Why You Should Visit Stratford in the Fall
Are you looking for great places to go in Ontario in the fall? You want Stratford. It’s the ideal spot to plant yourself and maximize your fall vacation. There are countless things to do in Stratford in the fall, from celebrating its diverse culinary scene to enjoying the great outdoors. Plus, Stratford is surrounded by some of Ontario’s most captivating small towns, making it the gateway to epic fall road trips. So let’s get planning!
Incredible Things to do in Stratford in the Fall
The humidity of summer is gone, pumpkin flavoured treats are all a rage, and the Stratford Festival is still pumping out outstanding performances. Most Festival plays run right into November and if you’re looking to expand your theatre experience there’s an array of tours, exhibits, and more to add to your itinerary. You can take a tour of the warehouse where all of the incredible costumes and props are stored and even have a shot at trying one on. There are tours of the Festival Theatre and be sure to take in The Tom Patterson Theatre exhibit during an Archives tours.
The Stratford Perth Museum is a great stop during your Stratford fall visit, with exhibits on the Stratford Festival and more. If you want to get a little more in depth then check out The Forum. The Forum runs special events, performances, panel discussions, and interactive workshops all season long, right through the fall. Attending a workshop will truly make your visit a memorable one. You can try your hand at a dance sequence or attempt to tackle acting in a Shakespearean role.
Beyond the theatre you’ll find something to satisfy everyone’s palate in Stratford, from adventures with food to art in all mediums and outdoor adventures on foot or two wheels. If you’re planning on staying a few days in Stratford, plot what to do in between shows with our list of Stratford adventures.
Things to do for Foodies
Are you a foodie looking to advance your skills in the kitchen? Or maybe you love indulging in great food, beer, and spirits. Stratford has a celebrated culinary scene that pairs the perfect blend of locally sourced food and a variety of ways to enjoy it.
Rock an apron and try your hand at one of Stratford Chefs School’s Open Kitchen Classes. The Stratford Chefs School runs workshops where you can get hands on experience that will be sure to impress your significant other or your friends at your next dinner party. Workshops range from how to make the most mouth-watering Thanksgiving pie to tasty international dishes.
A great way to explore Stratford is indulging in their Bacon & Ale Trail. The trail is a self-guided romp around Stratford where your $30 trail pass gives you five vouchers to test out the offerings at over fifteen locations around town. Could there be a better combination than sizzling bacon served along with a pint of Ontario craft beer? Go hog wild with Madelyn’s Diner’s 1/2 pound butter tart, filled with finely chopped local bacon. Another great stop is The Boar’s Head Pub where you’ll salivate over caramelized red onion bacon marmalade layered over jalapeno poppers and served with a half pint of Creemore Springs Beer.
Related Post: Take a Bite Out of Stratford’s Chocolate Trail
Things to do for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Stratford is located in Perth County which is home to unbelievably beautiful trails and parks; great fun to be had for outdoor enthusiasts. Be sure to pack your hiking boots, water bottle and sense of adventure when you visit Stratford this fall.
For the foodie and nature lover you’ll love an excursion with Puck’s Plenty. They offer foraging tours where you’ll not only get outdoors but learn about the wild things to eat that can be found in your own backyard like plants and mushrooms. Puck’s Plenty also hosts special events where you can enjoy a wonderful two and a half hour hike through nearby forests and afterward return to Stratford for a scrumptious feast of in season wild edibles.
Lace up your boots and get out on the Avon Trail during your stay in Stratford this fall. Stretching 110 kilometres from St. Marys to Conestogo, the Avon Trail takes you past rivers, over charming country roads, and there’s even a side trail that runs straight though Stratford. The Stratford Side Trail is roughly 13 kilometres and will take you along the idyllic Avon River, cross bridges, and through the T.J. Dolan Natural Area. It’s a great way to spend a crisp fall morning in Stratford.
Looking for more incredible places to hike in Ontario this fall? Check out my list of over 10 dreamy Ontario fall hikes.
