Grimsby (Ontario)

It is named after the English fishing town of Grimsby in north-east Lincolnshire.

History

The town of Grimsby was founded in 1790 as Township Number 6 after a group of United Empire Loyalists fleeing persecution in the United States settled at the mouth of 40 Mile Creek in 1787. It was later called 'The Forty'. Robert Nelles, a politician and later lieutenant-colonel in the War of 1812, was one of the town's founders. His home on Main Street West was used for many planning sessions during the war. In 1816 the village became known as Grimsby, the name of the surrounding township. Canada's first Chautauqua was established in 1859 in Grimsby Park and Beach, but by 1900 interest had declined, and by 1909 it had ceased.
The town has gone through many changes, from being a small rural village; to a centre for the manufacture of farm machinery, hospital furniture, furnaces and other metal products; and later the hub of the Niagara Peninsula's fruit-growing industry. Grimsby also had a successful fishing industry which lasted until the 1960s. With a number of wineries and distilleries, Grimsby now serves as the starting point for touring the Niagara wine region.

Climate

Grimsby's climate varies throughout the year; 12-15 °C in the spring, 21-33 °C in the summer, and 10-17 °C in the autumn. Temperatures in the winter months vary between 4 °C and −16 °C, with about 190 cm of snow per year.

Grimsby is on the Queen Elizabeth Way (highway), about halfway between Hamilton and St. Catharines. The QEW has three exchanges in the town, with Casablanca Boulevard in the west, a central exchange for three roads (Christie Street, Ontario Street, and Maple Avenue), and Bartlett Avenue in the east.
The Grimsby railway station, on the south side of the railway tracks west of Ontario Street and south of Queen Elizabeth Way, is served by the Maple Leaf train jointly operated by Via Rail and Amtrak.
Bus operators GO Transit, Greyhound and Megabus (Coach Canada) serve Grimsby.

In order to see the various attractions around Grimsby, it's best to rent a car in Hamilton or St. Catharines, the closest cities.

• Grimsby Museum

  phone: +1 905-945-5292
  address: 6 Murray St

• Grimsby Public Art Gallery

  phone: +1 905-945-3246
  address: 18 Carnegie Lane

• The Danish Church

  phone: +1 905-945-8187
  address: 130 Main Street East
  This historic house is a good example of an Ontario vernacular version of the Italianate style with its hip roof with deck, balanced facade, eyebrow like arched window cornices, and large cornice brackets. This style of architecture became very popular in the late 1860s due to its practicality for many different buildings and budgets. This house is now the home of the Danish Lutheran Church with services in English and Danish. This church is not wheelchair-accessible.

• Forty Creek Distillery

  phone: +1 905 945 9225 (option 3)
  address: 297 South Service Rd
  Tours Oct-mid May: Sa Su holidays 1PM; mid May-Sep: daily 1PM

• Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery

  phone: +1 905-563-0900
  address: 5600 King St W Beamsville
  $5 for a flight of 3 wines, icewine samples are $2 each. Private tours may be booked.

• Thirty Bench Wine Makers

  phone: +1 905-563-1698
  address: 4281 Mountainview Rd, Beamsville
  A structured tasting showcases four wine and food pairings Sa at noon & 2PM, Su at 2PM, $35 per person, plus taxes.

• Beamer Falls

  address: Ridge Road West
  This is a lovely hike with attractive rock formations, water flow, and moderately dense vegetation around. Hike from the parking lot off Ridge Road to the edge of the escarpment and on to a tall viewing platform for the “hawk watch”. There is a washroom block without running water. The accessible part of the trail leads right to the edge of the escarpment. A great hike for all ages. The accessible part of the trail does not require athletic wear in good weather: running shoes may be enough. It is a good place for a short walk or a longer hike.

• Peach King Centre

  phone: +1 905-945-1288
  address: 162 Livingston Ave
  Home of the Grimsby Peach Kings. It would be hard to make this stuff up. 2 indoor ice pads, outdoor rink/summer pad, splash pad, fitness facility, racquetball courts, mini-soccer field.

• The Restaurant at Peninsula Ridge

  phone: +1 905-563-0900
  address: 5600 King St W Beamsville
  Seasonal menus of fresh, local foods paired with a selection of their wines. 65 seats. Outdoor patio also offers magnificent views of the Niagara Escarpment, the surrounding vineyards and Lake Ontario. It's in a red brick Victorian manor built in 1885 in the Queen Anne style. The house has been declared as an historic site under the Ontario Heritage Act for its historical and architectural significance.

• JJ's on the Docks Eatery

  phone: +1 289-235-7777
  address: 15 Lake St, Foran's Marina
  Moderately priced diner food.

• Syndicate Restaurant

  phone: +1 289-447-1122
  address: 13 Mountain St
  Inspired by their craft brewery, simplified gourmet food with a twist, like a duck poutine or fresh pasta stuffed with black truffles.

• Kittling Ridge Estates Winery and DistilleryKR makes many different products - various wines, liqueurs, rum, port, sherry, vodka, and whiskies (including Forty Creek Barrel Select, one of Canada's best-selling Canadian whiskies). Tours are available, and the retail boutique has all their products, including many not available at the LCBO (the Ontario government alcohol stores). Well worth a stop for lovers of wine and whisky.

• Judge and Jester Pub

  phone: +1 905-945-8744
  address: 17 Main St E
  15 beers on tap, and a large selection of Niagara Region wines available by the glass and the bottle. Traditional pub fare.

• Super 8

  address: 11 Windward Dr
  Free continental breakfast gym, the heated indoor pool, hot tub, free WiFi, free parking, 24-hour guest services, and business services. Non-smoking facilities, suites, and pet-friendly rooms are available.

• Casablanca Winery Inn

  address: 4 Windward Dr
  Boutique inn with views of the Niagara Escarpment, close to shores of Lake Ontario. 78 guest rooms and suites, from standard double rooms to luxury suites with fully furnished living rooms, dining rooms, en suites and powder rooms.

• Vinifera, The Inn on Winery Row

  phone: +1 905-309-8873
  address: 245 Main St E
  1846 historic bed & breakfast inn.