page_title: Port Elgin, Ontario
section_title: Tourism
hierarchical_section_title: Port Elgin, Ontario / Tourism
caption_attribution_description: English: One of the many restaurants serving the numerous tourists during the warm months
context_page_description: Port Elgin is a community in Bruce County, Ontario, Canada. Originally named Normanton the town was renamed Port Elgin when it was incorporated in 1874, after James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin, a former Governor General of the Province of Canada.
  Although road signs indicate the name Port Elgin, it is no longer an entity, per se. In 1998, the Town of Southampton, the Town of Port Elgin and Saugeen Township were amalgamated to form the Town of Port Elgin-Saugeen-Southampton. On December 17, 1998, the Province renamed the new municipality as the Town of Saugeen Shores.
  Unlike "beach towns" such as Sauble Beach, this is a four seasons community where most businesses are open all year and activities for locals are available most months. The primary employment categories are agriculture, small business, tourism and work at the Bruce Power nuclear power station. Close to MacGregor Point Provincial Park and Southampton, the community has several beaches on Lake Huron.
context_section_description: The long, sandy beach attracts visitors who are primarily families; many rent or own cottages in the area. (Young singles tend to prefer Sauble Beach some 18 kilometres north of Southampton.) Port Elgin is renowned for its beautiful sunsets. There is a common urban legend in Port Elgin that National Geographic selected the town as having the world's best sunsets. This has since been proven wrong.  However, in 2007 CBC Television held a competition to discover the Seven Wonders of Canada.  While not being in the top seven, Saugeen Shores and its sunsets were one the finalists. Cottage Life magazine also rates Port Elgin highly in its article 10 spectacular places to watch a sunset in Ontario. "With clear skies, a dry atmosphere, and an unobstructed view of the skyline, many of the west-facing towns along the shores of Lake Huron have the perfect conditions for a breathtaking sunset. Port Elgin, a Saugeen Shores community, has been earning rave reviews for years. For the best view, take a leisurely walk along the beach out to the harbour break wall." 
  Every year, on the first weekend in October, Port Elgin hosts a Pumpkinfest. Pumpkinfest is a competition between farmers to grow the largest pumpkin and other common farm crops. In 2004, a new record for the world's largest pumpkin (656 kg) was set at the festival. A new record (761 kg) was again set in 2009. The record was broken in 2016 with an 851 kg (1,877 lb.) vegetable. The previous Canadian record for a pumpkin was 824.86 kg (1818.5 lbs.). Pumpkinfest also features a large classic car show  on both days of the festival. Pumpkinfest offers many activities for children, such as a junior fire fighter obstacle course, the kiddie karnival, and amusement rides.
  The Port Elgin and North Shore Railroad is located in Port Elgin by the beach parking area; it runs in warm weather, giving rides to families along a 1.5 kilometre loop. During July and August, seven days a week, the S.S. Trolley shuttles passengers between downtown Port Elgin and Southampton along the roadway for a modest fee. This trolley provides convenient access to the attractions in nearby Southampton.
  The TripAdvisor travel web site recommends the nearby MacGregor Point Provincial Park, the Saugeen Rail Trail walking/cycling route, the Brucedale Conservation Area with small camp sites, and the several nearby golf courses.
   
  MacGregor Point Provincial Park is an all-season destination for camping, hiking, swimming, wildlife and bird watching. In winter, visitors can camp in yurts, cross-country ski, hike, or go skating.
  TripAdvisor users rated the following as the best restaurants in Port Elgin: The Wismer House, Lord Elgin Fish & Chips, Saffron, Andre's Swiss Country Dining, Allen's Fireside Grill and Ashanti Coffee Port Elgin.
caption: One of the many restaurants serving the numerous tourists during the warm months
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