Top Things to Do in the Village of Bayfield
Treat yourself by visiting the delightful village of Bayfield, Ontario. Situated on the shores of Lake Huron, this charming place is oh so quaint. From the historic downtown with its lovely shops and eateries to the beautiful parks and beaches. This village is tiny in size, but big in appeal. About 2.5 hours west from Toronto, this makes for a great family, couples or friends getaway. Let’s discover the top things to do while visiting this historic village.
What to Do
Wander the Main Street
Find the heart of this tiny village by wandering the historic Main Street. This is where you will find all of the unique shops, eateries, and galleries. Experience the warm welcome by the locals who are just waiting to share their love of this tiny village with you.
My absolute favourite is The Village Bookshop. There is an entire section on local authors from southwestern Ontario, you might even luck out and find a signed copy. Wander out the side door to the private tranquil garden. Under massive tree canopies you might find some art suspended from the trees on a fair-weathered day. Follow the path that will lead you to an artist’s studio in a small barn.
Other favourites…you’re bound to find something at The Gravy Boat, a kitchen shop that is well-stocked in gadgets and culinary essentials. And, Hive, the eclectic shop full of clothing, accessories and home décor.
If you love art, be sure to check out the Bayfield Art Gallery, showcasing a collection of local artisans works under one roof. A couple more of my favourites are Patina, a fine art and fine crafts by local artists, as well as, Marten Arts Gallery full of unique and contemporary designs.
Picnic in the Park
Relax in Bayfield’s most beautiful Pioneer Park. A privately owned park that overlooks Lake Huron. It’s a large open green space with large shade trees is the perfect spot to relax and take in the sweeping lake views. We are always travelling with our dog, Henry. This is always one of our first spots to go to burn off some energy while he is bound to run into some other dog friends too.
Head to the Beach
The most popular beach is Bayfield’s Main Beach. It’s a family friendly sandy beach with drive up access, parking and public washrooms. Watch the sailboats come and go as the village’s Marina and pier is located right beside this popular spot.
Then there are Howard, Houston Heights and Pioneer Park beaches, all can be reached by way of a wooden staircase of about 80 steps or so. Our favourite is Pioneer Park, a mix of rock and sandy beach where usually there is not a lot of visitors and so our dog is free to roam.
Stroll the Residential Streets
There are many attractive homes and cottages in this village. Why not venture off Bayfield Main Street and stroll along the quiet, tree lined streets and gaze upon the homes, cottages and beautiful gardens. In particular, Catherine Street to Chiniguy Street to Colina Street are quite scenic, and they happen to be along the way from the downtown to Pioneer Park.
Support the Farmer's Market
The best way to feel the community spirit of a small town is to plan your visit the Farmer’s Market. For Bayfield, they have timed theirs for arriving for a weekend. The market runs every Friday from 3pm to 7pm from May to October. Head to Clan Gregor Square to support the local vendors.
Where to Eat & Drink
Restaurants and Pubs
If you like laid back, casual eateries, then there are a lot to choose from in Bayfield. Here are a few that I recommend.
The Little Inn, which is one of Ontario’s Finest Inns, offers two dining options. The Willow Room – perfect for a weekend brunch or dining experience. Or, the Four in the Hand Taproom – the Inn’s pub open for lunch and dinner. You don’t have to be a guest of the Inn to dine here, but reservations are a must.
Black Dog Village Pub is located in the village’s General Store building from 1850. This long standing restaurant is a local and tourists’ favourite offering up your typical pub style menu with a large selection of beer and cocktails. It’s a popular spot in town, so be prepared to wait, especially for a seat on their patio.
The Lake House of Bayfield Bistro serves up a seasonal menu – traditional dishes with a bit of a twist. Aside from the delicious food, dine al fresco on their pretty front porch with either a view of the Main Street or the private garden.
And, if it’s Italian that you are craving check out Olio and Olio Too for their homemade pizza and pasta.
Ice Cream Shoppe
Yes, ice cream gets their own section! Expect to see a line-up of eagerly awaiting ice cream lovers at these two shoppes.
First, there’s the popular Rosie’s Ice Cream Shoppe. The small white building with its bright pink, turquoise and purple awning. She serves up hard ice cream from London Ice Cream Company, as well as a smaller selection of gelato and frozen yogurt.
Next, there is Copenhagen’s – which is also well known for its fish and chips and tacos – as well as their ice cream.
