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The Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival celebrates Canada's Canada Day and the American Independence

Windsor [1] is a mid-sized Canadian city on the southwest tip of Ontario. It's an extremely multi-cultural city with over 20% of its population having been born outside of Canada. The city's rich cultural background is made aware by the Middle Eastern, Italian, and Asian neighborhoods in Windsor.

[edit] Understand

Founded as a French agricultural settlement in 1748, Windsor has grown into a multi-cultural city of just over 200,000 people. Reflecting its American neighbor across the Detroit River, it has a strong connection with the automobile industry, with many car manufacturing companies basing their Canadian headquarters in the city.

The river-side area of Windsor has been developed into a lush area of parkland that offer spectacular views of the Detroit skyline, and is the city's most well known feature.

[edit] Culture

Even if you spend a day in Windsor you'll notice that Windsor is a very multi-cultural city, especially for its small town feel. Right off the bat, visitors will hear English, French, Arabic and Italian. Near the East side of the downtown area is the North African/Middle Eastern neighborhoods with a large Lebanese community. South east of the downtown area is the Via Italia neighborhood with numerous Italian restaurants and shops. West of the downtown area is an area with strong Asian influences.

[edit] Climate

The city has quite a wide range in climate conditions, with average temperatures hovering around 21°F (-6°C) in January, while in July the average temperature is around 73°F (23°C). The late summer is the best time to visit the city, though it can be humid and sultry.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By air

• <see name = "Windsor Airport" address = "3200 County Road 42" directions = "Located off Walker Rd., South of E.C. Row Expressway" phone = "+1-519-969-2430" email= "" fax = "+1-519-969-6053" url = "http://www.windsorairport.net" hours = "">Windsor Airport (IATA:YQG, ICAO:CYQG) is the main terminus for any incoming and outgoing flights, however the airport is much smaller than Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. </see>
• <see name = "Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport" address = "" directions = "Detroit, Michigan, United States of America" phone = "+1-734-247-7678 (M-F 8AM-4PM)" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.metroairport.com/"> </see>

[edit] By train

• <see name = "VIA Rail" address = "298 Walker Road" directions = "East of Caesars Windsor (formerly Casino Windsor), on the corner of Riverside Dr. & Walker Rd." phone = "+1-888-842-7245" email= "" fax = "" url = "www.viarail.ca" hours = "Ticketing and station hours: M-Su 5:15AM-8PM." price="">VIA Rail's western end of the Windsor-Quebec City corridor is located here and the Windsor (Walkerville) passenger train station serves those tourists needs. </see>

[edit] By car

Template:Warningbox Highway 401, a major artery that follows the entire southern Ontario coast, has its west termination in Windsor. Windsor is also easily accessible by crossing the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel or the Ambassador Bridge from Detroit. For more information about the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel and Ambassador Bridge and immigration/customs please see the From the United States section.

[edit] By bus

• <see name = "Windsor International Transit Terminal" address = "300 Chatham Street West" directions = "" phone = "+1-519-254-7577" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.greyhound.ca" hours = "Station & Ticketing hours: Daily: 7AM-8PM" price="">The Greyhound terminal situated near the tunnel serves bus traffic. </see>

[edit] From the United States

Currently, only a birth certificate/naturalization certificate and a photo ID is needed for American citizens driving to enter Canada, however presenting a passport to immigration and customs officials seems to speed up the waiting and interrogation process on both sides of the border. Although it is efficient for an international border, this is the busiest crossing between the two countries, and is not as quick and casual as it once was. Americans flying to Windsor, or anywhere in Canada, now need a passport to return to the U.S.

