text:
Windhoek

Windhoek is Namibia's capital and largest city (population 430,000 in 2020). It is in the geographic centre of the country at an elevation of 1,600m. This is the city where most safaris travelling through Namibia begin, and also the first point of entry in Namibia should you arrive by airplane.

Understand
The city was spelled Windhuk during the German colonial time and is sometimes still referred to as such in German. The name is pronounced wind-hook, as "oe" in Dutch and Afrikaans is pronounced like "u" in German.

Tourist information

 * Windhoek tourist information

Talk
English is spoken throughout Namibia (it is the country's official language and is also the medium of instruction in most schools), although in many urban areas Afrikaans (similar to Dutch) is used as a lingua franca, as 50% of the Namibian population speak Afrikaans. German is widely used in tourism. Oshiwambo is spoken by 50% of Namibians as a mother tongue.

Radio and television are also predominantly in English.

Other languages include Otjiherero, Damara/Nama, Setswana, SiLozi, and Rukwangali.

By car
The B1, which runs from the north to the south and the B2 (Trans-Kalahari) which runs from the east to the west through Namibia are the primary land routes into Windhoek. Northern towns served by the B1 include Oshakati, Otjiwarongo, and Okahanja. Southern towns include Rehoboth, Keetmanshoop and Lüderitz. From the west the B2 connects Swakopmund and from the east it connects Gobabis.

By minibus-taxi
This is the easiest way to get to Windhoek for people without a car. Minibuses run from everywhere in Namibia, and through some combination of different routes, one can always find their way to Windhoek. The Engen petrol station north of downtown (Rhino Park) is the rank for southern and western destinations such as Mariental, Swakopmund, Keetmanshoop. For northern destinations such as Otjiwarongo, Oshakati and Rundu go to Hakahana Service Station, Katutura. However, it is easier to arrange for a minibus to take you (check opposite SAA in Independence Avenue).

By plane
If you're arriving in Namibia by airplane, this is most likely to be via Hosea Kutako International Airport. It's a relatively small airport, with a handful of gates and no aerobridges. Airside there are a few souvenir shops, and a bistro with fairly average food in a large common waiting hall for all flights. Landside there is a nice cafe outside of departures with good coffee, burgers, toasties and at reasonable prices. There is an official taxi booth landside in arrivals. Even though the airport is small, the queues can still be fairly long for security and immigration clearance - both incoming and outgoing. Car hire is available at the airport with all the majors. The airport is approximately out of town, so give yourself plenty of time to travel to the city centre. A taxi to the city will be about N$300 per person and will drop you at your doorstep. If you are travelling in a group you can negotiate a bulk price. For a similar price you can probably book a transfer through your hotel to be met at the arrivals. The road between the city and the airport is tarred, but there are no services. Fuel is available at the airport and in the city - there is not much between. Watch for baboons and other wildlife if you are driving in Namibia for the first time.

Travelling between international and domestic airport will take about half a day, due to customs, passport control, road time, and another check-in. Luggage will not be routed from one airport to another!

By train
TransNamib, via their StarLine passenger service, operates trains from Windhoek to a few destinations in Namibia. All trains depart in the late afternoon or early evening (between 16:00 and 20:00) at a time when the ticket office is already closed. You cannot buy a ticket on the train; in fact, you cannot enter the platform without a ticket. Trains are scheduled 2-5 times per week, depending on destination and season, on the following routes:
 * Windhoek-Otjiwarongo-Tsumeb
 * Windhoek-Gobabis
 * Windhoek-Swakopmund-Walvis Bay
 * Windhoek-Keetmanshoop; this train used to split and continue on to Upington in South Africa and Lüderitz on the Atlantic coast, but no longer does so.

These are not dedicated passenger trains but convey passengers via special coaches hooked on the back of freight trains. They are therefore a relatively slow method of transport, as the train will stop at every tree to hook and unhook freight wagons. The trip Windhoek-Swakopmund (360 km by road) takes a scheduled 9 hours, the 500 km trip to Keetmanshoop takes almost a day. Tickets are cheap, even in business class, and the passenger coaches are comfortable and have an airline-style seating. Their air-conditioning, video entertainment, and vending machines are not often operational. Most trains travel at night; bring a sleeping bag against the cold.

The Desert Express is a luxury tourist train that traverses Namibia regularly, taking tourists to such destinations as Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Etosha National Park. Buses are used to transport visitors from train stations to the various sights.

By bus

 * Intercape runs a bus service to and from Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa and Livingstone in Zambia.
 * Insight Luxury Coaches has a bus two times a week from Windhoek to Livingstone Zambia for N$450.
 * Baileys Reo Liner has a bus three times a week from Windhoek to Cape Town with a fare of N$650.
 * AT&T Monnakgotla Transport has a bus two times a week from Windhoek to Gaborone Botswana.

Book a few days in advance at least to be sure that you have a seat.

On foot
Most hotels and hostels are close to the city centre, so you can easily walk to most shops, restaurants, clubs and sights. After dark it is not safe to walk, though.

By car
Traffic in Windhoek generally flows freely, and driving is generally well ordered. Parking garages are located in the shopping centres and some street parking is available too.

There are a number of car rental agencies operating in Windhoek:

By taxi
There is no scheduled public transport in Windhoek but there is a system of shared taxis that do not have fixed routes. Everybody in the taxi is driven to their intended destination, in the order the driver thinks is best. Taxis have their registration number, a letter and up to three digits, prominently displayed. Taxis looking for passengers will hoot. To catch a taxi, point your hand into the direction you want to travel. Once the driver stops, tell him your destination. If it is not en route to his other passengers' destinations, he might refuse. Just wave down the next taxi.

As these taxis primarily run between the townships and the main industrial/commercial areas of the city, it can be difficult to find one in posh suburbs at night; during the day domestic workers take a taxi there. The standard fare for destinations that are on the "route" or close to the route is N$12, destinations more "out of the way" are charged double. After midnight every tour costs double, and people recognisable as tourists will generally not travel for the normal fee. If the driver says nothing about the price, give N$12.

Shared taxis are generally in bad condition, and their operators' aggressive driving is legendary. If you feel uncomfortable with that, there are radio taxis (on-demand) that do not pick up other passengers while they drive you. Most of these taxis have to be pre-booked via telephone; they'll come and get you wherever you are. They tend to gather at popular restaurants and nightspots. Make sure you agree on the price before taking them; most will ask for at least N$80 to go anywhere around Windhoek. These taxis also can take you out of Windhoek and to the airport.

Here are some taxi company numbers:

See

 * National Gallery of Namibia
 * Dictator street names Although Namibia isn't a dictatorship, there are a few dictators with whom Namibia's first president was quite friendly during the days of the struggle for independence (and still is). There are two in Windhoek, both downtown: Fidel Castro St. and Robert Mugabe Ave.
 * Dictator street names Although Namibia isn't a dictatorship, there are a few dictators with whom Namibia's first president was quite friendly during the days of the struggle for independence (and still is). There are two in Windhoek, both downtown: Fidel Castro St. and Robert Mugabe Ave.
 * Dictator street names Although Namibia isn't a dictatorship, there are a few dictators with whom Namibia's first president was quite friendly during the days of the struggle for independence (and still is). There are two in Windhoek, both downtown: Fidel Castro St. and Robert Mugabe Ave.

Learn
The University of Namibia (UNAM) and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) are located in Windhoek. There is also the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre where you can take classes in everything from French to photography.

Buy
There is a craft market in Post Street Mall in central Windhoek, though prices are quite high. There is another in Independence Avenue outside the Hilton Hotel. Prices are lower at the craft market in Okahandja, which is about an hour north of Windhoek.

There are a number of arcades and small shopping centres in the centre of Windhoek. Between them you can find pretty much anything you need. There is also a larger mall called Maerua Mall in the south end of the city (Jan Jonker Road), easily accessible by taxi.

For arts and crafts you can visit Jennys Place located at Bougain Villa 78 Sam Nujoma Drive, Klein Windhoek. . It is the largest arts and crafts shop in Namibia. They also provide a variety of art classes such as painting, card making and scrap booking. It has a calm and tranquil atmosphere.

Many places including shops, restaurants and internet cafés included are closed on Sundays or stay open only until 13:00. Note also that alcoholic beverages aren't sold after 19:00 (weekdays) and after 13:00 on Saturday (until Monday morning). On public holidays only restaurants and night clubs are open, all ordinary bars have to close.

Supermarkets and other shops close in the evenings.

Banks
ATMs are widespread and common throughout the city. Expect a limit of N$5000 on withdrawals most ATMs, and some as low as N$2000. Fees for foreign cards at around N$30.

Standard Bank, Nedbank, and First National Bank have Mastercard/Visa card ATMs.

Supermarkets
Supermarkets in Namibia have just about anything you might want from back home, though the brand names may be different.

There is a small outdoor market in Post Street Mall, a pedestrian street between Wernhil park and Independence Avenue. This is a good place to shop for souvenirs and wood carvings. Prices here will be a lot cheaper than in the shops. Haggling is advisable.

