Nestled along the eastern shores of Lake Huron, Grand Bend is one of the best beach towns in Canada’s Great Lakes. From lounging on the beach to seeking adventure along the region’s breathtaking shorelines and provincial parks, Grand Bend is one of the most charming small towns in Ontario for a summer vacation or relaxing cottage getaway.
Having grown up just two hours from Grand Bend in Windsor, I was fortunate enough to spend numerous summer weekends exploring Grand Bend and its surrounding area. As such, I have experienced nearly everything Lambton Shores offers and am here to guide you to the best beach holiday you can ask for.
From popular beach activities to nearby attractions and markets, these are the 13 best things to do in Grand Bend.
- Soak In The Sun At Grand Bend Beach
- Camp At Pinery Provincial Park
- Shop The Boutiques Along Main Street
- Go Karting At The Grand Bend Motorplex
- Catch A Show At The Huron Country Playhouse
- Tour The Lambton Heritage Museum
- Explore The Wine Region At A Local Vineyard
- Day Trip To The Rock Glen Conservation Area
- Visit A Local Flea Market
- Admire Spectacular Sunsets At The Gator
- Chase The Thrills With Skydive Grand Bend
- Visit An Art Gallery
- Play A Round At the Oakwood Resort Golf Course
The 13 Best Things To Do In Grand Bend
1. Soak In The Sun At Grand Bend Beach
Considered one of the best beaches in Canada, no visit to Grand Bend would be complete without first hitting the white sands of Lake Huron’s shoreline. One of only 22 Blue Flag beaches in Canada, Grand Bend’s Main Beach promises a variety of activities ranging from sunbathing to adrenaline-pumping water sports.
Visitors can take to the sky at Grand Bend Parasail or visit the water sport rental company Xtreme Watersports for water skiing, jet skis, boat rentals, and more. Meanwhile, beachgoers who prefer staying on land can build a sandcastle, enjoy several live shows throughout the summer, or enjoy a scenic walk to the Grand Bend Lighthouse.
2. Camp At Pinery Provincial Park
Located just nine kilometres from Grand Bend Beach, Pinery Provincial Park is an outdoor-lovers paradise and promises some of the best camping opportunities in all of Southern Ontario.
The breathtaking park protects over 2,500 hectares of diverse ecosystems, including freshwater coastal dunes, its rare oak savanna forest habitats, and over 10 km of beautiful white sand beach.
Beyond its scenic vistas, the Pinery Provincial Park offers a world of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and admiring some of the world’s most picturesque sunsets from a perch atop the park’s famous sand dunes.
3. Shop The Boutiques Along Main Street
Another popular activity when visiting Grand Bend is shopping the numerous boutiques lining the town’s Main Street, affectionately known as The Strip. Here, visitors will find dozens of fantastic boutique shops, including Archie’s Surf Shop, The Static Boutique, and much more.
An afternoon shopping at these various merchants while sampling some of the local restaurants is a great way to round out a beach day or weekend getaway to the Grand Bend area.
4. Go Karting At The Grand Bend Motorplex
Visitors looking to quench their need for speed should head over to the Grand Bend Motorplex. Located just four kilometres outside of town, this motorplex is home to the largest drag racing events in the province and features multiple outdoor tracks for visitors to engage in motocross, go-karting, and drag racing.
5. Catch A Show At The Huron Country Playhouse
Performing various live theatre shows throughout the summer months, the Huron Country Playhouse promises an entertaining evening exploring local theatrical arts just a short 5-minute drive from Grand Bend’s strip.
Recent years have seen theatrical favourites occupy the facility’s 650-seat main stage, including Les Miserables, Twist and Shout: The British Invasion, and Damn Yankees. Meanwhile, the theatre’s smaller 300-seat South Huron Stage puts on a selection of smaller productions, with upcoming shows including Peter Pan: The Panto and Doris and Ivy in the Home.
6. Tour The Lambton Heritage Museum
Located just a short walk from the Pinery Provincial Park’s entrance, the Lambton Heritage Museum is a must-visit attraction in Grand Bend for history buffs along the 1 km Woodland Heritage trail.