There are two ways to get to Windsor from Detroit:

• <see name = "Ambassador Bridge" address = "" directions = "accessible from all interstates connecting to downtown Detroit" phone = "" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.ambassadorbridge.com/" hours = "" price="Toll per passenger car: $4.00 (USD), $4.00 (CAD)">The bridge offers a quick arrival into Windsor.</see>
• <see name = "Detroit-Windsor Tunnel" address = "" directions = "connecting to I375 from all interstates in downtown Detroit" phone = "" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.dwtunnel.com/index.html" hours = "" price="Toll per passenger car: $3.75 (USD), $4.75 (CAD)">Everytime traffic backs up in the tunnel the tunnel is shut down until traffic congestion is eased, which can take quite a while, sometimes. A "tunnel bus" connects downtown Detroit with Windsor for the price of $2.75 (Either CAD or USD) or for concerts, Ford Field and Comerica Park the tunnel bus fare raises to $3.50 (Either CAD or USD). The tunnel bus has its pros saving you money from parking on either side of the border, but the customs/immigrations process can be quite lengthy for bus riders since everyone on the bus must disembark and be cleared through customs.</see>

[edit] Get around

There is a transit system (Transit Windsor) that has a few good routes, namely the Crosstown 2 or Transway 1C lines, but other than that it isn't that great. However, the majority of the hotels and entertainment are concentrated in the downtown area, so walking and cheap cabs are always an option. Windsor is a city that was built for the car, thus earning its nickname the 'Automotive Capital of Canada'. If you are going to get around the entire city, not just the downtown area and immediate neighboring districts, your best option would be to rent a car.

[edit] See

• <listing name="Ford City" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">Ford City was the birthplace of the Canadian Ford Motor Company. The district is home to a wide variety of architectural examples, including four byzantine styled Orthodox churches built by immigrants, who came to work for the Ford Company. Several buildings have murals depicting the history and transformation of the Ford Company and Ford City. </listing>

[edit] Museums

• <see name = "Art Gallery of Windsor" address = "401 Riverside Drive West" directions = "Located west of Ouellette Ave. and just west of the Cleary International Centre, and the Radisson & Hilton hotels, at Church Street" phone = "+1-519-977-0013" email= "email@agw.ca" fax = "+1-519-977-0776" url = "http://www.artgalleryofwindsor.com/" hours = "W 11AM-8PM, Th,Fr 11AM-9PM, Sa,Su 11AM-5PM(Closed: M,Tu)" price="Admission: $3 per person">Somewhat of a small art museum, but its exhibits are interesting and make the most of the available space. The gallery also has several works available for rent or for purchase. </see>

• <see name="Canada South Science City" address="930 Marian Avenue" directions="located one block north of Erie Street (AKA Little Italy)" phone="+1-519-973-3667" email="info@cssciencecity.com" fax="+1-519-973-3676" url="http://www.cssciencecity.com/" hours="September - June: M-Sat: 10AM - 5PM, (Closed Sunday)" hoursextra="July & August: M-F: 9AM-5PM, (Closed Sa,Su)" price="Admission: Adults $8, Students & Seniors $7, Children (Age 2-12) $6."> </see>

• Serbian Heritage Museum 6770 Tecumseh Rd. E., +1 519 944-4884. M-F 12PM-4PM. Exhibits change every three to four months.

• <see name = "Windsor Community Museum" address = "254 Pitt Street West (François Baby House)" directions = "Located directly behind the Cleary International Centre & Hilton Hotel" phone = "+1-519-253-1812" email= "wmuseum@windsorpubliclibrary.com" fax = "+1-519-253-0919" url = "http://www.windsorpubliclibrary.com/branches/museum/hours.php" hours="" price=""> </see>

[edit] Historical

• <see name = "Willistead Manor" address = "1899 Niagara Street" directions = "Walkerville, Located at Niagara Street and Kildare Street" phone = "+1-519-253-2365" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.citywindsor.ca/000223.asp" hours = "" price="">The Willistead Manor is a beautiful 36 room mansion in the middle of a 15 acre park. The mansion was built by Edward Chandler Walker for his older brother, Willis Walker. </see>

• <see name = "Hiram Walkers Distillery - Canadian Club Whiskey" address = "2072 Riverside Drive East" directions = "East of Ouellette Ave." phone = "+1-519-561-5499" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.canadianclubwhisky.com/" hours = "" price=""> </see>

• <see name="Mackenzie Hall" address="3277 Sandwich Street" directions="Sandwich Towne" phone ="+1-519-255-7600" email="mackhall@city.windsor.on.ca" fax="+1-519-255-9538" url="http://www.citywindsor.ca/000219.asp" hours="" price="">MacKenzie Hall is the former courthouse, jail, and execution spot of the former town of Sandwich, which is now a district of Windsor. </see>

