Day trip to Canada from Detroit

Whether you’re looking for an afternoon away or a weekend out of the country, Detroit is perfectly positioned to accommodate, without ever having to board a plane. (Just don’t forget your passport.)

Here, we’re detailing a few of our favorite Canadian road trip destinations:

ONE HOUR AWAY

Point Pelee National Park, Ontario
Time from Detroit: 1 hour, 10 minutes // Distance: 42 miles

Only two hours from Detroit, Point Pelee is one of Canada’s national parks, a long, thin landmass stretching out into Lake Erie and beckoning migrating birds of all sorts. With beaches on either side of the small peninsula, you’re nearly always bound to find a sunny spot, and if lounging isn’t your thing, you can rent a canoe and paddle the marshes or trek some of the wilderness trails.

Best tip: Stop into Birdie’s Perch, a street-side bus-turned-restaurant, for fresh fish tacos on your way to and home from the park; it’s only a 15-minute drive from the park’s main entrance.

TWO HOURS AWAY

Grand Bend Beach & Lambton Shores
Time from Detroit: 1 hour, 50 minutes // Distance: 109 miles

Trevor’s family has a cottage a block from Lake Huron, so we’ve been frequenting the small surf-style town since we met. In the summer months, Main Street fills with a diverse and bustling college crowd milling about local bars, restaurants and beach shops, but the real draw is the deep, sandy beach and crystal blue waters. If Grand Bend is too buzzy a spot for you, head 20 minutes north to Bayfield, a sleepier lakeside community with quaint hotel options.

Best tip: Call a day ahead to book a parasailing tour; it’s the best perspective for admiring the beaches and gaining new appreciation for the gorgeous Great Lakes.

THREE HOURS AWAY

Langdon Hall Country House & Spa, Ontario
Time from Detroit: 2 hours, 48 minutes // Distance: 185 miles

If you’re looking for a luxe weekend retreat that’s off the beaten path, check out this Relais & Chateaux property that was originally built as a summer house in 1902 (I’ve stayed there three times now, if you need proof that I truly adore it). Most of Langdon Hall‘s rooms – all classically decorated – feature a wood-burning fireplace. Book an overnight package that includes a three-course dinner at their impressive on-site restaurant as well as breakfast, then walk the grounds, indulge at the spa or check out the nearby town of Cambridge and its boutique shops and coffee stops.

Best tip: Plan a pit stop in London, Ontario and head to the Covent Garden Market, an indoor bazaar of fresh and local offerings that’s been around since the mid 1800s.

FOUR HOURS AWAY

Toronto, Ontario
Time from Detroit: 3 hours, 41 minutes // Distance: 233 miles

A bit closer than Chicago, with significantly more international flair, Toronto doesn’t always get a fair shake. We love spending at least one weekend a year downtown, checking out new restaurants and watering holes. Hotels and AirBnBs are aplenty, shopping is great and in the summer, you can walk the lakeside path nearly as far as you want. I especially like the Distillery District, full of good dining options and little shops, and not far from the sweet, riverside Sugar Beach.

Best tip: Check out Toronto’s tourism site when planning your trip to see what’s happening in the city during your stay. You can find a slew of good theater options, sporting events and cultural happenings, especially in the warmer months.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Time from Detroit: 3 hours, 48 minutes // Distance: 237 miles

It’d never occurred to me to head toward Niagara-on-the-Lake when Toronto isn’t much farther, but what an oversight. Our friends planned a wine tasting weekend in this charming, historical town a couple years back and it’s been on my recommendation list ever since. With nearly 30 wineries and a walkable downtown, it’s perfect for a girls’ weekend or a romantic-ish night away. Plus, it’s not too far from the famous falls if you’ve never seen them in person.

Best tip: If you’re going for the grapes, consider booking a wine tour so that you don’t need to worry about driving yourselves; several options exist.

Given the proximity to the country, traveling to Canada for weekends and summer vacations from Detroit is a terrific option. There are, however, a few things to know, plan, and expect, depending on your ultimate destination. Following are a few important details to know before you go.

01 of 07

Border Crossing

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The Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Canada Tunnel to Windsor represent the No. 1 and No. 2 busiest Canadian border crossings, respectively. Add the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron/Sarnia, and the Metro Detroit area is indisputably the nation's gateway to Canada.

Always consult the government website about border crossings into Canada from the Metro Detroit area, including which route to take, customs concerns, and information about each.

02 of 07

Currency Exchange and Banking

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Canada has its own currency. If your destination is a tourist spot and is close to the border, the restaurants and hotels may accept American dollars. Whether or not American currency is accepted, it's beneficial to know the exchange rate for Canada.

03 of 07

Metric System

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Back in the day, elementary schools covered the metric system, but the conversion formulas easily fall from memory. Remember the following tips:

  • For an approximate conversion of Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply the Celsius temperature by 9/5 and then add 32 degrees.
  • Kilometers are represented on the underside of the arc on your speedometer. The important thing here is to remember that the “100” sign you see on the freeway does not refer to miles. Generally speaking, a kilometer is approximately a little more than ½ a mile.