Housing more than 25,000 artifacts from across Lambton County, the museum retells the history of this historic setting along the shores of Lake Huron through its various displays within its main exhibition centre and within its collection of six historic preserved and restored buildings.
7. Explore The Wine Region At A Local Vineyard
Another great activity in the Grand Bend area is to visit one of the region’s local wineries for a wine tasting. There are three wineries in the region offering a range of cold-weather wines for your sampling.
- Dark Horse Estate Winery Inc: Set just 5 minutes from Grand Bend’s Main Street, the Dark Horse Estate Winery is the most accessible vineyard near town and is even located next to the Huron Country Playhouse, making it a great way to enjoy a drink and a show.
- Hessenland Inn & Schatz Winery: Located slightly further up the road, Hessenland Inn & Schatz Winery is about a 10-minute drive from town but rewards visitors with an elevated wine and dine experience and tour of the vineyard.
- Alton Farms Estate Winery: Requiring 30 minutes to reach from Grand Bend, Alton Farms Estate Winery is a must-visit for a thorough exploration of the local wine region, promising a beautiful setting for enjoying the local varietals accompanied by a perfectly paired food menu.
8. Day Trip To The Rock Glen Conservation Area
Located within the breathtaking Ausable Gorge just a half hour from Grand Bend, the Rock Glen Observation Area is a great place to go for a nature hike near the quaint beach town.
Protecting 27 hectares of pristine natural landscapes, the conservation area is open for day use and promises fantastic walking trails through Carolinian Forests, complete with indigenous wildlife and natural landmarks that include the Rock Glen Falls and the Ausable River Gorge Fossils.
When visiting, be sure to stop by the Arkona Lions Museum and Information Centre for more insight into the area’s historical development and preservation efforts.
9. Visit A Local Flea Market
Open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sundays between May and October, the Pinery Antique Flea Market is full of fun and unique vendors, including local antique collectors, farmers, and artisans.
Whether you are a collector yourself or just looking for a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon, this quaint farmers market just a short drive from Grand Bend houses some great finds and is a superb way to interact with the local community.
10. Admire Spectacular Sunsets At The Gator
There are several fantastic restaurants lining Grand Bend’s Main Street, but they have not quite become the staple of the community as The Gator. Located directly along the beach, The Gator is my personal favourite restaurant in town, and I never visit the community without dining on its outdoor patio.
Along with promising a delicious and extensive food and cocktail menu, The Gator is a great spot to end the day, rewarding some of the best views of the setting sun while enjoying a specialty beverage or appetizer.
11. Chase The Thrills With Skydive Grand Bend
Perfect for the visiting thrill seeker and adrenaline junkie, Skydive Grand Bend promises a unique perspective of the scenic small town. Taking off from its runway right next to the Grand Bend Motorway, Skydive Grand Bend drops passengers off at an altitude of 10,500 feet in the air. Skydivers can admire Lake Huron and its breathtaking coast throughout their freefall plummet.
Skydive Grand Bend offers tandem jumps with professional skydivers, with a brief 5-minute safety session before take off. Alternatively, the facility also offers first jump courses that include a PFF Ground Course for those looking to make an independent leap.
12. Visit Grand Bend’s Art Galleries
Grand Bend’s breathtaking shorelines have inspired more than a few local artists. Many of these works are housed in one of the numerous galleries found both within the Grand Bend town and surrounding area and make for a cultural experience exploring these various pieces.
Among some of the most popular galleries within just a short walk of Grand Bend’s Main Street are the Sunset Arts Gallery and the Grand Bend Art Studio.
13. Play A Round At The Oakwood Resort Golf Course
Is there a more quintessential summer vacation activity than playing a round of golf? Well, probably spend a day at the beach, but at Grand Bend, you can do both. The Oakwood Resort Golf Course is an 18-hole par 72 course that promises beautiful fairways and challenging greens for a day out on the links.
The onsite clubhouse and restaurant also serve as a great lunch spot before heading back into town to relax at the beach or peruse Main Street’s various shops.