Drink

 * Bump Located in the Southern Industrial section of Windhoek, Bump features a spacious outdoor area, mid-sized dance floor and a large bar. Although the music is often limited to house and rave music, the service is friendly. Popular with the Afrikaner crowd.
 * The Wine Bar Located on a hill overlooking Windhoek with fantastic sunsets, perfect for that romantic occasion. The staff give excellent service and have good knowledge of the wines being served.
 * The Wine Bar Located on a hill overlooking Windhoek with fantastic sunsets, perfect for that romantic occasion. The staff give excellent service and have good knowledge of the wines being served.
 * The Wine Bar Located on a hill overlooking Windhoek with fantastic sunsets, perfect for that romantic occasion. The staff give excellent service and have good knowledge of the wines being served.
 * The Wine Bar Located on a hill overlooking Windhoek with fantastic sunsets, perfect for that romantic occasion. The staff give excellent service and have good knowledge of the wines being served.
 * The Wine Bar Located on a hill overlooking Windhoek with fantastic sunsets, perfect for that romantic occasion. The staff give excellent service and have good knowledge of the wines being served.

Connect
The area code for Windhoek is (061). When calling Windhoek from outside Namibia do not put a '0' between the country code and the area code.

It is cheaper to buy mobile phone starter packs than rely on roaming. Starter packs, including SIM cards and airtime, can be purchased throughout the city at less than N$20.

There are a number of well-equipped Internet cafés in Windhoek.

Stay healthy
Due to its high elevation of about 1,600 m you can be sunburnt easily, even on the (few) cloudy days. Wear a hat and sunscreen.

Windhoek is not within the endemic malaria area. The mosquitoes can still be a pest during rainy season (Nov-April). Repellents are available at every supermarket.

Stay safe
Windhoek is generally safe for tourists but the usual precautions should be taken. Do not walk around displaying jewellery or electronics. Take a radio taxi at night. Do not visit the townships unaccompanied, or after dark. The city centre is not very big and newly arriving tourists are quickly spotted by aggressive beggars who like to start conversions like "Kommen Sie aus Deutschland?", thereby targeting, and taking by surprise, the many German visitors. Just ignore them.

Be careful with the traffic. Many drivers ignore red lights, zebra crossings, and a lot more. For a car that wants to turn, a green pedestrian traffic light means nothing, and generally people in cars are deemed to be more important than people on foot, and therefore have the right of way.

General emergencies

 * Medical emergency / Fire station: +264-(0)-61 211111
 * Crisis emergency services: +264-(0)-61 303395,
 * City Police: +264-(0)-61 302302, +264-(0)-61 2902018,
 * Police: +264-(0)-61 10111

Hospitals

 * Lady Pohamba Private Hospital: +264-(0)-83 3359000,
 * Roman Catholic Private Hospital: +264-(0)-61 2702911
 * Mediclinic Private Hospital: +264-(0)-61 4331000
 * State Hospital: +264-(0)-61 2039111

Embassies and Consulates

 * 🇪🇬 Egypt
 * 🇫🇮 Finland
 * 🇮🇳 India
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇺🇸 United States

title: Windhoek


text:
Window Rock

Window Rock (Navajo: Tségháhoodzání) is a town of 2,500 people (2020) in Apache County, in the state of Arizona in the United States of America. It is significant beyond its size as the administrative center of Navajo Nation, the country's largest Indian reservation and an important tourist destination.

Get in
Window Rock is just west of the New Mexico state line and is more easily reached by road from New Mexico than from Arizona. Hwy 264 leads from Gallup on Interstate highway 40 (following historic Route 66) to the town. The southwestern approach to the town is via US Hwy 191 from I-40.

Albuqueque International Sunport, with flights around the U.S., is about a 2½-hour drive away.

Get around
Window Rock is a small town of 5 square miles (14 sq km) and 2,712 residents. Just walk, bike, or drive. The Navajo Transit System also operates buses.

The operates a tourism information center on Hwy 264 in nearby St. Michaels.

Buy
See the Navajo Nation article for a discussion of Navajo rugs and other distinctive arts and crafts of the region. is headquartered in Window Rock (Hwy 264, just east of the center of town) and may be worth a visit, not so much for buying goods as for learning about other places in the region for buying them.

Eat
Try out the local frybread stands, most near the downtown fleamarket.

Drink
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited within Navajo Nation. If you simply must have a beer, Gallup, New Mexico is only a few miles away, but bar-hopping there may expose you to some hostility, owing to problems with alcoholism in Navajo Nation.

Go next

 * Window Rock is a good base camp from which to visit some of the Navajo Nation trading posts and look for Navajo rugs and other folk art. Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, near Ganado, is a unit of the United States National Park System, but is also a working post with a good collection of rugs and jewelry. Posts at Crystal (picturesque setting, quite different from the desert you might be expecting), Two Grey Hills (a particularly noted rug-weaving region), and Wide Ruin are also close.
 * Other nearby national parks and monuments include Canyon de Chelly National Monument to the north and Petrified Forest National Park to the southwest along I-40.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Window Rock


text:
Windsor

There's more than one place called Windsor:

Australia

 * Windsor (New South Wales) - in New South Wales

Canada

 * Windsor (Nova Scotia) - in Nova Scotia
 * Windsor (Ontario) - in Ontario

United Kingdom

 * Windsor and Eton - in England

United States of America

 * Windsor (California) - in California
 * Windsor (Connecticut) - a town in Connecticut
 * Windsor (New York) - a town in New York
 * Windsor (North Carolina) - a town in North Carolina
 * Windsor (Vermont) - a town in Vermont
 * Windsor (Virginia) - a town in Virginia

title: Windsor


text:
Windsor (California)

Windsor is a town of 27,000 people (2019) in Sonoma County in the Bay Area of California, 9 miles north of Santa Rosa and 63 miles north of San Francisco. It may not be on the main tourist trail through California's Wine Country, but it will appeal to people looking for small, family-owned businesses, an eclectic mix of shops, and summertime entertainment.

Get in
Windsor is primarily accessible by car, although it is also a destination for those bicycling through California's wine country. California Route 101, a restricted-access highway, runs through the middle of the town, and Old Redwood Highway (formerly Route 101) runs roughly parallel to the highway. The main commercial district is just south of the town square, just west of the central Windsor exit for Highway 101.

Just south of Windsor is the Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport, which has direct daily commercial flights from Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Denver, and Phoenix; daily summer flights from Dallas-Fort Worth; and weekly flights (seasonally) from Minneapolis and Las Vegas. There are several rental car options at the airport, and a bus (line 62N/62S) to and from Santa Rosa, a much larger city about five miles south of Windsor.

The Sonoma County Airport Express has multiple daily buses between the Sonoma County Airport and the Oakland and San Francisco airports. Locally, Sonoma County Transit (SCT) provides two connecting bus lines: Route 60, between Santa Rosa, Windsor, and (to the north) Healdsburg and Cloverdale; and Route 62, between Windsor, the Sonoma County Airport, and Santa Rosa. (SCT's "NextBus" system provides real-time bus arrival information via shelter LED signs, PCs, and smartphones.) Mendocino Transit Authority also serves Windsor.

Get around
The town of Windsor is almost completely flat, and almost all streets have sidewalks, so walking is feasible to most places within town limits. The town has been modifying streets to add bike lanes, and plans to continue to add to them. The town is actually one of the best in California for getting around by bike, though not many locals do so.

Sonoma County Transit has one bus line, Route 66, that provides service within Windsor; that service is free, as of Apr 2022, as it is subsidized by the town. There is one local taxi company, Windsor Express Taxi, but Santa Rosa and Healdsburg are close enough for their taxi companies to provide service to addresses within Windsor. Windsor is also fully served by Uber (more than 600 drivers in Sonoma County) and Lyft.

If you're driving, note that the traffic lights will change quickly, for example if there is no traffic coming toward a green light - the traffic system is designed to be very responsive. And blinking, yellow left-turn arrows (left turn permitted if no oncoming traffic) are common.

See
Windsor was a small north coast community which experienced noticeable development after it was incorporated in 1992. Visitors will find a mixture of revival architectural styles, built to create a new small town, near the new Town Green. This development demonstrates aspects of new urbanism and the growth supported by expanding interest in tourism in California's wine country.

Do
Windsor's "do" activities primarily relate to "buy" and "eat", but strolling around the downtown, investigating the small shops and restaurants, and enjoying activities on the town green may also be experienced without buying or eating anything. Most notable are the summer music concerts on Thursday nights (June through September) and kids movies on Saturdays (June and July), on the town green. See website. Both are free, though a donation is requested.

Options for activities include:

 * Billiards at Racks-N-Cues Billiards and Brews, open Su-Th 11:30AM-11:30PM, and until 1:30AM on weekend nights.
 * Bowling at the Windsor Bowling Center, which also has an escape room and several indoor miniature golf holes.
 * Renting a bike from Ace It! Bike Tours, two blocks from the Town Green, at 367 Windsor River Road. (You can also book a brewery and/or winery tour through Ace It!)
 * Golf at the Windsor Golf Club, a beautiful 18-hole course (not really a "club"; no membership required); there is also a driving range, and, near the pro shop, three greens to practice on (two putting, one chipping)
 * Hiking in a regional park. There are three in or near Windsor (before hiking, best to print a map), which are open from dawn to dusk:

For more ideas, check out the town's Visitor's Center, operated by the Windsor Chamber of Commerce, at 9001 Windsor Road. Their hours are M-F 8:30AM to 4:30PM, and Sa Su 10AM to 3PM.

Buy
Windsor offers a variety of local shops, plus the usual chain stores.

Downtown Windsor features many small shops with offerings ranging from apparel to candy to a lifestyle general store. Oliver's Market, just north of the Town Green, is an upscale supermarket.

One large cluster of retail locations within Windsor is two adjacent shopping complexes (Lakewood Shopping Center and Lakewood Village Shopping Center) just east of Highway 101, close to the central Windsor highway exit. Another large shopping center, just east of the Shiloh Road exit off 101, is anchored by Walmart, Home Depot, and Grocery Outlet. [Grocery Outlet is a West Coast chain — if you've never been to one, it's definitely worth a visit to at least browse.]

