Stratford is one of the Ontario towns I return to most often, not just for the theatre, but for the atmosphere of the town itself. Living only about 30 minutes away, I’ve visited every season over the years, and what keeps pulling me back is how much there is to do beyond seeing a performance.
Yes, the Stratford Festival is the main draw, and I do look forward to each year’s calendar of new productions, but I think what makes Stratford stand out is that it’s not all it offers. You can spend the morning walking along the Avon River, browse independent shops and bookstores downtown, stop for coffee or a long lunch on a patio, then end the evening at a theatre performance before lingering by the river again after dark.
It’s one of the few Ontario small towns that genuinely works as both a cultural getaway and a slower weekend escape. Whether you visit for a day trip or an overnight stay, there’s far more to Stratford than most first-time visitors expect.
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The Best Things to Do in Stratford, Ontario
Stratford is one of those Ontario towns that rewards slowing down and exploring on foot. Beyond the theatres, some of my favourite experiences here have involved wandering through downtown, following the Avon River, and discovering the town through themed self-guided walking tours and audio tours that reveal a completely different side of Stratford.
See a Stratford Festival Performance
Even if you’re not usually someone who plans trips around theatre, I still think seeing a performance at the Stratford Festival is one of the best things to do in Stratford, Ontario. The Festival is what initially put Stratford on the map internationally, but what I’ve always appreciated is how naturally it becomes part of the draw of the town itself.
Over the years, I’ve seen performances at several of the theatres, and I still love the experience of arriving early enough to walk along the Avon River beforehand or lingering downtown afterward once the crowds begin filtering out into the evening streets.
One thing many first-time visitors don’t realize is that the Festival extends well beyond Shakespeare. Yes, I’ve seen the classics of Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet over the years. But alongside the Shakespeare classics, there are musicals, contemporary plays, comedies, and original Canadian works, depending on the season. Over the recent years, I’ve seen Rent, Chicago, and To Kill a Mockingbird.
Walk Along the Avon River
One of the things I return to most in Stratford isn’t necessarily an attraction at all, but simply walking along the Avon River.
No matter how many times I visit, I always find myself back near the water at some point during the day. Early mornings are especially peaceful before the town fully wakes up, while evenings around sunset feel completely different again once the theatre crowds begin moving through the parks and bridges.
The pathways winding along the river are one of the reasons Stratford feels so walkable. You can easily move between the downtown, the theatres, gardens, and quieter residential streets without ever feeling rushed.
The swans have become one of Stratford’s most recognizable symbols, and while they’re beautiful to see gliding across the water, I honestly think the atmosphere surrounding the river is what makes this area memorable. The bridges, flower beds, paddle boats, weeping willows, and historic buildings surrounding the water create a setting that feels much more layered than many Ontario small towns. However, St. Marys offers a similar experience as a good comparator.
If you visit during warmer months, paddle boating on the Avon River is another classic Stratford experience.
Visit Stratford’s Gardens & Parks
Stratford is one of the most beautifully maintained towns in Ontario when it comes to public gardens and green spaces, much like what you might find in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The Shakespearean Gardens remain one of my favourite places to slow down for a little while during a visit. Located near the Festival Theatre, the gardens are filled with seasonal flowers, walking paths, sculptures, and plants mentioned throughout Shakespeare’s plays. I especially love visiting in late spring and summer when everything is fully in bloom.
Tom Patterson Island is another area I return to often. Connected by a small bridge, it’s one of those little corners of Stratford where people naturally seem to slow their pace. During the Lights on Stratford exhibit, the island becomes especially beautiful in the evenings.
Best Shops, Cafés & Downtown Experiences in Stratford
Downtown Stratford is one of the best places in Ontario for simply wandering without much of a plan.
Some of my favourite visits here have involved little more than walking slowly through the downtown streets, stopping into independent shops, lingering over coffee, and noticing what has changed since my last visit, which usually isn’t much.
Ontario Street and the surrounding downtown blocks of Downie and York Streets are filled with bookstores, kitchen shops, home décor boutiques, chocolate shops, galleries, and independently owned cafés.
I still find myself returning to places like Bradshaws for my kitchen needs; gadgets, knives, dishware, linens, you name it, they have it. Distill for top-quality and amazing Canadian designers in fashion, jewellery, and some home décor pieces.
Watson’s Chelsea Bazaar is a collection of a little bit of everything, from kitchenware to giftware to home décor, a perfect shop for browsing. I go here for their French imports, specifically those you don’t find anywhere else. And my absolute favourite, Wills & Prior, is a gorgeous home interiors shop with everything from bedding to rugs to furniture and home décor items.
