In the past, this cute town located on Lake Erie, has been a place of attraction for fishermen and beach lovers. Nowadays, it brings together everyone from bikers, to theater lovers, to bird watchers. Check the list of local attractions below 👇🏻 ⁠

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1. Friday, the 13th Motorcycle Rally 🏍️⁠

This spectacular phenomenon of Port Dover’s famous motorcycle rally is celebrated every Friday, the 13th. It attracts a mass of bikers and bike enthusiasts to celebrate this traditional event. People get to enjoy great food, drinks, and music. A typical summer attendance is about fifty to a hundred thousand bikers from cities as far away as Ottawa and even parts of the U.S., mostly from New York and Pennsylvania.

2. The Port Dover Harbour Museum ⚓⁠

This small, quaint museum ensures the preservation of Port Dover’s historical role in the commercial fishing industry. The museum, unnoticeably located on the edge of downtown, houses a rich history of life and death on the shores of Lake Erie – comprising of famous shipwrecks and rum smugglers. Some of this museum’s gem’s most classic possessions include hands-on exhibits, an original fisherman’s net shanty, and a century-old freighter wheelhouse.

3. Port Dover Beach 🏖️⁠

There are multiple beaches in and around Port Dover, which are highly packed with tourists and local people at the time of summers. This beach is ideal for families, small-town charm seekers, and most importantly, the bikers who arrive here for the event of Friday, the 13th. The beach’s scenic pier is perfectly designed for fishing, long romantic walks, or watching the tugboats return with their daily catch. It is a great place to spread a blanket, build sandcastles, go for a swim, eat out, or go shopping.  Other nearby beaches as attractive as Port Dover Beach include Turkey Point Beach, Port Ryerse, and Peacock Point.

4. Lynn River Falls 💦⁠

Tucked away on a small side street in Port Dover, the Lynn River Falls are sometimes also called the hidden gem of Port Dover. The Lynn river follows a trail between the small town of Simcoe and Port Dover, where it finally empties into Lake Erie at Port Dover. Although the waterfall is surrounded by private property, roadside viewing has enabled the visitors to see these falls.

5. Fantastic Restaurants 🍽️⁠

The fish and chips available at most of the restaurants in Port Dover are incredibly delicious. It is also a great place to grab a hot dog – well known local stands are famous among the crowd for offering a huge variety and unusual selections of condiments. Some of the most popular places where you can eat include: The Beach House, The Arbour, 211 Main, The Catch, Erie Beach Hotel, The Crepe House and David’s restaurant.

6. The Lighthouse Festival Theatre 💃🏼⁠

Located right in the heart of Port Dover is the Lighthouse Festival Theatre. It is a major summer theatre in Ontario. The Lighthouse Festival Theatre enriches the community’s values for arts and culture. It is mostly dedicated to enhance and promote Southern Ontario’s live professional theatre. It hosts concerts for a variety of genres and musical tribute shows as well. The theatre corp is for the Canadians and by the Canadians since 1980.

7. Port Dover Cemetry 👻⁠

Port Dover Cemetry on Blue Line Road has the world’s largest gravesite collection. From the late 18th century till now, i.e. 2021, it is still functioning. Since 1875 the Port Dover Cemetry has been serving as a dignified and peaceful resting place for your loved ones. The Board for the Cemetry is a charitable organization committed to maintaining the historical significance of the cemetery.

8. The First Lighthouse 💡⁠

The first Lighthouse at Port Dover was put together in 1845. But unfortunately, due to an accidental fire, the Lighthouse burned down on 5th November 1848. However, by 1877 a new Lighthouse was built on the pier. But in 1904, the Lighthouse on the western pier was taken down to build a new and improved tower. This 1905 Lighthouse remains active at Port Dover. It boasts stunning views and outer scenery. The Lighthouse is a major part of Port Dover, as it serves as a symbol for Port Dover and Norfolk County.

9. The Red Apple Rides 🚲⁠

With the Red Apple Rides, tour all of the areas and know its enticing rich history. The Red Apple Rides offers you a guided bike tour to all of the local areas and the most popular spots. You can either book a guided bicycle tour or rent a bike and see Port Dover from their perspective.

10. Summer Festival 🥳⁠

The third weekend of August is a special time in Port Dover. It is time for Port Dover Summer Festival or more commonly known as the “Art in the Park.” For the last 40 years, this particular weekend has attracted hundreds of people. During the festival, local artists and craft persons exhibit their skills. The picturesque town is very well witnessed in this summer festival. It is a two-day celebration of arts, crafts, foods, antiques, and entertainment. Local merchants host sidewalk markets and sales. They also organize afternoon puppet shows and live music events in the evenings. Your weekend will certainly be full of entertainment.

(The COVID-19 pandemic could affect the hours of operation and availability of services)

Thinking of buying or selling a property in Port Dover? Contact me for a free real estate consultation! 📩⁠
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