Things To Do in Sarnia Ontario Canada

With the increasing warmth of the bright summer sun comes a restless desire for adventure. The hot summer weather of Sarnia, Ontario screams for sand and surf and the wind in your hair. Many take to the roads in search of summertime adventure.  Little do they know, far distance travel is not a requirement. The charming city of Sarnia offers many opportunities for adventure all year round and is the perfect destination for any summertime adventure.  Known as Ontarios blue coast, Sarnia tourism has many hidden gems that are definitely worth exploring. One such spot is a relatively new addition to the Lambton area.  Boarder Pass, open in 2010, offers wake boarding in a very unique way. Rather than the traditional wake boarding behind a boat, Boarder Pass offers a safer alternative for those just beginning or without access to a boat.  Located at 97 Seaway Rd, in Sarnia, Ontario, Boarder Pass is set up in Sarnia Bay.  Its Bay location allows for calm waters every day.

Rather than getting pulled behind a boat, wake boarders are pulled using a cable system on the Bay. The cable system allows for novice and experts alike to enjoy the water, making for a family friendly outdoor adventure. For those searching for a challenge, Boarder Pass has obstacles set up in in the bay allowing experienced boarders to complete jumps and flips. Boarder Pass offers lessons for those eager to learn, or you can simply book a time to put your existing skills to use. A visit to Boarder Pass is an excellent way to enjoy thrills on the water and take in the summer sun.

If enjoying the great outdoors in a more leisurely way is more your speed, Sarnia travel and tourism has much to offer by way of green space: beautiful parks and gardens are top Sarnia attractions.  Located within the county of Lambton in Grand Bend, Pinery Provincial Park is less than an hour from the city of Sarnia.  On the shores of Lake Huron, Pinery Provincial Park offers a 10-kilometer span of gorgeous soft sand beach.  Home to Oak Savanna and Coastal Dune Ecosystems the Pinery is teeming with life.  Offering canoe, hydro bike, paddle-boat and single or double kayak rentals, outdoorsmen can explore the surrounding wetlands of the Old Ausable Channel.  With over 300 species of birds and more than 800 different plant life, hiking or biking the trails is an excellent way to connect with nature and explore all that Lambton County has to offer.

A 14-kilometer bike trail, or one of the 10 different hiking trails is a great way to connect with nature, or physically push yourself.  Cap off your day of exploring with a picnic on the beach at dusk.  The sunsets Pinery Beach offers are rated among the “Top 10 Best in the World” by National Geographic. Of course, if one day is not enough adventure, Pinery Provincial Park offers camping, yurts and cottages. An excellent way to fully immerse yourself in the Lambton county landscape.

There is much to fill your day with if you find yourself with time to spare while visiting the city at the mouth of Lake Huron.  Allow us to be your Sarnia tourism guide.  If you’re travelling with children, or simply have a love of animals, Canatara Park makes for an excellent day trip for the Sarnia tourist.  Offering not only access to a beautiful span of blue flag beach where you can swim and watch the many sailboats, Canatara Park also boasts a playground, an outdoor amphitheatre, a children’s train ride, a BMX bike track, and an animal farm!

Animals such as donkeys, goats, geese, llamas, peacocks, cows, pigs, sheep, turkeys and many more call the animal farm home. A visit to Canatara Park promises a full day of activities and lots of opportunity to learn about different animals. Watch the ducklings swim in the pond, enjoy the tranquility of the fountain feature, watch the baby goats play, or simply take in the majesty of the location. With its tranquil trails and a quaint wooden foot bridge, Canatara Park the perfect site for family photos followed by a day of fun.

If you long to feast your eyes on some beautiful architecture, a drive down Lakeshore Rd in nearby Brights Grove is a sight to behold. Home to many extravagant and breathtaking mansions perched on the cliff-side of Lake Huron, you’ll feel as though you’re travelling through Hollywood hills rather than through the county of Lambton.