One thing I especially appreciate about Stratford is that the downtown still feels active beyond tourism. There’s a mix of locals, theatre visitors, students, and regular weekend visitors that gives the town a more lived-in atmosphere compared to some Ontario destinations that feel almost entirely built around tourism.
The independent shops and cafes prove that you don’t need to have a shopping mall or brands that everyone recognizes. This is a town that thrives on its unique one-of-a-kind shops and keeps people returning again and again.
Admire Stratford’s Historic Architecture
As you walk through the downtown core, you begin noticing how many of the buildings date back to Stratford’s earlier railway and manufacturing years. Some of my favourite streets to wander are around Ontario Street, Downie Street, and the area surrounding Market Square, where the architecture gives the downtown much of its character.
Stratford City Hall is probably the most recognizable historic building in town. Built in 1899 in a striking Queen Anne Revival style, full of ornate architectural details, turrets, and it anchors the downtown. The Perth County Courthouse is also built in the same Queen Anne Revival style.
Just as the Stratford Public Library nearby, built in 1903 with its own impressive historic character. Another historic detail many people overlook is the lone chimney standing inside the Shakespearean Gardens. It’s actually the remaining chimney from the 19th-century Dufton Woollen Mill, tying Stratford’s industrial history into one of the prettiest green spaces in town.
And then there’s one of Stratford’s more unexpected attractions: the world’s smallest movie theatre. Holding only 13 people and showing a single film at a time, it’s one of those quirky little experiences that feels perfectly suited to Stratford’s personality. Inside, the theatre is also filled with vintage movie memorabilia that gives the entire experience a nostalgic, old-fashioned charm.
Even the Avon Theatre contributes to that atmosphere. Standing outside before a performance or walking past after dinner, the marquee lights and historic façade give Stratford a kind of old-world theatre-town feeling that’s become increasingly rare to find elsewhere in Ontario.
I also love passing by older hotels, theatres, churches, and storefronts throughout downtown because Stratford still feels like a town where the historic buildings remain part of everyday life rather than simply preserved tourist attractions.
Where to Eat in Stratford, Ontario
Best Cafés in Stratford
One of my favourite things about Stratford is how naturally coffee and café stops become part of the experience of wandering through town.
One place I’ve returned to is Edison’s Café Bar, a whole foods café owned by a local husband-and-wife team. I originally stopped in because of the connection to Thomas Edison, who once stayed upstairs in the building during the 1860s, but I ended up loving the atmosphere just as much as the food. Their healthier breakfast options, fresh coffee, and atmosphere make it a great slower start to the day.
The Livery Yard has a completely different atmosphere. Tucked into one of Stratford’s historic buildings, it feels lively and social while still keeping that relaxed Stratford pace. I especially love stopping here during warmer months when the patio fills with people slowly easing into the afternoon.
Revel has become one of my favourite bakery stops in Stratford for slower mornings. Their pastries, breads, and seasonal baked goods always feel thoughtfully done without feeling overly precious. It’s the kind of place where you grab coffee and then linger longer than planned.
My Favourite Restaurants in Stratford
Stratford’s food scene is honestly one of the biggest reasons I continue returning so often.
What I appreciate most is the variety. You can have a refined dinner inside a beautifully restored historic building one evening, then grab casual tacos or relaxed patio dining the next afternoon.
Revival House remains one of the most memorable dining spaces in Stratford. Located inside a beautifully restored old church, it’s one of those restaurants where the atmosphere becomes part of the experience itself. On warmer days, the flower-filled patio is one of the prettiest places to dine in town, but eating inside is equally worth it simply to admire the soaring interior architecture. Their weekend brunch is especially good, and the avocado toast is always my pick.
Bijou feels like a little transportive corner of France in the middle of Stratford. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming in that relaxed French café sort of way, and the farm-to-table menu makes it somewhere I always recommend for a slower lunch or dinner.
Braai House is probably one of Stratford’s most visually memorable restaurants. If you enjoy more elevated dining experiences, I’d absolutely recommend splurging on the tasting menu so you can properly experience the range of dishes. The interior is incredibly stylish without feeling intimidating, and honestly, it’s one of the more stylish dining spaces in Stratford.
Then there are the side-by-side restaurants of Lovage, which, personally, is a better pick for their lunch menu; the spinach omelet was delicious, and for dinner, I like the more moody vibe at The Common. And if I’m craving takeout or something more casual between wandering around town, I still think El Cactus Taco Shop serves some of the best authentic Mexican food in Stratford. The atmosphere is cheerful, colourful, and unfussy in the best possible way.
