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Things to do in Goderich, Ontario
If you are looking for a place with beautiful beaches, unbelievable views, and also want a tour of history, then we have just the right place for you. Goderich, located on the west coast of Ontario, is a pretty little town with astonishingly beautiful views. It is not only us who feel that way but also Queen Elizabeth.
She once said in her tour of the city that Goderich is the prettiest town in Canada. This gives you even more reasons to check out this place filled with perfect shorelines for witnessing perfect sunsets and having the most relaxing time of your life and also check out other things to do in Canada.
If you visit this place once, you would surely want to move to this place and live here for the rest of your life. Don’t believe us? Check out these BEST Things to do in Goderich and find out for yourself.
With almost every kind of activity, for every mood, and occasion, reading our list and you will find yourself booking the next flight ticket to Ontario.
1. Huron Historic Gaol
Huron Historic Gaol is a unique building that opened in 1841 which served as a jail designed with a model of humanitarian approach. Now it has become a famous tourist attraction of Goderich and people come from all over the world to visit this place.
The bookings are done in advance and the tour is led by a knowledgeable guide who takes you through the alleyways and tells you everything about the history. It would be an amazing experience to check out this place.
Timings: Monday to Saturday 12 pm To 4:30 pm.
Things to do: take a guided tour around the place, explore the history of Canada and prison cells, take day trips to nearby places.
If you visit this place, make sure to check out Huron County Museum and the Maitland. Both of these lie within 5 kilometers and you can easily take a day trip around these places in one day. Make sure to plan your itinerary beforehand.
2. Rotary Cove beach
Your whole trip to Goderich would be incomplete if you did not visit a beach while you were there. Cove beach is one of the most popular beaches in Goderich and is the perfect place to explore the beauty of this town. With blue waters stretching out far and wide, it is an absolute delight to spend your day here.
It is a perfect place for clicking pictures and just relaxing. You can go swimming, climb a Lighthouse, and it even has a picnic area where one can barbecue. It is overall a perfect place to spend time with your family or friends.
You can visit this place by renting a car as this will also give you picturesque views of the whole town.
Timings: 6 am to 11 pm
Things to do: go swimming, picnicking, fishing. Visit the Lighthouse, click pictures.
The other really famous beaches beside Rotary Cove beach are the Main beach and St. Christopher Beach, which provides a lot of amenities like changing rooms, private rooms, and picnic grounds. You can also include these on your list and do check them out on your trip to Goderich.
3. The Livery Theatre
Livery Theatre is the place for all the arts and aesthetics enthusiasts. It was opened in 1983 and has been going on strong since then. Every season is the perfect time to visit this lively place! They hold a number of performances throughout the year. From live shows, movie screenings, comedy and dance shows, theatre performances, you can find anything of your interest here.
One of the most popular attractions is the Live Music events. It is said to have one of the top three acoustic halls in all of North America. All of these reasons are enough to go and visit this place for a dose of art and culture and some memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Timings: you can find the latest events and shows on their website here. Make sure to book your tickets well in advance. Due to covid restrictions, the theatre is working in half occupancy and therefore it is advisable to book your visit beforehand.
Things to do: attend the latest event, watch live shows, make sure to check out live music events.
You can find perfect accommodations near Livery Theatre as it is in the heart of the town and makes your entire trip more accessible.
4. Huron County Museum
Huron County is known for its vibrant culture and historical significance. The Huron County Museum is the perfect place to witness all this history and culture that this town is famous for. With its creative exhibitions and an extensive collection of artifacts, this is a place if you want to know more about the local culture and its history.
It is a very well-laid-out museum that can be explored with a self-guided tour. You can also opt for a guided tour and you can book the same in advance when you plan your trip.
It is located just in the center point of the city. You can check out the best accommodations here. There are also a variety of options to rent the cars on a daily basis which takes you around the city and provides a much better experience.
Timing: Monday to Saturday 10 am to 4:30 pm. Sunday 1 pm to 4:30 pm.
Things to do: the museum offers a variety of events and exhibitions all around the year, both permanent and temporary. You should definitely check out their latest exhibits and take a guided tour of the museum to explore rural art.
5. Menesetung Bridge
The Menesetung Bridge is a 750 feet long bridge connecting the town of Goderich and the township of Ashfield. It is a place of great heritage value. Over the years it has become one of the most famous attractions of Goderich. It offers wonderful views of the city while also having historical importance.
