A quiet, small village along the picturesque shores of Lake Huron, Bayfield is one of the most surreal escapes in southwestern Ontario.
Surrounded by Carolinian forests, this delightful gem combines the beauty of nature with historical small Ontario town charms for a fantastic escape from the urban sprawl of the province’s big cities.
And while the community’s slower pace of living is an attraction within itself, the town is also filled with a great variety of things to do both within the village and its surrounding countryside and townships.
From partaking in local community activities to visiting the region’s most historical landmarks, these are the ten best things to do in Bayfield for a complete exploration of one of Ontario’s most amazing small towns.
- Catch A Sunset At Pioneer Park
- Check Out The Bayfield Farmers’ Market At Clan Gregor Square
- Visit Local Art Galleries
- Tour The Huron Historic Gaol In Goderich
- Enjoy A Relaxing Beach Day
- Stop By A Local Pub
- Wander Bayfield’s Historic Downtown
- Rent A Canoe Or Kayak From The Village Of Bayfield Marina
- Stay In A Historic Hotel
- Take A Day Trip
The 10 Best Attractions And Things To Do In Bayfield, Ontario
1. Catch A Sunset At Pioneer Park
A popular spot for admiring breathtaking sunsets over Lake Huron, Bayfield’s Pioneer Park is a must-stop attraction when visiting the area. Boasting plenty of open green areas, the park is the perfect retreat for embracing the region’s natural setting and makes for a great spot for a picnic during the summer months.
The park also features a wooden staircase along its eastern edge leading down to a small beach, providing convenient access to the water and completing your day of embracing the great outdoors.
2. Check Out The Bayfield Farmers’ Market At Clan Gregor Square
Set at the head of Main Street, Clan Gregor Square is the central hub of Bayfield’s small-town community. With a playground, splash pad, picnic tables, and onsite restrooms, it is a great place to enjoy an afternoon with your little ones.
Between May and October, the park also plays host to the Bayfield Farmers Market, which runs from 3 pm to 7 pm every Friday throughout the summer. Hosting several local vendors from across Huron County and visiting the farmers’ market is a great way to immerse in the community while supporting locally owned businesses.
3. Visit Local Art Galleries
For being such a small village, Bayfield is home to a great selection of galleries showcasing local art. Start at the Bayfield Art Gallery to begin your tour of the community’s local art scene, then continue your exploration down Main Street at Marten Arts Gallery and Patina Studios & Gallery before ending your journey at the Gallery House/Skwirl Gallery.
4. Tour The Huron Historic Gaol In Goderich
While not technically located in Bayfield, you should definitely plan to make the journey over to Goderich to tour the Huron Historic Gaol — an octagonal prison complex first opened in 1841.
While the prison was decommissioned in 1972, the monumental building was immediately converted into a museum along with the adjoining governor’s house and was even designated a National Historic Site.
5. Enjoy A Relaxing Beach Day
While Grand Bend, just a 20-minute drive along the lakeshore, is a much more popular beach destination, Bayfield does offer some great beach day opportunities directly in town.
Pier Beach is Bayfield’s main beach and features welcoming sands leading into the cool waters of Lake Huron. With drive-up access and public restrooms, Pier Beach is the most popular spot to enjoy a relaxing beach day with plenty of onsite amenities.
Howard Beach is another great beach in town and promises a quieter setting for enjoying the relaxing shores. Meanwhile, Houston Heights Beach is located slightly further outside of town but promises more space and onsite amenities for a fantastic beach day.
6. Wander Bayfield’s Historic Downtown
While there are tons of great things to do in Bayfield, the town’s primary attraction is its historic Main Street itself. Set within the heart of town, this historic district is home to quaint shops, local galleries, and mouthwatering restaurants, making it a great base for immersing in the local community.
Bayfield’s boutique shops make for a fun afternoon of shopping. However, even if shopping isn’t your idea of a fun holiday, I highly suggest at least stopping at The Village Bookshop. Along with offering a great selection of new and used books, the bookshop features an extensive section featuring local authors from the southern Ontario region.
7. Stop By A Local Pub
Nothing completes a traditional village setting quite like the local pub. And luckily, in Bayfield, there are a few great options to choose from. Or you can sample them all along a pub tour of Main Street.
Black Dog Village Pub is a must-visit along Bayfield’s Main Street. Opened in 2005, this local pub operates out of the town’s original general store and is the oldest commercial building within the historic district. It offers a delicious selection of pub foods along with 20 unique beers on tap.
Bayfield Brewing Co. and The Albion Hotel both feature quaint village pub atmospheres along with their own selection of delicious beer. What’s even better is that all three of these inviting stops are just a short walk from each other, making them a great choice for enjoying a summer pub crawl.
8. Rent A Kayak Or Canoe From The Village Of Bayfield Marina
From its setting along the shores of Lake Huron, Bayfield promises plenty of opportunities to admire the breathtaking Great Lake. However, it would be a shame to visit the surreal shores without actually getting on the water.
Harbour Lights Marina offers moorings for visitors bringing their own boats along with a slew of onsite amenities, including a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts, and private beach.
Meanwhile, visitors looking for a rental can head over to The Village of Bayfield Marina for a selection of kayaks and canoes perfect for exploring the beautiful natural areas lining the lake’s aquatic ecosystems.
9. Stay In A Historic Hotel
In Bayfield, even your choice of accommodation can be an experience. The first of the community’s historic hotels is the Little Inn of Bayfield. Originally built as a stagecoach stop in the mid-19th century, this heritage building continues to welcome guests in a selection of 16 unique guest rooms and suites in the heart of town.
The Albion Hotel is another historic hotel on Main Street that opened in the mid-1800s and promises a truly spectacular stay steeped in comfort and history. Located atop the Albion Pub, this cozy hotel offers a selection of four guest rooms boasting traditional charms while being outfitted with modern amenities and comforts.
Meanwhile, located just north of town, The Ashwood Inn is a more extensive complex of 22 recently renovated rooms. While a short drive from the downtown area, this inn promises a quiet setting to unwind within the natural beauty of the countryside.
10. Take A Day Trip
While there are plenty of things to do in town, Bayfield also serves as a great and quiet base for exploring the rest of the amazing attractions and destinations along the southern shores of Lake Huron. Here are a few great day trip spots from Bayfield.
Grand Bend – A popular beach town setting, home to white sanded shores, the Huron Country Playhouse, and several boutique shops and restaurants. Busier than Bayfield, Grand Bend is the perfect place to enjoy a more happening beach day.
Goderich – Another small town just a short drive from Bayfield, Goderich offers a further selection of historical attractions, including the Huron County Museum, the Goderich Lighthouse, and the Menesetung Bridge.
Blue Mountain – A slightly further drive, the Blue Mountain Village takes a little over two hours to reach from Bayfield but promises a charming European mountain village-style along with a beautiful selection of hiking trails and ski resorts.
