Lake Vibes & Local Finds: Why Kingsville & Colchester Are Ontario’s Best-Kept Travel Secret
- Jennifer Flynn
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
Let’s just call it what it is: this place? It’s a total vibe.
Tucked along the breezy north shore of Lake Erie, the towns of Kingsville and Colchester are as far south as you can get without a passport and home to The Grove Hotel & The Grove Motel - and still somehow feel like a hidden gem. You won’t find mega resorts, traffic jams, or cookie-cutter chain hotels here. Instead, you’ll get sunshine, wine country, and the southernmost towns in all of Canada. (Yes, we’re bragging. Yes, it’s deserved.)
And just 20 minutes down the road? The actual southernmost tip of mainland Canada—aka Point Pelee National Park. So yeah, your next Instagram post? Already taken care of.
Nature Goals: Welcome to Point Pelee
Imagine standing where the land literally ends and Canada says, “this is as south as it gets.” (and if you are a classic rock lover, yes, we are "south of Detroit" #journeyforever)
At Point Pelee National Park, you can do just that. It’s wild, lush, and Insta-iconic. The boardwalk trail? Floating magic. The Tip photo? A must. The wildlife? Out of this world. It’s where you’ll find rare birds, migrating monarchs, and moments of peace you didn’t know you needed.
Only 20-ish minutes from The Grove Hotel in Kingsville or 35-ish minutes from The Grove Motel in Colchester, it’s the perfect mix of adventure and accessibility. Hike, bike, paddle, snap, and then—come chill out in style.
Wine, Views & No Crowds, Please
Welcome to EPIC Wine Country, where the pours are generous and the patios bring lake views for days. Hit up Oxley Estate Winery, Cooper’s Hawk, or Muscedere for a taste of the region—and maybe a bottle (or twelve) to go.
Forget stuffy tastings. This is wine country with sneakers on. (And we’re just getting started.)
Start the Day with a Big City Vibe... in a Tiny Town
Before you hit the trails or sip your way through EPIC, start your day at JOE. Hot+Cold - OUR on-site café bursting with bold flavours and colorful, creative energy.
Think big city café vibes—killer lattes, curated tunes, cheeky branding—but without the attitude. At JOE., you’re not just a customer, you’re a Cool Kid.
We’re the type to remember your order, ask about your day, and serve it up with a side of local love. Chain coffee joints wish they had this kind of personality.
Not Your Average Small Town
Aside from national parks and caffeine perfection, there’s so much to explore:
Local boutiques with one-of-a-kind finds
Cycling trails along the Greenway Trail with vineyard pit stops
Seacliff Beach & Colchester Harbour for chill days on the water
Photo ops galore, from street murals to sandy shoreline sunsets
And when the day’s adventures are done? Head back to your funky boutique room at The Grove, throw on a robe, pour a glass of local wine, and unwind like the legend you are.
Cool Kids Know: This Is the Move
Kingsville and Colchester are more than charming—they’re the kind of places that get under your skin in the best way. You’ll come for the wine or the park... and you’ll come back because you miss how it felt to be here.
So if you’re ready to ditch the obvious and discover something different, head south—really south—and come hang with us on the 42nd parallel.
We’ll be here, latte in hand, saving a room for you.
Plan your escape:
Original BLOG by Jennifer Flynn, Chief Fun Maker & Experience Curator at The Grove Hospitality Group (April 7, 2025)
Comments