04 of 07

Drinking/Gambling Age

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Each Canadian province and territory defines its own age at which it is legal to gamble or purchase, possess, and consume alcohol. The legal drinking age in Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, and Yukon is 19. It is 18 in Quebec, Alberta, and Manitoba.

The legal gambling age is 18 in Alberta and Quebec. In all other provinces and territories, the legal gambling age is 19. 

Continue to 5 of 7 below.

05 of 07

Odds and Ends

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While not necessarily any further away than several tourist destinations in the state of Michigan, Canada is another country. Some things remain the same, but some things are definitely different:

Currency: Canadians call their $1 bills loonies and their $2 bills toonies.

Canadian Tire: There is undoubtedly a history of mergers and acquisitions that explain the misnomer, but Canadian Tire is more of an all-purpose store like Target or K-Mart than its name implies.

Freeway Exits: You do exit, but you won't necessarily find the standard McDonalds, hotel and gas station until you travel several miles to the nearest city or community.

06 of 07

Day Trips

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Point Pelee National Park in Ontario, Canada, at 40 miles southeast of Detroit, is an easy drive. Situated on Lake Erie, you can observe the nature and wildlife in the park's marsh, swamp, forest, and savannah. Engage in watching over 379 species of birds in their natural habitats. Hike through the oldest part of the forest; bicycle the Centennial Bike and Hike Trail; or canoe or kayak in the freshwater marshes. The park is open year-round.

Windsor, Ontario, Canada, is right across the Detroit River. But to get there, you have to drive south via the Ambassador Bridge or the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. Visit historic Sandwich Towne, which, according to ExperienceDetroit.com, "still retains a number of buildings of historical significance from the 1780s that exemplify the neo-classical and Georgian styles of architecture prevalent during the first half of the 19th century." Also visit the walkable, safe downtown area for museums, theaters, galleries, shops, and restaurants. See lovely Odette Sculpture Park, which offers over 31 internationally recognized sculptures from world-renown artists. The Art Gallery of Windsor is located in Odette Sculpture Park as well.

Chatham-Kent is approximately 85 miles east of Detroit in Ontario, Canada. Canada's involvement in the War of 1812 is commemorated here with a museum and monument. Buxton National Historic Site features structures built by slaves who escaped. Several stops on the Ontario Underground Railroad tour are also found in Chatham-Kent.

07 of 07

Weekend Trips Within Five Hours of Detroit

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Spend a weekend in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, where a yearly theater festival attracts some 600,000 visitors to witness live Shakespeare performances and other live classical acts. Stroll along the Avon River to view the famous swans and the extraordinarily pristine parks. Better yet, take a guided or self-guided tour down the Avon River straight to the York Street Information Center. The city, home to numerous cooking schools, has numerous restaurants with a variety of cuisines. For a special treat, stay at the Parlor Inn, built in the 1870s with striking old world charm.

Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, Canada, goes beyond the stunning Niagara Falls and is a bit of a hidden, charming, cultural gem. This historic town gives you tons of shopping, wineries, and the world-class Shaw Festival—the largest repertory theater company in North America. The gardens, history, architecture, and golf are a strong pull for the older visitor.  B&Bs and vintage inns are top choices of accommodation here. 

The big city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is home to a diverse population where more than 180 languages are spoken. It also has more than 8,000 restaurants, so it makes for ideal weekend getaways from Detroit for foodies. Visit the CN Tower, once the world's tallest building at 1,815 feet and 147 floors; if you dare, literally walk along the edge of the tower on the Edgewalk. Visit the Royal Ontario Museum, the largest museum of natural history and world culture in Canada. Don't miss the St. Lawrence Market, with its more than 120 food vendors. Finally, take a ferry ride to the Toronto Islands, where bicycling and walking are the primary modes of transportation. Rent a canoe, paddleboat or kayak here to get a broad, stunning view of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline. Toronto has an abundance of the budget, moderate, and upscale accommodations.

Where in Canada can you go from Detroit?

Crossing the Border into Windsor, Canada You can do so easily from Detroit using either the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel or the Ambassador Bridge. There's also the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron. Really — it's easy.

Which Canadian city is closest to Detroit?

Windsor is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada, on the south bank of the Detroit River directly across from Detroit, Michigan, United States.

Can I drive to Canada from Detroit without a passport?

Citizens and permanent residents of the United States Citizens of the United States need a valid U.S. passport to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. Citizens of the United States coming to Canada by car, bus, train or boat need to carry proper identification and meet the basic requirements to enter Canada.

Can you walk to Canada from Detroit?

No, you cannot walk through Windsor Tunnel. There is no pedestrian access either through the tunnel or over the Ambassador Bridge. You can, however, use the Windsor Tunnel Bus to transfer between the two countries.