Grab your bike and meander down the Centennial Park bike trail.  Located along the St. Clair river, a trip to Centennial Park is a perfect spot to spend an afternoon watching sail boats and ships on the river.  Take in the sweet smells of blossoms in the gardens and watch the ducks, birds and fish enjoy the blue waters that make the county of Lambton a mecca for water lovers of all species.

T off at one of the beautiful golf courses Sarnia has to offer.  Spending a day on the links is a perfect way to blow off steam and enjoy the Sarnia sun. Tuckered out after 18 holes? Drive down Venetian Blvd and choose a place to rest your head for the night at one of the many hotels lining the street.

If a day spent in the city absorbing the culture is more your speed, Sarnia has no shortage of shops and art to take in.  Early risers can start their day at the farmers markets.  Sarnia’s farmers market, located at 110 Proctor street, offers a variety of fresh produce, farm fresh eggs, home made ice creams and much more.  Open Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 7am to 10am, its a great way to start your day.  Continue your day of culture by spending some time taking in Norman Alix Art Gallerys exhibits.  Located at 147 Lochiel St, Norman Alix Art Gallery features art work from Canada’s famous Group of Seven and has many other featured exhibits that are sure to make art lovers swoon.

Stop in at the Refined Fool Brewing Company for a pint or two of their handcrafted beers to recharge after a day of exploring art galleries. Located at 137 Davis street, just steps from Christina street, Refined Fool is a microbrewery that often features live entertainment and is a must for any trip planner seeking a true Sarnia experience.  Top off your day of arts and culture by taking in a show at the Imperial Theatre; with many productions and musicals to see taking in a show is a perfect way to cap off your day in the city.

Another amazing park in the heart of Sarnia is Germain Park. Germain Park features tennis courts, lawn bowling and an outdoor pool!  However, the true draw of Germain Park is Germain Gardens.  A beautiful span of winding walking trails transports visitors into another land.  A land of lush greenery, vibrant colours, and the sweet smell of seasonal blooms.  Germain Gardens is a must see for all who enjoy true beauty.  With manicured gardens, citizen plots and a gorgeous arbour, it truly is a site to behold.  Germain Gardens is a perfect place to wander and take in the splendour, or simply sit in quiet reflection. There are plenty of benches and reflective spots as well as places for a family picnic.

Another favourite is the Centennial Park (recently renovated) however the gardens have always been pristine. This park borders the bay and presents a great walk around it to the Marina and back to downtown.

It would be remiss to discuss Sarnia, Ontario, Canada tourism without paying homage to the glorious Blue water Bridge.  The backdrop of the Sarnia-Lambton landscape, the Blue water Bridge truly is a sight to behold.  Completed in 1938, the Blue Water Bridge is not only a Sarnia tourist attraction but a piece of Sarnia history.  A visit to our neighbours south of the boarder is made with ease thanks to this incredible feat of engineering.  Not only is it practical in its use and ground breaking in its construction, it’s picturesque in its beauty.  Locals and tourists alike flock to the base of old Blue year-round to walk along the St. Clair river, watch the passing ships and boats, swim and of course, visit one of the infamous fry trucks!  You have not experience Sarnia until you’ve indulged in ‘fries under the bridge’.  Hand-cut, made to order, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, French fries from one of the fry trucks situated under the Blue Water Bridge is a mouth-watering experience.  Make your order into a poutine and watch the geese play in the waters of the St. Clair for a truly Canadian experience.

As locals have discovered, visiting the base of the bridge in the winter offers a breathtaking experience.  The mist from the choppy St. Clair blankets all it can reach.  Clinging and freezing to all objects, continuous mist and freezing make for layers upon layers of ice, turning hum-drum daily objects into magnificent ice sculptures of epic proportions.  This phenomenon is worth bundling up and braving the frigid air.

Sarnia’s beautiful location along the water includes great beaches. If you are looking to stay in Sarnia, Canatara beach is a beautiful beach located just underneath the Blue Water Bridge with a beautiful park for a place to set up a picnic lunch. If you are looking to make a short drive out of Sarnia, Grand Bend has a beautiful beach as well as a great beach themed shopping strip.