Almost all other retail businesses within Windsor are on Old Redwood Highway, which is roughly parallel to Highway 101, or on Conde Lane, also along Highway 101, south of downtown.

Eat
Visitors have their pick of several dozen restaurants, mostly not chain restaurants, ranging from pub fare to higher-end dining. Many are found just south or east of the town square, on McClelland Drive or on Windsor River Road.

The Windsor Farmers Market takes place Sundays, April through December (10AM-1PM), just off the town square. From June through August, it is also held Thursday evenings from 5-8PM; the Thursday version is oriented toward those listening to evening music on the town green (selling food to be eaten out) rather than toward those looking to buy produce.

The best restaurants in the town, listed alphabetically, are:

For dessert, consider these places:

Drink
Quite a few wineries with tasting rooms are located five to ten minutes drive outside Windsor's town limits, primarily to the north (along Old Redwood Highway) and south (on River Road or nearby) - too many to list. Below are wine, beer, and other tasting opportunities within town limits, or just outside them.

In the downtown Windsor area, you'll find these drinking opportunities within a block of the Town Green:

 * Wines: on Windsor Road, near the train station, at #9050, is Mutt Lynch Winery, a dog friendly hound lounge, tasting room, and gift shop; at #9058 is The Tasting Lounge for Baldassari Wines; at #9071 is Bellacana Vineyards; at #9086 is Tonti Family Wines (check out their Sunday jazz and other events). Around the corner, closer to the Town Green, at 834 McClelland Dr., is a combined tasting room for Mengler Family Wines; and [https://www.jcage.com/ J. Cage Cellars.

 * In Oliver's Market, at 9230 Old Redwood Highway, the Tavern Off The Green, with local beers on tap and an affordable tavern-style menu. Anything in the adjacent grocery store can be brought into the pub space. Open daily 11AM-8PM, with happy hour all day Sunday and 4-6PM on other days.
 * In Oliver's Market, at 9230 Old Redwood Highway, the Tavern Off The Green, with local beers on tap and an affordable tavern-style menu. Anything in the adjacent grocery store can be brought into the pub space. Open daily 11AM-8PM, with happy hour all day Sunday and 4-6PM on other days.

Clustered together, about 1.5 miles south of downtown, is a small beverage district. On weekends, there is a free shuttle service from the Airport station of the SMART train system.

 * Four producers, at Artisan Alley, are open to the public on Saturdays, 11AM to 4PM: Colagrossi Wines, at 7755 Bell Road; Sonoma Brothers Distilling, 7759 Bell Road; Tilted Shed Ciderworks, at 7761 Bell Road; and Two Shepherds Winery, at 7763 Bell Road. (Other days are by appointment only.)
 * Part of Artisan Alley, at 7765 Bell Rd, is Barley & Bine Beer Cafe, with 38 taps offering mostly craft beer, but also cider and wine. The cafe's food includes grilled sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, a cheese plate, and nachos. Open M 3-9PM, W Th noon-10PM, F Sa noon-11PM, and Su noon-9PM.
 * Zouzounis Wines (formerly Deux Amis), at 7680 Bell Rood, is open for tastings Sa and Su 1-4 PM.
 * Part of Artisan Alley, at 7765 Bell Rd, is Barley & Bine Beer Cafe, with 38 taps offering mostly craft beer, but also cider and wine. The cafe's food includes grilled sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, a cheese plate, and nachos. Open M 3-9PM, W Th noon-10PM, F Sa noon-11PM, and Su noon-9PM.
 * Zouzounis Wines (formerly Deux Amis), at 7680 Bell Rood, is open for tastings Sa and Su 1-4 PM.

Continuing south, you'll find a huge brewpub and brewing facility just off Conde Lane, completed in late 2018:

Just a short distance further south, around the corner from the Russian River Brewing Company, is another production facility opened in 2018:

In a commercial area off Shiloh Road, east of Highway 101, is a tasting room (plus production facilities) for a local brewery: Just south of town:

Sleep
There are three regular hotels in Windsor:

Besides the usual options for renting a private properties (via Airbnb or similar), there is also a timeshare complex where units can be rented:

Go next
By resisting the temptation to get back on Highway 101, and instead taking Old Redwood Highway (or other alternate routes), travelers will find many local spots of interest, from tamales vendors to wineries.

title: Windsor (California)


text:
Windsor (Connecticut)

Windsor is a town in Connecticut. It's the state's first English settlement, near the Connecticut River and Hartford. The city has a population of approximately 30,000.

By car
From north or south, 91 North or South. Exits for Windsor explicit.

From east or west, 84 East or West. Exits for Windsor Explicit

By train

 * Routes stopping at Windsor:
 * Amtrak Hartford Line operating 3-5 trips per direction daily between Springfield and New Haven with stops in Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden, and Wallingford.
 * Northeast Regional operating twice daily between Springfield and Washington, D.C. with stops in Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden, Wallingford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, New Rochelle, New York City, Newark, Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and New Carrollton.
 * Valley Flyer operates twice daily between Greenfield and New Haven including stops in Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden, and Wallingford.
 * Valley Flyer operates twice daily between Greenfield and New Haven including stops in Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden, and Wallingford.

By bus
Peterpan and Greyhound buses stop in Hartford.

By plane
Bradley International Airport located in Windsor Locks. Taxis available.

Get around
CT public transportation is marginally reliable. If coming from out of town, it's best to have your own car or rent one.

See

 * Vintage Radio and Communications Museum-a museum focusing on the history and development of communication and broadcast from Morse Code to the World Wide Web. Kid friendly. Located only a mile from the center of town.
 * The Huntington House Museum-museum located in the home of one of Windsor’s founding fathers. Quiet and quaint, located on Town Green.

Do

 * Windsor Public Library- A nice place to enjoy a quiet read. Visit their website for weekly activities for children and adult education.
 * North West Park- Located in Poquonock, park is great for hikes, walks, bike rides. Small farm to enjoy watching animals. Kid-friendly museum to explore Connecticut’s wildlife. Pavilion and grills available until dark.
 * Windsor High School Rec- Open to visitors after school and practice hours. Track in new condition. Indoor pool, outdoor pool seasonal. Baseball, Lacross, Football, and Soccer fields available.
 * Windsor River Trail- Located nearly across the street from Bart’s. Slightly hidden, driveway more like a circle, located on Palisado Ave. Gorgeous paved trails. Best before or after Spring, season flooding affects trains.
 * Ice Skating Rink - Located on town green approximately from late December to mid-March (weather permitting). Small outdoor rink, family friendly.

Buy

 * Geissler’s Supermarket--family owned grocery located in the center of town.
 * Pricerite- less expensive supermarket located near Hartford town line.

Eat

 * Dom’s Eatery -A great hometown diner open for breakfast and lunch. Located in the center of town. Family oriented and fairly inexpensive, continental breakfasts and deli lunches.
 * Whistle Stop Cafe- Another hometown diner open for breakfast and lunch. Located in the center of town. “Windsor” themed and great for history buffs. Named after the railroad station located behind restaurant. Continental breakfasts and deli lunches.
 * Bart’s Drive-In- 1950s themed drive-in restaurant in historic Windsor. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served. Breakfasts include omelette's and breakfast sandwiches, lunch and dinner offer hamburgers, hotdogs, french fries, and various fried sea food.
 * Jim’s Pizza- Italian restaurant, classy family sit-down dining. Pizza, pastas, various meats. Located in Poquonuck. Often venue for fundraisers, so check out ahead of time for family fun nights, etc.
 * Windsor 75 Diner- Average sit-down diner. Offers a menu with a large variety for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Kids friendly, offers crayons and children’ menus.
 * Tunxis Grill & Pizzeria- A less kid family restaurant, classy and somewhat along the lines of an 			Olive Garden. Offers indoor and outdoor dining. Sit-down bar and lounge. A more adult-geared menu of Italian up-scaled meals; seafood, veal, pastas, club sandwiches, gourmet salads.
 * Giovanni’s Pizza Restaurant- Sit down diner, more family friendly than Tunxis Grill. A long time 			Windsor establishment. Menu mainly Italian pastas and various pizzas. Also offers delivery. Coupons available online.

Drink

 * Union Street Tavern- offers both dining and comprehensive bar. Frequent Happy Hour and late night 		specials.
 * Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar- Sport’s bar with walls of televisions for optimal viewing. Offers 		frequent game-day/night specials.

title: Windsor (Connecticut)


text:
Windsor (New York)

Windsor is a city in New York.

Get in
By car on Route 17 (soon to be Interstate 86)

Get around
Walking - The sidewalks are a good 3 to 4 feet wide and give plenty of ample walking space. You can no doubt get from "here" to "there" on foot.

Automobile - Probably 50% of the roads in Windsor are paved! You can feel comfortable knowing if you drive into town, you'll be able to get to most places.

See
Windsor is a small town on the outskirts of Binghamton, not far from the PA border. There is one grocery store, a pharmacy, a few cafes and bars. There's also a park with a swimming pool, basketball courts, playground and little league (and softball) fields. There are more than a few farms in Windsor and fresh produce being sold on the village green during the summertime farmer's market every Saturday.

Do
Farmer's Market - Set up on the sidewalk along the village green. Saturday mornings during the summer months.

Concert on the Green - Weekends during the summer. Musicians perform on the village Green for locals to enjoy.

Camping - see "Sleep"

Golden Oaks Golf Club - 679 State Route 79 - An 18-hole golf course. The course rating is 70.8 and it has a slope rating of 119.

