Free
The Avon River and the swans
A riverside path runs along both banks of the Avon and Lake Victoria, with the town's swans out from spring to fall.
Perth County, Ontario
Stratford
A river town of swans and gardens, home of the Stratford Festival, with a food scene that punches far above its size.
Photo: The Avon River in Stratford, Ontario, Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
The Avon River widens into Lake Victoria right beside downtown, with gardens and parkland on both banks and a resident flock of swans. Start your day with the swans.
From spring to fall, the Stratford Festival fills four theatres. Between curtain calls, try the markets, the chocolate shops and the self-guided food trails. It's a small town that feeds you very well.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Shakespearean Gardens
Formal gardens by the river growing plants mentioned in Shakespeare's plays. Free to wander.
Free
Swan Parade
Each April the swans are led back to the river from their winter home with a pipe band. A cheerful local tradition.
Free
T.J. Dolan Natural Area
Wooded trails along the river on the west side of town, quieter than the downtown banks.
Cheap
Paddle or pedal boat on Lake Victoria
Avon Boat Rentals rents canoes, kayaks and pedal boats on the river in summer.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Downtown Stratford
A Victorian downtown with a towering City Hall, independent shops, bookstores and cafés.
Cheap
Stratford Perth Museum
Local history, rotating exhibits and grounds on the edge of town.
Paid
Stratford Festival
Shakespeare, musicals and new plays across four theatres, roughly April to October.
Paid
Chocolate Trail
A self-guided tasting trail of local chocolatiers and bakeries, sold by Visit Stratford.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
Stratford Farmers' Market
A year-round Saturday morning market at the fairgrounds. Check the current hours.
Free
Slow Food Perth County market
A Sunday market of local growers and food makers in town.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Boat rental on the Avon
Canoes, kayaks and pedal boats on Lake Victoria in summer.
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
- Stratford Festival Tickets
- Chocolate Trail Experience
Part of our The Thames and the Avon guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- A matinee plus an evening show makes a two-play day, and sleeping here is the only sane way to do it.
- Saturday's farmers' market and Sunday's Slow Food market each deserve a morning.
- The riverside is loveliest early and late, after the day-trippers have gone.
Nearby and worth the drive
St. Marysabout 20 min · Guide ↗
A limestone town with a quarry swimming hole, a river trail and the Baseball Hall of Fame.
St. Jacobs and Elmiraabout 40 min · Guide ↗Mennonite country, a big farmers' market and a village of shops.
Londonabout 50 min · Guide ↗A river city on the Thames, with a long paved trail and a year-round market.
Ready-made trips with Stratford
3 days · Stratford → Niagara-on-the-Lake
Two festival towns
Ontario's two great theatre towns, with swans, gardens and orchards in between shows.
2 days · Elora and Fergus → Stratford
Grand River and Stratford
A limestone gorge and quarry swim, then swans and theatre.
2 days · Goderich → Stratford
Lake Huron sunsets
Goderich's beach and octagon square, then Stratford's river and theatre.
Good to know
- Tourism: visitstratford.ca.
- Festival: Season and tickets at stratfordfestival.ca.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: The Avon River in Stratford, Ontario, Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: The Festival Theatre, Stratford, Ontario, Chris Woodrich, CC BY-SA 4.0