Essex County (Ontario)

• , a place of peace and relaxation.
• , the southernmost point in Canada.

Conservative Mennonites have resided in Essex County since 1786. They emigrated to Ontario (then known as Upper Canada) from the United States after the American Revolution in 1776. They came from Pennsylvania, home to Mennonite immigrants since 1683.
Essex and much of Ontario's Niagara Peninsula served as a terminus for a vast Underground Railroad which led fugitive slaves north across abolitionist states to Canada. Ohio in particular bordered both slavery in Kentucky and freedom across Lake Erie, placing its routes among the shortest and most popular paths to freedom.
Today, major industries range from agriculture (a former Heinz factory cans tomato juice in Leamington) to auto manufacturing (Chrysler operates both in Windsor and across the river in suburban Detroit). The region is one endpoint for the Windsor-Quebec corridor, one of the most populous regions in the nation.

By plane

There is a small airport in Windsor (Ontario).

By boat

• The Pelee Islander

  phone: +1-800-661-2220
  Daily trips to Sandusky and mainland Essex County. Service to Sandusky is limited to once daily during the summer months, and is further restricted during the spring and fall. Advance vehicle reservations.

• The MV JiimaanThe largest passenger ferry along the Lake Erie route to Pelee Island, to the foot of Jackson St., Sandusky, Ohio. From Leamington, Kingsville Govt. Dock, and Pelee Island.

• Marinas

By bus

By car

From the United States:

• Windsor-Detroit TunnelTake the tunnel. Between Detroit and Windsor connecting the US Interstates I-95, I 96 and I 75 to Ontario's Highway 401, it is one of the fastest routes between Ontario and the United States.

• Ambassador BridgeThe world's longest international suspension bridge.

From Canada:

• From the Toronto area, take Highway 401 westbound; all exits beyond Tilbury are in Essex County

• It is possible to take a plane to Detroit from Toronto and drive from there

From Niagara and Buffalo, take the QEW up to Hamilton and merge onto Highway 403

It is advisable to use cars, when possible. Public transit in Essex is non-existent except for in Windsor and Tecumseh (both have their own bus systems).

• Art Gallery of Windsor

• Colasanti's Tropical Gardens

• Essex County Steam & Gas Engine Museum

  phone: +1 519 726-0606
  address: Co-An Park, 11071 11th Concession, McGregor
  Essex County Steam & Gas Engine Show, John Deere brand tractors and equipment, also includes a flea market, craft and food vendors, and a bake sale. Three-day event held the second weekend in August.

• Serbian Heritage Museum

  phone: +1 519 944-4884
  address: 6770 Tecumseh Rd. E, Windsor
  Exhibits change every three to four months.

• Willistead Manor

Itineraries

• Windsor-Quebec corridor
• Underground Railroad

• Canadian Club Whisky Center

  address: 2072 Riverside Drive East
  Guided tours of Hiram Walker's 1894 Whisky Palace.

• Jack Miner Bird SanctuaryTurn right at Wilkinson Road across from the old Leamington Arena.

• Kingsville Historical Park

  phone: +1 519 733-2803
• Point Pelee National Park of Canada One of Canada's smallest national parks, attracts approximately 300 000 visitors each year.

Wineries and tours

• Aleksander Estate Winery

  phone: +1 519 326-2024
  address: 1542 County Rd 34, Ruthven

• Colio Estate Wines Inc.

  phone: +1 519-738-2241 (Winery), +1 519-738-9318 (Tours)

• Erie Shore Winery

  phone: +1 519-738-9858
  address: 410 County Road 50 West, Harrow

• Mastronardi Estate Winery

  phone: +1 519-733-9463
  address: 1193 Concession 3

• Pelee Island Winery

  phone: +1 519-733-6551
  address: 455 Seacliff Drive, Kingsville
  Tours noon, 2PM and 4PM daily (adults $5, seniors $4)

• Sanson Estate Winery

  phone: +1 519-726-9609
  address: 9238 Walker Road, McGregor

• Capricorn Pottery

  address: 559 County Rd. 20 West, Kingsville
  Capricorn Pottery, established in 1977, showcases the handcrafted stoneware and RAKU pottery works of potter Gloria Gellner. Adult and Children's pottery classes available on site. Always call ahead for daily studio hours.

• Devonshire Mall

• Windsor Crossings Outlet Mall

• Cedar Point
• Sandusky, Ohio by ferry.
• Detroit, Michigan.