Buy
Big M Supermarket - You'll find everything from cottage cheese to root beer to diapers to eggnog (around December) Plus - there's a grabby machine located near the entrance for the kids!

Eat
You'll never go hungry in Windsor - there's always a spaghetti dinner happening at one of the many churches!

Drink
Chip's, 500 Chapel St - Sometimes they still let you smoke inside!

Sleep
Forest Lake Campground 574 Ostrander Rd. 607-655-1444

Lakeside Campground - 336 Hargrave Rd. 607-655-2694

Pine Crest Camping Area - 280 State Route 79 607-655-1515

title: Windsor (New York)


text:
Windsor (North Carolina)

Windsor is a town of 3,582 (2020) in North Carolina.

Understand
Historically the home of the Tuscarora people, Windsor has a number of buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.

title: Windsor (North Carolina)


text:
Windsor (Nova Scotia)

Windsor is a town of 3,600 people (2016) in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. Windsor is one of several places that claims to be the "birthplace" of hockey. Hockey is an inextricable part of Windsor’s heritage and culture.

History
Windsor was settled in 1685 by the Acadian French, who built a network of dikes along the rivers. Windsor has always been a meeting place, first for the Mi’kmaq First Nations (Indigenous) people, then the Acadians, and later the English gentry.

Windsor became a permanent English settlement in 1749. Its strategic location prompted the British to build Fort Edward. The Blockhouse is the only structure remaining from the original fort and it is the oldest structure of its kind in North America. Fort Edward is a National Historic Site.

Windsor quickly became a favourite locale of the British gentry, particularly with those living in Halifax. The area’s growth and prosperity was heavily affected by this influential collection of politicians, merchants and military officers from Halifax. In fact, Windsor was such a popular “get-a-way” for people in the provincial capital that it became known as “the Athens of Nova Scotia”.

Shortly after the arrival of the United Empire Loyalists from New England in 1783, Kings College was established in Windsor, in 1788. Kings College was the first independent school in Canada, and today is a world-renowned co-educational preparatory school.

Windsor was for many years a bustling seaport and shipbuilding centre. Between 1840 and 1890, shipbuilding was the most prominent factor in the economy of Windsor. In his book Attache, Windsor’s own Thomas Chandler Haliburton, generally regarded as the father of North American humour, alluded to a form of hockey being played by the students of King’s College, now King’s-Edgehill School.

The passage from the Haliburton book, which deals in part with memories of his days at King’s in the early 1800s, is believed to be the earliest written reference to the game we now know as hockey, and goes as follows:

 * “... the boys let out racin’, yelpin’, hollerin’ and whoopin’ like mad with pleasure... with games at base in the fields, or hurley on the long pond on the ice....”

The students from King’s-Edgehill School today still play hockey at the Cradle of Hockey on the Dill Family Farm. There have been many re-enactments of games of hurley-on-ice, “back of the college woods” on the pond. The students at King’s still use the same path today that their predecessors would have used in the early 19th century.

It’s also known that the British troops stationed at Windsor’s Fort Edward in the early 1800s took up the game of hurley-on-ice, which evolved into the great Canadian game of hockey. In fact, it’s said that a Colonel John Hockey served at Fort Edward.

Tourist information

 * Windsor tourist information

Get in
The closest airport to Windsor is Halifax International Airport in Halifax.

Windsor is approximately 45 minutes by car from Halifax. To get to Windsor from Halifax, take Highway 101 West and get off at exit 5A or exit 6. (The Visitor Centre is at exit 6.) Windsor can also be accessed via Highway 1, also known as the Evangeline Trail, which goes right through the centre of town.

There is no longer a local bus service servicing the town of Windsor, however across the Avon river in nearby Falmouth there are two daily buses (one in each direction) offered by Maritime Bus heading to Halifax in the morning and Kentville in the evening (as of Apr 2024). The Falmouth stop is a flag stop meaning it must be booked at least 3 hours in advance.

Get around
Windsor is fairly walkable with sidewalks on most streets.

There is no public transit around Windsor, as Kings Transit no longer serves the town.

Do
Golf at Rosevale Par Three Family Golf Course, minutes from Windsor, just off the Chester Rd. Great golfing for learners, kids, and anyone looking to have fun and enjoy their day off! contact--rosevalepar3@hotmail.com

 * Windsor-West Hants Pumpkin Festival — at the Windsor Waterfront and Exhibition Grounds, or, Mid-October. This festival includes a number of pumpkin-related activities, but the highlight is the Pumpkin Regatta: contestants make boats out of giant pumpkins and paddle or motor them around Lake Pesaquid, often in silly costumes. Free.

Go next

 * Continue along the Evangeline Trail (Hwy 1) to Grand Pre and Wolfville. Further along are Annapolis Royal (Port Royal) and Digby.
 * In winter, take Highway 14 to Ski Martock for cross country and downhill skiing/snowboarding.

title: Windsor (Nova Scotia)


text:
Windsor (Ontario)

Windsor is a mid-sized Canadian city on the southwest tip of Ontario. It's an extremely multicultural city with over 20% of its population having been born outside of Canada. The city's rich cultural background is evident in its Middle Eastern, Italian, and Asian neighbourhoods. Just across the Detroit River from Detroit and the American border, it's one of the very few places where you have to go south to enter Canada. Its main waterfront park stretches about, from the 1929 Ambassador suspension bridge past the contemporary Windsor Sculpture Park. It ends near the 1894 Italianate Canadian Club Heritage Centre, which recalls when Windsor was a source for liquor smuggled to the Prohibition-era states.

Understand
Founded as a French agricultural settlement in 1748, Windsor has grown into a city of about 230,000 people (2021 census). Reflecting its American neighbour across the Detroit River, it has a strong connection with the automobile industry, with Chrysler's Canadian headquarters based in the city. The riverside area of Windsor has been developed into a lush area of parkland that offers spectacular views of the Detroit skyline, and is the city's most well-known feature.

The 1981 Journey song "Don't Stop Believin'" mentions a boy "born and raised in south Detroit", which would be Windsor. Songwriter Steve Perry has said "I tried north Detroit, I tried east and west and it didn't sing, but south Detroit sounded so beautiful. I loved the way it sounded, only to find out later it's actually Canada."

Culture
Even if you spend a day in Windsor you'll notice that it's a very multicultural city, yet still retaining a small town feel. Right off the bat, visitors will hear English, French, Arabic and Italian. Near the east side of the downtown area is the North African/Middle Eastern neighbourhoods with a large Lebanese community. Southeast of the downtown area is the Via Italia neighbourhood, with numerous Italian restaurants and shops. West of the downtown area is an area with strong Asian influences.

Climate
The city has quite a wide range in climate conditions, with average temperatures hovering around -6°C (21°F) in January, while in July the average temperature is around 28 °C (82 °F). The late summer is the best time to visit the city, though it can be humid and sultry.

Windsor's weather breaks the most records, in more categories, in both averages and extremes, than any other Canadian regions. Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada, yet mid-western, while surrounded by the Great Lakes. Some of these records measure heat, humidity, precipitation, lightning, variances, mild winters, etc. For specifics details see: climate.weather.gc.ca

By plane

By train

 * Operates a route multiple times daily between Windsor and Toronto including stops in Chatham, London, Ingersoll, Woodstock, Brantford, Burlington, and Oakville. Travel time to Windsor from London 1.75-2 hours, from Brantford is 3-3.25 hours, and from Toronto is 4-4.5 hours.
 * Neighbouring Detroit in the United States has multiple trains daily from Chicago.
 * Neighbouring Detroit in the United States has multiple trains daily from Chicago.

By car
Canada's busiest highway, the 401, is a major artery which begins in Windsor and follows the beaten-path Windsor-Quebec corridor, and becomes Autoroute 20 in Quebec. Highway 401 carries the bulk of the traffic between Canada's two largest cities, Toronto and Montreal.

Windsor is also easily accessible by crossing the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel or the Ambassador Bridge from Detroit. For more information about the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel and Ambassador Bridge and immigration/customs please see the From the United States section.

From Buffalo, Windsor is a sneaky shortcut which lops about a hundred miles off the trip to Detroit compared to a domestic route through Ohio. Unfortunately, much of the time saved is lost dealing with strange Customs on both sides. Take QEW from the Buffalo Peace Bridge to Hamilton, then take the 403 west to join the 401.

From the United States
U.S. and Canadian citizens are required to present a passport, passport card, enhanced driver's licence, or trusted traveller card when crossing the U.S.-Canada border. For more detailed identification requirements, visit Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). (See the 'Get in' section of the main Canada article for entry requirements for citizens of other countries.) Although it is efficient for an international border, this is the busiest crossing between the two countries, and is not as quick and casual as it once was.

There are two ways to get to Windsor from Detroit:
 * Construction of a third bridge, the future Gordie Howe International Bridge between Brighton Beach (Windsor) and Delray (Detroit), began in 2018. The Windsor-Essex Parkway, an extension of Highway 401 which opened in 2015, will connect directly to the new bridge - which expected to be completed in 2025. In the meantime, all traffic from Detroit lands not directly on the motorway but on Windsor surface streets (Ontario highways 3 and 3B), leading to substantial delays at the border.
 * Construction of a third bridge, the future Gordie Howe International Bridge between Brighton Beach (Windsor) and Delray (Detroit), began in 2018. The Windsor-Essex Parkway, an extension of Highway 401 which opened in 2015, will connect directly to the new bridge - which expected to be completed in 2025. In the meantime, all traffic from Detroit lands not directly on the motorway but on Windsor surface streets (Ontario highways 3 and 3B), leading to substantial delays at the border.
 * Construction of a third bridge, the future Gordie Howe International Bridge between Brighton Beach (Windsor) and Delray (Detroit), began in 2018. The Windsor-Essex Parkway, an extension of Highway 401 which opened in 2015, will connect directly to the new bridge - which expected to be completed in 2025. In the meantime, all traffic from Detroit lands not directly on the motorway but on Windsor surface streets (Ontario highways 3 and 3B), leading to substantial delays at the border.

