Prettiest town in Canada is a big title to live up to, but if you’ve been to Goderich, Ontario, then you understand how it got that name. Located on the shores of Lake Huron, the area is chock-full of waterfront views, historic buildings and a couple of restaurants you can’t miss out on trying.
Weekend trip to Goderich, anyone?
If you are driving from Toronto, getting to this coastal town will take you around three hours. Goderich is tucked between Grand Bend and Kincardine, and once you’ve arrived, you can park and ditch the car for the day. The town is known for being completely walkable, whether you’re heading to the waterfront or strolling downtown.
According to the town’s website, “The Port of Goderich has been known nationwide since Victorian times as the ‘Prettiest Town in Canada’.”
Start your day in Canada’s prettiest town checking out the shops and buildings around Courthouse Square. Okay, so technically it’s shaped as an octagon, but this iconic one-way traffic circle is filled with boutique shops, restaurants, and services with the county courthouse in the middle.
Cait’s Cafe is one of the stops you have to make while walking around Courthouse Square. The beloved eatery is perfect for a morning bite, with a menu including flavourful coffee and tea options, plus mouth-watering food options like paninis, soup and baked goods.
The waterfront boardwalk is your next stop. Running 1.5 km, this is a perfect place to take in a gorgeous sunset or get your steps in with a view. While the beach that runs along the boardwalk is busy in the summer, the sights are just as worthy of a visit in the colder months.
While you’re walking, be sure to check out a little slice of history – The Menesetung Bridge. This bridge spans the Maitland River near the entry into Lake Huron and connects Goderich and the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh.
The bridge was completed in 1907, and at the time, it was the longest bridge in Ontario at 750 feet. “The rail bridge served the community well for over 80 years, but in 1988 the final CPR train stopped on the bridge and blew its whistle for the last time. In the early 1990s the bridge was threatened, but the local community rallied to save the structure and convert it to a pedestrian bridge,” shares the town of Goderich.
Finally, end your day in the best way possible – stuffing your face with some of the best fish and chips around. Goderich Harbour Restaurant, aka The Old Saltie keeps it simple and that’s just the way we like it. The restaurant is well-known and well-loved, making it the perfect place to wrap up your visit.
Add Canada’s prettiest down to your list of places to visit and thank me later.
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