Drive-In Dining

Drive-In Dining

May 22, 2020 | Food & Drink, Things to Do

Drive-In Dining

Before there were food trucks there was the drive-in restaurant and hamburger stand. Huron County is home to six of these independently-owned drive-in restaurants. Each of them has their own unique specialties but the one thing they have in common is that they continue to serve quality locally-sourced summer favourites straight from the grill to your car or one of the nearby picnic tables. Lake Huron, beaches and sunsets, a trip to Huron County has to also include some summertime grilled favourites. 

Courtesy of Jeff Oesch

Courtesy of Freeze King, Seaforth

Farmer’s Dell
6 London Road (Highway #4), Brucefield

Freeze King
42566 Huron Road (Highway #8), Seaforth

Courtesy of Frosty Queen, Wingham 

Courtesy of  Jodi Nurse

Frosty Queen
143 Josephine Street, Wingham

Sky Ranch Drive-In
81669 Bluewater Highway, Goderich

Courtesy of Christina Duizer Photography

Courtesy of Woodland Drive-in, Bayfield

Willy’s Burger Bar
267 Huron Street (Highway #8), Clinton

Woodland Drive-In    
17 Mill Road, Bayfield

Outdoor Must-Try Experiences

Outdoor Must-Try Experiences

May 21, 2020 | Cycling, Fishing, Hiking, Outdoor Adventure, Paddling, Things to Do

Outdoor Must-Try Experiences

Ontario’s West Coast has plenty of outdoor activities on land and water to choose from. Here are just a few of the experiences to get outside and into nature that we recommend you try during your visit. Share your must-try outdoor experiences with us using the hashtag: #OntariosWestCoast.

Set along the scenic Maitland River, Falls Reserve Conservation Area is a natural outdoor playground. The river cascades over a series of low waterfalls as it flows around the park, creating a unique and exciting swimming area. It also offers seasonal camping, excellent fishing, playgrounds, horseshoe pits, a volleyball area, playing field, picnic areas, and a picnic shelter.

Courtesy of Falls Reserve Conservation Area/Maitland Valley Conservation Authority

Huron County offers trail enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels a variety of terrains from natural paths to partially paved routes. Download the Huron County Hiking Guide and head out on to the trails and enjoy the scenic beauty and natural landscapes that Huron County is famous for. A few favourites we recommend you explore our Bannockburn Conservation Area, The Maitland Trail, and Wawanosh Valley Conservation Area. Learn more trail details here. 

 

The sunsets are gorgeous but a clear night sky in Huron County can be just as amazing for looking up and stargazing. The moon, constellations, shooting stars, the Milky Way, and some planets are all visible without a telescope. One annual highlight is to take in the Perseid meteor showers in August while lying on a blanket listening to the surf on a dark Huron County beach.

The Port Albert Fishway (located in the Village of Port Albert) is a man-made structure that allows fish to by-pass obstructions to travel upstream on the Nine Mile River. Fish jumping can be viewed from late March until early May, with peak runs occurring in the last 2 weeks in April. In the fall, jumping occurs from mid-September until late November, with the peak occurring during October and early November.

The Exeter white squirrel is a symbol of the town. Exeter’s white squirrels are not albinos. True white squirrels are said to be a genetic mutation of the common Eastern Grey Squirrel. In Exeter, this white colour mutation has become predominant. You can find the white squirrels in MacNaughton Park and on the South Huron Trail areas but are more often seen in the residential parts of town.

Courtesy of Huronbeaches.ca

Family-Friendly Activities

Family-Friendly Activities

May 21, 2020 | Fishing, Food & Drink, Things to Do

It can’t all be a day at the beach. If you’re looking for fun stuff to do as a family, you have plenty of options, from indoor tracks that allow you to race and climb to less strenuous activities and outings better suited for littlest ones and tired parents.

Have fun here:

 

Maitland Valley Grotto in Goderich is a bouldering gym offering bouldering for all levels. Fun and fitness are the main purpose for beginners. Bouldering is one of the most efficient ways to learn climbing techniques and increase your strength and mobility. And it’s fun!

All in Skate Park

Learn new tricks on skateboards, scooters or BMX bikes at the All-In Skatepark in Zurich. This old arena has been converted to have a large variety of ramps and jumps, and comes with an in-house BMX and scooter store to meet all your extreme sport needs in one place.

Village Toy Castle Dashwood

The Village Toy Castle in Brucefield is the ultimate play destination for kids and toy collectors of all ages. The toy store has the latest and most desired toys mixed with nostalgic classics in a historic victorian building. Parents will enjoy the museum of vintage toys and retro arcade games.

The Exeter Splash Zone is located at 49 MacNaughton Drive in Exeter. Open everyday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from May to September. Conveniently located next door to the outdoor swimming pool, McNaughton Park and the South Huron trail head

Saddle up and enjoy the countryside on horseback at Home on the Range. Take the entire family and make great memories riding the friendly horses on the farm.

Starlite Drive-In

Pack up the car and get ready for this summertime tradition of yesteryear by taking in a blockbuster under the stars at the Starlite Drive-In Theatre outside of Grand Bend. 

Must-Try Eats

Must-Try Eats

May 20, 2020 | Food & Drink, Things to Do

Must-Try Eats

Homemade treats, ethnic food, and simple staples made sublime using fresh locally grown ingredients are some of the must-try flavours to experiences in Ontario’s West Coast. Plan a picnic or enjoy a meal to go with one of our tasty suggestions below. Share your must-try food experiences with us using the hashtag: #OntariosWestCoast.

Culbert’s Bakery (Goderich) has been around since 1877. All of their products are made fresh on the premises the old fashioned way. The must-try is their world-famous cream puff doughnut, heaven!

You’ll be happy with anything you choose at Cait’s Café (Goderich), but we recommend the Blyth Veg sandwich on the in-house made croissant: avocado, tomato, Blyth Farm cumin goat cheese, local organic greens, pesto mayo, and house-made lime cumin dressing.

Blyth Veg at Cait's

Courtesy of Cait’s Cafe, Goderich 

Zehrs Country Market

There’s a lot of good pie to be had in Huron County. As a starting point on your pie adventure, we suggest heading to Zehr’s Country Market (Bayfield) and picking up one of the fresh-baked, still hot from the oven pies.

Craving something different? Exeter Thai Cuisine (Exeter) offers up an authentic Pad Thai along with a full menu of other Thai cuisine favourites.

Put together the ultimate cheese and charcuterie board for cocktails on the patio. Pair-up a couple of varieties of Blyth Farm Cheese (Blyth) with smoked and cured meats (be sure to include some pepperettes) from Metzger Meat Products (Hensall). Compliment with preserves and pickles from Bayfield Berry Farm (Bayfield).

Courtesy of Exeter Thai Cuisine, Exeter

Courtesy of Blyth Farm Cheese, Blyth

Courtesy of Coastal Coffee

If a good cup of coffee is important to you we have you covered.  Pick up some beans or a fresh brewed cup of one of their signature blends at Shopbike Coffee Roasters (Bayfield). Look for Huron’s other artisan coffee roaster, Coastal Coffee (north of Goderich). You’ll find both Shopbike and Coastal Coffee blends being served at a number of local restaurants and cafés.