Discover Kingsville, ON
Kingsville is about a 40 minute drive from Windsor and is known as Canada’s southernmost town. It is primarily an agricultural community but there are still many things to do and see in the area. The small town has had a bit of a revival in the last 5 years or so, with hotels, restaurants, and shops collaborating to advocate Kingsville as a whole.
Visit Point Pelee National Park
Point Pelee National Park is in the southernmost part of mainland Canada extending for 15 km into Lake Erie. The park truly is a gem, featuring diverse habitats of marshlands, forest, and sandy beaches. One of the most popular things to do at the park is bird-watching. Bring you binoculars and try to spot some the hundreds of species of birds that have been sighted in the area. There are also scenic biking trails, hiking, swimming and of course, taking the free shuttle out to the southernmost tip of Canada for a great photo op!
Stay at a Unique Hotel
The Grove Hotel is a bright boutique hotel located in the heart of Kingsville. It looks like a hotel you would find in Key West or Miami — certainly not something I expected to see in Southwestern Ontario. It’s a striking hotel that really adds some intrigue and vivacity to the area.
The quirky but charming hotel is housed in a historic building that dates back to 1854, and offers guests 18 uniquely themed rooms. Each room is one-of-a-kind, with décor that ranges from vintage bikes to beer suites. The lobby area near the reception desk is a cozy space with a TV, couch, stylish odds and ends, and a 24-hour coffee and cookie area for your late night snack cravings.
The general vibe of the hotel is incredibly restful; enticing you to actually spend time in your room, which is something I usually don’t like to do at a hotel. Plus the cloud-like bed emanates next-level comfort so you’ll surely have a hard time getting out of it in the morning.
Next door to the hotel you’ll find the hotel’s newest venture, The Grove Brew House. The multi-level brewpub features a tap room, kitchen and retail store set in a lively and approachable space. Any hotel with a brewery attached is a must-visit IMO.
Visit a Brewery or Winery
There are some great wineries and breweries in the Windsor-Essex area, but if you're staying in Kingsville, there are a few located directly in the vicinity.
Banded Goose Brewery
Banded Goose Brewing Company (BgB) is the brewing ‘wing’ of JACKS GROUP. Proudly brewing locally sourced craft beers at Jacks Gastropub since 2013.. The expansion took place in Jan 2019 when Banded Goose Brewery opened at 15 Main St right across the street from The Grove. Banded Goose also features the Bean15 Coffee Lounge, Distinctive Inns of Kingsville’s Concierge & Welcome Desk and seven Brewery Loft Suites on the second floor.
In the summer months they feature a beer garden patio with curbside eats prepared by their Food Truck, BLACKJACKS. Their space is the ultimate destination for morning, afternoon or evening beverages and eats. Drop by before work for a specialty coffee and pastry, or pop by in the late afternoon to evening for quality beers, and a creative food menu.
Pelee Island Winery
If you love wine then Pelee Island Winery is the perfect spot to do some tastings. The winery is located right in Kingsville and offers tours, tastings, a retail shop, and a summer patio. I am a fan of their Baco Noir, but was pleasantly surprised to discover the many different styles of wines they make. While some of them can be found at your local LCBO, I found that their really special wines can only be purchased directly from the winery. In the warmer months, the Pelee Island Wine Pavilion, located on the island, is a popular destination. You can tour the pavilion grounds and learn the history of Pelee Island and Pelee Island Winery or relax at the wine garden for a glass of wine, snacks, and amazing view of Lake Erie.
Eat Good Food
There are many delicious restaurants in the Kingsville area that range from pub grub to fine dining. One of the best places I dined at was El Diablo which specializes in Mexican Asian fusion cuisine. You can find creative eats such as coconut sriracha chicken wings, pork belly bao, jackfruit tacos, and much more. They also serve pitchers of margarita which makes for a fun dining experience.
If you're looking for elevated pub food, then Jack's Gastropub is your best bet. They've been serving up fresh eats since 1989 and have some staple dishes that'll really hit the spot. This place is such a hot spot in the warmer months where locals enjoy an ice cold beverage on their spacious wrap-around patio.
Have a wonderful time in Kingsville and let me know if you've stumbled upon a favourite place!
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