Stratford Breweries & Beer Halls
Stratford has a surprisingly strong craft beer scene for a town of its size, which reminds me a bit of the town of Elora, and over the years, I’ve noticed more breweries and beer-focused spots gradually becoming part of the overall Stratford weekend experience.
Stratford Brewing Company is Stratford’s own microbrewery and one I now regularly notice in select LCBO stores across Ontario. It’s always nice seeing a local Stratford brewery continue growing beyond the town itself, especially after first discovering it while visiting here.
Black Swan Brewing is another recognizable Stratford brewery, particularly if you’ve spent time travelling around Ontario small towns. There’s a good chance you may have already sampled some of their ales at restaurants or pubs in places like Bayfield or Kitchener before even realizing they originated in Stratford.
Heritage Hops Brew Co has become one of the livelier brewery experiences in town, especially on weekends when they host regular live music events. Their onsite microbrewery atmosphere feels casual and social without losing Stratford’s slower pace, and many of their beers can now also be found in local LCBO stores.
And if you’re looking for somewhere that blends food and craft beer particularly well, Mercer Kitchen, Beer Hall & Hotel is one of the best spots for a casual lunch or dinner. They carry a wide range of Ontario craft beers alongside a strong food menu, making it an easy place to linger for dinner and drinks. I’d especially recommend trying one of their bowls, which has become one of my favourite meals to order there.
Where to Stay in Stratford, Ontario
Even though I only live about 30 minutes from Stratford and usually visit as a day trip, I completely understand why so many people choose to stay overnight here. Stratford is one of those towns that feels best when you don’t rush it. Dinner naturally turns into evening walks, theatre performances stretch later into the night, and the cafés and downtown atmosphere make it easy to want a slower morning before heading home.
If I were planning a weekend stay, these are the Stratford accommodations I’d personally gravitate toward.
Edison’s Inn and The Perth County Inn are two boutique inns that do a great job blending modern hotel comforts inside Stratford’s historic 19th-century downtown buildings. They feel very aligned with Stratford itself, historic character mixed with a more contemporary, walkable experience close to the theatres, restaurants, and river.
Mercer Hotel has the same stylish atmosphere you’ll find downstairs at Mercer Kitchen. If you enjoy more design-forward boutique hotels with an energetic downtown location, this is one of Stratford’s coolest stays.
Or for something completely different, rent an apartment through VRBO.
Things to Do Near Stratford, Ontario
Visit St. Marys for Limestone Architecture & River Walks
If you have extra time while visiting Stratford, St. Marys makes one of the easiest and most worthwhile nearby small-town stops.
Located about 20 minutes away, the atmosphere feels noticeably different from Stratford despite the short drive. Often called “The Stone Town,” St. Marys is known for its limestone architecture, historic buildings, quiet river walks, and slower pace. I especially love wandering through downtown near the limestone bridges and following the trails along the water.
Compared to Stratford, St. Marys feels quieter and more rooted in its history. The downtown is quaint, and it won’t take you long to explore it.
Take the Scenic Drive Toward Elora
If you continue farther east from Stratford, Elora is another one of Ontario’s most beautiful small towns to combine into a longer weekend getaway.
The drive itself is part of the experience. The country roads winding between Stratford and Elora pass through farmland, smaller villages, and rolling rural landscapes that feel especially beautiful during summer and fall.
Elora has a completely different atmosphere from Stratford. It feels more dramatic with its gorge and river, and more intimate with a much smaller downtown with fewer cafés, galleries, and shops.
Why Stratford Works So Well for Weekend Getaways
I think one of the reasons Stratford continues to work so well as an Ontario getaway is that the town offers enough to fill an entire weekend without ever feeling overwhelming.
The experience here feels layered. You don’t need to fit everything into one visit because Stratford naturally gives you reasons to come back for another season, another restaurant, another performance, or simply another slower weekend away.
From the Stratford Summer Music and Stratford Art in the Park, the summer is a big draw for visitors. I also love visiting the Christmas Market in Stratford, held in Market Square, along with a small outdoor Victorian Christmas market complete with a carousel, food, and craft vendors. Christmas shopping in Stratford means you have endless options for finding something unique and special for those hard-to-buy-for people on your list.
That’s also why I love the idea behind Guess Where Trips. Their themed surprise Ontario road trips are built around the same kind of exploration through small towns, cafés and hidden gems that make places like Stratford so enjoyable to experience.
If you want to experience Ontario a little bit differently, give them a try. I think you’ll like them.
