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With a summer destination as far south as Leamington, Ontario, one can expect heat and fun in the sun. Leamington’s shoreline location on Lake Erie adds even more reasons to make it a summer getaway destination.
© Destination Ontario
From sand and beaches to shopping and local art, to history, and nature, Leamington can offer adventures for all ages and interests. A major highlight of this summer destination in Ontario is Leamington’s proximity to Point Pelee National Park. The NP adds more beach options to your itinerary, along with various activities such as birding, photography, hiking, and cycling.
Beach & Water Fun
- Seacliff Beach & Park is a hub of summer fun in Leamington with a spacious and sandy beach area with picnic tables, volleyball nets, basketball courts, and the Amphitheatre. The park’s trails offer great views of Lake Erie or can bring you away from the water and toward town amenities.
- The Point Pelee National Park’s Northwest and West Beaches offer all you need for a perfect beach day, including washrooms, changerooms, and picnic areas.
- In addition to the beaches, Point Pelee has great places for canoers or kayakers looking to get onto Lake Erie.
- Pelee Wings offers a few extra ways to enjoy the waters between Leamington and Point Pelee, including kayak and paddleboard rentals. Plus, Pelee Wings hosts paddling events and guided excursions throughout the summer.
© Destination Ontario/Gather Round
The Best Trails around Leamington
Look to the town’s waterfront parks or the nearby National Park for the best hiking and cycling opportunities in the area. And enjoy great views of Lake Erie from a number of different vantage points along the way.
- Follow Leamington’s Waterfront Promenade, which connects Seacliff and Rick Atkin Parks. The trail continues further into Rick Atkin Park to loop around the splash pad.
- “The Point” or Tip Trail at Point Pelee National Park is a unique hike! Once at Canada’s southernmost inland point, hikers have a chance to climb up the viewing tower. From the top deck, there are incredible views over Lake Erie. More great hikes in the park include the Woodlands Trail at 2.75km, Chinquapin Oak Trail at 4km, or the 6km Centennial Hike & Bike Trail.
- Hillman Marsh Conservation Area features managed shorebird habitat ideal for birdwatching, plus activities like hiking, biking, and canoeing. Nearby Kopegaron Woods offers scenic forest boardwalks through Carolinian woodland, showcasing wildflowers and migrating warblers. Both areas offer rich biodiversity and are perfect for nature lovers, especially during bird migration seasons.
- Those interested in exploring the waterfront on a bike, follow the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, part of the 800 km CWATS network. The Leamington section takes you through a lively downtown, beaches, and farm stands, in a region known for mild weather and scenic, flat countryside.
Historical & Cultural Attractions
Overall, Windsor-Essex County is filled with numerous ways to explore local history. Plus, some of these places also offer family-friendly summer events or festivals.
- The Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village are only 20km outside of Leamington. Visit to learn about automobiles of all kinds and auto-themed artifacts. The museum hosts a few summer events, too! Join them in July for the Summer Market in the Village, or August for the Forest Festival.
- Kingsville, a short drive west of Leamington, is home to the Kingsville Military Museum, filled with artifacts from a variety of influential wars and wartime people.
- Use the County’s Crossroads Historical Guide for a self-guided tour and sightseeing along the Lake Erie shoreline.
- Extend your trip by taking the ferry to Pelee Island, the southernmost populated point in Canada.
Summer Events & Festivals in Leamington
The summer fun and celebrations in Leamington centre on a number of occasions and reasons to celebrate. These events are an especially great way to delve into the local arts scene while on vacation.
- The Leamington Arts Centre host a few summer events, including the Mill St. Market on select Fridays, Arts @ the Marina in late July, and the Centre’s newest summer event, En Plein Air Patio. The summer patio series features local food and brews served while you enjoy live music.
- For more live music, head to Leamington’s Sunset Amphitheatre for the Onthe42 Summer Concert Series.
Summer Dining in Leamington
The dining scene in Leamington is at its best in the summer! With local breweries, wineries, ice cream shops, and patios, there is plenty to satisfy any taste or preference. This includes a few places for beachside snacks near Seacliff Park.
- Within Leamington alone are two local wineries and two local breweries. This does not include the several other local drink-makers located around Windsor-Essex County. Without leaving town, taste from Mastronardi Estate Winery, Aleksander Estate Winery, Top Dog Brewing, or Cured Craft Brewing Co.
- Grape Vine Tours adds transportation to your drink touring and offers winery or brewery tours of Windsor-Essex.
- Shop Leamington’s year-round Mill Street Market for local goodies of all kinds. These could be perfect for bringing back to your accommodation for a fresh meal, picnic snacks, or takeout.
- There are a handful of close-by dining options around Leamington’s Seacliff Park. Try the Try the beach bites from Thirteen at the Inn, Burgess Refreshments, Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar & Grill, or Ray’s Ribhouse.
- The remainder of Leamington’s local dining options are located along Erie and Talbot Streets, north of the beach. Enjoy a variety of options, including different international cuisines, takeout, and sit-down restaurants.
Where to Stay in Leamington
Find accommodations around Leamington that range from the rustic to the luxurious. Between hotels (local and chains), B&Bs, private rentals, camping, and cottage resorts, there are plenty of places to rest your head after exploring the town.
- Make the most of the beautiful campgrounds and parks around Leamington this summer. For camping, choose between Point Pelee NP for tent, RV, and comfort camping, Leisure Lake for all three camping types, or the four campgrounds of Wheatly Provincial Park.
- Surfside Cottages, Golfwood Lakes Bed & Breakfast, and these private rentals are all nestled along the Pelee Shores- the shoreline between Leamington and the National Park.
- Horizen Bnb, The Seacliffe Inn, or the Seacliffe Beach Suites all offer waterfront accommodations in Leamington and near Seacliff Beach.