[edit] Parks

A seagull sculpture in Odette Sculpture Park

• <see name = "Odette Sculpture Park" address = "Riverside Drive West" directions = "Located between the base of the Ambassador Bridge (Huron Church Road) and Church Street." phone = "" email= "" url = "http://www.citywindsor.ca/000354.asp" hours = "" price="Admission: Free, Parking: Metered.">Touted as a "museum without walls" Odette Sculpture Park is a 3.5 km park with over 30 sculptures dotting the park. </see>
• <see name = "Dieppe Gardens" address = "" directions = "Located at the base of Ouellette Ave., overlooking the Detroit River & Skyline" phone = "" email= "" fax = "" url = "" hours = "" price=""> </see>
• <see name = "Willistead Park" address = "" directions = "" phone = "" email= "" fax = "" url = "" hours = "" price=""> </see>
• <see name = "Queen Elizabeth II Gardens in Jackson Park" address = "" directions = "" phone = "" email= "" fax = "" url = "" hours = "" price=""> </see>

[edit] Learn

• <see name = "University of Windsor" address = "401 Sunset Avenue" directions = "Located 'under' the Ambassador Bridge, just off Huron Church Rd." phone = "+1-519-253-3000" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.uwindsor.ca/"> </see>

• <see name = "St. Clair College" address = "2000 Talbot Road West" directions = "Located off Huron Church Road, South of E.C. Row Expressway" phone = "+1-519-966-1656" email= "info@stclaircollege.ca" fax = "+1-519-972-3811" url = "http://www.stclaircollege.ca/"> </see>

[edit] Do

[edit] Festivals

• <listing name="Windsor International Film Festival" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="Nov 7-11, 2007" price="" url="http://www.windsorfilmfestival.ca/"></listing>

• <listing name="Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.theparade.org/freedomfest/">The Freedom Festival is an enormous celebration of both Canada's Canada Day, held on July 1st, and America's Independence Day, held on July 4th. The festival began in 1959 and currently sees up to a million visitors during the flagship event - the Target Fireworks display, which is held in late June. In Windsor, a midway serves as an attraction after the main festivities are over with. </listing>

• <listing name="Bluesfest International" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="July 12 - 15, 2007" price="Four day pass: $50, otherwise $20-25 per day" url="http://www.thebluesfest.ca/Windsor/index.htm">A four day blues festival to promote not only the blues genre, but local and international artists. Festival-goers must be at least 19 with proper ID. It's unclear whether foreign IDs will suffice.</listing>

[edit] Gambling

• <see name = "Caesars Windsor" address = "377 Riverside Drive East" directions = "Overlooking the beautiful Detroit river & Skyline" phone = "+1-519-258-7878" email= "info@casinowindsor.com" fax = "" url = "http://www.casinowindsor.com/" hours = "" price="">Very large casino and popular among residents and tourists because the Canadian government does not tax any winnings. The casino exchanges US dollars to Canadian Dollars at a 1:1 rate, which is not as great as an exchange rate you could get by visiting a bank. Absolutely no one under 19 is allowed in either the casino hotel or on the casino floor. </see>

[edit] Music & Theatre

[edit] Sports

[edit] Eat

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[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

[edit] Splurge

[edit] Buy

Shopping in Windsor can be a treat particularly due to the abundance of ethnic stores littered about Windsor. Theres a store to suit everyone's need, including the American cigar aficionado, who will be delighted to realize that due to Canada's cozier relations with Cuba than America's Cuban cigars are available for purchase. Do realize that even purchasing a Cuban cigar or Cuban products in Windsor is considered by U.S. government to be a violation of the U.S. embargo and you may be subject to hefty fines or jail time.

