Tourist Guide 2025 by River Town Times

HOW TO GET

FROM HWY 401

here!

Take Hwy 401 west until it ends. Make a left onto Ojibway Parkway South* Stay on this road for approximately 20 minutes and it will bring you into Amherstburg.

FROM DETROIT VIA THE AMBASSADOR BRIDGE

Take Huron Church Road to E.C. Row Expressway West, which will become Ojibway Parkway South*. Stay on this road for approximately 20 minutes and it will bring you into Amherstburg.

FROM DETROIT VIA THE DETROIT-WINDSOR TUNNEL

Turn right on Park Street, left on Goyeau Street and left on Riverside Drive. Stay on Riverside Drive as it becomes Sandwich Street and then becomes Ojibway Parkway*. Stay on this road for approximately 20 minutes and it will bring you into Amherstburg.

*Please note: Ojibway Parkway becomes Front Road as you go through the town of LaSalle and becomes County Road 20 between LaSalle and Amherstburg.

• Amherstburg is one of the oldest towns in Ontario. It was incorporated as a town in 1878.

• Amherstburg has three national historic sites: Fort Malden, The Amherstburg Freedom Museum and Belle Vue House.

• Park House, an 18th century dwelling located at 214 Dalhousie Street, is considered one of the oldest houses in the region.

• Fort Malden was established in 1796 and was designated a National Historic Site in 1921.

• Amherstburg, Ontario was used as an entry point along the Underground Railroad for freedom seekers coming to Canada.

• Texas Road is a street popularly associated with paranormal sightings and ghostly experiences.

HISTORY

Early accounts made by travellers to this region describe the prairies, groves, and hardwood forests that composed the natural landscape while the land was solely inhabited by Indigenous peoples.

In 1796, the British established a military post in Malden Township, strategically situated on the banks of the Detroit River across from Bois Blanc Island. A townsite was gradually laid out on the garrison grounds south of the fort, with wooden buildings on narrow streets, and warehouses and wharves erected along the waterfront. In the aftermath of the War of 1812, the townsite was left in ruins. But, by 1818, Amherstburg was rebuilding, and was described as the best harbour in Canada, buzzing with commercial activity.

By the mid-19th century, Amherstburg had two steam grist mills, one saw mill, a woolen factory, soap and candle factory, two asheries, two breweries, two tanneries, and a foundry. After 1859, buildings that once served a military function were repurposed, and Fort Malden itself became a Provincial Asylum. The coming of the railway in 1872 resulted in significant commercial growth. When the population reached 2000 people in 1878, Amherstburg was proclaimed a town and elected its first mayor: John G. Kolfage.

The first half of the 20th century was a time of industrial development. The Detroit River was a constant scene of activity, dotted with drillboats and dredges, or ferries filled with passengers on the way to Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park. Descriptions of Amherstburg at this time focus on the town as a summer resort featuring recreational activities and scenic beauty. Today, the significant cultural heritage of this historic town continues to make Amherstburg a place worth visiting.

Art by the River

June 8 12-8 p.m.

Co-An Park, McGregor windsorcancercentrefoundation.org

Ribs & Ragtime

An evening of jazz music and delicious chicken and ribs

June 14 4-8 p.m.

Amherstburg Freedom Museum

Fort Malden Medieval Faire

June 14-15

Fort Malden, Amherstburg faires.ca/fortmalden/ Amherstburg Ribfest

June 20 - 22

Downtown Amherstburg amherstburgribfest.com

McGregor Music Festival

Fort Malden Medieval Faire

Ribfest

JULY

Canada Day & Canada Day Run

July 1 Kids Dash 9 a.m., Run 9:30 a.m.

Events during day, capped by fireworks at Fort Malden/Toddy Jones Park www.visitamherstburg.ca • www.wrace.org

Amherstburg Art Crawl

July 18 - 20 • Downtown Amherstburg www.artamherstburg.ca 12-4 p.m.

Amherstburg’s Gone Car Crazy

Featuring classic cars of all shapes and sizes. July 27 • Downtown Amherstburg amherstburgsgonecarcrazyshow.com

AUGUST

Living History Festival

Wander through the historic encampments, learn to march like a soldier and become a Fort Malden explorer! August 2-3 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Fort Malden National Historic Site www.pc.gc.ca/malden

Essex County Steam & Gas Engine Show

August 8 -10 Friday 12-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Co-An Park, McGregor essexcountysteamandgasengine.com

Murder Mystery

August 16 • 6-8 p.m.

Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada • www.parkscanada.ca/malden

Art By The River

Artists and artisans on the shores of the Detroit River. August 23 & 24 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Fort Malden National Historic Site gibsongallery.org

Southern Ontario Vintage Bicycle Show

August 24 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

6871 Concession 6 North mark.mcguire@gmail.com

Amherstburg’s Gone Car Crazy

Vintage Bicycle Show

Living History Festival

Steam & Gas Engine Show

Art by the River

Amherstburg Art Crawl

SEPTEMBER

Festival of Hawks

A celebration of local bird migration. September 13- 14

Holiday Beach Conservation Area essexregionconservation.ca

Uncommon Festival

Celebrating wizardry and steampunk. September 19- 21

4-10 p.m. Friday, 12-10 p.m. Saturday, 12-6 p.m. Sunday

Downtown Amherstburg visitamherstburg.ca

Truth & Reconciliation

Gathering

Learning event about Indigenous culture. September 27

Downtown Amherstburg • visitamherstburg.ca

OCTOBER

All Hallow’s Eve Candlight tours

Explore the historic Park House at night!

Park House Museum

Check www.parkhousemuseum.com or social media pages for specific dates and times.

NOVEMBER

Super Santa Run

A festive 5K run/walk/wheel in support of conservation

November 15

Downtown Amherstburg www.wrace.org

Santa Claus Parade

Santa & Mrs. Claus come to downtown Amherstburg! November 22

Downtown streets of Amherstburg windsorparade.org

DECEMBER

Christmas at the Museum

Ring in the holiday season in the historic Nazrey AME Church!

December 7 2 p.m.

Amherstburg Freedom Museum amherstburgfreedom.org

Truth & Reconciliation Gathering

All Hallow’s Eve at Park House

Amherstburg Santa Claus Parade

Christmas at the Museum

Festival of Hawks

Uncommon Festival

Super Santa Run

MULTIPLE DATES

Open Air Weekends

Streets closed from Friday at 3 p.m.until Sunday evening to allow for outdoor eating,entertainment & activities. May 30-Aug 31 • Downtown Amherstburg

• Docent Tours Saturdays and Sundays

Free guided tours of the in the heart of beautiful, historic Amherstburg starting at the Rotary Clock Tour at 2 p.m.

• Bagpipes in the Burg May 30, June 6, June 27, July 4, July 11, July 11, July 25, August 8. Starts at 7 p.m. each of those Fridays.

• Latin Fest August 22-24 Enjoy the South American music, mouthwatering food, lively entertainment, and dancing.

Music Off The Back Porch

A free evening of live music, donations welcome. Park House Museum - 5:30 p.m. Check www.parkhousemuseum.com or call 519-736-2511 for details

River Lights Winter Festival

Visiting River Lights has become a tradition for many families … make it one of yours! Opening Night Nov. 15 November 15 through Jan. 4, 2026 Navy Yard Park & Toddy Jones Park www.visitamherstburg.ca

Latin Weekend

Music Off The Back Porch

River Lights Winter Festival

amherstburgfreedom.org

277 King Street

Telling the stories of Amherstburg’s role in the Underground Railroad and African-Canadians’ journey and contributions to Canada and the region.

Belle Vue National Historic Site

bellevueconservancy.com

525 Dalhousie Street

Designated as a national historic site in 1959, this Palladian style home was built between 1816 and 1819. It was home to Robert Reynolds, who served as the Deputy Assistant Commissary General at Fort Malden, and his sisters, artists Margaret and Catherine Reynolds. It is currently undergoing extensive renovations and, as a result, can only be viewed from the road.

Christ Church and Cemetery

317 Ramsay Street

Considered the oldest church in Essex County and one of the oldest churches in Ontario. Construction began on the church in 1818 on land donated by Col.William Caldwell, while the cemetery is believed to date back as far as 1799.

Amherstburg Freedom Museum

Belle Vue National Historic Site

Christ Church

The Commissariat Office

King’s Navy Yard Park - 214 Dalhousie Street

The Commissariat Office was constructed by the British Military during the early 1830s. Commissariat Officials managed Fort Malden’s finances purchasing items from local contractors that were used by the troops.The building is now owned by Parks Canada and is a Recognized Federal Hertiage Building.Today it serves as the headquarters and interpretive centre for the Provincial Marine Amherstburg Re-enactment Unit.

Detroit River Heritage Parkway

This driving route spans from Riverside Drive in Windsor at the east end of the Detroit River turning into Sandwich Street in west Windsor and connecting to Ojibway Parkway South.The road becomes Front Road in the Town of LaSalle and turns into County Road 20 that will bring you into the Town of Amherstburg.

