Grand Bend is home to a variety of stores and eateries. The main strip is the centre of activity in the town, with shopping during the day and night life venues during the evening drawing crowds. The atmosphere of Grand Bend has given the town a reputation of being Florida north. As well as Main Street, Grand Bend acts as a regional cultural centre, boasting art galleries in the town and the Huron Country Playhouse on the outskirts.
 

2010 Huron County Events List (Download)

Grand Bend Events

Spring


Return of the Tundra Swans
While resting on this "staging area", the Tundra Swans give visitors an excellent opportunity to view one of the last great wildlife migrations.
This is one of the first "stops" the swans make after leaving the wintering grounds off the coast of Maryland. Every spring, thousands of these magnificent birds return to the Old Thedford Bog near Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada, on their migration to the arctic.
Check out the swans website: www.returnoftheswans.com


Paint Ontario

Click for Details
http://www.paintontario.com/



Ipperwash Maple Syrup Festival

Mar.21/22 and Mar.28/29 is the Ipperwash Maple Syrup Festival.

 This event features a pancake and sausage breakfast hosted by the Forest Kiwanis at Silver Birches Campground, 9537 Army Camp Road, and free tours of the Williamson Maple Sugar Shanty as well as hay rides through the maple bush. For more information call 1-866-692-4315.

Grand Bend Studio Tour

May 1st & 2nd 2010
Sat. 10am - 5pm
Sun. 12pm - 4pm


The Grand Bend & Area Studio Tour in Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada features 18 talented artists ranging from potters to painters who have opened their homes and studios to show you their finest and most exquisite pieces. Several of the pieces will be on display in model homes giving you the opportunity to see what's available in new homes as well.

Grand Bend Events

Summer

Grand Bend Motorplex hosts Mopar Nitrojam Nationals
July 16 – 18 , 2010
Information: www.grandbendmotorplex.com
For Tickets:
w: grandbendmotorplex.com (for online purchases)
p: 519.238.7223
e: Motorplx@hay.net

 

Grand Bend Events

Fall
Lambton Fall Colour & Craft Festival
Come see over 100 Craftspeople display their wares. Quilts, clothing, woodcarvings, jewellery, toys, glasswork, Christmas items and so much more. Book your rooms now and don't miss out on this truly marvellous opportunity. Special rates for visitors and vendors. Call us at 519-238-2231 and let us know who you are. Tour the Pinery Park afterwards and check out the changing of the colours. All within minutes of The Pine Dale Motor Inn .
Lambton Heritage Museum & Thedford Arena

Oct. 16 & 17 , 2010

10 A.M. to 5 P.M.

Grand Bend Events

Winter
Grand Bend Winter Carnival 2011

Feb. 4-6 & 11-13

Beaches
Grand Bend is famous for our beautiful beaches.  There are several different beaches in the area.

Main Street Beach
Located at the end of Main Street, the beach is always full of activity on any summer day. Main Street Beach is approx. 1km north of the Pine Dale Motor Inn.  There is life guard support as well as a two story concession stand.  The second floor of the concession stand is a great viewing/picture taking spot. Public parking is available and Main Street excitement is a short walk away.
Phone: 519-243-1400
Toll free: 1-866-943-1400

* Public access
* Lifeguards
* Beach House features an observation deck, public washrooms and a concession booth
* Shopping nearby
* Volleyball nets
* Parking available – at a premium during the peak season
* Can be rented for weddings and other special events. Call for info.
* Municipally-owned and maintained

Grand Bend South Beach
Located at the end of either Lake or River road. South Beach is approx. 1/4km west of the Pine Dale Motor Inn. Along the way you will pass by the Grand Bend Marina, you will find dining options, restrooms and a picnic area here.  There are no public services associated with this beach.

Port Blake Conservation Area
Yet another beautiful beach located approx. 3km north of the Pine Dale Motor Inn

Pinery Provincial Park
Over 10km stretch of gorgeous, pristine beach awaits you.  Consider purchasing a day pass and exploring this wonderful park.  Pinery Provincial park is located approx. 5km south of the Pine Dale Motor Inn
http://www.pinerypark.on.ca/
 

Golf
Bayview Golf Course
Location: Bluewater Highway (Hwy 21) North of Grand Bend in St. Joseph
Contact: 519.236.4030  jbmasse@hay.net

Indian Hills Golf Club
Location: 6991 Lakeshore Road, Forest, Ontario
Information: http://indianhills.lambtonshores.com
Contact: 519.786.5505

Oakwood Inn and Resort
Location: Bluewater Highway (Hwy 21) on north edge of Grand Bend
Information: www.oakwoodinnresort.com
Contact: 1.800.387.2324    oakwood@oakwoodinnresort.com

Sand Hills Golf Club
Location: Bluewater Highway (Hwy 21) Port Franks, Ontario. 10 minutes south of Grand Bend.
Information: http://sandhills.lambtonshores.com
Contact: 519.243.1800   sandhills@lambtonshores.com

Widder Station
Location: On Hwy 79 between Thedford and Port Franks
Information: www.widderstation.com
Contact: 519.296.4653   widder@execulink.ca
 

Sports
Grand Bend Harbour/Marina
91 River Road, Grand Bend, Ontario N0M 1T0
Contact: 519.238.2000
Email: works@lambtonshores.ca
Public boat launch and transient docks.  Gas Dock, Public Washrooms, Pump Out
Coordinates: 42 18 83 N
81 46 09 W
Channel Depth: 6 ft
Dock Depth: 6 ft
Monitor – VHF Channel: 68