• <buy name = "Windsor Crossing Premium Outlets" address = "1555 Talbot Street" directions = "Located in the town of LaSalle, just off Huron Church Rd., South of the Ambassador Bridge" phone = "+1-519-972-7111" email= "windsorcrossing@on.aibn.com" fax = "+1-519-972-6432" url = "http://windsorcrossing.com" hours = "M-F 10AM-9PM, Sa (Jan-May) 9AM-6PM or (Jun-Dec) 9AM-9PM, Su: 10AM-6PM, Holidays: 10AM-6PM, Closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day" price=""> </buy>
• <buy name = "Ambassador Duty Free Store" address = "707 Patricia Street" directions = "Located on the Ambassador Bridge" phone = "+1-519-977-9100" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.ambassadorbridge.com/abdf/" hours = "" price=""> </buy>
• <buy name = "Windsor Tunnel Duty Free Shop" address = "465 Goyeau Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-519-252-2713" email= "" fax = "+1-519-252-1688" url = "http://www.dutyfreetunnel.com" hours = "Open: Daily, 24 hours." price=""> </buy>
• <buy name = "Holland Consignment Shoppe" address = "1407 Ottawa Street" directions = "Located at the corner of Ottawa St and Moy Ave, behind the TD Bank, in the heart of one of the last remaining outdoor shopping districts left in Windsor" phone = "+1-519-977-5200" email= "hollandauctions@bellnet.ca" fax = "" url = ""> </buy>

[edit] Drink

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[edit] Bars & Clubs

• <drink name="Lotus Restobar & Lounge" address="358 Ouellette Avenue" directions="Located in downtown Windsor" phone="+1-519-252-7805" url="" hours="" price="">Sexy lounge in the heart of downtown Windsor where the venue has comfortable seating as well as a vibrant atmosphere for every guest to enjoy. Lotus Restobar's unique late night experience is enough reason to stop by and see what the buzz is all about. Start your Friday nights off at Lotus with $3 well drinks and domestic beer!</drink>

• <drink name="Treehouse Bar and Grill" address="351 Ouellette Avenue" directions="Located in downtown Windsor" phone="+1-519-252-6626" email="tree.house@cogeco.ca" fax="" url="http://www.treehousebarandgrill.com/" hours="Su-F: 5PM-2AM, Sa: Noon-2AM" price="">Decent bar with live music every night. The place gets very packed, so if you want a seat, be sure to get there early. </drink>

• <drink name="Honest Lawyer" address="300 Ouellette Avenue" directions="Downtown, adjacent to The Whiskey Bar" phone="+1-519-977-0599" email="windsor@honestlawyer.com" fax="+1-519-977-1702" url="http://www.honestlawyer.com/windsor.html" hours="" price=""> </drink>

• <drink name="Rush Nightclub" address="459 Ouellette Avenue" directions="Located in downtown Windsor" phone="+1-519-253-4040" email="rushnightclub@cogeco.net" fax="" url="http://www.rushnightclub.com" hours="" price=""></drink>

• <drink name="Reactor Night Club" address="546 Ouellette Avenue" directions="" phone="+1-519-977-8020" email="info@reactornightclub.com" fax="" url="http://www.reactornightclub.com" hours="" price=""></drink>

• <drink name="The Whiskey Bar" address="300 Ouellette Avenue" directions="Downtown, Located on the corner of University Avenue and Ouellette Avenue" phone="+1-519-977-7875" email="info@thewhiskey.ca" fax="" url="http://www.thewhiskey.ca/" hours="" price=""> </drink>

• <drink name="Patrick O'Ryan's" address="25 Pitt Street" directions = "Downtown" phone = "" email="" fax="" url="http://www.patrickoryans.com/" hours="" price="">Another popular bar, located behind the Travelodge Hotel Downtown.</drink>

• <drink name="The Beach" address="670 Ouellette Avenue" directions="Downtown," phone="+1-519-252-3224" email="beachbum@beachwindsor.com" fax="+1-519-252-3228" url="http://www.beachwindsor.com/" hours="" price="">Open all day, but becomes very popular at night. </drink>