Fort Covington

534 Sandwich Street South Fort Covington was named after American General Leonard Covington who served as a commander of the War of 1812.This site was the location of an American encampment during the war, and in 2012 it was dedicated as an 1812 Bi-Centennial Peace Garden.

The Commissariat Office

Fort Covington

Fort Malden National

Historic Site

parkscanada.ca/malden

100 Laird Avenue South

An authentic 19th century experience can be found at this historic site that played a significant role during the War of 1812 and the Rebellions of 1838. Tour the fort, experience a musket blast and enjoy the picturesque view of the Detroit River.

GAHS Murals

Nine large murals, each depicting a story or life in the 1800s, can be found on the back of the former General Amherst High School building.The high school is located at 130 Sandwich Street, however the murals are best viewed from Laird Avenue South near Fort Malden Drive.The murals were originally painted in 1964-1967 and restored in 2012 as part of the Bicentennial.

Gibson Gallery gibsongallery.org 140 Richmond Street

Located inside Amherstburg’s historic former Michigan Central Railroad Station, Gibson Gallery features an art gallery, artisan shoppe and railroad museum.Wide range of art throughout the season.

10am-8pm

& Sat. 10am-10pm Sun. 10am-8pm

Fort Malden National Historic Site

General Amherst Murals

Gibson Gallery

The Gordon House & Visitor Centre

268 Dalhousie Street • visitamherstburg.ca

The historic Gordon House dates back to 1798 and currently serves as a visitor centre and gift shop. Home of Amherstburg’s tourism department.

Windsor-Essex Bike Community (WEBC) trails

Based at the Libro Centre (3295 Meloche Road) webcride.com

Windsor Essex Bike Community (WEBC) is a registered non-profit organization whose primary objective is to harness the joy of cycling as a means to unite individuals together to foster significant and diverse positive impacts within Windsor and Essex County.Their mission is to use cycling as a means to bring people together.Two trails completed, one in development.

FIELD

The Gordon House & Visitor Centre

WEBC trails at the Libro Centre

Marsh Historical Collection marshcollection.org

80 Richmond Street

A local history and genealogy centre that houses an extensive collection of photos, books, genealogy and land records.The Marsh Historical Collection mandate is “to collect, preserve and encourage research into the heritage of Amherstburg and the lower Detroit River district.”

Detroit River Sightseeing Cruise

Boarding off Navy Yard Park • 268 Dalhousie St.

Two hour sightseeing cruises presented by Windsor Premier Cruises.Tour around Boblo Island, the Livingston Channel to the mouth of Lake Erie. Cruise dates July 3, July 31 and Aug. 28. windsorpremiercruises.com/river-cruises/amherstburgdetroit-river-cruise/

Park House Museum parkhousemuseum.com

214 Dalhousie Street

A collection of artifacts and documents that bring to life the story of Amherstburg and its rich history. Daily tours, hands-on activities, special events and gift

Marsh Historical Collection

Park House Museum

King’s Navy Yard Park

242 Dalhousie Street

This 10.5 acre park overlooking the Detroit River was once home to the Provincial Marine shipyard.Today,it features spectacular landscaping and stunning flowers surrounding the historic monuments and plaques commemorating the history that has taken place here. You will find the popular Rhododendron andAzalea Gardens,the Signature Hosta Garden,the Commissariat Building and the International Peace Sculpture.It was designated as a Bi- Centennial International Peace Garden and is home to the annual River Lights Festival.

Toddy Jones Park

50 North Street

A four acre, family friendly park in the heart of downtown Amherstburg that includes a splash pad and an accessible, inclusive playground donated by the Rotary Club of Amherstburg.

International Peace Sculpture

Holiday Beach

essexregionconservation.ca

6952 County Road 50

Enjoy a day at the beach,have a picnic and explore the nature trails,boardwalk and observation tower. Holiday Beach Conservation Area hosts the Festival of Hawks each September and has been recognized internationally as an Important BirdArea (IBA).

K. Walter Ranta Memorial Park

1500 Front Road North

A sprawling green space adjascent to the marina that includes access to the water and playground equipment.

Libro Credit Union Centre

3295 Meloche Road

This state-of-the-art recreation complex is home to many sports teams and leagues.Indoor facilities include two NHL ice pads,turf soccer/football field,walking track and meeting/banquet facilities. Outdoor facilities include baseball diamonds, Miracle League diamond,grass soccer fields,and CFL and FIFA size turf soccer/ football field.