Living In Windsor

Located in Windsor, Ontario, our Rocket Innovation Studio Technology team uses the most advanced technology to develop IT solutions for our clients’ business needs. When they’re not working, they’re busy exploring! Today, they’re taking us on a tour of the city they call home – Windsor. From community events to nature trails, there’s so much to discover. Let’s get started!

Windsor is compact without being crowded. You don’t have to wait for a light to cross the streets here, even in the heart of downtown. Walking around you get the sense that the city values its history. In the Olde Walkerville area, houses built in the late 19th and early 20th century are around every corner. The enamel terra-cotta clad Bank of Montreal building is admirable, you have to see it to get a sense of its prominence.

Although times (and rent prices) have changed, there’s rich history, beauty and life around every corner.

The history doesn’t stop with architecture, though. You might be surprised to know that Windsor has a rich history with prohibition. The bar or restaurant you’re eating in today could have been a speakeasy where a rumrunner was 100 years ago. The rye whiskey smuggled during prohibition is still being made to this day. Sample some at Hiram Walker & Sons to get an authentic taste of Windsor’s history.

There’s a spot for everyone downtown, whatever your interests are. Sports, Dungeons & Dragons, live music, great eats, you name it! If you love microbreweries, there are two that are sure to satisfy – Walkerville Brewery and Chapter Two Brewing Company. Not only does Windsor have a great bar scene, but a wonderfully diverse food culture, too. Soak up some of that good 5% beer with a poutine from Frenchy's Poutinery, a place cherished by many Windsorites.

Windsor is peppered with various parks and natural attractions. The Dieppe Gardens were built to honor soldiers who lost their lives in 1942. It features a large rose garden with an excellent view of the Detroit skyline, perfect for a picnic on a sunny day. The city is a sight to behold, especially in the evenings when the lights come on and downtown bursts to life. While it may be busy along Ouellette Avenue no matter the time of day, you can slip into the tranquility of a relaxing stroll along the water. 

A few streets down you’ll find Charles Clark Square near City Hall. Experience a taste of Canadian youth culture right in the heart of downtown. Open and free to the public during the late fall and winter months, it’s the perfect spot to end your night on the town. If you stay past 11:00 p.m. on Friday or Saturday, you’ll catch a pickup hockey game. If you have the itch to play, bring a stick and join in on the fun.  

Further south is Jackson Park which houses over 10,000 floras and a few sports fields. Visit in the summer to view the tulips and other flowers or during Christmas to see the holiday lights while sipping on something warm. 

The region is also home to many nature trails. The Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve is the largest protected native savannah in Ontario. Walk the trails or camp with your friends and family! At certain times of the year, you can marvel at the spectacular light show caused by the thousands of fireflies that hover over Ojibway. There is also the Devonwood Conservation Area, a forest located in the midst of an urban center known for its trails that run through a woodland of eight different species of oak trees and various species of owls, bats and deer. 

On the east end you’ll find Ganatchio Trail, which extends through Windsor into the neighboring small town of Tecumseh and is an excellent spot for cycling and rollerblading. The trail opens to the riverfront and covers the entirety of Windsor’s north region, which includes the Windsor Sculpture Park. This park is home to many pieces of contemporary artwork, gardens and playgrounds. The trails are well preserved – some of which even reside in conservation areas – and are a safe and great way to engross oneself in the native wildlife.

A popular fall event is downtown at the Downtown Windsor Farmer’s Market. On weekends, Pelissier Street is the spot to find local fruits, vegetables and more from businesses around Windsor and the surrounding area. There are also some great restaurants nearby that you can grab some breakfast or lunch!

Open Streets Windsor is a great way to experience all neighborhoods in a day. Clear up one Saturday in September and experience the city from West to East along the fenced off Wyandotte street. Each neighborhood has their own set of unique events and fun activities all along the route! It’s a great way to explore the city and you’ll find so many hidden treasures that you wouldn’t have found driving in a car. 

If you want to get outside the city and explore the county regions, there are loads of opportunities to pick your own produce at one of several local farms and orchards. Bring the kids pumpkin picking, jump in a hayride or send them off into a corn maze. These events are typically spread throughout the area, from Amherstburg to Kingsville. Along the way, you could check out Colasanti's Tropical Gardens, a giant greenhouse filled with fun attractions, shopping and restaurants that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Fall is a beautiful time of year. With the multicolored trees and weather moving from hot and humid to brisk and cool, it’s one of the best times to get out and explore. And if you find yourself falling in love with Windsor, make it your home.