If you’re feeling adventurous and looking to burn off some steam, consider renting a bike from Avon Boat Rentals or Totally Spoke’d and set off to bike a portion of the G2G Trail. While the Guelph to Goderich Trail (G2G), that runs along the old CPR line, spans 127 kilometres you can easily bike a portion of it that lies just north of Stratford. Along the way you’ll see the leaves start to transform, remarkable farmlands that surround Stratford and experience how it’s Ontario’s richest agricultural region.
Related Post: 5 Ways to Enjoy Stratford Outdoors
Things to do for Art Lovers
If there is one place in Ontario that knows how to celebrate art, it’s Stratford. Art comes in all sorts of forms: theatre, music, literature and visual. When it comes to art, Stratford has a stacked deck for things to do. Beyond the theatre you’ll find tons of art galleries, street art and even a literary festival!
As Canada’s premier arts town, a great way to spend a gorgeous fall day is wandering through all of the art galleries throughout Stratford. There are around a half a dozen galleries in Stratford, most of which are located right downtown. This fall you’ll find a few new ones like Mountain Galleries East that promotes Canadian Artists. But don’t forget to also visit Agora Gallery, An Artist’s Cottage, Koolen Fine Arts, and Meet Your Maker. Located on Wellington Street, Meet Your Maker is a gem of a shop selling unique artisan goods, from jewelry to Shakespeare inspired merchandise with a twist. Be sure to wander into the back to discover Canada’s smallest movie theatre.
Every October Stratford welcomes authors, songwriters, readers, and more for the Stratford Writers Festival. Across Stratford you’ll find a diverse array of events, from workshops, readings, performances from Canada’s best songwriters, and writer’s retreats. Whether you love reading, especially Canadian writing, or have been known to type away at the keys yourself, you’ll be inspired by this festival.
Related Post: Why You Need to Atten the Stratford Festival
Fall in Stratford isn’t complete, especially if you’re obsessed with Halloween, without a Ghosts of Stratford tour. Put on by the Playmakers Theatre School, the Ghosts of Stratford ghost walks run through the fall with special Halloween tours. When night descends, meet your gaunt and spirited guides for a candlelit walking tour of Stratford where you’ll learn of its ghastly past and maybe even meet a ghost or two.
Day Trips from Stratford
Early morning fog, fields littered with straw bales, and the shades of autumn making their appearance all scream Ontario fall road trips. And if you’re keen on adding some iconic day trips during your stay in Stratford then we’ve got you covered. We’ve rounded up ten amazing day trips from Stratford that will put your fall escape in the record books. Take your pick from one or a handful of these awesome day trips that are all within a sixty minute drive from Stratford.
Related Post: Things to do in Perth County
Shakespeare
Want to be transported a half a world away to a little village in England? You’ll save on air fare and jetlag as the hamlet of Shakespeare is only a five minute drive east of Stratford. Shakespeare may be a small hamlet but it makes up for it with a generous amount of things to keep you busy for the afternoon.
Shakespeare has been dubbed the Antiques Capital of Ontario, with treasures ranging from statement furniture pieces with a story to tell to industrial antiques in the scattering of shops. Be sure to pop into The British Touch to browse their assortment of tasty and wacky treats, along with British merchandise like Dr. Who memorabilia and of course boat loads of English teas.
Before you head back to Stratford for the night, stop at Shakespeare Conservation Area. Take a wander along its trails and soak in the shades of autumn as the large pond mirrors the fall foliage. You’ll swoon over this off-the-radar gem of a park.
Castle Killbride
Castle Killbride is one of the area’s most unique attractions. Located in the small town of Baden, a half hour east of Stratford, this grand estate is dripping with Victorian charm, stunning art, and interesting artifacts from the family’s daily lives and travels.
One of the most mesmerising features of Castle Killbride is the Trompe l’oeil wall and ceiling murals. French for ‘deceive the eye’, theses 3D- like murals have hidden images within and is part of the reason Castle Killbride was named a National Historic Site. Test your skills and look deep into the flower bouquet in the grand hallway. Can you spot the serpent or the face leering back?