Pedestrians cannot walk across the bridge or through the tunnel; they must use the tunnel bus. Bicyclists are prohibited from using the bridge and the tunnel, but (since 2017) can use the bike rack of the tunnel bus. One can also disassemble the bike and put it in a bike bag, which can be brought on the bus. A Windsor-Detroit ferry crossing exists, but primarily serves truck traffic (including hazardous material) which cannot use the tunnel.

An alternative to crossing at Windsor-Detroit is the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia-Port Huron, an hour from Windsor-Detroit by motorcar.

Get around
The majority of the hotels and entertainment are concentrated in the downtown area, so walking and reasonable cabs may be good options.

By car
Windsor is a city that was built for the car, or rather, a city built on building cars, thus earning the nicknames the 'Automotive Capital of Canada' or 'Motor City Canada' in addition to 'Rose City' branding (despite not particularly featuring more roses than other cities across Southern Ontario). If you are going to get around the entire city, not just the downtown area and immediate neighbouring districts, your best option would be to rent a car.

By taxi and ride hailing

By foot
Many attractions listed below are quite spread out - even more than 10 km from downtown - and as such impractical to visit by foot. However, some are concentrated in an area about 500 m across between the tunnel entrance and the river. Moreover the riverside park is almost certainly best explored on foot.

Historical

Parks and gardens

Amusement parks

Trails

Sports

Music scene
Windsor's underground music scene is blooming with talented musicians creating music genres such as rock, indie, metal, soul and more. Every single day there's a show being put on by the determined booking agents and venues alike who love this city. The scene in Windsor is tightly-knit, like a big family. It creates this home-like feeling, as most of the people who have left only miss the concerts. The venues in Windsor set the stage for gorgeous concerts to be brought down from all over the world!

Buy

Shopping in Windsor can be a treat particularly due to the abundance of ethnic stores littered about Windsor. There's a store to suit everyone's need, including the American cigar aficionado, who will be delighted to realize that due to Canada's cozier relations with Cuba than America's, Cuban cigars are widely available for purchase. Purchasing a Cuban cigar or Cuban products in Windsor, even if consumed on Canadian soil, is considered by U.S. government to be a violation of the U.S. embargo and you may be subject to hefty fines or jail time if caught. In practice, however, this might not be a big problem, as thousands of Americans travel to Cuba illegally every year with no problem.

Eat
Windsor is known for being one of the great food places in Canada, with much of its reputation owing to the many ethnic restaurants in the city ranging from Italian, Lebanese, Chinese (Cantonese/Szechuan), Thai, Indian, Greek, African (Ethiopian/Somalian), Caribbean, as well as other specialties such as vegetarian/vegan restaurants.

Mid-range

Splurge

Bars, pubs and clubs

Breweries & distilleries

 * (Don't confuse the Hiram Walker & Sons Limited with the Canadian Club Brand Centre tourist attraction at 2072 Riverside E, that is permanently closed.
 * (Don't confuse the Hiram Walker & Sons Limited with the Canadian Club Brand Centre tourist attraction at 2072 Riverside E, that is permanently closed.
 * (Don't confuse the Hiram Walker & Sons Limited with the Canadian Club Brand Centre tourist attraction at 2072 Riverside E, that is permanently closed.
 * (Don't confuse the Hiram Walker & Sons Limited with the Canadian Club Brand Centre tourist attraction at 2072 Riverside E, that is permanently closed.

Stay safe
Downtown Windsor is safe and very lively, even late at night. The biggest danger is getting into a confrontation with an intoxicated person when the clubs close for the night. The usual precautions should be taken, such as, travel in groups, mind your own business, etc. However, the downtown core is usually well policed, so you should have no real problems.

Beginning late into the evening touts will roam the streets offering free admission to bars, clubs, and strip joints. While for the most part touts operate individually you may be approached by two or more touts. Standard precautions should be taken when considering following a tout to a strange location or to a bar that you've never been to before. If you feel uncomfortable walk away.

Unlike most mid-sized Canadian cities the custom in Windsor is similar to bigger cities like Toronto or Montreal in that drivers will not stop for pedestrians crossing a street who are not crossing at a marked traffic intersection (i.e. jaywalking). Jaywalking is specifically legal in Windsor but at the pedestrian's own risk. Windsor does not have stand-alone pedestrian activated crosswalks. Additionally, Windsor drivers tend to be quite aggressive. Windsorites drive similarly to the aggressive (but quick and efficient) Detroit or US East Coast style rather than the more laid back Canadian style. If you like to drive slowly and cautiously you may find yourself getting honked at, yelled at, given the finger, tailgated, etc.

Go next

For a more quaint experience, Essex County and Pelee Island can be of interest offering many sight-seeing experiences such as wine tours (Colio Wines & Pelee Island Winery) and Point Pelee National Park, which is a 40 minute drive from Windsor to Leamington along Highway 3. About 30 minutes away along the waterfront, Amherstburg is the home of historic Fort Malden. Nearby is Bois Blanc Island, an abandoned amusement park which used to be popular among Detroit visitors.

Windsor is the southernmost major city in Canada. Detroit is just across the river and offers museums and cultural attractions, most notably the Detroit Institute of Arts, Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, and the Detroit Zoo. Beyond Windsor/Detroit, a car ride can take you to many close cities in the United States, such as Ann Arbor, Toledo, Lansing, Cleveland, or Columbus. Chicago is a 4- to 5-hour drive west from Windsor.

Further out on the Windsor-Quebec corridor lies London, a 2-hour drive, while Toronto is a 4-hour drive northeast from Windsor. Also from Windsor, a 9- or 10-hour drive northeast give or take may bring you to Montréal or Ottawa, Canada's capital city.

title: Windsor (Ontario)


text:
Windsor (Vermont)

Windsor is in Southern Vermont. Windsor has a small population of 3,800 people and sits on the banks of the Connecticut River. Mount Ascutney, one of Vermont's only volcanoes (inactive), offers great views while visiting this small but progressive community.

Understand
Founded in 1761, the town of Windsor boasts historical significance in that the Republic of Vermont was written there. The Old Constitution House is preserved as the specific building in which the document was drafted. There are many sites of historical importance within the community.

The industry in the area is rich and varied; Simon Pearce, the renowned producer of blown glass and hand-thrown pottery, is but one of the renowned businesses within the community. There are also many small and locally owned retail shops that offer antiques, books, crafts, wines, gifts, and clothing. The many restaurants offer various cuisine and the recreation is plentiful. Windsor is also just a short drive away from Woodstock.

By car
Interstate 91 passes through Windsor. Windsor is approximately 12 miles south from the Upper Valley tri-towns of Hanover and Lebanon, NH and Hartford, VT.

By train
Windsor is served by Amtrak via its Vermonter train between Washington, D.C. and St. Albans. Southbound trains arrive around noon while northbound arrives just before 6PM. is centrally located at 26 Depot Ave. There are no amenities, but the old station has been converted to a restaurant.

Get around
A car is preferable in this rural area, however biking is common in the warmer months.

See
Windsor is a very historical town with many 18th century buildings that are in various stages of rehabilitation. Windsor was the site of the writing of the Constitution of the Republic of Vermont. Vermont was never a colony of England and was previously claimed land by NH and NY. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys fought these states and formed their own republic on July 7, 1777, by signing a constitution that was the first to allow women rights and ban slavery. Vermont remained a Republic for 14 years when it was recognized by the United States and became the 14th state. The Constitution house, located on Route 5 North heading into town, has been restored and is open to the public. This historic building has moved from its original location to where it sits today. Another historic building in this town is the Toll House; this is where tolls were originally collected after crossing the Covered Bridge over the Connecticut River.

There are two pristine ponds that are public owned. Windsor also is home to the oldest continually operating post office in the same location in America, and one of the longest covered bridges in America.

Do
Windsor is a town with something to do for everyone to do. Vermont's fall months there are foliage viewing; the spring brings mud season and maple sugaring. In Windsor there are scenes of small town life with plenty of trees, flowers and shrubs and is more rural as you travel further from downtown. In the downtown area there are many small businesses where everyone is friendly and inviting; some examples of small businesses are Tami's Head Lines, Pizza Chef, Mariams, and Boston Dreams. Windsor is also home to Paradise Park, a great local wooded area with plenty of open spaces, streams, and a pond.

Buy
Windsor is home to many shops and convenience stores. The smaller businesses include Friends & Co., Three Seasons Art Gallery, Simon Pearce, Vermont State Craft Center, and Saint Gaudens National Historic Site. Larger convenience stores include Price Chopper, Aubuchon Hardware, Dollar General, and Rite Aid.

Go next
Windsor is a great place to go outdoors. You can walk virtually anywhere, which include Paradise Park and the mile square around the downtown area. You can also bike down many types of roads from cement to dirt, and flat to hills.

title: Windsor (Vermont)


text:
Windsor and Eton

Windsor and Eton are twin towns, in Berkshire, in the South East of England, separated by the River Thames and joined by Windsor Bridge. Windsor is an ancient town most famous for its castle, construction of which began in 1075, and which is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. The royal standard flies from the keep of the Castle when the King is in residence.

