If you’re looking for things to do in Windsor, Ontario, historic Sandwich Town is a great place to start.. We spent the day exploring some of Windsor’s oldest buildings, wandering through Sandwich Town, stopping for a great meal, and ending the day with giant croissants from a neighborhood bakery. My daughter wasn’t exactly thrilled when I told her we were going — but by the end of the day, even she had to admit she’d had fun. The Nutella croissant probably helped. 😂
⭐ Why I Recommend It
Windsor is so close to Detroit that it’s easy to overlook it as a day-trip destination, but we had such a fun day exploring somewhere that was practically in our backyard. I especially loved the history in Sandwich Town and how easy it was to combine historic stops with good food and a few unexpected finds.
And sometimes the best review comes from the kid who didn’t want to go in the first place. My daughter started the day cranky about being dragged along and ended it happily eating a giant Nutella croissant. I’ll call that a successful day trip. 😂
Quick Facts
- 📍 Location: Windsor, Ontario, just across the Detroit River from Detroit, Michigan.
- 🏘️ Known For: Historic Sandwich Town, beautiful old buildings, views of the Detroit skyline, restaurants, and an easy international day trip from Michigan.
- ❤️ Our Favorite: Exploring historic Sandwich Town was my favorite part, but my daughter would probably vote for the giant Nutella croissant at the end of the day. 😂
- 🗓️ Best For: An easy day trip when you want a mix of history, sightseeing, and good food without having to travel far.
Visitor Tips
- 🛂 Bring the right border documents: You’ll need an accepted border-crossing document, such as a passport or, for eligible U.S. travelers entering by land, an Enhanced Driver’s License/Enhanced ID.
- 🚗 Check border wait times before you cross: Don’t automatically head for your usual crossing. The day we visited, both bridges were backed up, and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel was the quickest option.
- 🧊 Want to see the ice sculptures without the crowds? We like going the day after the event ends. The sculptures are usually still there, but parking and walking around downtown are much easier.
- 💵 Remember you’re crossing into Canada: Your phone plan, credit/debit cards, and currency may work differently once you cross the border, so it’s worth checking before you leave.
- 👟 Wear comfortable shoes: Sandwich Town is fun to explore on foot, and several historic sites are close enough that you’ll want to walk around rather than just drive from stop to stop.
Things to Do in Windsor & Sandwich Town
Historic Sandwich Town
Sandwich Town was my favorite part of our Windsor day trip. If you enjoy history, this is definitely an area worth exploring. The neighborhood is filled with historic brick buildings, colorful murals, old churches, and landmarks that make it fun to simply walk around and see what you discover. We toured the Duff-Baby House and then spent some time exploring the surrounding streets and historic sites.
⭐ Why I Recommend It
I recommend Sandwich Town especially for history lovers. It doesn’t feel like a typical tourist attraction where you park, visit one place, and leave. The neighborhood itself is part of the experience. I loved walking past the old brick buildings, finding murals tucked throughout the area, and seeing pieces of Windsor’s history all within a relatively small area.
The Duff-Baby House was a highlight for us, especially because it isn’t regularly open to the public, so getting the chance to go inside made our visit even more memorable. Even if you can’t tour the house, there is still plenty of history to see just by exploring the neighborhood.
Want to see what our Windsor day trip was like?
🎥 Watch our Windsor & Sandwich Town adventure below!
Quick Facts About Sandwich Town
- 🏘️ Established in 1797: Sandwich was established as a townsite after British authority shifted from Detroit to the Canadian side of the river. It later became part of Windsor in 1935.
- 🏠 Duff-Baby House: Built in 1798, this historic home is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Windsor. Public tours are offered once a month from May through December, so check the schedule before planning your visit.
- 📅 Plan Ahead: Because tours are limited, try to plan your Sandwich Town visit around one of the Duff-Baby House open dates. We were lucky enough to tour all three floors, and it was one of the highlights of our day.
- ⚔️ War of 1812 History: The Duff-Baby House has ties to the War of 1812, and Sandwich itself was invaded and later burned during the conflict.
- 🧱 A Historic Neighborhood: Sandwich became an official Heritage Conservation District in 2012, helping preserve its historic buildings and character.
- 🎨 Explore on Foot: Take some time to walk through Sandwich Town rather than just driving between stops. You’ll find colorful murals, historic brick buildings, churches, and other pieces of the neighborhood’s history along the way.
Where We Ate in Windsor
Rock Bottom Bar & Grill
Rock Bottom Bar & Grill is located in the heart of historic Sandwich Town in a brick building that fits perfectly with the character of the neighborhood. The staff at the Duff-Baby House recommended we stop here for lunch, and I’m so glad they did! I ordered the pulled pork nachos, and they were absolutely delicious. It was an easy place to stop for a meal while exploring Sandwich Town and one I’d definitely recommend adding to your visit.
Golden Oven European Bakery
Golden Oven European Bakery was the perfect ending to our Windsor day trip. It was about a 15-minute drive from Sandwich Town, and the giant croissants were absolutely worth the detour! My daughter, of course, chose the Nutella croissant, while I went with the Biscoff caramel. Afterward, we headed toward the river to enjoy the view of the Detroit skyline from the Canadian side. Historic Sandwich Town, a great lunch, giant croissants, and a skyline view made for a pretty perfect day trip!