If you live in Grand Bend we could definitely argue about this list. But if you rent a cottage in Grand Bend and are wondering what amazing things you can do in Canada’s Beach Vacation Destination…well this list is for you!
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN GRAND BEND
#10 – The Flea Market
Not just any flea market this baby is huge and open Sundays all summer. If you think you’ll never find a pepperette stick too hot for you, you’re wrong. If you’ve been wondering where you can buy a samuri sword, knock off sunglasses, pirated DVDs, nascar leather jackets all within 10 feet of each other….wonder no longer.
#9 – Mini Putt (Village Green)
There are two mini putts, but only the Village Green cracks the top 10 list. There is a huge home court advantage for those who know how to play the sloping track and in and out holes. Let’s just say if you are playing for money, get in some practice!
#8 – Grand Bend Motorplex
Where else can you find people who will strap a jet engine to the back of an ambulance and just let her rip? It’s loud. It’s crazy. It’s the motorplex.
#7 – Huron Country Playhouse
This isn’t your local theatre where the town webmaster also directs the plays. These are imported talented folks who put on a show. The theatre itself, a converted barn also gives a great feel for a great summer night.
#6 – Gables (Grand Bend Bars)
This isn’t a one Bar town but year in year out Gables entertains and Grand Bend nightlife is hopping. Live music, pool, diverse age range, no dancing on speakers (note: Cocos is your choice if you like to speaker dance, but i’m sticking with Gables).
#5 – The Pinery (Bikeride)
One of the best ways to enjoy the Pinery provincial park is on bike. If you can find the off-roading path through the fence it ads a great adventure to your trip. Enjoy nature and the shallow shallow beaches at the pinery (wear / bring a bathing suit)
#4 – Dennys Fries
Not one bar and certainly not one Fry stand. If you’re renting a cottage for a week, then you’ve got time to try Denny’s, the Spud Shaq and whatever du jour place you wish. But if you have only one shot at fries and a footlong dog, there is simply no choice. And act quickly…Denny’s is for sale!
#3 – Starlite Drive In
How many drive in theatres exist in the middle of a field? Not many. The best way to enjoy this is to bring lawn chairs, blankets and a radio. Sit out under fantastic stars watching a great lineup of movies. Get there early…this place is popular.
# 2 – The Beach
I’ve been to beaches in Thailand, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Cuba, France, Spain, Italy and the likes and I’ll put Grand Bend up with all of them. You look out into the infinity, the water isn’t salty and the sand is fine like wine.
# 1 – Sunset at the Beach with a Glass of Wine
Maybe you like champagne or a scotch? Who’s to judge. But schedule your dinner accordingly so you can have a pre or post drink as the sun sets down like a great ball of fire over Lake Huron. If you get the right cloud set you might find what National Geographic did, which is this is one of the World’s Best Sunsets
For renters, tourists and cottage owners alike I’ll be further breaking down some of these great attractions in better detail and talking about some of the things that didn’t make top ten! (For example how does one of Canada’s only Corn Mazes not make the list? And what about Sky Diving and Kite Surfing?
Filed under: Grand Bend Bests | Tagged: Beach Vacation, Cottage Rental, grand bend, Top 10
Firstly, Spud Shaq and the Shaq Attack should be on that list. Denny’s is okay but it’s not on the strip.
Secondly, I do agree that the Village Green is the superior track.
But nothing about the golf courses nearby? And what about hiking up and then rolling down the giant sandhills? You can’t do that most places in the world.
Nice blog, what about the listing the Corn Maze in the summer? Great for kids…
How long has the Spud Shaq been around? When I was a little kid in the early to mid 70’s, I used to get some money from dad, walk up Main Street from the beach and get the best french fires I’ve had to this day. Spud Shaq? Can anyone tell me what the place might have been? It was on the north side of Main. We moved away from London to Calgary in ‘76, and I still miss Grand Bend. We had a cottage on Warwick(?), or maybe the street one in closer to the beach. The amusement park was still there on the corner. Bumper cars, funhouse, cool arcade, etc. My aunt and uncle had an acreage on the highway across from the Pinery, heading south from Main- it was called Limberlost at the time. Man, I miss that place. Going there for weekends was heavan. I now have a vacation place on the Shuswap Lake in BC. Beatiful, but 5 hour drive from home, and a lot quieter than GB. I sometimes consider packing it in here, and moving my family to London, partially to get back to summers in GB. My young son would dig it.
Hey Joe, i hear you. Loved the amusement park on the weekends. What about the roller rink? I must say roller skating wasn’t my bag but it sure was fun to watch and hang out there.
The Spud Shaq is but 12 or so years young. It’s on the corner across from where the waterslide was (remember the water slide!).
Maybe the water slide is a bit like The A-Team….better in my memory than reality. There is also only 1 arcade now…the Teen Dance Hall!!
Rollerskating was out for me, but there was a good little pizza joint right there. As for the fries, must have been a different place. Water slide? I only remember the big carpet slide down on the beach, at the end of the main drag- I guess there are condos there now(?). For a while there was a horror house in a little cinder block building at the end of main, very close to the carpet slides and across the street from the amusement park. My cousin recently reminded me of the swing cages at the amusement park. I was too young for them, but would watch people in them for hours. I don’t know if I’d even recognize GB now. How is the water these days, clean?
Ah the horror house. I remember that beauty, although never knew about a big carpet slide. I strongly feel they should bring that back!
Water is clean and refreshing. No problems in a long time with water quality.
coming out of detroit on my boat wondering if you guys had somewhere I can dock and spend the day in your city
Hey Matt,
As for accomodations for one night you’d be looking at a B&B or a hotel / motel. There are a bunch.
Here’s one good B&B: http://www.escapenow.ca/canada-vacation-rental-listings/ontario/grand-bend
For something higher end you can try the Oakwood Inn.
As for your boat, you would want to contact the Grand Bend Marina. A great place to dock your boat and fill up with gas if need be! Harbormaster Bob Roney can be reached at (519) 238-2000
Prices – $1.60 per ft. a night. Includes docking, water and hydro.
Latitude = 43° 18.48 N
Longitude = 81° 46.00 W
How are you? your website is nice
I have a new band and we just had a live gig u can see here:
http://tinyurl.com/a5sfeo
Denny’s Drive-In is for sale?? Do you have contact info? I would love to buy the business, tweak it, make it even BETTER, and continue the Grand Bend tradition!
Thanks.
John