Grimsby (Ontario)

Grimsby is a town of about 27,000 people (2016) in the Niagara Peninsula region of Ontario.

Understand

It is named after the English fishing town of Grimsby in north-east Lincolnshire.

History

The town of Grimsby was founded in 1790 as Township Number 6 after a group of United Empire Loyalists fleeing persecution in the United States settled at the mouth of 40 Mile Creek in 1787. It was later xalled 'The Forty'. Robert Nelles, a politician and later lieutenant-colonel in the War of 1812, was one of the town's founders. His home on Main Street West was used for many planning sessions during the war. In 1816 the village became known as Grimsby, the name of the surrounding township. Canada's first Chautauqua was established in 1859 in Grimsby Park and Beach, but by 1900 interest had declined and by 1909 it had ceased.

The town has gone through many changes, from being a small rural village; to a centre for the manufacture of farm machinery, hospital furniture, furnaces and other metal products; and later the hub of the Niagara Peninsula's fruit-growing industry. Grimsby also had a successful fishing industry which lasted until the 1960s. With a number of wineries and distilleries, Grimsby now serves as the starting point for touring the Niagara wine region.

Climate

Grimsby's climate varies throughout the year; 12-15 °C in the spring, 21-33 °C in the summer, and 10-17 °C in the autumn. Temperatures in the winter months vary between 4 °C and −16 °C, with about 190 cm of snow per year.

Get in

Grimsby is on the Queen Elizabeth Way (Highway), about halfway between Hamilton and St. Catharines. The QEW has three exchanges in the town, with Casablanca Boulevard in the west, a central exchange for three roads (Christie Street, Ontario Street, and Maple Avenue), and Bartlett Avenue in the east.

The Grimsby railway station, on the south side of the railway tracks west of Ontario Street and south of Queen Elizabeth Way, is served by the Maple Leaf train jointly operated by Via Rail and Amtrak.

Get around

See

• Grimsby Museum, 6 Murray St, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tu-F 10AM-5PM, Sa Su noon-4PM. Adults $3; seniors, students and children 5 years & older $2, children under 5 years free. (updated Jun 2018)
• Grimsby Public Art Gallery, 18 Carnegie Lane, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M F 10AM-5PM, Tu W Th 10AM-8PM, Sa Su 1PM-5PM. (updated Jun 2018)
• 🌍 The Danish Church, 130 Main Street East, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-4PM,. This historic house is a good example of an Ontario vernacular version of the Italianate style with its hip roof with deck, balanced facade, eyebrow like arched window cornices, and large cornice brackets. This style of architecture became very popular in the late 1860s due to its practicality for many different buildings and budgets. This house is now the home of the Danish Lutheran Church with services in English and Danish. This church is not wheelchair-accessible. (updated Jun 2018)

Do

• Forty Creek Distillery, 297 South Service Rd, toll-free: [phone] (ext 27). Retail store and tasting: M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su & holidays 11AM-5PM. Tours Oct-mid May: Sa Su holidays 2PM; mid May-Sep: daily noon and 2PM (updated Jun 2018)
• Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery. Daily Nov-May: 10AM-5PM, Jun-Oct: 10AM-6PM; closed Dec 25 & 26 and Jan 1. Tasting Fee is $5 for a flight of 3 wines, Icewine samples are $2 each. Private Tours may be booked. (updated Jun 2018)
• Thirty Bench Wine Makers, 4281 Mountainview Rd, Beamsville, ☎ [phone]. A structured tasting showcases four wine and food pairings Sa at noon & 2PM, Su at 2PM, $35 per person, plus taxes. (updated Jun 2018)
• Beamer Falls, Ridge Road West. This is a lovely hike with attractive rock formations, water flow, and moderately dense vegetation around. Hike from the parking lot off Ridge Road to the edge of the escarpment and on to a tall viewing platform for the “hawk watch”. There is a washroom block without running water. The accessible part of the trail leads right to the edge of the escarpment. A great hike for all ages. The accessible part of the trail does not require athletic wear in good weather: running shoes may be enough. It is a good place for a short walk or a longer hike. (updated Jun 2018)
• Peach King Centre, 162 Livingston Ave, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Early Sep-mid May: daily 6AM-midnight; mid May-early Sep: M-F 6AM-10PM, Sa 8AM-3PM, Su 11AM-3PM. Home of the Grimsby Peach Kings. It would be hard to make this stuff up. 2 indoor ice pads, outdoor rink/summer pad, splash pad, fitness facility, racquetball courts, mini soccer field. (updated Jun 2018)

Buy

Eat

• The Restaurant at Peninsula Ridge, 5600 King St, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. W-Sa noon-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM; Su 11:30AM-2:30PM. Seasonal menus of fresh, local foods paired with a selection of their wines. 65 seats. Outdoor patio also offers magnificent views of the Niagara Escarpment, the surrounding vineyards and Lake Ontario. It's in a red brick Victorian manor built in 1885 in the Queen Anne style. The house has been declared as an historic site under the Ontario Heritage Act for its historical and architectural significance. Dinner mains $25-42. (updated Jun 2018)
• JJ's on the Docks Eatery, 15 Lake St, Foran's Marina, ☎ [phone]. Moderately priced diner food. (updated Jun 2018)
• Syndicate Restaurant, 13 Mountain St, ☎ [phone]. Su-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F Sa 11:30AM-11PM. Inspired by their craft brewery, simplified gourmet food with a twist, like a duck poutine or fresh pasta stuffed with black truffles. (updated Jun 2018)

Drink

• Kittling Ridge Estates Winery and Distillery. KR makes many different products - various wines, liqueurs, rum, port, sherry, vodka, and whiskies (including Forty Creek Barrel Select, one of Canada's best-selling Canadian whiskies). Tours are available, and the retail boutique has all their products, including many not available at the LCBO (the Ontario government alcohol stores). Well worth a stop for lovers of wine and whisky. (updated Jun 2018)
• Judge and Jester Pub, 17 Main St E, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M 11:30AM–11PM, Tu W 11:30AM–midnight, Th-Sa 11:30AM–1AM, Su noon–10PM. 15 beers on tap, and a large selection of Niagara Region wines available by the glass and the bottle. Traditional pub fare. (updated Jun 2018)

Sleep

• Super 8, 11 Windward Dr, toll-free: [phone]. Free continental breakfast gym, the heated indoor pool, hot tub, free WiFi, free parking, 24-hour guest services, and business services. Non-smoking facilities, suites, and pet-friendly rooms are available. From $129. (updated Jun 2018)
• Casablanca Winery Inn, 4 Windward Dr, toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Boutique inn with views of the Niagara Escarpment, close to shores of Lake Ontario. 78 guest rooms and suites, from standard double rooms to luxury suites with fully furnished living rooms, dining rooms, en suites and powder rooms. From $135. (updated Jun 2018)
• Vinifera, The Inn on Winery Row, 245 Main St E, ☎ [phone]. 1846 historic bed & breakfast inn. From $169. (updated Jun 2018)

Connect

Go next

Routes through Grimsby

Toronto ← Burlington ←	W  E	→ St. Catharines → Niagara Falls
Toronto ← Hamilton ←	W  E	→ Lincoln → Niagara Falls
Hamilton ← becomes ←	W  E	→ Lincoln → Niagara-on-the-Lake