Stratford

Stratford is a small city in the farmland of southwestern Ontario. It shares its name with Shakespeare's home town in England, and the Avon River runs through the middle of it, with swans on the water and parks along the banks. The Stratford Festival, one of the best known theatre festivals in North America, is the reason most people come. The city grew around the railway and the surrounding farms, and the old brick buildings downtown still give it a settled, tidy look. It is calm and easy to like, and most visitors plan a visit around a play and a few unhurried meals.

The Stratford Festival stages plays in several theatres, including the Festival Theatre, the Avon Theatre and the Tom Patterson Theatre, and a show is the heart of any visit. Between performances, walk the Avon River through Upper Queens Park and along the shores of Lake Victoria, where the swans are easy to find. Downtown has independent shops, galleries and bookshops along Ontario Street and the streets around it. Gallery Stratford shows contemporary art, and the Stratford Perth Museum covers local history. Cyclists can follow paths beside the river and through the parks, and the countryside around the city is flat and good for a quiet drive.

Food is a big part of a visit to Stratford. The city has a long tradition of good restaurants, and many of them serve a pre-theatre dinner so that diners can get to a show on time. Menus often feature produce from the farms of Perth County, and you will find bistros, casual cafes, bakeries and pubs within a short walk of the theatres. Stratford is also known for its chocolate shops and sweet treats, which make a good gift to take home. Evenings are lively around show times, with people out for a drink before or after the curtain, and then the streets settle down early.

Downtown is the best place to stay, with inns and hotels within walking distance of the shops, restaurants and most theatres. The streets near the river and the parks are full of bed and breakfasts in older houses, which suit couples and anyone who wants a quiet base. Chain hotels and motels sit on the roads at the edge of town and are handy for drivers. The centre is compact enough to walk, and the river paths make it easy to cycle. Stratford Transit runs local buses, but most visitors walk or drive. Parking downtown is possible but can fill up on show days, so allow a little extra time.

The Stratford Festival runs through the warmer part of the year, so late spring, summer and early autumn are the main seasons, with the most choice of plays and the best weather for the river parks. Autumn brings colour to the trees along the Avon and calmer streets. Winter is quiet, and many visitors stay away, though the city is peaceful and pleasant for a short break. A weekend is the usual stay and fits two plays, a good dinner and a long walk by the river. Add a third day if you want to explore the shops, galleries and the surrounding countryside.

Stratford sits between larger cities in southwestern Ontario. Kitchener and Waterloo lie to the east, London is to the south and west, and Toronto is a drive or train ride to the east. VIA Rail serves the city on the line between Toronto and Sarnia, so it works well for a trip without a car. Small towns and farm country surround the city, and the shores of Lake Huron are within a day trip to the northwest. Many travellers pair Stratford with London, Kitchener-Waterloo or a drive through Ontario's small towns.