Eton is a smaller town, dominated by Eton College, the ancient public school which educates many of England's establishment, especially those who go on to become politicians, judges and diplomats.

By plane
Windsor and Eton is well served by London's collection of airports and actually under the flight-path of Heathrow. For travellers coming directly to Windsor, the most convenient (in declining order of convenience) are:
 * Heathrow Airport is about  drive straight down the M4 (westbound) motorway. Alternatively the First bus route 77 and First bus route 71 both connect Heathrow Terminal 5 and Windsor, the former quicker routing via Slough and the latter via Staines. They both leave approximately every half hour taking about 35 – 55 minutes.
 * Gatwick Airport is about an hour's drive away via the M23 (northbound), M25 (clockwise), and M4 (westbound) motorways. With no through train or bus service, your best bet by public transport is to take the train into London and then follow the directions under Get in By Train below.
 * Stansted Airport is about 90 minutes drive away via the M11 (southbound), M25 (anti-clockwise) and M4 (westbound) motorways. With no through train or bus service, your best bet by public transport is to take the train into London and then follow the directions under Get in by train below.

By train
In Windsor and Eton, there are two railway stations, and   (see the National Rail website for up-to-date information about stations, fares, and schedules). Both stations are within walking distance of each other and Windsor Castle. Assuming that you will be coming from London the choice of which route to use probably comes down to how far from Waterloo and Paddington stations you will stay; depart from the nearest.

 * From London Waterloo – take any train to Windsor & Eton Riverside (two per hour, journey time approximately 50 min).
 * From London Paddington – take any train calling at Slough, then change to the connecting shuttle service to Windsor & Eton Central (two per hour, journey time approximately 30 min from London if you pick the right train)
 * From Reading – take any train to Slough. Change at Slough for the connecting rail service to Windsor & Eton Central.

Fares

 * London Paddington (PAD) to Windsor & Eton Central (WNC) £9.40 single
 * London Waterloo (WAT) to Windsor & Eton Riverside (WNR) £9.50 single
 * A return ticket costs £13.20 (as of 2013) regardless of which London station you come from or travel to. Nowhere else in England has seen such a steep rise in prices as this rail route, as the new fare system sees an increase of £4 for the return journey and is surely for operators to reap as much money from tourists eager to go to Windsor Castle.
 * Alternatively, if you do not mind mixing and matching tickets, or getting blank looks from ticket selling staff (you can avoid this by buying the tickets at the machine), you can lower the costs of the journey by buying a ticket from PAD to WAT (or vice versa) via Windsor [All Stations].
 * If you buy a return ticket from PAD to WAT via Windsor [All Stations], you should depart from PAD, change at Slough, and arrive at WNC. For the return journey, you can depart from WNR and arrive at WAT; you can also depart from WNC, change at Slough, and arrive at PAD. (If you choose to return from WNR, you can visit Windsor again on the same day (with trains in the opposite direction) or sell it to another person willing to go to Windsor, thus halving the cost of your journey to £4.20.)
 * If you buy a return ticket from WAT to PAD via Windsor [All Stations], you should depart from WAT and arrive at WNR. For the return journey, you can depart from WNR and arrive at WAT; you can also depart from WNC, change at Slough, and arrive at PAD. (If you choose to return from WNC, you can visit Windsor again on the same day (with trains in the opposite direction) or sell it to another person willing to go to Windsor, thus halving the cost of your journey to £4.20.)
 * A single ticket (which in fact covers a return journey) costs £5.30. You should only use this option if you do not mind departing London from one station and returning to another. If you include the Underground in your ticket, it costs only £4.30. For example, starting/finishing your journey at Marylebone (for the PAD part) or London Bridge (for the WAT part). You can get this ticket for as little as £2.80 if you buy it for the early morning hours, but then you may have to use private transit for a part of your journey in London.
 * If you buy a single ticket from PAD to WAT via Windsor [All Stations], you should depart from PAD, change at Slough and arrive at WNC. For the return journey, you should depart from WNR and arrive at WAT.
 * If you buy a single ticket from WAT to PAD via Windsor [All Stations], you should depart from WAT and arrive at WNR. For the return journey, you should depart from WNC, change at Slough, and arrive at PAD.

By bus

 * From London (Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria): Greenline coach 700/701/702 (journey time approximately 1 hour).
 * From London (Heathrow Airport): First 77 (journey time approximately 40 minutes).

By car
Windsor is served by the M4 motorway (freeway) which runs from London to Bristol and South Wales. It is about an hour's drive from central London. The best junction to use is J6.

Park and ride facilities are available at 2 sites; see National Park and Ride Directory.

By bicycle
Windsor lies on National Cycle Route 4 (London — St David's).

By tour
There are numerous sightseeing tour companies that offer tours by coach from London to Windsor in a day and these tours can also include Stonehenge and Bath.

Get around
If you are planning to do any visiting or exploring beyond central Windsor and Eton, you will probably want to obtain a decent map of the area. You should ensure that any map you buy clearly shows the national grid reference lines, and explains how to use them, as grid references are frequently used to indicate out of town locations. For driving or cycling, Ordnance Survey Landranger 175 (scale 1:50000) covers Windsor and to the west, including all the places mentioned below except Runnymede and Ordnance Survey Landranger 176 (scale 1:50000) covers the area to the east, including Runnymede. For walking, Ordnance Survey Explorer 160 (scale 1:25000).

By foot
Neither Windsor nor Eton is desperately large and walking is a good way around the central area. For example it will take you no more than 15 minutes to walk from Eton College Chapel to Windsor Castle. Several streets, including Windsor Bridge and Peascod Street (the main shopping street) are pedestrianised. Short walk in central Windsor using map with pop-up images

By bus
Windsor has a reasonable bus service, both within the town and to the surrounding area, although frequencies can be quite low with little service in the evenings or on Sunday.
 * First Berkshire,, provides most bus services in the area.
 * Traveline, from within the UK, provide an impartial online travel planner and telephone query service for all local bus services.

By car
Neither Windsor nor Eton is big enough to get really congested, although traffic delays can be severe on summer weekend mornings and evenings, when Legoland is popular, and on evenings when there is horse-racing at Windsor racecourse. One issue that you may find in driving around Windsor and Eton is that Windsor Bridge is for pedestrians only. To get between Windsor and Eton requires you to drive out to the Windsor by-pass, cross the river on that, then go most of the way into Slough before taking the old Windsor Road from that town back into Eton; it is easily quicker to walk.

Central Windsor and Eton
These places to see are all within the central area of Windsor or within Eton just across Windsor Bridge. They are all within easy walking distance of each other, the main shopping centre and both railway stations.

No photography or video recording in the State Apartments and St George's Chapel.

Surrounding areas
These places to see are a little further out; some are accessible by longer walks, others will require the use of car, bike or public transport.

Buy
Windsor is definitely not a "clone-town" centred on a shopping centre. Rather, its shopping is centred on Peascod Street (the high street), King Edward Court, Thames Street, Windsor Royal Station and St Leonard's Road. It has many independent fashion boutiques such as Michael Chell and Coco; and of course large retail chains such as H&M and Monsoon. It also has a variety of specialist retailers such as Molton Brown, Hotel Chocolat (extremely tasty handmade chocolate), Havana House Fine Cigar Merchants, and Oil and Vinegar. There are far too many different shops that a visitor can step into, so they are not all named, instead take a walk through the places listed and enjoy the atmosphere of one of the most beautiful towns in England.

Eat

 * opened in 2021 on Crimp Hill in Old Windsor. It serves modern British cuisine and is open M-F 12:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00, Sa Su 12:00-21:00.
 * opened in 2021 on Crimp Hill in Old Windsor. It serves modern British cuisine and is open M-F 12:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00, Sa Su 12:00-21:00.
 * opened in 2021 on Crimp Hill in Old Windsor. It serves modern British cuisine and is open M-F 12:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00, Sa Su 12:00-21:00.
 * opened in 2021 on Crimp Hill in Old Windsor. It serves modern British cuisine and is open M-F 12:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00, Sa Su 12:00-21:00.
 * opened in 2021 on Crimp Hill in Old Windsor. It serves modern British cuisine and is open M-F 12:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00, Sa Su 12:00-21:00.
 * opened in 2021 on Crimp Hill in Old Windsor. It serves modern British cuisine and is open M-F 12:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00, Sa Su 12:00-21:00.
 * opened in 2021 on Crimp Hill in Old Windsor. It serves modern British cuisine and is open M-F 12:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00, Sa Su 12:00-21:00.
 * opened in 2021 on Crimp Hill in Old Windsor. It serves modern British cuisine and is open M-F 12:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00, Sa Su 12:00-21:00.
 * opened in 2021 on Crimp Hill in Old Windsor. It serves modern British cuisine and is open M-F 12:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00, Sa Su 12:00-21:00.
 * opened in 2021 on Crimp Hill in Old Windsor. It serves modern British cuisine and is open M-F 12:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00, Sa Su 12:00-21:00.

Drink
Windsor is a small, compact and cosy town, so you won't need a taxi if you're thinking of going from bar to bar.

Windsor is peppered with pubs, bars and a couple of clubs, some of these nestle neatly on the bank of the Thames, these are definitely worth a visit, especially come the summer months - they are expensive mind, so make sure your packing plastic if you're up for more than a couple of rounds.

