Snap selfies and stop for a snack at these unique roadside attractions.
Itinerary highlights: fabulous food and unique roadside attractions.
You’ll feel the love from Facebook friends and Instagram followers when they see the one-of-a-kind pictures you’ll take on this road trip. The roadside attractions aren’t all that’s unique. Savour some of the region’s signature dishes as you travel.
Stop: Dunnville
The photo opp: Muddy the Mudcat is a 50- foot long, 27-foot high statue that welcomes visitors to Dunnville and reminds them of the community’s great fishing. This picturesque community is also set along the Grand River, a Canadian Heritage River. Stop anywhere along the Grand for limitless beauty shots.
The dining stop: Just up the road in Cayuga, the Twisted Lemon Restaurant & Flavour Junkies serves some killer sweet potato gnocchi. From growing his own vegetables to working with local farmers, Chef Dan and Twisted Lemon are all about good food, good service and a welcoming environment.
Stop: Port Dover
The photo opp: You don’t have to travel all the way to the Caribbean to find Palm Trees. Walk the sandy shores of Port Dover and you’ll find five of them blowing in the Lake Erie breezes. Be sure to visit before the fall’s first threat of frost, as the trees get transported to a greenhouse for the winter months.
The dining stop: The Erie Beach Hotel and Restaurant in Port Dover is famous for their Lake Erie Perch and Celery Bread.
Stop: Port Burwell
The photo opp: HMCS Ojibwa is a Cold War era Oberon-class submarine that served in the Royal Canadian Navy that’s made the long journey from Halifax to its new home at Port Burwell. Fascinating interior and exterior tours are offered.
Stop: St. Thomas
The photo opp: The Jumbo the Elephant Monument in St. Thomas is a life-sized statue of the most famous elephant in the world! Jumbo, “The King of Elephants” was tragically killed when a Grand Trunk Locomotive in St. Thomas struck him, on September 15th, 1885.
The dining stop: Take a tour at Railway City Brewing Company and try a sample of Dead Elephant Ale, the signature brew created to honour poor old Jumbo. While you’re in the Railway City, you'll want to pop into Rail City Bistro for an amazing home-style meal, made from locally sourced ingredients.
Stop: Windsor
The photo opp: The Windsor Sculpture Park, located along the shoreline of the Detroit River, is a museum without walls. A place where local and international artists combine and contrast through their art. The park purposely doesn't have a unified theme, instead it is an area for diverse artistic vision and multi-textured variety.
The dining stop: Just around the corner in Windsor, the BREW offers their own unique beer and flavourful foods. Come try out the Brew Haus pizzas and the giant pretzels to find out why the BREW has become a local favourite for quality dining.
Stop: Woodstock
The photo opp: Springbank Snow Countess statue is built in honour of bovine that broke the world record for butterfat production in 1933 and held the record for 21 years. Fun fact, the monument is located on the original site of her home, Springbank Farm.
The dining stop: Taste the rich dairy history of the area and find out why it's called the Dairy Capital of Canada on the Oxford County Cheese Trail. The trail features cheese makers as well as a number of restaurants that use local cheese for their dishes. One of these restaurants is Charles Dickens Pub with it's menu full of local cheesy goodness.
Stop: London
The photo opp: The Tree Trunk Tour truly showcases London's love of trees and is solidifying it's reputation as the "Forest City." Community carving artists have created a variety of public sculptures that offer a walking tour right through the heart of the city.
The dining stop: After the tour come visit the center of downtown London for a cozy dining experience at The Black Trumpet. With both outdoor and indoor seating, you'll love the inviting comfortable atmosphere. Enjoy foie gras and roasted duck breast, or feed your soul with spicy buttermilk fried chicken.
