Most visitors come to town for the drama: namely, the Stratford Festival, famous as North America鈥檚 largest classical repertory theatre company, which alone is worth the two-hour drive from Toronto. But the picturesque city鈥檚 creative spirit extends well beyond these stage productions.
Stratford also boasts a chef-driven dining scene, shaped by one of Canada鈥檚 top culinary schools; a pretty, walkable core full of artful boutiques and heritage architecture; and a lively calendar of cultural events, including open-air concerts by the Avon River.
Here are some of the best things to do here this summer.
Visitors can rent a canoe, kayak or pedal boat at the Boathouse, located right on the riverfront.
Fresh by SelenaPaddle or cruise the Avon. Winding past green spaces and theatres, the river is Stratford鈥檚 central gathering place and a hub for picnics, strolls and open-air performances. Rent a canoe, kayak or pedal boat at , then glide past the city鈥檚 famous white mute swans, which are ceremoniously released from their winter shelter each spring. For a more relaxed ride, a 30-minute cruise aboard the Juliet III passes the Tom Patterson Theatre and other waterfront landmarks while a guide details the story of how this quiet stretch of river became key to Stratford鈥檚 cultural identity.
The city鈥檚 stylish shops include Wills & Prior for home goods.
Valerie WilcoxShop like a stylish designer. You鈥檒l find some of Stratford鈥檚 best boutiques along Ontario Street. , a fixture since 1895, is now helmed by Carrie and Jeremy Wreford, who draw on backgrounds in graphic and set design, respectively. The store is stocked with elegant home goods, from Klippan throws to the latest Le鈥疌reuset. Just up the block, is a beautifully styled homewares shop where you can easily go from 鈥渏ust browsing鈥 to leaving with linen napkins, ceramic mugs and marble soap dishes. They also carry a small but excellent collection of abstract paintings by Canadian artists Shane Norrie and Julia Balfour.
鈥淎nne of Green Gables鈥 is now playing as part of the Stratford Festival鈥檚 2025 season.
David HouBook the hottest tickets in town. Launched in 1953 by journalist Tom Patterson, the has transformed from a local gamble into one of North America鈥檚 most celebrated theatre festivals. Traditionally running from April to October 鈥 this year, select shows will extend to听November and December 鈥 it draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each season for its mix of Shakespeare, new works and musicals. It鈥檚 a strong year for red-headed heroines: 鈥Anne of Green Gables鈥 has emerged as a hit for its warm, faithful storytelling, and 鈥淎nnie鈥 has won over audiences with its high-energy choreography.
Find the 鈥渟ecret鈥 beer garden. With a blink-and-you鈥檒l-miss-it entrance tucked behind a tree-lined stretch of Waterloo Street, is easy to overlook. Step through the gate, however, and you鈥檒l find a spacious beer garden lined with picnic tables and anchored by a food truck slinging smash burgers, schnitzel and loaded fries. For a local pour, order an English pale ale from Stratford鈥檚 own Black Swan. Fruity spiked slushies are a fun pick on hot days, and there鈥檚 a solid lineup of non-alcoholic brews, too. With upbeat music playing and the buzz of a friendly local crowd, it鈥檚 one of the town鈥檚 best places to unwind.
The MusicBarge at听Stratford Summer Music.听This year, the festival runs until August 10.
Terry ManzoListen to live music around town. The annual festival (on now until Aug. 10) has more than 150 musicians playing 45 concerts in venues across the city, from Celtic tunes on riverside stages to jazz in a former church turned restaurant. Also, on Wednesday evenings until Aug. 27, the Stratford Concert Band fills the Upper Queen鈥檚 Park Kiwanis Bandshell with symphonic classics, pop hits and marches for its . At the , licensed outdoor concerts on the lawn range from country acts to rock tributes, with proceeds supporting the museum鈥檚 programming.
The Shakespearean Gardens is one of several gardens in Stratford linked by the Avon River.
