[3] Grimsby has experienced significant growth over the past two decades due to its position between Hamilton and St. Catharines.

[4] According to a late 2019 report, the town has 33 small parks, 17 larger and "many more green spaces, sport fields, parkettes, trails, and facilities".

A group of United Empire Loyalists from Great Britain settled on the land (originally named Township Number 6 and then 'The Forty'), and founded Grimsby in 1790.

The community has gone through many changes, from being a small rural village to a centre for the manufacture of farm machinery, hospital furniture, furnaces and other metal products; and later the hub of the Niagara Peninsula's fruit-growing industry.

With a number of wineries and distilleries, Grimsby now serves as the starting point for touring the Niagara wine region.

Canada's first Chautauqua-like organization (a Methodist camp) was established in 1859 in Grimsby Park on land donated by J.B. Bowslaugh; colourful cottages were later built, and some visitors spent entire summers in the area.

In 1910, the amusement park's first owner, Harry Wylie, added carousels, a motion picture theatre, and a roller coaster.

Canada Steamship Lines bought out the business in 1916, but the park declined through the 1920s, mainly due to multiple fires that consumed many of the wooden buildings.

[12][13] As of 2019, Grimsby Pier, where ferries and steamships had once docked, was in a state of disrepair; the mayor said he hoped that it could be restored.

[22][23] Grimsby Regional Airport, a private aerodrome for small aircraft, is located about 6 kms south-west of the town centre.

[27] Following a recommendation of the town council, the village struck a committee to approach the Andrew Carnegie Foundation to request new funds to build a new library.

[27] Grimsby beach is home to "Gingerbread Houses" [28] that are painted by owners in bright colours and flourishes for an eye-catching addition to the area.