with period appropriate furnishings. facebook.com/vanegmondhouse
*photo courtesy of the Huron County Museum PAGE 23
HERITAGE WALKING TOURS BAYFIELD
GODERICH
Wander through Bayfield’s heritage district, along tree lined streets, and past harbour views with the Self-Guided Walking Tour booklet ($5) from the Bayfield Heritage Centre & Archives or Village Bookshop. bayfieldhistorical.ca
The Goderich Municipal and Marine Heritage Committee has put together a series of four enjoyable scenic walks that explore Goderich’s rich history. goderich.ca
BRUSSELS After officially becoming a village in 1855, Brussels grew into a prosperous community with its own railway station, many local industries, several churches and community groups, and a main street of fine brick blocks. huroneast.com
EXETER
SEAFORTH Seaforth is a quintessential small Ontario town, with a story stretching back to the early 1850s. huroneast.com
VANASTRA Visit the former site of a top secret Royal Canadian Air Force training base, once used to train over 7,000 radar technicians and staff for American, British and Canadian forces during World War II. huroneast.com/blog/tag/vanastra
A leisurely stroll down Exeter’s Main Street will tell the stories of the historic family businesses built by Exeter’s first settlers. experienceexeter.ca
AUDIO WALKING TOURS Download one of the Huron County Historic Walking Tours audio tours from Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Choose from 12 walking tours in Bayfield, Blyth and Goderich. Full list of audio tours and download links available at: ontarioswestcoast.ca.
ART GALLERIES The beauty of Huron County has inspired countless visual artists working in all media and styles. Check out some of their creations along with the work of talented artisans working in traditional and contemporary crafts. BAYFIELD JMR Collections
FACTS: Fashion Arts & Creative Textiles Studio
facebook.com/theJMRcollections
factsblyth.ca
Main Street Gallery
Wild Goose Studio Canada
facebook.com/MainStreetGalleryB ayfield
facebook.com/wildgoosestudiocan ada
Marten Arts Gallery
Wonky Frog Studio
facebook.com/MartenArtsGallery
facebook.com/WonkyFrogStudio
Patina Studios & Gallery
GODERICH Elizabeth’s Art Gallery
patinastudios.ca
elizabethsartgallery.ca
BLYTH The Blyth Festival Art Gallery blythfestival.com/blyth-festival-artgallery
The Goderich Co-op Gallery gcgallery.ca
Reuben R. Sallows Gallery facebook.com/SallowsGallery
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FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES Ontario’s West Coast makes for a great family destination. Here are few activities we recommend doing with the kids this summer. Pack up the car and get ready for Wake & Eco Park. Nestled this summertime tradition of yesteryear by taking in a blockbuster under the stars at the
Starlite Drive-In Theatre outside of Grand Bend. starlitedriveintheatre.com/GrandB end After a day enjoying the sand and surf at Point Farms Provincial Park, head across the road to Point Farms Market for a round of miniature golf topped off with an ice cream cone. there are 30+ flavours to choose from! facebook.com/pointfarms If your kids have a bit of the daredevil in them scratch that itch with a trip to Windmill Lake
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within 200 acres of forest, the 40acre private lake offers wakeboard & paddling activities are for all ages and an Aqua Park, inflatable floating obstacle course, for ages 6+. windmill-lake.ca For 30 years, Iceculture has been a major player in the world of ice carving. Book a 90-minute guided tour to see the processes, hear the stories and see amazing ice sculptures take shape. iceculture.com Build the family bonds as you enjoy fun outdoor adventure at Edge of The Edge of Walton. Challenge yourself with rope climbing, balancing, and tight rope walking. edgeofwalton.ca EXPLORE YOUR BACKYARD
A DAY IN BAYFIELD YOUR ITINERARY Start the day by heading out on a hike on one of six Bayfield Trails (bayfieldtrails.com). After your hike stroll Bayfield’s Historic Main Street and visit some of the galleries and shops.
Visit the tap room to try a flight of the brewery’s current offerings.
Grab a quick lunch of fish tacos, footlong hot dog or poutine at
(blackdogpubbistro.ca), The
There’s no lack of great choices for an exceptional dinner in Bayfield. Dine al fresco at Black Dog
Village Pub & Bistro Copenhagen’s (faceook.com.copenhagens). Don’t forget to save room for a decadent cupcake from Pink Flamingo
Bakery (thepinkflamingobakery.com) Spend the hottest part of the afternoon staying cool at Bayfield’s Main Beach. After a few hours at the beach you’ll have worked up a thirst for a late afternoon beverage at Bayfield
Lakehouse of Bayfield (lakehouseofbayfield.com) or stay put and go next door to the
Bayfield Brewing Co.’s Public House. After dinner enjoy one of the world famous double sunsets at Pioneer Park. Afterwards if you’re still going strong, enjoy a night cap on the veranda (weather permitting) of the Bayfield Little Inn (littleinn.com).
Brewing Co. (bayfieldbrewingco.com).