Coffee Roaster and Bakery
For the coffee lovers, there really is only one place to get your coffee in Bayfield – Shopbike Coffee Roasters. Aside from getting your coffee, you can stock up on their own branded merchandise – everything from coffee mugs to tee-shirts, as well as bag of freshly roasted coffee beans.
And, I saved the best for last, The Pink Flamingo Bakery & Boutique. This little bakery offers up daily selection of fresh cupcakes, cookies, squares and more. My absolute favourite, and worth-the-drive treat are the scones. Trust me, you can’t stop at one so you might as well get a couple for the ride home. I spoke with Sharon, the owner and baker and she told me that it is her grandmother’s recipe. Aside from baked goods, this little shop offers up specialty tea, coffee and their signature drink – pink lemonade.
Where to Stay
For most of us, visiting Bayfield will likely be an overnight stay and not just a day trip. So here are the recommended places to stay.
The Little Inn of Bayfield offers travellers a refined experience, with its classic décor through its rooms and dining rooms. Watch for their themed weekend stays, perfect for couples or girlfriends’ getaway. Or, if you would prefer to rent a house or cottage, check out the 10 Best Airbnb Properties in Ontario’s West Coast.
As a holidaymaker…
The village of Bayfield is definitely one of my favourite places to visit. It offers up more than just a charming historic downtown. Lake Huron is simply incredible. With its clear turquoise water, this is such a relaxing and beautiful place to visit.
50 Comments
Emma Earthwanderer
Oh gosh, what a gorgeous little town! With all of those quaint little buildings and eateries, I’d be keen to grab an ice cream or hot coffee if it’s a cool day and wander the streets. Getting off that main street and checking out some of the nice houses would be a relaxing way to spend some time.
The.Holidaymaker
Thank you Emma, I’m so glad you would enjoy this little town as much as I do! Thanks for stopping by.
Jen Rogers
Sounds like such a great little town! I would love to visit that bookstore!
The.Holidaymaker
Indeed it is, thanks for stopping by Jen!
Sue
What a gorgeous village! I had never heard of Bayfield but I felt relaxed just reading your post & the section on places to eat really got my mouth watering!
The.Holidaymaker
I’m so glad you liked it Sue. It definitely is a feast for the senses.
Tanya
This sounds like a fabulous town to explore and spend some time relaxing (and eating). Thanks for sharing 🙂
The.Holidaymaker
Thanks for stopping by Tanya, indeed it is a great place to explore
Raksha
Wow such a cute village. I had never heard of Bayfield before. But now want to visit it as soon as I can. I usually love to wander around when I visit such places. The small villages have such a beautiful character. That pink Flemingo bakery sounds so good. And I also like the Lake House. I will ensure I remember these so I can visit them.
The.Holidaymaker
Thanks for stopping by Raksha, so glad to hear you might like to visit one day.
Riana Ang-Canning
Bayfield looks so cute! Definitely a great spot for a relaxing and charming long weekend. The Village Bookshop sounds magical; I love that there’s also a garden, artist’s studio and artwork displayed.
The.Holidaymaker
Agreed, it’s a book lovers paradise. Such a tranquil setting and an adorable book shop.
Mariana Moura
OMG! The village looks like a fairytale location! I’m in love <3
The.Holidaymaker
So glad you like it Mariana!
Barry
Bayfield looks idyllic, very peaceful and quiet. That Farmer’s Market will have me there every time, love markets and fresh produce. The lake pic is amazing, it’s like looking out to sea rather than across a lake. Bayfield kinda reminds me of Niagara-on-the-lake (without the mass tourism). I loved visiting Canada, a laid back but well organized feel everywhere I went.
The.Holidaymaker
Indeed, Lake Huron does have a sea or ocean feel to it, there is even opportunity to surf it. Thanks for stopping by and glad Canada left you with a positive impression.
Shireenq
Never heard of this place but it sounds right up my street! Pioneer Park for a picnic, strolling next to the gorgoeus ocean and the bookshop is my kind of getaway. I’d spend a few dollars at The Black Dog and be excited to crash afterwards at The Little Inn! Great post Renee.
The.Holidaymaker
I’m so glad you like it Shireenq, it sounds it’s made for you to visit.
Sherianne Higgins
Bayfield sounds like a great weekend getaway from busy Toronto. The tree canopies make the village feel so welcoming in the images. A picnic lunch next to Lake Huron sounds like the perfect way to spend a relaxing afternoon and I’m always happy at a pub with patio seating
The.Holidaymaker
Yes, the tree canopies are so lovely and offer some shade in the hot summer.