Destination StratfordStop and smell the flowers. Stratford never misses a chance to evoke its Shakespearean namesake 鈥 the Ontario city takes its name from the Bard鈥檚 birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. The Shakespearean Gardens, first planted in the 1930s, originally featured only botanicals from his plays but now includes more than 60 varieties of flowers, herbs and shrubs. Rising over the beds is a 65-foot chimney, the last remnant of the Dufton Woollen Mill, which was destroyed by fire in 1919. To see more of Stratford in bloom, follow the path along the river to the Festival Theatre, where five manicured gardens burst with vibrant day lilies and other flowers.
Feast by the fire. Step inside and you鈥檒l be hit with the scent of wood smoke and sizzling meat. Stratford鈥檚 South African-inspired grill house centres on a live-fire hearth, visible from the sleek dining room. Watch chefs stoke the flames in the open kitchen as you snack on boerewors (juicy beef sausage with tangy chakalaka relish), or grab a seat on the second-floor patio. Mains like black cod and rump steak emerge perfectly seared, but don鈥檛 overlook the wood-fired pizzas, crisped at the edges and packed with charred flavour.
If you stay: Steps from the Avon River, channels English country-manor charm with a modern twist. Its 25 rooms and suites feature elegant details like marble bathrooms, French doors and crystal chandeliers. Dine at the restaurant, where dishes draw inspiration from local farms, or ring the 24/7 cookie hotline to have freshly baked treats delivered to your door.
WHERE CHEFS EAT: Chef Randi Rudner鈥檚 favourites in Stratford
Want more food and drink recommendations for Stratford?听When she鈥檚 not teaching future culinary stars or co-leading the kitchen at 鈥 a Stratford institution known for its refined, seasonal cooking 鈥 chef Randi Rudner knows exactly where to go for a delicious bite. She spent years working under some of the city鈥檚 most respected chefs, at restaurants like Pazzo Taverna and the now-closed Rundles, and today helps shape Stratford鈥檚 next generation of talent through her role as a program manager at the . Here, she shares her go-to spots in town.
Randi Rudner is the co-chef听at the Prune, right.
Terry Manzo (Left)/Little Big Creative (Right): 鈥淚t has a retro lounge vibe. They have a really interesting cocktail program and such talented bartenders, but also the kitchen is strong. They鈥檝e got a killer weekend brunch, and dinner is small plates influenced by local products and the seasons. It鈥檚 low-key and a really easy place to go have drinks and snacks.鈥听
Rudner鈥檚 recommendations include听the Starlight for the atmosphere, cocktails and small plates.
Brilynn Ferguson: 鈥淚t鈥檚 owned and operated by Aaron and Bronwyn Linley, who have been in the Stratford restaurant scene for a really long time. It鈥檚 a very pretty restaurant. The menu (offers) familiar ideas articulated through the lens of the travelling that Aaron and Bronwyn do. They鈥檝e got a cute patio and nice wines and cocktails.鈥
: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a fantastic bar with cool, well-balanced cocktails. Ulises (Sanchez), the owner, is super talented and does a lot of community building by hosting guest bartenders from other restaurants and bars. It鈥檚 a beautiful room that鈥檚 styled like an expat lobby bar, and they also have a little, secret speakeasy in the basement.鈥
: 鈥淭he food is Japanese beer hall-influenced. They have these fried chicken karaage bites that are satisfying any time of day. They have a huge menu and over a dozen rotating beer taps showcasing interesting microbreweries. It鈥檚 great if you鈥檙e a beer drinker because they do flights, and the taps sometimes change over the course of a day.鈥
Lovage is a bistro-style restaurant that鈥檚 great for a special occasion or more casual dining.
Lila Lavereau Photography: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a French market bistro-style restaurant, and the menu changes regularly. Jamie (Crosby), the chef, is unbelievably talented. It has a great patio and a huge and interesting wine list. It鈥檚 a beautiful room that鈥檚 comfortable and casual. You can go for a special occasion, but it鈥檚 also a great spot for a glass of wine on a random Tuesday.鈥
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