Watersports rental service
http://www.xtremewatersports.ca/

Grand Bend Lion’s Park
10 Municipal Drive, Grand Bend, ON N0M 1T0
Phone: 519.243.1400 or toll free 1.866.943.1400
* 1 diamond: outfield fence, liners, lights
* Also basketball court, skateboard park, washrooms, picnic area and pavilion

Grand Bend Fitness Centre
37 Ontario Street, Grand Bend, ON N0M 1T0
Contact: 519.238.3488     gbfit@hay.net

Grand Bend Motorplex
IHRA sanctioned dragstrip located in Grand Bend, Ontario
http://www.grandbendmotorplex.com

Grand Bend Sport Parachuting Center
http://www.skydivegrandbend.com/
 

Antiquing
Dale's Countryside Antique Market
Location: 3 km south of Grand Bend on Hwy 21
Contact: 519.238.2880

Pinery Antique Flea Market
Location: 1 km south of Grand Bend on Hwy 21
Contact: 519.238.8382
 

Kid Friendly Fun
Grand Bend Lion’s Park
10 Municipal Drive, Grand Bend, ON N0M 1T0
Phone: 519.243.1400 or toll free 1.866.943.1400
* 1 diamond: outfield fence, liners, lights
* Also basketball court, skateboard park, washrooms, picnic area and pavilion

Starlite Drive In Movie Theatre
Remember the fun of going to the movies in your pjs? Grand Bend is home to one of the last drive in movies in the province. And...they play first run movies.
Location: 5 minutes east of Grand Bend, off County Road 81
Turn left of the Shipka Line.
Contact: 519-238-8344

Batting Cage and Mini Putt
Description: Guaranteed to keep the kids busy for hours, mini putt and the batting cages are lots of fun for the whole family.
Location: Main Street, Grand Bend, Ontario
Information: www.grandbend.com/gbmini.htm

Grand Bend Library
Description: Great entertainment on a rainy day. Complete with 4 internet enabled computers as well as a well developed children's section.
Location: 15 Gill Road, Grand Bend, in the Grand Bend Public School
Information: www.lambtonlibrary.org/grand-bend
Contact: 519.238.2067
E: grbelib@hay.net

 

Theatre
Huron Country Playhouse
Professional theatre in a country setting. Don't miss the wonderful performances at Huron Country Playhouse. The pastoral setting in rolling country fields doesn't prepare you for the great theatre.
Location: County Road 81, Stephen B Line, just east of Grand Bend
Contact: www.huroncountryplayhouse.com to buy online or
Contact: 519.238.6000   Toll Free: 1.888.449.4463

Stratford Festival of Canada
World renowned Shakespearean Festival is the largest repertory theatre in North America. Situated in Stratford Ontario, a beautiful small town with wonderful restaurants, parks and attractions, the Festival has grown into one of the most prestigious theatres in the world.
Location: Stratford, Ontario, Canada
45 minutes north east of Grand Bend
Web: www.stratford-festival.on.ca to buy online
Contact: 1.800.567.1600

Blyth Festival
Description: Blyth Festival is a professional theatre with the mandate to produce theatre that reflects the cultures and concerns of the people of Southwestern Ontario. Blyth has consistently produced plays written, directed and acted by the professional theatre community that do just that, reflect the history, culture and experience of the region.
Location: Blyth, Ontario
Information: www.blythfestival.com
Contact: 519.523.9300   Toll free: 1.877.862.5948
E: info@blythfestival.com
 

Nightlife
Grand Bend is the place to dance the night away.  These are just a few of our local establishments catering to adults.

Coco's ~ http://www.cocos4u.com

Gables in the Bend ~ http://www.gables-grandbend.com/

The River Bend Bar & Grill ~ http://www.grandbend.com/riverbend/barandgrill.htm
 

Restaurants
Some of our guest favorites.  Visit our main lobby for menus, reservations/recommendations

Fine Dining
Lakeview Restaurant (waterfront dining)
85 Main Street, Grand Bend
519.238.2622 for reservations

F.I.N.E. Restaurant
42 Ontario Street South, Grand Bend
519.238.6224 for reservations


Casual Dining
Aunt Gussies
135 Ontario Street South, Grand Bend
519.238.6786 for take out

Pizza Delight
99 Ontario Street South
519.238.8330 for take-out

Main Street Fare
many choices... burgers and dogs, pizza, Mexican, Thai, specialty coffee, Ice Cream and Smoothies
 

Shopping
From beach towels to fine jewellery, original art to postcards - Grand Bend is a great shopping destination.  Visit our local merchants on Main Street during your next visit.

Museums & Galleries
Wexford Shipwreck
The famous Wexford Shipwreck in the big storm of 1913. Visit the site or take a tour. Certified for low impact heritage diving.
Location: St. Joseph about 10 minutes north of Grand Bend on Hwy 21
Contact: www.shipwreckwexford.ca

Lambton Heritage Museum
Museum documenting the history and development of the North Lambton area. Well worth the trip to see the school house, chapel and settlers buildings.
Location: On Hwy 21 (Bluewater Highway), about 13 km south of Grand Bend
Contact: 519.243.2600   heritage.museum@county-lambton.on.ca

Huron County Museum
History of Huron County. Fun for a rainy day. Includes the Huron Historic Gaol, opened in 1842.
Location: About 30 minutes north of Grand Bend on Hwy 21 (Bluewater Hwy) in Goderich.
Contact: 519.524.2686

River Road Gallery
A co-operative gallery of several local painters. Well worth the trip to see the beauty of the lake Huron area.
Location: River Road, Grand Bend
Information: www.riverroadgallery.com
Contact: 519.238.6874     riverroadgallery@riverroadgallery.com