Discover Grimsby

Grimsby combines cultural history with striking landscapes along Lake Ontario. A section of the Bruce Trail runs through the town; viewpoints on the Niagara Escarpment, several cycling routes and museums offer different perspectives on the area. When planning your trip, you can consider whether you’d prefer to spend most of your time outdoors, learn about local history or combine both.

Bruce Trail and Scenic Views

The Bruce Trail runs through Grimsby, through Beamer Valley and along Forty Mile Creek to the top of the Niagara Escarpment. There are four viewpoints there with excellent views of Lake Ontario and the town of Grimsby. This makes the trail a way to combine exercise with expansive panoramas. Beamer Memorial Conservation Area also offers panoramic views of the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario. It is also known as a vantage point for the annual spring raptor migration and is part of the internationally designated Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve.

Cycling Routes for Short and Long Rides

Grimsby is part of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, a cycling route more than 3,000 kilometres long. It connects 140 communities along the Canadian shores of the Great Lakes and can be used for both a short ride and a multi-day long-distance adventure. The Greenbelt Route is another option for cyclists: in Grimsby, it is used primarily for cycling. The 475-kilometre route takes cyclists through protected, scenic surroundings from Northumberland to Niagara. In Grimsby, it runs near and parallel to the Niagara Escarpment, occasionally offering views of Lake Ontario far below. The two routes therefore offer different scales, from a short visit along one section to a longer trip.

Museums and History

The Grimsby Museum has two exhibition galleries. Admission to the galleries is by donation, and the museum is wheelchair accessible. Those interested in the town’s history can also explore Grimsby’s past along the Heritage Highway Route. Nelles Manor Museum is a heritage house dating from 1798 and a War of 1812 battlefield. The Pumphouse is located in Forty Mile Creek Park; restored in the style of the 1930s, it houses photographs and panels about the region’s history. Grimsby Beach Chautauqua is also part of the area’s cultural history: historically, it hosted musical performances and theatrical productions.

Hands-On Art

Grimsby Public Art Gallery offers school programs, courses and workshops for all ages and abilities. The aim is to engage the community in art and culture through creating art themselves. This adds a practical, creative perspective to the historical themes.

More places to explore: Welland, St Anns, Pelham, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Wainfleet, Port Colborne, Jordan Station and Thorold.

For the broader travel overview: Niagara Regional Municipality.