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

Family-Friendly Activities

Whether spending the day building sandcastles on the beach, chasing tadpoles in the river, or catching a movie under the stars, Ontario’s West Coast has lots of fun family-friendly activities to get you out of the house and burning up some of that energy.

Shipka Drive In

Courtesy of Erika Moore

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. After a day enjoying the sand and surf at Point Farms Provincial Park head across the road to Point Farms Market for a round of miniature golf topped off with an ice cream cone, there are 30+ flavours to choose from!

Courtesy of Point Farms Market and Mini Golf

Courtesy of Point Farms Market and Mini Golf

 Huron County fairs have been celebrating agriculture and community spirit for over 160 years. From animals big and small to amusement rides, games, food, and more. The Bayfield Fair, August 14-16, 2020.

Courtesy of IceCulture Inc

Catch your own trout at the Fish-Out Pond at Hedley’s Trout Farm. Spring-fed pond is restocked many times each year with trout from their grow-out facility. Keep and pay for what you catch. Rental rods and equipment available. By appointment only.

For 30 years Iceculture has been a major player in the world of ice carving. Book a 90-minute guided tour to see the processes, hear the stories behind the projects, and learn how Iceculture earned its international reputation.

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.