There are a handful of venues to be found under the shadow of the Castle (Thames street) most of these are of the chain variety, one of which is the cheapest place in town to eat and drink, all the venues on Thames street are popular with Windsor's smartly dressed workers and picture happy cosmopolitan tourists.

The arches (2 minutes walk) from the Castle are home to Windsor’s late night venues, clubs and style bars, most of these will require you to be smartly dressed. Expect queues on busy nights of the week and higher than average drinks prices! The arches are well worth a visit, the bars found here are housed inside old Victorian railway arches, which make them a really atmospheric choice and a great place to wind up or wind down - depending on your mood.

The edge of town, bottom of Peascod Street, just 2 minutes walk from the arches, is where you’ll find Windsor’s affluent residents socialising, cafe culture is certainly alive in this part of town, and in the summer months people spill onto the pedestrianised streets till very late 7 nights a week, it’s a great spot for people watching and unwinding from a day out. There is a good selection of restaurants to be found down here, probably the best in town, so well worth the short walk. If you’re looking to tap in the local scene and fill your belly this is where to go.

Windsor is also home to some excellent traditional English pubs serving great real ale and good English pub grub, a comprehensive guide to Windsor’s pubs, bars and what’s on is WindsorGo.

Sleep
There are many hotels in Windsor, some are right opposite the Castle, but don't expect cheap rooms from them. Contact the Royal Windsor Information Centre for further information on guest houses, hotels and self-catering accommodation. .

Connect
There a lots of cafés, pubs and bars in Windsor with free WiFi internet hotspots.

Windsor's area code (for landline numbers) is +44 1753 when dialled from outside the United Kingdom or 01753 from within.

Go next

 * Ascot

title: Windsor and Eton


text:
Windsor Locks

Windsor Locks is a city in Connecticut.

By train

 * Routes stopping at Windsor Locks:
 * Amtrak Hartford Line operating 3-5 trips per direction daily between Springfield and New Haven with stops in Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden, and Wallingford.
 * Northeast Regional operating twice daily between Springfield and Washington, D.C. with stops in Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden, Wallingford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, New Rochelle, New York City, Newark, Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and New Carrollton.
 * Vermonter operates daily between St. Albans and Washington, D.C. including stops in Essex Junction, Waterbury, Montpelier, White River Junction, Claremont, Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Hartford, Meriden, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, New York City, Newark, Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and New Carrollton.
 * Valley Flyer operates twice daily between Greenfield and New Haven including stops in Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden, and Wallingford.
 * Valley Flyer operates twice daily between Greenfield and New Haven including stops in Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden, and Wallingford.

title: Windsor Locks


text:
Windsurfing

Windsurfing, also known as sailboarding, funboarding or wave-sailing, is a popular sport activity involving a sail and surfboard to move above the water. Although it has been a recognized Olympic sport since 1984, it mainly remains a non-competitive past-time in coastal areas. Windsurfing distinguishes itself from traditional surfing primarily through the use of a sail and the great dependence on wind. While modern boards have greatly increased the possibilities of other forms of surfing too, the arise of windsurfing first allowed boarders to ride extremely large waves. Apart from the ability to master extreme waves and reach high speeds (with records of over 90 km/h), windsurfers can also perform a wide range of freestyle moves, including jumps and spinning manoeuvres.

Understand
Although the first known windsurfing board was developed as early as 1948, it was not until the 1980s that popularity of the activity took a flight, making "sailors" or "board heads" (as windsurfers are usually called) a common beach sight. Although that popularity dropped somewhere in the 1990s, a small revival seems to be taking place and plenty of destinations in the world offer a variety of windsurfing facilities.

It's easy to see that windsurfing combines characteristics of both traditional surfing and sailing. Although the sport requires the development of specific techniques, traditional surfing skills can make learning a bit easier. Many sailors in fact have pretty decent surfing skills too.

Although wind conditions are a determining factor in windsurfing options, the right equipment allows sailors to move in wind speeds from near 0 to about 50 knots (>90km/h). Beginners will usually take their first steps in very light winds of under 10 knots. Recreational sailors without professional gear generally prefer winds of 15 to 25 knots, which are perfect for skimming over the water (planing).

Equipment
The two main pieces needed for windsurfing are of course a board and a sail, although a number of accessories are standard equipment as well. As a rule of thumb, smaller boards and sails are used to reach higher speeds. Take into account that windsurfing equipment has been the subject of rapid developments over the past years, seriously improving user friendliness. Although it is quite possible to buy second hand pieces, carefully consider buying them if they are 3 years old or more, as you might miss out on new developments that make windsurfing easier. Of course, this is especially true for beginners.

Buy or rent?
Anyone who is serious about windsurfing will soon desire their own gear, as it will best fit their needs. The choice between different kinds or sizes of sails and boards depends on the sailor's weight, skills and preferences, making it quite worthwhile to purchase pieces that match your interests. However, keep in mind that real beginners will take their first lessons on a beginner's board, which is more robust and designed to help you find balance. Therefore, consider renting at least your board and sail for your lessons (often the materials are even included in course prices). If you're at all serious about picking up the skills, you'll soon enough progress to higher levels, requiring different boards. It often pays off to discover your basic interests and preferences before making large investments in equipment you might have to abandon quickly as you develop your skills.

Basic pieces

 * Sail - Sails vary in size, depending on the skill level and preferred activities of the sailor. Sailors engaging in high speed windsurfing or races typically use large sails of 6 to 15 m² in size. These sails are often "camber"-induced, which means that plastic pieces are placed in the sail to better keep it in an aerofoil shape. So-called "wave sails" are significantly smaller, usually measuring 3 to 6 m². They are augmented too, making them suited to withstand strong waves. Free ride and freestyle sails have sizes somewhere in between, and are often the sail of choice for recreational sailors as they are fairly easy to handle and can be used for different purposes. Wave, free ride and freestyle sails are usually not camber-induced, but rather are so-called "rotational sails". They only maintain their aerofoil shape in a leeward position, when they catch full wind. In order to tack or jibe, these rotational sails need to flip from one to the other side of the mast.
 * Board - Modern boards are usually under 3 m in length, but they are usually measured in terms of volume and width. As with sails, skill level, weight and main activities of the sailor determine which board is most suited. As an indication, most wave and freestyle boards weigh no more than 7 kg, while boards for beginners are significantly heavier, up to 15 kg, to improve stability. Such boards for beginners are also equipped with a daggerboard.
 * Mast and wishbone
 * Uphoal rope
 * Free-rotating joint to connect the rig (sail, mast and wishbone) to the board
 * Harness - Optional, attaches the sailor to the rig. Usually not for beginners.
 * Fin - Especially used for "sailing" (see below)
 * Wetsuit
 * Proper footwear, e.g. rubber surf slippers
 * Buoyancy aid (often just optional, but note that some destinations (especially inland waters) might require that you carry one).
 * Sunglasses are more than just a luxury in many places, since on the water, the brightness of the sun can be far stronger than on the adjoining land.

Technique
There are two basic ways to move forward on a sailboard. When moving in minor winds (<10 knots), the body of the board slides through the water using a fin and centreboard to maintain stability. This movement is very similar to the way a boat would make its way in still waters and is called "sailing". To steer, the board head moves the rig backward and forward, lowers the tail and/or shifts his weight to a particular side of his board.

In stronger winds, the board no longer slides through the water, but starts skimming over the surface. This is called "planing", and allows the sailor to move forward at high speeds. For many sailors, planing is the most fun part of the sport. On top of the steering techniques used for sailing, the sailor will now also shift the rig and carve the water by pressuring an edge of the board. This way, the sailor can make tacking and jibing manoeuvres, much like a sail boat would in strong winds.

Skilled sailors can engage in a range of disciplines and competitions, including freestyle, slalom, speed surfing and wave sailing.

Learn
For many, learning to windsurf may seem a tiring matter at first. Finding some balance and mastering the basic ways of steering in light winds will not necessarily take long, but the huge boards, tiny sails and low speeds that beginners will deal with can be a bit disappointing. Compared to other extreme sports, engaging in the more "fun" parts of the sport (e.g. planing at high speed) may require quite a lot of practice.

There are plenty of windsurfing schools in most suitable areas and equipment for beginners is quite good. Those that persist are rewarded with great water sports opportunities, for recreational or competitive activities.

Destinations
The basic conditions needed for windsurfing are rather simple. Any place with a large water surface and a good deal of wind in principle allows for windsurfing activities, resulting in a vast list of destinations and a range of places claiming to be the "capital of windsurfing". However, the best destinations combine strong winds and great waves with gorgeous scenery, delightful climates and ample facilities.

 * Maui - a professional windsurfers' favourite, Maui's waves are said to reach heights of over 30 m. The main season runs from May to October. Note that the island can get crowded during events. To make things extra exiting, make sure to watch out for sharks.

North America

 * United States - constant winds on the Columbia River make the Columbia Gorge a popular windsurfing spot. Outer Banks is one of the prime places on the East Coast and a good family destination too. Here, you'll find opportunities for beginners as well as skilled sailors. In California, Sherman Island is an excellent place to windsurf.
 * Dominican Republic - with all the fine, sunny traits of the Caribbean, the constant trade winds from the east make Cabarete a delightful windsurfing place.
 * Bonaire - this lovely Caribbean island benefits from sunshine and high temperatures all year round. The windsurfing hotspot is on the eastern shores, at Lay Bay, with great opportunities for beginners and experts alike.