Linda (LD Holland)
Since we expect to only travel locally again this year, it is always great to be pointed to new local spots like Bayfield. I love these classics small towns. And a picnic by the lake sounds perfect. It would be a toss up whether we hit the coffee shop first or the ice cream shop. Maybe one before and after a picnic!
The.Holidaymaker
Definitely you’ll have to try both Linda!
Jan
What a great find in Ontario and just a short drive from Toronto! This village would be my typical dream destination with peace and quiet and scenic surroundings. The book shop, the artists gallery, studio – sound lovely. I will look up this place while in Toronto next. 🙂
The.Holidaymaker
So glad to hear you would enjoy this village. Thanks for stopping by Jan.
Chloe Beaver
What a quaint little village! Reminds me a lot of St. Augustine in Florida. Very historic and charming. Would love to give it a visit!
The.Holidaymaker
I’ve not been to St. Augustine before, but no doubt there are twin towns between our two countries.
JoJo Hall
I love exploring cute little towns in places and seeing what it has to offer. Local places and people are the best, now I’ll add this place to my list!
The.Holidaymaker
I agree JoJo, nothing beats local charm and friendless.
Emma
Bayfield looks so idyllic and the perfect place to spend a weekend in a small B&B. The bookshop, followed by the farmers market sounds like my perfect day, but I love the sound of some of those places to eat too. Especially the Pink Flamingo
The.Holidaymaker
So glad it’s your kind of vibe Emma. It is definitely the perfect little weekend getaway and offers a little bit of everything.
Saurabh
During my travels, I always ditch cities to explore towns and villages. It is where I had most amazing expeirences. Bayfield seems like a cool village to explore. Would like to visit when in Canada.
The.Holidaymaker
Thanks Saurabh, glad you like to get to know the local places we enjoy which tourists don’t always get to see.
Agnes
I have been only in BC, Alberta, Yukon, and Northwest Territories so far. Ontario is still on my bucket list. And I hope to go there for a road trip after the pandemic. So I add your tips to my favorites. For sure, the Village of Bayfield is worth a visit. It’s such a charming and beautiful place. I would like to eat in Four in the Hand Taproom and go for a dessert at Rosie’s Ice Cream Shoppe 🙂
The.Holidaymaker
Well, you’ve been to a lot of provinces that I’ve yet to visit. So maybe we need to swap itineraries. Glad to hear you would add Bayfield to your list.
Candy
What an adorable little town. I’d head to the bookstore and find a book to take to the beach. The Black Dog Village Pub sounds like a fantastic place to grab some pub food. I love that it’s located inside the village’s historic general store.
The.Holidaymaker
It’s definitely a charming place to visit, with a lot of history.
Indrani
A perfect guide for Village of Bayfield. One just needs to follow this to experience it all. True, sucha quaint little place and so different the busy neighbor – Toronto. I sometimes wonder like city planning is village planning too done?!
The.Holidaymaker
So glad you like it’s quaintness.
Clarice
Wow! This place is charming. I love that the beach is just a few steps away and the little shops are truly inviting. I can imagine myself in The Little Inn and spending lots of time in the ice cream shop and coffee shop 🙂
The.Holidaymaker
It’s the perfect summer place to go isn’t it?
Jamie Italiane
I completely agree this looks oh so cute and charming. The bookstore would be my first shop too. I love small bookstores. My grandmother owned one in my childhood so it gives me all the feels. I also love coffee and ice cream, and the style of the buildings.
The.Holidaymaker
Oh, I envy you growing up with access to a small bookshop in the family! Well, definitely this is one would bring back some memories. The historic home still has all its original features and adds to the charm. Not to mention the unique and local books that you won’t necessarily find at the big bookshops.
Jennifer L Prince
This looks like the perfect little town to spend the weekend. I adore relaxing at places like this, and I’d love to check out the local shops and my husband would totally enjoy the brewery!
The.Holidaymaker
Thanks Jennifer, I’m so glad that you enjoyed the tour of Bayfield. It is such a delightful town.
Gus Feliciano
Canada just keeps surprising me with beautiful places! You had me at the small town pub but I think I need to keep extending my long list of places to visit up north!
The.Holidaymaker
So glad you’ve been impressed by some of Canada’s best small towns, and definitely Bayfield is one of them!
Andi
What a cute town! Canada has so much to explore, I’ve only done a little on each coast and need to see WAY more!
The.Holidaymaker
Oh definitely! There are so many wonderful places to explore. Thanks for stopping by.
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