You can easily explore this place by renting a car. Also, don’t forget to make your visit to the tiger Dunlop Heritage Trail. Overall it would be an amazing experience as you will be able to see the city of Goderich from the top. Can anything else be better than this?
Timings: Open all days
Things to do: take a guided tour of the bridge, explore nearby places and find out more about the historical importance. The place is best explored by walking, you go trailing and enjoy the local culture. You can also go hiking and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
6. Goderich Lighthouse
The Lighthouse is an important historical landmark of the city of Goderich and also the oldest lighthouse in Canada. It is a lovely little place to just sit and relax and spend some time away from the hustle of everyday life. You can find some swings, benches, and playgrounds around the area which makes it a great place for day trips.
You can also visit this place with your friends and loved ones. What is better than clicking pictures of yourself with scenic views as your backdrop? This place is just a mixture of everything. It falls according to your mood and we guarantee that your time here is going to be absolutely magnificent.
Don’t forget to climb all the way up to the Lighthouse to see the beautiful blue waters. The view is going to be incredible.
Timings: open all day.
Things to do: visit the top of the Lighthouse, read about the history of the place, see the sunset, and have a nice relaxing time on your trip.
Make sure to check out Goderich Main beach and St. Christopher Beach on your visit to this place.
7. Tiger Dunlop Heritage Trail
Do you want to take a walk in the lap of nature and wildlife at the most famous hiking places in Canada? Then this is just the place for you. Tiger Dunlop Heritage Trail is the most famous hiking place in Canada. It starts right from the Harbour at Lake Huron and goes above the Maitland River along the Menesetung Bridge.
If you are getting to explore all these places with a perfect setting then why not put this on your itinerary.
You can also visit this place while you are visiting Menesetung Bridge. After the long trail, you will find a tomb that holds the remains of the Dunlop family. It also holds a historic significance in terms of Canada’s history and culture and it makes this place a must-see.
Timings: open all-day
Things to do: go hiking, trekking, biking, picnicking, and explore the beauty of Nature. Visit the nearby places such as the famous lake Huron. There are a variety of other activities that you can find for yourself while you’re here. You can book a tour for yourself or check out the latest events happening here.
8. Lake Huron
The Lake Huron is the prettiest lake that you will ever have the opportunity of visiting if you’re in Ontario. It is a great place for swimming, sailing, windsurfing and this is just to name a few. The beauty of this lake is something we cannot describe in words.
You have to see it for yourself to believe it. It offers spectacular views in the evening when the sun is going down. If you visit this place once, you will probably never want to leave Ontario again.
You can take up a room near the beach and enjoy the picturesque views from your hotel window. To check out some amazing seaside hotels visit this website.
Things to do: have a relaxing day at the beach, go for a picnic, swim in the water, try some water-based activities like boating, surfing.
Don’t forget to check out the nearby places on your way back.
9. Downtown Goderich
Goderich downtown is a unique octagonal-shaped area that is located in the heart of the city. Its perimeter is surrounded by numerous shops, hotels, cafes, restaurants, and vibrant murals. Almost all the fun stuff happens around this area and it is also the home for the famous Livery Theatre which we talked about earlier.
This place is located in the center of all the action and if you want to make your visit to Canada worthwhile we definitely recommend you to book a hotel in this area so that you also get to live close to the local culture and see the vibrant communities of this joyful town. You can always find something of your interest here. There are a variety of events and performances that keep happening in the center square.
This is almost a must-visit place in Goderich to give you all the touristy feel that you crave when you are on any trip. Every season is the perfect time to visit and enjoy the beauty of this place that never sleeps.
Timings: it is open throughout the day.
Things to do: find places of your interest, do shopping and sightseeing, explore the local culture, shop for souvenirs, get something local to add to your memories.
We highly recommend that you look for a hotel in this area. It is the perfect distance to explore all the famous places in Goderich and also a great place to live.
10. Farmer’s Market
Farmer’s Market is the most popular Market among the locals of this city. This Market is located in the center of the town and operates only on weekends. Often known as the Market Square, this place is known for its organic and unique products. You can find farm products and goods that are naturally grown and some of them are only grown in Canada. This Market is a must-visit if you are a foodie and would want to try the local food culture and shop some of them for your home.
Timings: Saturday 8 am to 12 noon.
Things to do: visit the local market, explore the local culture and food, do some shopping, try out new food products.
Do not forget to buy some maple syrup from the Market for some delicious pancakes.
If you are planning your trip to Ontario also check out things to do in Milton, Ontario.
