Local fun in the summertime!

The following residents shared their favourite local summer activities.

Craig Marentette and Rachael Watson

We love the myriad of outdoor summer activities that Essex County has to offer! One of our favourite things to do is to take our camp stove to conservation areas or parks (such as Holiday Beach, Point Pelee, and Hillman Marsh) and cook breakfast outdoors. We also enjoy going for walks on local trails like Kennedy Woods and Lakeside Park and going for canoe rides in Cedar Creek.

During the summer, when I’m not working around my property, I spend most of my free time hiking and foraging through the forests of Windsor-Essex. Some of my favorite spots include Kennedy Woods in Kingsville, Cedar Creek Conservation Area in Essex, and Black Oak Heritage Park in Windsor. My dog, Loki, always comes along, too.

Shayna and Andrew LeBlanc

Our typical summer day usually consists of grabbing a local coffee, playing a round at Kingsville Golf and Country Club, meeting up with friends/family and supporting local for dinner and drinks in the evening! We also love visiting local beaches and taking our puppy for walks into the beautiful town of Kingsville.

We have always enjoyed visiting Pelee Island and with the new addition to our family it has made this summer tradition even more special. It’s nice to unwind, enjoying the beaches and nature trails in an area that feels so much further away than it actually is. Bike trips with the kid trailer on County Road 50 and the Greenway to local wineries and breweries is another favourite summer activity. We are also looking forward to our little one’s first canoe on Cedar Creek or Point Pelee Marsh.

I live in Kingsville, so it’s no surprise I love going to our local restaurants! I feel that it’s a huge bonus to where we live. I also love heading to Cedar Beach with friends for a few games of volleyball and playing tennis at the Kingsville Tennis Club!

A few of our favourites involve food and drink and the great outdoors, of course! We never skip our weekend breakfast dates, especially when it’s sourced locally. Saturdays are for brunching at eclectic love and Sundays are for The Grove! And we can’t forget the local coffee shops, wineries and breweries. We try to spend as much time outside as we can. You can find us working in the garden, visiting Point Pelee National Park, paddling out on the water or attending outdoor festivals with live music like Hogs for Hospice!

Andrea Stockwell

My ideal local summer day would consist of going out for coffee and breakfast at the Beach House Grill with my boyfriend to start the day! The afternoon involves spending time with my mom and friends visiting different local wineries. Some of our favourites have been Pelee Island Winery, North 42 Degrees Estate Winery, Oxley Estate Winery and Paglione Estate Winery, but the list could go on! This amazing day would end with a sunset paddle board session at Point Pelee and, of course ice cream right across the street to end the night.

Derek, Laurie, Maverick and Calleigh Bilokraly

Summertime is filled with fun outdoor activities for our family! We’re often on the bikes, and Point Pelee National Park, Wheatley Provincial Park and Two Creeks Conservation Area offer everything from car-free paved surfaces to technical mountain bike trails. When it’s time to cool down, the kids are always ready to jump into Lake Erie to paddle board. Or to relax, the summer concert series at Seacliff Park Amphitheatre is a must.

According to Trip Advisor, here are some of the most popular destinations in each community.

KINGSVILLE

• Lakeside Park

• Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary

• Cedar Creek Conservation Area

• Cedar Beach

LEAMINGTON

• Point Pelee National Park

• Lakeside Marina

• Seacliff Park

• Hillman Marsh Conservation Area

WHEATLEY

• Two Creeks Conservation Area

• Wheatley Provincial Park

• Kopegaron Woods

Thrifting

“There is nothing better than finding treasures while thrifting. My weakness is a good antique crock or vessel.”

Faux Florals

“While I love fresh cut flowers, I love faux stems that last forever and can be used season after season. My latest find is a faux lavender from Ikea that I love so much!”