If you haven’t heard of it, let me introduce you to one of my favourite places in Ontario, the village of Bayfield. Bayfield is situated on the shores of Lake Huron in southwest Ontario. My best friend has a cottage in Bayfield, so I have been visiting the village for many years now and have grown to love it. Bayfield is beautiful all year round but it is especially enjoyable in the summertime when you can visit the beach and swim in the beautiful waters of Lake Huron. I highly recommend visiting Bayfield, Ontario!
WHAT TO DO
Main Street
The best thing to do in Bayfield is to walk historic Main Street. This street is the heart and soul of Bayfield and it is so picturesque. Here you will find the majority of Bayfield’s restaurants, shops, art galleries, and hotels. My favourite shops to visit are Archies, Sea Jewels, Shared Times, The Hive, The Spotted Cow, and The Village Bookshop.
Pioneer Park
At the west end of Main Street, turn left on Colina Street and you will reach Pioneer Park. This is a beautiful park with a great view of Lake Huron – it’s the perfect place for a picnic! Walk down the wooden stairs to reach Bayfield Beach.
Bayfield Beach and Pier
Bayfield’s main beach and pier is in the heart of town. If you are staying somewhere in Bayfield that does not have lake access, heading to Bayfield Beach is a must. Swimming in Lake Huron is one of my favourite summer activities!
Pinery Provincial Park
A 30-minute drive south of Bayfield is Pinery Provincial Park. This provincial park is a great place to hike, bike, swim, fish, and canoe.
Day Trips
If you’re staying in Bayfield for a decent amount of time, you might want to venture out on some day trips to these other great towns nearby.
GRAND BEND
Just a 20-minute drive south of Bayfield is Grand Bend. Grand Bend is one of Ontario’s most popular beach towns. With its sprawling sandy beach and the turquoise waters of Lake Huron, it is the perfect place for a day trip from Bayfield.
NOTE: Grand Bend Beach is VERY busy in the summer, so make sure to arrive early or in the late afternoon.
GODERICH
A 20-minute drive north of Bayfield is the town of Goderich. Goderich has a nice town square, a historic lighthouse, a historic jail, and a beautiful beach with a boardwalk. There is also an awesome hiking trail that starts at the harbour and crosses Menesetung Bridge, which was once the longest bridge in Ontario!
STRATFORD
The well-known city of Stratford is about an hour drive east of Bayfield. I like to stop here on my way to or home from Bayfield. Stratford is known for its Shakespeare Festival and for being the birthplace of Justin Bieber. I love visiting the Shakespearean Gardens, Upper Queen’s Park, and walking along the river. Stratford also has a great town centre with a beautiful city hall, lots of shops and restaurants.
Sunsets
You can’t visit Bayfield without seeing a sunset over Lake Huron. This is one of the best parts about visiting the shores of Ontario’s southwest.
WHERE TO EAT
Most of Bayfield’s restaurants are on Main Street. My favourite places for lunch and dinner are Black Dog Village Pub, Bayfield Brewing Company, The Albion Hotel, and Olio Too. There are two great ice cream spots: Copenhagen’s (which also has yummy snacks) and Rosie’s Ice Cream Shoppe. The Pink Flamingo is a delicious bakery. Just outside of main street is The Docks Restaurant, another great spot to eat.
I hope you enjoyed this guide to Bayfield, Ontario!
To read my blog post, “A Guide to the Toronto Islands,” click here.
