Jonathon Liedtke – ourWindsor.ca – May 12, 2013
Windsor is known for its hot and humid climate, and while this provides the city and its residents with many things to do outdoors day and night, Windsor is also known to receive its fair share of precipitation.
According to the National Climate Data and Information Archive, Windsor typically has summers that are the third hottest in all of Canada, is ranked fifth in terms of receiving the most hot days (over 30 degrees Celsius or above), has the most thunderstorm days, smoke and haze days growing degree-days, humidex days at or above 30, high humidex days at or above 35 and the most humid summer location out of all Canadian cities.
What this means is that while Windsor is known for its warm weather during the summer, it is also known for wet days and nights. Excess precipitation can really put a damper on plans and activities that residents may have planned.
OurWindsor wanted to compile a list of our favourite spots in the city to visit on a rainy day (although they’re excellent places to visit on warm and sunny days as well!)…
Art Gallery of Windsor: With a new civic museum moving into the ground floor of the Art Gallery of Windsor, culture in the core is consolidating into one central district. The Art Gallery of Windsor has a collection of roughly four-thousand paintings, sculptures and works on paper with new materials being added every year. The collections are stored in special vaults at the AGW which meet international museum standards and which control light, humidity, temperature and access.
The Capitol Theatre: Home to The Windsor Symphony Orchestra, The Capitol Theatre is Windsor’s cultural gem in the core. Opened in 1920, the theatre was known as Loew’s Windsor Theatre and offered both vaudeville and moving picture shows, however, in 1975 the theatre was divided into three main rooms. In 2000 the building became a Heritage Site under the Ontario Heritage Act and currently theatre groups, musicians and arts organizations can rent the theatre for productions.
Windsor Community Museum: Located in the downtown core, the Windsor Community Museum features regular new exhibits and collections, museum artifacts, educational programs and a special exhibit for the War of 1812 Bicentennial.
Windsor Public Library: It’s not just about books anymore! While the central branch of the library serves roughly 10,000 visitors a week, it features materials in over twenty different languages and offers special services including literacy tutoring, an expanded children’s collection and area, audio and large print books, forty-nine public computer stations, free internet access, service to the homebound, career and employment information, community meeting spaces and research and reference materials for university students. In addition, the library offers a wide selection of movies on DVD and Bluray and video games for free rental.
Restaurants and Bars: From Erie Street to Ouellette Avenue, Windsor is home to numerous restaurants and bars which serve outstanding fares. Next time that it’s raining and your plans have been thwarted, consider taking in a meal or a drink at a local establishment while you wait for the grey skies to clear up.
Rain got you down? Take in some indoor Windsor activities
Jonathon Liedtke is the Features & Opinion Editor for the University of Windsor Lance Campus/Community Newspaper and a reporter for ourWindsor.ca. As a founding member and current Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee, he is committed to representing, connecting, engaging with and advocating for local youth. He is also a member of Windsor’s “Punk with Horns” band The Nefidovs, and as such, is committed to enhancing and sustaining the arts community.
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