Things to do with kids (and pets) in Windsor--as it moves to Stage 3

Windsor, ON

We were last in Windsor pre-Covid days. As we had to stay a couple of days, being about 4 hours from Toronto, we also had to find other stuff to do apart from taking Grandma to Caesars. The Caesars in Windsor paled greatly in comparison to the Vegas one. However, we were still pleasantly surprised to find a couple of outdoor things to do in Windsor (which should satisfy social distancing requirements during these times)!

Caesars, Windsor

Detroit River view from Windsor Riverside

The Riverside across from Caesars has nice park with swings and bike paths. It is a lovely spot to relax, walk your furry friend or just enjoy the view of the Detroit skyline.

• Odette Sculpture Park—on Riverside Dr., for almost 4 km from the Ambassador Bridge (going into the US), there are 30+ outdoor sculptures to enjoy. It is a beautiful walk along the Detroit river and the sculptures are quite interesting. (There used to be an Art Cart, a free trolley, which you can take if you cannot manage the walk). 

Sculpture gardens at Windsor

• Dieppe Gardens—past the Sculpture park, the Dieppe Gardens is a nice place to relax as well. There are plenty of trees to give shade and a couple of monuments/memorials. It was quite nice to be among the greenery looking out onto the river. It is not very big and is really more for relaxing vs sightseeing.
• Sandy Point beach--a nice enough beach but make sure to check out the water safety bulletins)

The below are closed as of this time but might be worth checking out when they do reopen:

• Caesars Augustus Tower is the only tower where all ages are allowed (except pets, though). This is also where you can access the Colosseum for shows and where you can have a nice Italian meal at Spago. You need to be 19+ to be in the Forum tower (where the casino is located)—and they do check IDs. Great thing to note is that parking is free and that the towers are connected.
• Canadian Club Whisky (Hiram Walker/J.P.Wisers) buildings from the 1890’s which are beautiful. They do tours and tastings. (we went past these buildings a few more kilometers to Sandy Point beach
• The Art Gallery of Windsor is also across the street on Riverside Dr from the Korean War memorial in Dieppe Gardens.
• There are also river cruises departing near the Dieppe Gardens.

Overall, Windsor is a lovely place to visit and the view of the Detroit skyline across the river is probably better from over here than if you were in Detroit looking across. The Riverside is gorgeous, and we had a very relaxing trip with many interesting photo ops along the way.

My must-stop at the Big Apple

Big Apple at Colborne

Whenever we come from a trip east of Toronto, we always (ok, almost always) stop by the Big Apple at Colborne before heading home.  I love having freshly baked goods at home, so we detour for some apple bread and pie.

In the most recent trip, I couldn’t resist the other goodies. I got some apple coffee cake, cider and dehydrated apples along with my usual apple bread and Mumble Crumble pie. Depending on the time, we sometimes also stop here for a meal as they serve ribs, chicken, burgers and soup. Of course, they have sliced pie for dessert as well.

goodies from Big Apple

The Mumble Crumble pie is my favourite. It comes in small, regular and even a party size.

Mumble Crumble Apple Pie from Big Apple

There are other tons of goodies at their store and I can rack up quite the bill (and calories) if I got everything I want to eat!  There are other things to do apart from eat and buy goodies at Big Apple bakery. You can view the kitchens where they make the pies and they have a hard cider-tasting area. They also have a gift shop—of course, as tourist buses stop here too!

Outside, the kids can explore and actually go up inside the Big Apple structure. It is a 35-ft structure with an observation deck at the top.  They also have mini-golf, ping pong, bocce ball, shuffle board and even train rides (weekends). These are all for free! Plus, my traveling Yorkie has a designated area to roam around! Yay!

So with all they have to offer, how can I resist this stopover?! Days after I stop by, I still enjoy my baked goodies. Yum.

The Traveling Yorkie: Pet-friendly Pelee!

Traveling Yorkie @ Pelee Island

We were so happy to find that Pelee is pet-friendly! First, we stayed at the SeaCliffe Inn, one of the historic inns in Leamington. It was beautifully renovated and they allowed our fur baby to stay with us! Many dogs also walked along the Leamington Marina.

SeaCliffe Inn, Leamington

Traveling Yorkie @Leamington Marina

They also allowed pets to ride the ferry to Pelee Island even if we were limited to certain areas. Only one other dog was traveling the ferry at the time. Our little cutie was calm throughout her first ferry ride.

Traveling Yorkie@ Jimaan ferry to Pelee Island

On Pelee Island itself, we were able to go on the trails and other attractions with our dog. 

Traveling Yorkie@ the StoneMan, Pelee Island

Traveling Yorkie @ the Shoe Tree, Pelee Island

She was also able to eat with us at Scudder’s (which unfortunately has then closed) and at the outdoor pavilion of Pelee Island Winery.