If its charm, history, and art doesn’t entice you then how about a good old fashioned ghost tour? New this fall, experience the eerie side of Castle Killbride, learn about the resident spirit that lurks the hallways, wonder over haunted antiques, and dare to enter the Widow’s Walk.
Blyth
It doesn’t get more proudly Canadian than the small village of Blyth. Home to the Blyth Festival, where plays focus on themes of rural Ontario and are not only full of wit and heart but also written by Canadians. With a season spanning from May through to the end of September, if you’re fall visit to Stratford is early you could still catch a show.
The main street of Blyth is lined with fun shops, like Maple and Moose that sells strictly Canadian goods and Wonky Frog showcasing unique gift ideas from local artisans. You’ll have your pick of places to eat, like the Queens Bakery offering light fare, great coffee and delicious desserts in a cozy atmosphere and Cowbell Brewing Company. This brewery is an experience in itself. You can take a tour of their state-of-the-art facility that focuses on great beer and a green process.
Running right through town is the Guelph to Goderich Rail Trail. If you’ve rented bikes to tackle part of the G2G Trail then Blyth is a great place to stop along the trail for a bite to eat or to browse the shops.
Bayfield
Just under an hour from Stratford is Bayfield, the prettiest little village in Ontario. Set on the shores of the mighty Lake Huron, Pioneer Park is the one of the best spots to catch the sunset in Ontario. In late fall you’ll be able to soak in that breathtaking sunset and still make it back to Stratford in time for an eight o’clock show.
Bayfield even has a Heritage Trail. This self-guided walking trail takes you around the village and by eight historical storyboards that share each location’s significance, including old photos and paintings. It’s only a two kilometre walk and is the perfect way to get to know this little gem on a warm fall day.
The main street is lined with colourful shops, many of which are rich in history, and lining the shelves you find books, clothing and fun gift ideas. Enjoy a late lunch while stepping back in time at The Little Inn of Bayfield, an 1830’s inn that offers fine-dining. Need a sweet treat? Stop into The Pink Flamingo Bakery and be sure to grab one of their signature flavoured Pink Lemonade cupcakes.
Related Post: 7 Reasons to Visit Ontario’s Huron County
St. Jacobs
If shopping with a side of adventure is what you’re seeking, St. Jacobs is where you should head on a day trip. Less than an hour outside Stratford is the St. Jacobs Farmer’s Market, Canada’s largest year-round farmers market. Home to over 300 local vendors, you’ll find everything you could possibly want and need at the market. Along with the fresh local produce there’s meats, cheeses, local crafters, and even antiques. Browsing the food stands you’ll work up quite the appetite so head on over to the food court to refuel. If you leave with only one thing make sure it’s the famous apple fritters.
A trip to St. Jacobs isn’t complete without a scenic train ride aboard the Waterloo Central Railway. The historic train, one of the last stream trains in Canada, travels from Waterloo, with stops in St. Jacobs and Elmira. You can even hop off and on depending on where you’d like to explore. During fall, join one of their themed train rides, like the picture-perfect Fall Colours Train where you’ll be glued to the window with your cell phone capturing the brilliant fall colours racing by. Or if you dare, throw on a stellar costume and board the Halloween Train.
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Pack your sweaters, order your Stratford Festival tickets, book your extended stay and get planning your fall adventure in Stratford today. Make sure you set aside time to not only explore Stratford but also to jump in the car and hit up one or all of the epic road trips to be had in the region. And don’t forget, whether you’re traveling solo or would love to meet others, Stratford Road Trips has you covered. Grab a seat in their twelve seat Safari van and let them take you on an adventure. Let Stratford show you, it’s the place to be this fall.
If you’re looking for more things to do in Perth County there is a wealth of outdoor activities, small towns to explore, tasty farm gates, and something for everyone – from solo travellers to families!
This piece was created in collaboration with Stratford Tourism.
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