Adding an historical touch to tourism in Sarnia, the family friendly Stones N’ Bones museum is an excellent stop to add on your tourism agenda and is sure to be a hit with the kids!  With 10,000 square feet of space Stones N’ Bones puts every inch of space to good use, displaying over 6,000 artifacts.  With fossils, gems, stuffed and mounted animals, and Royal Canadian Mounted policy memorabilia Stones N’ Bones is worth the visit.  Not enough to entice you?  Give your kids a trip they’ll never forget, show them a dinosaur! That’s right, Stones N Bones museum has actual dinosaurs! Forget the trip to expensive museums, at just $7 per adult, and $3 per child 12 and under, you’ll be shocked that at this price you get to see a display worthy of the ROM!

If you’re looking to explore some local spots, Sarnia offers no shortages of shops and eclectic restaurants worthy of a visit. A simple stroll down Christina or Front street offers everything from unique children’s clothing, excellent authentic Mexican cuisine, one-of-a-kind woman’s clothing stores and cute places to find something sweet.

Looking for unique ensembles for your child’s first day of school? Esby & Soph, located at 155 Front Street is a show-stopper.  Ranging in size from newborn to children’s 16, dressing your child in these fashion-forward options with a Norwegian flair will send them to school looking like they were picked off a runway without the runway price tags!

Hoping for a little shopping of your own?  Luxbutik is a beautiful little woman’s clothing boutique.  A visit to this shop will leave you wide-eyed and ready to take home the entire store.  Guaranteed to walk away with an unique item, or two, or ten, it rivals shops on Queen street in Toronto.

If you find yourself famished after a long day of exploring there is a plethora of dining options steps away.  If you want to give your taste-buds a trip to Mexico, look no further than the city’s namesake restaurant.  Located at 410 Front Street North, this diamond in the rough is easy to miss but oh so worth the visit.  Modest in its exteriors, simple yet beautiful in its interiors, the dazzle comes in the form of its authentic Mexican tacos. Featuring beef, chicken, chorizo, bean, or veggie chorizo tacos the flavour of these meats is unprecedented. Topped with white onion and cilantro (yes you can get it without for those cilantro haters out there), the perfectly spiced meat is what takes center stage on these babies.  For a sweeter option, order the pork. Fully loaded with pork, these tacos are topped with fresh pineapple and are a must try.  Of course, chips and salsa or chips and guac are a staple.  With guac made-to-order in house, it’s a must as well.

Not in the mood for tacos (you’re crazy), try Lolas! Located at 110 Christina street North, Lolas menu is a taste-bud pleaser.  Featuring many seafood options, lovers of salt water eats will be in heaven.  Want something a little more casual and kid-friendly?  Purdy’s fish market, located at 1 River Front street in Port Edward, features the best fish and chips money can buy (we might be a little biased).  Purdy’s has long been a local favourite and gives diners the unique experience of enjoying their fresh-caught fish while sitting on the edge of the very waters from which they came.

If you’re looking for something to indulge your sweet tooth, step through the doors of The Cake Lady Vanilla Bean Bakery and Café.  Found at 138 Cromwell street, this Parisian  inspired shop transports visitors to the streets of Paris and offers a variety of sweet treats.  Grab a coffee and enjoy the atmosphere or be adventurous and try the Budlight lime macrons! Of course, you can’t leave without purchasing a cupcake; they come highly recommended!

If you are looking to spend a weekend camping, there are many options surrounding Sarnia including The Pinery located in Grand bend, Rock Glen Family Resort located in Arkona, or make your way across the bridge and stay at KOA located in Port Huron.

Leave your business directory behind and let your senses guide you to discoveries that matter in the hidden gem of Ontario travel, Sarnia Lambton.  Don’t forget to check out the event calendar at Progressive Auto Sales arena for summer concerts and events.

Action, adventure, tranquility, history, beaches, trails, mouth-watering cuisine, arts, culture, and everything in between. We have it all! Come see!