Traveling Yorkie @ Scudder's

On the way to Point Pelee National Park, we were able to eat at Birdie’s Perch where there was plenty of grassy areas/picnic spots for pets!

Traveling Yorkie@ Birdie's Perch, Leamington

At Point Pelee National Park, our cutie was welcome inside the Visitor’s Centre, on the Shuttle to the Tip, 

Traveling Yorkie @ Shuttle to the Tip, Point Pelee National Park

Traveling Yorkie@ the tip of mainland Canada

and on the trails and beaches (or at least the ones we went to)! Because of that, fur baby got to go just south of the 42^nd parallel, as far south as Rome and Barcelona. 

Traveling Yorkie @ the 42nd parallel, Point Pelee National park

She also got to walk along the land of floating cattail at the marsh dotted with lily pads at the boardwalk.

Traveling Yorkie @ Marsh Boardwalk, Point Pelee National Park

If you are looking for a getaway where you can take your whole family (both two and four legged ones), Pelee is the place!

The Traveling Yorkie: Grand Bend for Dog-owners

Yorkie @ Grand Bend 

We took our almost 7-year old Yorkie with us to Grand Bend, and while there were some limitations, I can say that you will pretty much be ok to bring your furbaby along.

Grand Bend, ON

We stayed at the pet-friendly Bonnie Doone Manor. There was a pet-fee, but that was not different from any other place we have stayed and brought our Traveling Yorkie along. There are also other pet-friendly hotels/lodges/inns in the area. 

Walking along Main St., we did not really bring her inside the stores, nor did I see other folks do that. We did a tag-team on who would stay with her just outside.

For meals, Coco’s clearly called out that they were dog-friendly, where they can stay right beside you in the patio. 

pet-friendly Coco's @ Grand Bend

The Growling Gator would allow you to have your dog tied outside by the grass but you would be separated by a fence. This arrangement might be fine for your Fido, but it would definitely stress our Yorkie.

Pizza place and Dairy Dip has outdoor seating where you can bring your pet. We grabbed some fish and chips over here. They even have a water bowl to make sure pets weres well-hydrated.

Now, the beach does not allow dogs. Grand Bend is an internationally recognized blue flag beach which has very strict standards. Dogs are only allowed in parking areas, on walkways and promenades in the back beach area. However, between May 15th to September 15th dogs are allowed on the beach before 8am and after 8pm and must be leashed. So, our cutie Yorkie managed to get close to the waters for our morning walk at 730am!

dog beach @ Pinery Provincial Park

8Km away, though, at Pinery Provincial Park, they have two dog beaches and they are awesome! So, you can go there as well!

Overall, the area is a great place to spend time with the whole fam, no matter how many legs they have!

The Traveling Yorkie: Pet-friendly places to eat in Mont Tremblant, Ottawa and the 401

Yorkie in Mont Tremblant

I had been challenging myself since last summer to find fun getaways where we can take our adopted 7-year-old Yorkie along. For our trip to Mont Tremblant, it took a while for me to lock down our pet-friendly accommodations. There were very few pet friendly hotels in the Pedestrian Village and those which accept pets also had a hefty fee. We found our pet-friendly condo at one of the units at Cap Tremblant. 

We had lunch at Crêperie Catherine where they had a nice patio out back. No need for Fido to be tied up behind the fence (which was the case for some restos).

Pet Friendly Creperie Catherine @ Mont Tremblant

At the Tremblant Resort, many dogs walked around but they were not allowed on the Cabriolet or Panoramic Gondola rides. It is not a bad walk uphill so it can be managed. Dogs are not allowed on trails as well. However, there were several restaurants with patios--Fat Mardi’s is pet friendly.

Pedestrian Village at Mont Tremblant--pets welcome along the village

Good thing our cutie prefers to stay indoors so we were able to do activities where we couldn’t take her.  Her being a Traveling Yorkie is only because she is stuck with me. What's the fun in Homebody Yorkie, right? 

Going back to Toronto, we passed by Ottawa. Byward Market is dog friendly. Most of the food stalls in the main building extended out into the street. So, your pet can stay with you as you eat. We ate at Wang’s Noodle House and there are plenty of other options if you don’t feel like Chinese or bubble tea.

Pet Friendly area at Big Apple by the 401 

At the 401, the Big Apple is also pet friendly. There are picnic tables set up outside where you can have your meal (no outside food except your pet's). Though, someone has to stay with your pet outside as you buy your food. As with most places, pets are not allowed inside. As well, OnRoute stations have grassy areas for our fur baby.

Traveling with this Yorkie was not such a big production. Thumbs up to the places which accommodate my two-legged and four-legged babies.