While it may not be the first to come to mind when you think of travel destinations in Ontario, Sarnia is a border city with plenty of charm and an abundance of activities within its borders and surrounding regions.
Set at the mouth of the St. Clair River, Sarnia is surrounded by water and has earned its reputation as being Ontario’s Blue Coast, guaranteeing several opportunities to get on the water during the summer months.
From exploring hidden gems both in the city and surrounding regions to venturing over to nearby Michigan, these are the ten top things to do in Sarnia, Ontario.
A Quick Look at the 10 Top Things to Do in Sarnia, Ontario
- Swim at Canatara Beach & Park
- Wander Around Downtown Sarnia
- Enjoy a Day at the Park
- Sample Local Wines at Alton Farms Estate Winery
- Venture Over to the United States
- Discover Dinosaur Fossils at Stone ‘n Bones Museum
- Take a Stroll Through the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area
- Explore Pinery Provincial Park
- Explore the Rock Glen Conservation Area
- Day Trip to Grand Bend
The 10 Best Things to Do in Sarnia, Ontario
1. Swim at Canatara Beach & Park
Spanning nearly a kilometre from the mouth of the St. Clair River out along the Lake Huron shoreline, Canatara Beach is not only one of the best beaches in Sarnia but one of the top attractions in Southwestern Ontario.
The beach is only one of 22 in Canada that has been awarded official Blue Flag status for its strict water quality measures and boasts plenty of onsite amenities, including play equipment for the kids, a concert stage, a rentable picnic pavilion, and an animal farm.
Meanwhile, Canatara Park sits adjacent to the beach’s sandy shores and features 200 acres of hiking trails, picnic areas, a BMX park, and a bike track.
2. Wander Around Downtown Sarnia
When in Sarnia, take some time to simply wander around the downtown area. As a border city, the downtown area of Sarnia is home to an eclectic collection of bars, restaurants, and shops just waiting to be uncovered.
Start your day off with a cup at the Blackwater Coffee Co. then take some time to sitesee. Wanderings in the region will bring you to several landmarks and attractions, including the Imperial Theatre, the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery, the Stones ‘N Bones Museum, before ultimately leading out to Centennial Park along Sarnia Bay.
3. Enjoy a Day at the Park
Speaking of the city’s public parks, Sarnia is chock-full of beautiful outdoor spaces to explore. While we have already mentioned Canatara Park, Centennial Park is another outdoor public space you have to visit and features an award-winning floral garden, a children’s play area, a flag court, several walking trails, and a large outdoor stage.
While slightly smaller, Germain Park and Kenwick Park are also worthy of being added to your itinerary and promise their own collection of amenities perfect for a family-friendly day of outdoor activities.
4. Sample Local Wines at Alton Farms Estate Winery
Set about a 25 minute drive from the city in Lambton County, Alton Farms Estate Winery is just one of the local vineyards operating out of the new burgeoning wine region and is the closest one to Sarnia Itself (with both Dark Horse Estate Winery and Hessenland Inn & Schatz Winery being closer to Grand Bend).
As such, it makes for a great afternoon destination sampling some of the region’s locally grown varieties. Alton Farms grows over 32 different varieties of grapes in their winery and is a great spot for sampling the unique local flavours.
5. Venture Over to the United States
As mentioned already, Sarnia is a border city. As such, one of the best things to do when visiting Sarnia is to venture over to Port Huron, Michigan, which is just a short drive over the Blue Water Bridge.
Once in the United States, you have a whole collection of sites and attractions to explore, including the Knowlton’s Ice Museum of North America, the Port Huron Museum, Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, and the quaint shops along the historic downtown Port Huron strip.
6. Discover Dinosaur Fossils at Stone 'n Bones Museum.
If you are looking for a fun family outing or an exciting way to spend a rainy day in Sarnia, be sure to check out the Stone ‘n Bones Museum.
Perfect for any dinosaur enthusiast, the museum houses more than 6,000 artifacts that retell the evolutionary history of the world. While dinosaur fossils are the centrepiece of the collection, other exhibits include gemstones, minerals, insects, butterflies, sharks, and Canadian wildlife.
7. Take a Stroll Through the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area
Located just outside of the city, Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area features over 2.5 km of trails but houses more than 700 species of plants and wildfires, 220 species of birds, and several species of mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
Between its relatively confined space and abundant ecosystem, the conservation area is one of the best spots for exploring the local wildlife in their natural habitat along a short nature walk.
8. Explore Pinery Provincial Park
While the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area offers a great taste of the local wildlife, the Pinery Provincial Park provides a much more extensive immersion into the region’s natural landscapes.
Spanning over 2,500 hectares along the Southern Shores of Lake Huron, Pinery Provincial Park features a variety of diverse ecosystems, including 10 km of white sand beaches, rare oak savanna forest habitats, and famous freshwater coastal dunes.
Visitors can engage in a massive variety of activities within these ecosystems, including camping, hiking, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and biking, making it the natural spot to go for outdoor adventures near Sarnia.
9. Explore the Rock Glen Conservation Area
Located only a 40 minute drive from the city, the Rock Glen Conservation Area is another outdoor area near Sarnia perfect for exploring the region’s natural landscapes.
Spanning 27 hectares, the conservation area houses several recreational walking trails through Carolinian forests and features plenty of natural scenery, including the beautiful Rock Glen Falls waterfall.
10. Day Trip to Grand Bend
If you are visiting Sarnia, you may as well make a day trip over to Grand Bend. About a 45-minute drive to the city, Grand Bend is one of the most popular small towns in Ontario and boasts a charming beach town vibe along the shores of Lake Huron.
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in southwestern Ontario, there is no shortage of great things to do in Grand Bend. The town’s beach is one of only 22 in Canada with certified Blue Flag status and promises plenty of soaking in the sun and water sports.
Meanwhile, the town’s main strip is full of fun and exciting boutique shops and restaurants, which are perfect for spending an afternoon lavishing on its laid-back vibes.
