Windsor, ON

Windsor, ON sits on the southern bank of the Detroit River, looking across at the Detroit skyline in a way that makes it feel like no other Canadian city. Catching a FlixBus to Windsor drops you right into that atmosphere. There are plenty of things to do in Windsor to fill a long weekend or more, from waterfront walks to history to a surprisingly strong arts scene.

Waterfront & green spaces

Windsor Riverfront & Dieppe Gardens stretches along the Detroit River and is the best place to get your bearings in the city. The paved promenade runs for several kilometres, giving you uninterrupted views of the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit skyline beyond. Dieppe Gardens, tucked along the waterfront, adds formal flowerbeds and a fountain to the scene, making it a favourite spot for an evening stroll. Windsor's geography is genuinely unusual among Canadian cities, and this is where you feel it most.

Jackson Park & the Queen Elizabeth II Sunken Garden offers a quieter green space a short drive from the river. The sunken garden is the centrepiece: a formally designed bowl of roses and perennial beds that blooms brilliantly through summer. The park also contains a collection of decommissioned military aircraft on outdoor display, which gives the grounds an unexpected edge. It's a good place to spend a slow morning before heading elsewhere.

Art galleries

Art Gallery of Windsor (AGW) is the main public art institution in the city and one of the larger galleries in southwestern Ontario. The permanent collection focuses heavily on Canadian art, with particular depth in works by Indigenous artists and historical Canadian painters. The building sits right on the riverfront, so you can move between gallery rooms and river views without going far. Rotating exhibitions keep the programming fresh year-round.

Windsor Sculpture Park (Odette Sculpture Park) lines the riverfront path with large-scale outdoor sculptures from Canadian and international artists. The works are installed along the waterfront promenade, so you encounter them naturally as you walk. No admission, no schedule, just art in open air. The contrast between the sculptures and the industrial Detroit skyline behind them makes for some striking sightlines. It rewards a slow pace.

History & heritage

Willistead Manor is a Tudor-Jacobean revival mansion built in 1906 for Edward Chandler Walker, son of whisky distiller Hiram Walker. Set on about 15 acres of parkland in the east end of the city, the building is detailed and well-preserved, with carved woodwork and period interiors that reflect the wealth the local distilling industry generated. Guided tours run seasonally and are worth booking ahead, as they fill up quickly in summer.

Olde Walkerville Historic District is the neighbourhood that grew up around the Walker distillery in the late 19th century. The company essentially built an entire town: workers' housing, churches, a post office. Much of that architecture survives intact today. Walking the streets here feels different from the rest of Windsor; the scale is human, the brick is old, and the history is written into the streetscape. Independent shops and restaurants have moved into many of the original buildings.

Canadian Club Brand Centre (Hiram Walker Distillery) sits at the heart of Walkerville and tells the story of one of Canada's most recognisable whisky brands. The distillery has been operating on this site since 1858, and tours take you through the production facilities and heritage buildings while covering the Walker family's outsized influence on the region. The tasting component at the end gives you a concrete reason to pay attention throughout.

Chimczuk Museum is Windsor's main community history museum, located on the ground floor of the Art Gallery of Windsor building on the riverfront. Permanent galleries cover the Windsor area from geological prehistory through to the present day, with dedicated space for Indigenous Peoples' culture and legacy. A hands-on discovery room makes it accessible for families with children. It's a compact but well-organised introduction to the region's full story.

Fort Malden National Historic Site, located in nearby Amherstburg about 30 minutes south of Windsor, is a Parks Canada site centred on a British fort established in the 1790s. It played a significant role in the War of 1812 and the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837–38, and the earthworks, restored buildings, and interpretive exhibits lay out that history clearly. The setting beside the Detroit River adds context. You can see exactly why this location mattered strategically.

Caesars Windsor is the city's large-scale entertainment complex on the riverfront, combining a casino, hotel, and live performance venue in one place. The venue hosts touring concerts and comedy acts throughout the year, so it's worth checking the schedule before you visit. Even if gambling isn't your thing, the riverfront terrace has some of the best views of Detroit you'll find anywhere along the Windsor waterfront.

When you're ready to explore this corner of Canada, book your Windsor bus ticket through FlixBus and arrive with a full itinerary waiting for you.

Looking for bus tickets from or to Windsor?

Look no further, we’ve got all the details you need to plan your bus trip from or to Windsor! You can catch the FlixBus at Windsor (International Transit Centre). Departing from or traveling to Windsor can cost as little as 10,48 €. You have various options to organize your bus trip as Windsor is connected to 18 destinations with FlixBus. When you travel with FlixBus you're guaranteed a comfortable seat and complimentary access to our Wi-Fi throughout your journey. Stay connected and entertained while we take you to your destination!