Bayfield, ON
Bayfield, Ontario is an incredibly quaint tiny town, perched on the shores of Lake Huron. While it’s primarily a summer spot, for good reason, a winter visit has its own charms.
Although the area was long inhabited by several Native groups, the town itself was founded in 1832 by a Dutch baron, who named it after Great Lakes surveyor and British naval officer Admiral Henry Wolsey Bayfield. Although somewhat sleepy, its natural port made it a popular stop for early trade vessels. Within a few decades, a proper town emerged along its Main Street, including stores, mills and hotels.
Although the arrival of the railroad in nearby Goderich impacted its trade route importance, the town quickly pivoted, and soon became a tourist destination. A century later, people are still drawn to this tiny town on the lake. Boasting several boutique hotels, everything here is within walking distance: restaurants, shops, bars and the beach.
Summer of course is the reasonable time to visit, but many of the businesses remain open year round (Black Dog Pub, The Little Inn), and the scenery and sunsets are still stunning in the winter, sans crowds.