[edit] Breweries & Distilleries

• <drink name = "Walkerville Brewing Company" address = "525 Argyle Road" directions = "Located in the East side of the city, off Wyandotte St." phone = "+1-519-255-9192" email= "kbp@walkervillebrew.com" fax = "+1-519-255-9245" url = "http://walkervillebrew.com" hours = "M-F 10AM-6PM, Sa 11AM-5PM, Closed Sunday." price="">Free tours and tastings are given on Saturday between 1PM-5PM. </drink>
• <drink name = "Hiram Walker's Canadian Club" address = "" directions = "Located along Riverside Dr. E." phone = "+1-519-561-5499" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.canadianclubwhisky.com" hours = "" price="Tours: Adults (Up to aged 55) $5.85, Seniors (Aged 55+) $4.68."> </drink>

[edit] Sleep

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[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

[edit] Splurge

[edit] Stay safe

Downtown Windsor is safe and very lively, even late at night. Beginning late into the evening touts will roam the streets offering free admission to bars, clubs, and strip joints. While for the most part touts operate individually you may be approached by two or more touts. Standard precautions should be taken when considering following a tout to a strange location or to a bar that you've never been to before. If you feel uncomfortable walk away.

Warning: It should also be noted that unlike most mid-sized Canadian cities the custom in Windsor is similiar to bigger cities like Toronto or Montreal in that drivers will NOT stop for pedestrians crossing a street who are not crossing at a marked traffic intersection (i.e. jaywalking.)

[edit] Cope

[edit] Religious services

• <see name = "Windsor Islamic Association" address = "1320 Northwood Drive" directions = "" phone = "+1-519-966-2355" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.wiao.org" hours = "" price=""> </see>
• <see name = "Al-hijra Mosque" address = "5100 Howard Avenue" directions = "" phone = "+1-519-966-8276" email= "info@alhijra.org" fax = "+1-519-966-0846" url = "http://www.alhijra.org" hours = "" price=""> </see>
• <see name = "Congregation Beth El" address = "2525 Mark Avenue" directions = "" phone = "+1-519-969-2422" email= "" fax = "+1-519-969-2660" url = "" hours = "" price="">Jewish Synagogue </see>
• <see name = "Sant Angela Merici" address = "980 Louis Avenue" directions = "Via Italia, Corner of Louis Avenue and Erie Street" phone = "+1-519-254-5542" email= "" fax = "+1-519-256-0066" url = "http://www.viaitalia.com" hours = "M-F services: 8AM & 7PM, Sa: 17:00 (Italian), Su: 8:30AM, 10:00AM; 11:30AM (English)" price=""> </see>
• <see name = "Congregation Shaar Hashomayim" address = "115 Giles Blvd. East" directions = "" phone = "+1-519-256-3123" email= "" fax = "+1-519-256-3124" url = "" hours = "" price="">Orthodox Synagogue </see>
• <see name = "Congregation Shaarey Zedek" address = "610 Giles Blvd. East" directions = "" phone = "+1-519-252-1594" email= "" fax = "+1-519-252-2592" url = "http://www.shaareyzedekwindsor.com" hours = "" price="">Orthodox Synagogue </see>
• <see name = "Banwell Community Church" address = "2400 Banwell Road, Windsor, Ontario N8P 1X9 (Banwell & Tecumseh Road)" directions = "" phone = "+1-519-735-2654" email= "" fax = "+1-519-735-3496" url = "http://www.banwell-community-church.org" hours = "Sundays - Classic Sunday School 9 AM. Blended traditional and contemporary worship service 10:30AM. Convention Baptist Churches of Ontario & Quebec" price=""> </see>

[edit] Get out

Windsor is the southernmost major city in Canada. Detroit is situated just north of Windsor and offers some of the USA's best museums and cultural attractions, most notably the Detroit Institute of Arts, Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, and the Detroit Zoo. For a more quaint experience, Essex County and Pelee Island can be of interest offering many sight-seeing experiences such as wine tours (Colio Wines & Pelee Island Winery) and Point Pelee National Park, which is a 40 minute drive from Windsor to Leamington along Highway 3.

Further out lies Toronto, which is a four hour drive from Windsor. Chicago is also a four to five hour drive from Windsor. Alternatively, Canada's capital, Ottawa is an eight-hour-and-forty-minutes drive from Windsor.

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