Have you ever seen a life-sized gingerbread house? While these historical landmarks aren’t actually made of gingerbread, they resemble one! These colourful homes are just one of the many things that make Grimsby, Ontario, a great place to visit – here’s what to do while you’re there.
Grimsby is the perfect spot to road trip to if you’re coming from Toronto or the GTA, as it’s just over one hour away.
The area is part of the Niagara Region and sits at the eastern end of the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area.
The colourful “gingerbread” houses/cottages are lined along Grimsby Beach.
You can wander through the area and explore the adorable cottages with some of which are suspected to date back as far as the 1800s when Grimsby was known as The Village of Grimsby.
It was around the 1870s when canvas and post tents were being replaced with wood-frame cottages, known as permanent tents.
Today, several of the cottages have been protected as significant cultural heritage resources under the Ontario Heritage Act.
According to Grimsby’s website, “The residents of Grimsby Beach take a lot of pride in the maintenance of their unique homes, and we are grateful for the work that they do to preserve these special homes.”
If you’re planning on visiting the area, the town does note that Grimsby Beach is “first and foremost a residential neighbourhood,” so be mindful.
Grimsby has no shortage of gorgeous views. Beamer Memorial Conservation Area is a must-visit, especially in the peak of summer or fall, as the spot “offers one of Niagara’s most breathtaking and panoramic views of the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario.”
Visitors can take a walk along the scenic Lookout and Bruce Trails and take in the views of the 40 Mile Creek Valley, the Lake Ontario shoreline and the escarpment ridge.
End your day with a stop at JJ’s On The Docks, and be sure to order the fish and chips (thank me later).
Looks like your next day trip is all figured out.
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