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A TASTY DAY TOUR YOUR ITINERARY Start the day with a great cup of coffee. Pick up some beans or a fresh brewed cup of one of their signature blends at Shopbike
Coffee Roasters (shopbikecoffe.com). Head south from Bayfield to Zehr’s Country Market (zehrscountrymarket.ca) to pick up a fresh baked treat. There’s a lot of good pie to be had in Huron County. For lunch, we suggest you make a stop at Cait’s Café in Goderich (caitscafe.com). You’ll be happy with anything you choose at Cait’s Café but we recommend the Blyth veg sandwich on the in-house made croissant: Avocado, tomato, Blyth Farm cumin goat cheese, local organic greens, pesto mayo, and house-made lime cumin dressing. Walk around The Square a few times to work off lunch before heading down West Street to
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Culbert’s Bakery (culbertsbakery.com) for a sweet snack. All of their products are made fresh on the premises the old-fashioned way. The must try is their world famous cream puff doughnut. For dinner, we suggest taking a leisurely drive to Exeter enjoying the many barn quilts you’ll pass along the way. When choosing a restaurant for dinner, two options to consider are Eddington’s of Exeter (eddingtons.ca), which offers affordable comfort food prepared from locally sourced ingredients, or if you’re craving something different, try Exeter
Thai Cuisine (exeterthaicuisine.com). They offer up an authentic Pad Thai along with a full menu of other Thai cuisine favourites. If take-out is your only option, enjoy your meal in McNaughton Park and spot one of Exeter’s famous white squirrels. EXPLORE YOUR BACKYARD
OUTDOORSY WEEKEND YOUR ITINERARY FRIDAY Arrive at your reserved campsite at
Point Farms Provincial Park (ontarioparks.com/park/pointfarms).
SATURDAY After breakfast at West Street
Willy’s (weststreetwillyseatery.com), stop by Shanahan’s (www.shanahansqualitymeats.com) for everything you need for a picnic lunch before heading to the Maitland Trail (maitlandtrail.ca). Perhaps start with the Tiger Dunlop Heritage Trail which include great views of the Maitland River and Harbour from Menesetung Bridge. Refresh after the hike with a stop at Square Brew (squarebrewco.com) to sample the local suds before dinner on the patio. Two local favourites are Thyme on 21 (thymeon21.com)
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or Beach Street Station (beachstreetstation.com). End your evening sitting around the campfire or having a leisurely walk gazing up at the amazing stars.
SUNDAY Start your morning with a bike ride on the Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail (g2grailtrail.com) from Saltford to Blyth, a 30 km one-way trip. Arrange for 519 Tours (519tours.ca) to pick you up in Blyth and bring you back to your starting point (unless you have it in you to do the return trip). Spend the afternoon at Falls Reserve Conservation Area (mvca.on.ca/camping/falls-reserveconservation-area), a 230-acre natural outdoor playground. Enjoy the trails and swimming in the falls.
* photo courtesy of G2G Rail Trail PAGE 29
TOUR OPERATORS 519 Tours lets you choose from a variety of personalized full-day or half-day tour options with guide and driver for a group of up to 14 people. 519tours.ca Blyth Bike Tours provides professionally guided bike and walking tours in the village of Blyth, as well as bike rentals. Scheduled bike and walking tours run from June to August. blythbiketours.com Explore Beyond the Shore Experience Tours allow you to explore the beautiful countryside of Bluewater and beyond. Adventures include Heritage Tours, Craft Breweries and Wineries and Farm Tours. explorebeyondtheshore.ca Take off with Papple Aviation for a scenic, mile-high view of the County. See the winding Maitland River valley, small towns, or the Lake Huron coastline. pappleaviation.ca
Wave Limos & Tours offers a wide selection of tours including beer and wine tours, weddings, anniversaries, concert and game transportation, as well as custom itineraries. wave.limo
* photo courtesy of Dianne Brandon
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EXPLORE YOUR BACKYARD
TOURISM PARTNERS Visit one of our tourism partner websites or a local tourist information centre to find out more about what there is to see and do in Huron County. Bayfield & Area Chamber of Commerce
Central Huron Tourist Information
villageofbayfield.com
23 Albert St., Clinton. Located in Millennium Park, behind Town Hall Please check for open hours.
Blyth BIA blythnow.ca
Central Huron BIA cchbia.ca
Exeter BIA
Goderich Tourist Information Centre 91 Hamilton St., Goderich Please check for open hours. goderich.ca
experienceexeter.ca
Huron East Tourist Information grandbendchamber.ca
72 Main St. S., Seaforth. Located in Town Hall. Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm
Goderich BIA
South Huron Welcome Centre
Grand Bend & Area Chamber of Commerce
goderichbia.ca
483 Main St. S., Exeter Please check for open hours.
Zurich District Chamber of Commerce zurichontario.com
HURON COUNTY BIZMAP Looking for businesses located close to you? Want to find out which restaurants near you deliver? Check out version 1.0 of Huron County’s new business location service “BizMap“. ecdev.huroncounty.ca
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