South America

 * Costa Rica - the fierce winds at Lake Arenal offer challenges even for expert sailors. Although this is not a place for beginners, the warm air and volcano backdrop make this a great spot for skilled board heads. If you're less experienced, try the Golfo de Papagayo.
 * Brazil - there are gorgeous beaches around Jericoacoara, a touristic but still traditional village surrounded by huge dunes and crystal clear waters.
 * Argentina - the strong Patagonian wind makes the beautiful Lago Nahuel Huapi near Bariloche a great place for windsurfing. September to March is the best time to go.
 * Venezuela - when the weather is perfect, El Yaque can get crowded with board heads. And for good reason: the water is warm, the winds great and it's at a stone's throw from the airport. Lots of shallow stretches make it great for less experienced sailors, too.

Europe

 * Denmark - okay, you'll find no warm water, exotic beaches or sun all year round here. However, Denmark catches great deals of wind and has some perfect coast lines when it comes to windsurfing. There's plenty of inland waters too. For wave fans, the village of Klitmøller is famous.
 * Greece - the Greek Islands are a lovely setting for water sports activities. For windsurfing, the strait between Paros and Naxos is particularly popular because of the usually strong winds. Karpathos, Vassiliki and Lemnos are also great windsurfing destinations.
 * Portugal - constant wind provides Portugal with plenty of places, especially in the south. Guincho is a popular spot, as are Vilamoura, Sagres, Lagoa en Albufeira.
 * Spain - although Spain's coast is dotted with windsurfing spots, Tarifa is probably the most popular one, benefiting from the strong winds of the straits. Empuriabrava and the Canary Islands are other major windsurfing destinations, with Fuerteventura being among the best places in the world.
 * Turkey - the Aegean coast has a number of windsurfing destinations, with Alaçatı Bay, Foça and Akkum among the best ones.

Africa

 * Namibia - Lüderitz is the place to be for everyone hoping to establish a speed record.
 * Cape Verde - these islands off the western coast of Africa boast lots of sunshine all year round and constant Northeast winds.
 * Egypt - Dahab is Egypts rising star in the windsurfing business, with speed strips for skilled sailors and friendly lagoon waters for newbies. El Tor, at the Sinai Peninsula, is another great, windy spot.
 * South Africa - at 120 km from Cape Town, Langebaan is probably the country's best windsurfing destination, as well as its most popular.

Asia & Oceania

 * Philippines - the lagoon of Boracay combines gorgeous white sand beaches with strong winds, making it a great place for high speed windsurfing. The monsoon winds are best from December to April, but are less suitable for inexperienced sailors.
 * Australia - the west coast in particular has a bunch of great destinations. Lancelin is a particular windsurfing hotspot, due to the Ocean Classic race that's held there every year. The Margaret River area is another favourite destination.

Stay safe
Compared to other extreme sports like rock climbing or snowboarding, windsurfing has a smaller chance of injury since falling into the water is generally much less hard on your body. Windsurfing is not at all without risk, however. You will often be at open water and especially more experienced sailors will reach high speeds and move among high waves. Therefore, always use your common sense and take safety precautions and official warning signs seriously. If you're a beginner, take lessons from an experienced instructor, stay in shallow waters and as in all extreme sports: don't take on challenges you're not yet ready for.

 * Check the weather forecasts, even if the wind "looks" perfect. In many places, wind speeds and directions can change quickly. Storms can also arise rapidly, and no-one wants to be on the water when lightning strikes.
 * Make sure to tell someone where you're going and if you don't have a windsurfing buddy, preferably go to beaches with other people around.
 * Of course, check your equipment before you go into the water.
 * Never abandon your board. Even when carrying a buoyancy-kit, remember that your board is a much bigger floating device.
 * Be aware of the symptoms of hypothermia and dehydration. Make sure to leave the water as soon as you even think you're experiencing any of them. Even seemingly harmless numbness in your toes can be an indication of serious trouble ahead, and you don't want to find out on the water.
 * Pay attention to other people in the water and always avoid collisions, as they can cause serious injuries. For your own safety and theirs, stay well away from swimmers.
 * Obviously, it's a bad idea to head into the water when you're impaired in any way, whether because you're tired, ill, hung over or anything else.

Insurance
Check your travel insurance policy before engaging in windsurfing activities and make sure that they are covered. In some cases you will have to purchase additional coverage or even a specific insurance. Plenty of insurance companies have specialized packages for extreme sports in general or even windsurfing in particular. Take into account not only your potential personal expenses (medical treatment abroad can be expensive), but also liability, theft or damaging of your equipment.

title: Windsurfing


text:
Windward Coast (Oahu)

The Windward Coast of Oahu has great natural beauty.

Cities

 * Waimanalo
 * Kailua
 * Kahalu`u
 * Waiahole and Waikane
 * Kualoa
 * Ka`a`awa
 * Kane'ohe

Cross-mountain routes
The two main towns on the Windward side are served by three routes that cross the Koolau Mountain range via tunnels. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. (Google Maps estimates below assume no traffic.)
 * Pali Highway (Route 61) provides the most direct access to Kailua (the highway ends at the main entrance to Kailua town) and access to Kaneohe via route 83 at the foot of the Pali on the windward side. It also passes by the Nuuanu Pali lookout, a spectacular vantage point to view the Windward side. Inbound, the route provides the most direct route to downtown Honolulu. From Waikiki, take H-1 west to exit 21B (Pali Highway, route 61 north). From H-1 the route passes through the residential neighborhood of Nuuanu (with several traffic lights) for the first 3 miles. (Google Maps estimate from Waikiki to Kailua 28 minutes; to Kaneohe via route 83, 30 minutes).
 * Likelike Highway (Route 63) (pronounced lee-keh-lee-keh) provides the most direct route to Kaneohe (Google Maps estimate 25 minutes), and also provides the most direct access to route 83 going up the coast to Laie. From Waikiki, take H-1 west to exit 20A (Likelike Highway, route 63 north). As with the Pali, the route passes through residential areas for the first few miles.
 * Interstate H-3 provides an alternate route to both Kailua and Kaneohe. Although H-3 allows for speeds as high as 60 mph (and is one of two stretches of highway in Hawaii where speed limits exceed 55 mph), from Waikiki the speed advantage is more than offset by the additional travel time required on H-1 and/or H-201 to reach the Halawa interchange (Google Maps estimate from Waikiki to Kaneohe 30 minutes, to Kailua 33 minutes). Only recommended if the more direct routes are congested or closed, or if you are staying west of Pearl Harbor (e.g. at Ko Olina). From H-1 west, take exit 19B to H-201 west, then exit 1D from H-201 west to H-3 east. Take exit 9 or 11 from H-3 for Kaneohe; exit 11 or 14 for Kailua.

Other routes:

 * Kalanianaole Highway (Route 72):, from southeast Honolulu, round the southeast corner of the island. Scenic.
 * Kamehameha Highway (Route 83):, from North Shore, down the eastern coast of the island.

Get around
A lot of the locals travel by car, moped or the bus (DaBus) but if you want to get the most out of your stay on the beautiful island of Oahu and take in as much as possible then there's nothing like renting a moped for the day and hitting the streets on the windward side.

See

 * Chinaman's Hat, officially known as Mokoliʻi, is a small island off the shore that juts out in the middle like an Asian straw hat. It is visible from Route 83. It is located just off of Kualoa Regional Park.
 * Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Located at 45-680 Luluku Road in Kane'ohe. Translated as "To Make a Place of Peace and Tranquility" - 400 acres of geographically laid out botanic gardens, endangered and rare plants, and a network of trails. There is also a 32-acre lake, picnic areas, and a campground on site. 9AM to 4PM daily

Beaches

 * Kailua Beach Park - Located just below the Kaneohe Bay and directly above Bellows air force station, this beach is famous for its excellent swimming and wind surfing. With nice fine sand - perfect for sunbathing and recreational activities, and a backdrop of tiny offshore islands, this makes for one of Oahu's most beautiful beaches. The beach has suffered from erosion, removing a significant amount of sand from the shoreline. As a result, the space available on the beach has been severely reduced.
 * Lanikai Beach - Located in Lanikai, a neighborhood within Kailua, on the windward coast. This small stretch of thin beach is home to some of the most clear and blue water you will find surrounding Oahu, and with views of the two beautiful offshore islands, known as the Mokuluas or Nā Mokulua, you truly feel engulfed in the tropical setting.
 * Bellows Beach Park - Located near Bellows Air Force Station (Bellows Field) in Waimanalo, fronted by a long, wide, sand beach. A shallow sandbar off the beach provide good waves for bodysurfing and bodyboarding.
 * Kahana Bay Beach Park- Located at Kahana Bay just 5.5 miles from Kualoa with only a 10-minute drive until you can be surrounded by the lush green Ko’olau Mountains, Kahana Bay is an ideal secluded getaway along Oʻahu’s eastern shoreline. Often times gone unnoticed by tourists driving by, this beach is the perfect spot to sunbathe and explore! You can check out the natural fishpond from the Kahana Stream, take a quick up hike up the surrounding hills or just enjoy the peaceful picnic grounds – either way, you’ll surely enjoy Kahana Bay.
 * Kaneʻohe Sandbar- located in Kailua where you can rent a kayak or sailboat to explore the unique Kaneʻohe Sandbar in the middle of the bay. Once landed on the Sandbar, you can experience the feeling of the ocean all around you while staying dry or take a refreshing dip into the crisp blue and green waters. The view of Oʻahu’s Windward Side is absolutely breathtaking from the Kaneʻohe Bay Sandbar- so bring a camera! The bay’s unique coral reefs are one of the most studied in the world, so you’ll also want to be sure to bring your snorkel gear.

title: Windward Coast (Oahu)