Planning a road trip to some small towns in Southwestern Ontario is one of the best things you can do. There are a lot of beautiful hiking trails, scenic landscapes and small towns in Southwestern Ontario to visit. Southwestern Ontario is also famous for its freshwater beaches, as well as its stunning sunset views across the landscapes. If this is your first time visiting Canada, Southwestern Ontario may not be in your itinerary. But if you want to see an authentic corner of Canada then it should be.
Southwestern Ontario was first occupied by a variety of different Indigenous First Nations, before later being settled by the French and colonized by the English. It sits nestled between two freshwater lakes and has an abundance of fertile land within its boundaries. This makes it a great destination in the summer and autumn if you’re shopping for fresh produce. Here’s a look at some of the best historic small towns in Southwestern Ontario that make a great addition to any Canadian road trip.
Stratford
Stratford is home to the world-famous Festival Theatre, is the birthplace of Justin Bieber, and is one of the most popular day trips from Toronto. On top of it being a hub for artists in Canada, downtown Stratford boasts a number of unique boutique shops, art galleries, and some pretty fantastic eateries too.
Places like Bijou Restaurant, El Cactus Taco Shop, and Pazzo are just a few examples of places to eat in Stratford that I’d recommend checking out. And if you happen to be visiting Stratford on a budget, there are a number of free things to do in Stratford too. You’ll probably need at least 48 hours in Stratford to explore all that one of the best small towns in Southwestern Ontario has to offer.
Where to eat in Stratford
If you’re a person that’s constantly on the go and you’d rather have something to take away, the best takeout restaurant in Stratford is Sirkel Foods. All of their food is made fresh daily using local produce, and their portions are very generous. They have a main menu as well as a daily specials board, but you can’t go wrong with one of their enormous sandwiches. You’ll find that a lot of small towns in Southwestern Ontario have great food scenes that are yet to be discovered by tourists.
St Marys
St Marys is one of Ontario’s oldest communities. It’s one of the most picturesque historic small towns in Southwestern Ontario. If you happen to be in Stratford it’s only a 20 minute drive away. This small town is home to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and it’s the burial place of Canada’s 9th Prime Minister.
The downtown area is significantly smaller than Stratford’s, but one place you need to stop at is The Chocolate Factory. They produce chocolates very similar to that found in Rheo Thompson but at a slightly cheaper price range. Known as Stone Town thanks to its buildings made from local limestone, St Marys is a great place to stop at any time of the year.
Where to eat in St Marys
While there are a few places to eat in downtown St Marys, your best option is to head over to the St Marys Golf & Country Club and dine at Social Thirty-One. The food here is phenomenal and isn’t your typical golf club grub, with a strong focus on local produce. Their menu changes seasonally so when we visited in October they had just launched their latest fall menu which incorporated the colours and flavours of the harvest season beautifully.
The restaurant is open to everyone, not just club members, so there’s always a vibrant crowd dining here, especially during patio season. The portions are quite generous and there are plenty of shareable options on the menu if you’re not feeling too hungry.
Social Thirty-One knows a thing or two about cocktails and the staff are more than happy to recommend a beer or wine to pair with your meal. While you’re exploring Perth County and visiting the various small towns in Southwestern Ontario, be sure to add Social Thirty-One to your itinerary for dinner.
Seaforth
Seaforth may not be your typical tourist spot in Ontario, but it’s a nice small town to stop at as you make your way to Lake Huron. The town was incorporated in 1875 and it was a major shipping point for wheat as well as grain-buying centre. Seaforth was even handling more dollars worth of wheat than Toronto at one point. Today visitors can enjoy a walk down its main street where you’ll find some quaint shops and places to eat before heading off to other small towns in Southwestern Ontario.
Clinton
Not far from Seaforth is the small Canadian town of Clinton. Located in Huron County, Clinton was established in 1831. It’s known for being the home of Canada’s radar because of the large radar in town and its association with the RCAF base nearby. There isn’t too much to see in Clinton, so I would recommend planning to spend an hour or two here at the most. Make sure you do a bit of research about Clinton beforehand as there are some interesting stories tied to this small town.
Blyth
Blyth is one of the smallest communities in Huron county, but it certainly has a lot going for it. It’s quickly becoming a cultural and artistic centre along Ontario’s west coast, and it’s home to the famous Blyth Festival Theatre. The main street is filled with local shops, but my favourite has to be Maple and Moose which features top-quality Canadian products, many of which are handmade by artisans. Blyth is also a hub for people seeking outdoor adventures, with many bike tours taking place in this area.
Where to eat in Blyth
We’ve driven through Blyth numerous times, and each time we make sure we stop at the Cowbell Brewing Co. for something to eat. They produce sustainably focused craft beer which has won them numerous awards and cemented their place in the list of Canada’s destination breweries.
The food at Cowbell Brewing Co. really can’t be beat. They use all locally sourced products and their dishes are made to order. The Spinach Dip is delicious and a great way to start things off. You won’t be disappointed by any of their burgers which are grilled to perfection, and their pizzas are stone baked right in front of you. If you’re looking for unique places to eat in Southwestern Ontario, this is it.
Goderich
Consistently named one of the prettiest towns in Ontario, Goderich is also one of the most idyllic coastal small towns in Southwestern Ontario to spend a day at. Apart from its popular shorelines which are bursting with people in the summer months, Goderich boasts a beautiful downtown area too. It was incorporated as a town in 1850. It’s famous for its unique octagonal roundabout known as “The Square” where you can find many of the town’s shops and restaurants. If you’re planning a road trip in Ontario, Goderich should definitely be on your list.
Bayfield
A short drive down the coastline from Goderich will bring you to Bayfield. This quaint town in Ontario is known for its stunning views of Lake Huron as well as its charming shopping street. It sits between Goderich and Grand Bend, and was settled in 1832 by a Dutch nobleman. The buildings here are very similar to those found in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s old town. It’s the perfect small town in Southwestern Ontario to visit in the summer months when you can enjoy walking in the sunshine.
Southwestern Ontario isn’t filled with large cities or major tourist attractions. But if you enjoy visiting places that are off the beaten path then a road trip around this part of the province will be a great fit for you. There are a lot of historic small towns in Southwestern Ontario to visit, but these are just a few that are easy to drive to if you’re making Stratford your base (including Stratford, of course).
Have you driven around this part of Ontario before? Or do you know of any other small towns in Southwestern Ontario to visit? I’m always looking for more recommendations and places to go to near my hometown, so please feel free to get in touch. You can also follow my travels on Instagram to stay up to date with my latest adventures.
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