Car Hire Windsor

Windsor Mini Guide

What Can you Tell me About Windsor?
It was named after Windsor in the UK and is the southernmost Canadian city. It’s even further south than a couple of American cities! Originally called Petit Côte by the French, the city is the second oldest in Canada after Montreal. It became a British settlement called Sandwich after the American Revolution and finally changed its name to Windsor in 1854. It is unusual in that its best attraction is actually in America as the view of the city of Detroit across the Detroit River is a much photographed sight.



How can I get to Windsor?
Windsor has its own airport a couple of miles from the city which serves domestic and international holiday routes to the Caribbean and Mexico. Transportation into the city can be by bus or taxi although car rental is also an option available at the airport. Some travellers may find it easier to fly into Detroit Airport across the border which serves a greater range of international flights including some form Europe.

What is There to See and Do in Windsor?
Windsor has a number of attractions, the most popular of which is to stand on the banks of the Detroit River and photograph the US city’s skyline by day and night. Other popular places to visit are the Hiram Walker Distillery, producers of the world famous Canadian Club Whisky. Guided tours are available and the history of the man is just as interesting as the distillery itself. Another great place inextricably linked to the city’s wealth and that of nearby Detroit is Ford City, where Henry Ford set up his first Canadian Ford motor car factory. Beyond this there are several museums and art galleries of note.



What Should I buy to Take Home as Souvenirs from Windsor?
Rather naughtily, you could join in with the American tourists that cross the border just to stock up on Cuban cigars which are illicit purchases in the States under the trade embargo. Whilst you are open to being stopped by US customs and having them confiscated, millions of Americans do the same each year without being stopped.

What do you Recommend to eat in Windsor?
Being this close to America, much of the food to be found in Windsor is of a similar style to that you’d find in the States. There is a difference though in that the influence of French Canada is prevalent in many restaurants and street vendors sell French style crepes to hungry tourists.

What do the People of Windsor do for Entertainment?
Festivals in Windsor seem to centre around the ideal of freedom with the July 1st Canada Day being celebrated as a Freedom Festival in the city whilst in August the city celebrates an Emancipation Festival remembering the city as one of the closest for slaves from the USA to get to in order to claim their freedom. The city also hosts a jazz festival and an international film festival in the summer.