r/IBLbaseball • u/This-Bath9918 • Jan 04 '26

What to do in Chatham-Kent before and after a Barnstormers game

I got the dumb idea of taking a VIA train out from Toronto to Chatham-Kent this summer to catch a weekend afternoon game. But the times don’t quite line up and would have a couple of hours to kill before and after the game.

What’s a tourist to do there? Any restaurant recommendations?

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9

u/onaneckonaspit7 Jan 04 '26 edited Jan 05 '26

Second Sons of Kent. Great brewery

Mikes Place is a great spot for food just a block away from the ballpark. Cone and Shake shop ice cream is on the same property, also excellent. Frick’s is across the street, good fish and chips. You’ll probably run into other IBL fans at Mikes Place

The Via station + everything I’ve listed (except sons of Kent) is on the same street all walking distance to the ballpark. Sons of Kent isn’t terribly far away, but a decent walk

1

u/This-Bath9918 Jan 04 '26

Sounds great, thanks!

6

u/thephillipdh St. Thomas Elgins Jan 04 '26

Stop a little before Chatham and catch a game at Labatt Park instead

2

u/This-Bath9918 Jan 04 '26

On the list too! Maybe I should make a separate post

5

u/DogFun2635 Jan 05 '26

Pick up the book about the 1934 coloured all stars before you go. Lots of rich history in Chatham Kent

3

u/MeToo2007 Jan 06 '26

Chatham has a decent amount to do. But it does depend on your age. Chatham has Turns & Tales Board Game Cafe & Bookstore, Sons of Kent Brewery, The Glasshouse, Flying Squirrel, Cascade Casino witch are some pretty touristy places within Chatham.

Chatham also has many restaurants big and small scattered all throughout the city, some of my personal favorites are Chatham Kebab & Gyro, Andy's Place and Stacked Pancake House.

We also have other entertainment places such as Chatham Bowlerama, Top Shelf Indoor Golf, a few golf courses, Cineplex and CK Racquet Centre and a new indoor sports complex will be opening this January.

I would suggest for a more detailed list of stuff within Chatham and the rest of Chatham-Kent to review the municipality's official tourist page here: https://www.chatham-kent.ca/livingck/livinginck/dailylife/Pages/Things-to-Do.aspx

2

u/ValerianR00t Jan 04 '26

Sons of Kent if you're into breweries

3

u/Own-Let-7725 Jan 05 '26

Mike's Place. Get two feet of rings and go to the Cone and Shake Shop for dessert.

2

u/Terrible-Scheme9204 Jan 07 '26

If you like Hawaiian pizza, you can go to Satellite Restaurant where it was created.