Top Things to do in Chatham
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What to do and see in Chatham, Chatham-Kent: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
Discover the best top things to do in Chatham, Canada including Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, Gentry Manor, Locked In Chatham Escape Rooms, Kent Branch Library of The Ontario Genealogical Society, Chatham Capitol Theatre, Thames Art Gallery, Birdie's Nest, Early Acres Estate Winery, Crock A Doodle Chatham, Black Mecca Museum.
Restaurants in Chatham
1. Buxton National Historic Site & Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 44 reviews
THE ELGIN SETTLEMENT, which was for many the last stop on the Underground Railroad, was founded in 1849. THE MUSEUM SITE INCLUDES the Buxton Museum, S.S. #13 Raleigh (Buxton) Schoolhouse (1861), the Colbert/Henderson Cabin (1854), and the Shadd Barn (restoration completed in 2009). Local church cemeteries (1857) are on the grounds adjacent to the museum. Facilities include a large picnic shelter and barbecue, washrooms, a wheelchair access ramp to the museum and plenty of free parking. Of special note is the Research Area, which contains resource materials, pertaining to local history and genealogy.
Reviewed By LorneM107
We were fortunate to arrive at a time where the Curator, Shannon Prince was able to guide us around, answering our questions so personably, articulately and ably. She is as much a centrepiece of this cultural 'must' as the artifacts. She brings it alive! Without a docent such as she to bring each stop in the museum to attention, we would have missed a great deal. The objects on display are markers on the journey, but beyond the item itself, each has a story Shannon told so vividly, opening our eyes to this chapter in Canadian history so often ignored in learning environments. Both of us have lived our seven decades in Ontario and had benefit of higher educations but were only dimly aware of the breadth of this Underground Railroad effort in support of the freed slaves, liberated by the Emancipation Proclamation in the USA, which in part sparked the Civil War. Our son teaches high school in a city nearby and has been made aware of the rich experience offered here in a compact setting and only an hour's drive from his home. His school catchment area features a growing diversity of late and it will certainly now be a stop his classes will journey to on their way to understanding this aspect of Canadian history. Our deepest thanks to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent for funding this museum. It is a story that needs to be told; particularly when we two residents of 70 years learned so much, it can only benefit the waves of new Canadians to know the history of this country from a cultural perspective. Shannon Prince brings this story to life and we highly recommend it to cultural groups integrating into Canada, knowing how it was accomplished a century ago and can be today. Canadian history has had its cultural inequities and outright failures, but this is not one of them. Buxton and the Underground Railroad is a Canadian story that needs to be told to those newly arrived in Canada, fleeing oppression, war, famine and tragedy.
2. Gentry Manor
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Gentry Manor features a full service Beauty salon, day spa, gift ware as well as ladies fashions and accessories. A true shopping experience.
3. Locked In Chatham Escape Rooms
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
Escape rooms are a type of physical adventure game in which people are locked in a room with other participants and have to use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles, find clues, and escape the room within a set time limit(60 mins).We have a reverse escape room called the diamond heist and a harvester room where you have been takes captive and need to escape.
Reviewed By NematodeT - London, Canada
We had our office Christmas party at Locked In escape room. We booked all three rooms for 23 people. We weren't sure what to experience but everybody had a lot of fun. The staff was great. Maybe a little more instructions for us old folks at first. Many of us are already planning to visit the other rooms we didn't do.
4. Kent Branch Library of The Ontario Genealogical Society
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By JanetV512 - Chatham, Canada
This room is packed with valuable information on local history and families. The staff of volunteers are knowledgeable, friendly, and go out of their way to be helpful.
5. Chatham Capitol Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
The Chatham Capitol Theatre is a 1208-seat performing arts centre in the heart of downtown Chatham that presents over 100 performances and 75 films annually.
6. Thames Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By SergioFromToronto
Friendly staff who intimately knew each piece. Art was from local artists. Not much to see when I went... due to covid-19 I bet.
7. Birdie's Nest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By R6480VYpeters - Chatham, Canada
If you are looking for something very different and unique you must visit the Birdies Nest, they have everything from home decor to clothing, and also some very different jewelry. The thing that I find most appealing is the great furniture very expensive but you get what you pay for, it is very well made furniture that will last you your lifetime. I would recommend a visit to this very special store.
8. Early Acres Estate Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By HappySchmidt - Sarnia, Canada
Great little winery, absolutely loved coming here with my daughters for a wine tasting. Will be back!!!
9. Crock A Doodle Chatham
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Come on in to paint and play at Crock A Doodle in Chatham. There's hands-on fun for everyone in our cool and colourful pottery painting studio. Enjoy some relaxed creative time transforming ready-to-paint pottery pieces into amazing works-of-art. Pieces are glazed and kiln-fired to a brilliant, durable, food-safe finish. Come in for some creative fun, and make a memory to last forever!
Reviewed By lisamT2938HF - Chatham, Canada
Went here for a last minute fathers day gift, painted a mug for my bf. ( cat dad, since he's so good with my kitties). Friendly employees, lots of colours to pick from, different types of pottery to pick from as well, great gift for anyone with a touch of your own!!! Will definetly do this again!!
10. Black Mecca Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Covid-19: Open to Booked Tours ONLY, no walk-in visits at this time. The Black Mecca Museum is a Black History Museum in the heart of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Located in close proximity to Downtown Chatham, The Black Mecca Museum tells the story from Slavery, the Underground Railroad and Life in Chatham. The Black Mecca Museum will offer a great learning experience about part of the Black Experience in Chatham-Kent.
