Arrival in Windsor - Look at the Waterfront

Finally it was time for another excursion. As a true architecture buff, Detroit had been on my radar for a long time and I definitely wanted to explore this unique city in detail. So for the last few weeks I had been working with Visitdetroit.com to map out a detailed itinerary of the city that would expose me to all sorts of unique facets of the Motor City.

After a hectic day at the office on October 16 I finally got going at about 2:30 pm and arrived in Windsor shortly before 7 pm. I drove straight to the waterfront to catch the last few rays of sunshine that still lit up the skyline. Orange and purpose hues formed the backdrop of the Ambassador Bridge and a stunning night-time skyline of Detroit was taking shape.

I checked in at the Argyle Manor Bed and Breakfast, a historic Edwardian mansion, actually a former rectory, in the Walkerville area of Windsor. My hosts Dr. Paul and Kerri Thomas welcome me and gave me a few ideas for dinner. Based on their suggestions I drove to Erie Street, Windsors Little Italy, but it was very quiet there, so I made my way to the waterfront where I had a relaxing meal at the Keg, right in front of the panorama windows that featured an impressive skyline of Detroit.

After a good nights sleep I interviewed my hosts and found out that Dr. Paul Thomas is a retired university professor in human kinetics and a renowned expert in ergonomics. Both he and his wife have been involved in competitive sports for many years and Dr. Thomas still coaches basketball at a local private high school and his children are actively involved in high level sports.

Breakfast was fabulous and included a fruit salad, freshly baked muffins made from self-rising flour and ice cream (the flavour was double-churned strawberry) as well as a garbage bag omelette (omelette ingredients that are placed in a clear plastic bag and boiled in hot water).

I had a couple of hours before my planned border crossing to Detroit, so I took a walk in the surrounding Walkerville area, a historic neighbourhood that was developed by Hiram Walker, the distillery owner of Canadian Club Whiskey fame. The distillery started in 1856 and Walkerville was originally a housing development for workers at his distillery and it also featured a number of upscale mansions for managers at Hiram Walker. The workers townhouses were built from 1858 onwards and are still in great shape today.

My stroll in the neighbourhood continued to Willistead Manor, the original mansion of the Walker family that today is a city park. The mansion was built between 1904 and 1906 and was designed by renowned Detroit architect Albert Kahn and is surrounded by coachhouses and a large estate.

After saying goodbye to the Thomas I briefly stopped at the Hiram Walker & Sons distillery on the bank of the Detroit River, east of downtown Windsor. Today Canadian Club Whisky Company is part of the Pernod Ricard beverage empire. The Heritage Centre is a gorgeous early 19th century red brick Italianate building that provides guided tours of the Canadian Club facility.

With my tight schedule of course I had to move on since I still wanted to see the waterfront and the Odette Sculpture Park which features more than 31 large, internationally renowned contemporary sculptures. The views of the Ambassador Bridge and of downtown Detroit from the Windsor waterfront are simply astounding.

Well, it was time to cross the border now. Punctually at noon I rolled through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel to start my Detroit adventures.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Canada
• Ontario
• Windsor
• Waterfront

[MrCmsings]

I live in Windsor and liked your video.  It didn't look like a very nice day. When I first moved here I was really impressed with the sky line. You should see on fireworks night! Thank you.

[travelandtransitions]

Thank you for your comment. The view across the Detroit River is indeed one of the best skyline views anywhere. I really enjoyed Windsor's waterfront as well as Walkerville.

[travelandtransitions]

@rivascld : I am glad that the video has helped you to look forward to studying in Windsor. Welcome to Canada...

[rivascld]

@tarek54321 I'm going to U of Windsor next January to study for a semester. Your comment makes me get even more excited about the experience that's ahead for me! Regards from Chile.

[tarek54321]

I stayed in Windsor for 5 years when I was studying my Ph.D. in U of Windsor. I cannot forget these days with the nice people there and the the beautiful views there.

[mindspring57]

@abesgl500 I was born in Detroit in 1957, and I lived there, or in its suburbs, from then until 1971. My godmother lives in Windsor, so I have traveled between the two cities frequently, and I was last in Detroit and Windsor in 2005. It is really sad to see what has become of Detroit. I agree, the best place to photograph the Detroit skyline is Windsor. In fact, I do not know else it can be photographed, except from Windsor.

[mindspring57]

@ChecusoutCanada The City of Detroit, with very few exceptions, is a wall-to-wall slum. Windsor, especially by contrast, is a much better place. Overlooking the fact that it is in another country, it is convenient and close by, and some people may wish to stay there when traveling to Detroit. The only other alternative is to stay in Detroit's suburbs, either to the North or the West, and drive back into the city. Depending on the circumstances, it may be more efficient to stay in Windsor.

[LindasHere55]

I'll always love this skyline. Don't think I'll ever move back...but I will always remember where friends and I would stroll and hangout.

[SuperJacker123]

i live there

[abesgl500]

The OP did a bunch of vids on Detroit. Best place to take a pic of the Detroit skyline is Windsor.

Cut her some slack.