Stratford is well known for being Canada’s premier arts town. If you’re spending 48 hours in Stratford you’ll find that there are a lot of activities to choose from. As well as being home to the world-famous Stratford Festival, the city also boasts galleries, popular music events, and festivals such as the World in a Weekend Festival. If the arts really aren’t your thing though, maybe food is.
Stratford’s popular Bacon & Ale Trail and the Stratford Chocolate Trail are both great ways to discover the various culinary points of interest in the downtown area. You’ll find plenty of unique restaurants in Stratford along the routes to make a note of for later as well.
Being one of the best small towns in Ontario means that you’ll probably need more than a day in Stratford. If it’s your first time visiting Stratford, I would recommend staying for at least one night so you have enough time to explore the downtown area, the various parks in the city, and visit a few places outside of the main touristy spots too.
There’s definitely a lot to see if you’re visiting Stratford so be prepared to have a great time. Here are my recommendations for your 48 hours in Stratford itinerary (minus the Stratford Festival because I’m sure you already have that on your list).
How to spend 48 hours in Stratford
Stratford Market Square
One of the best things to do in Stratford is to explore the downtown area. To start things off, I’d suggest beginning your tour in Market Square, which is located behind the City Hall. In recent years the pedestrianized part of the square has been expanded so there are plenty of places to sit and relax or eat your lunch.
Some of the best food in Stratford is located around this area too, on nearby Wellington Street and Downie Street. That’s right – the map of Stratford extends past Ontario Street and the Avon River!
Grab some gelato from Angela’s Gelato
Located on Downie Street, just next to Market Square and opposite the Avon Theatre, is Angela’s Gelato. I can honestly say that this is one of my favourite spots in town. They serve up traditional artisanal gelato that’s locally sourced, and you can expect new flavours regularly. Don’t forget to try out their freshly squeezed old-fashioned lemonade which is very refreshing on a warm day.
Angela’s Gelato is the perfect place to stop during your 48 hours in Stratford as you make your way around Stratford’s downtown area.
Little Prince Micro-Cinema & Lounge
Ever wondered what the world’s smallest cinema looks like? The Little Prince Micro-Cinema & Lounge is located on Wellington Street, next to the Market Square, and holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s smallest purpose built cinema, seating only 13 people. They have movies and short films playing throughout the day. If you’re travelling with a large group and want the cinema all to yourself you can book it out in its entirety as well.
Find some street art
Stratford is known as an arts destination in Canada, but it’s not really known for its street art appeal – until now. One thing that’s changed about Stratford over the past decade is the amount of unique street art that you’ll come across, in both the downtown area as well as Upper Queen’s Park. There’s a lot of street art in Stratford around Gallery Stratford, and some unique sculptures, but Market Square and The Revival House are now home to some bright and colourful art pieces as well.
Walk around the Avon River
One of the best free things to do in Stratford is to walk around the Avon River. Lower Queen’s Park is a very tranquil setting, and is perfect for a leisurely stroll or bike ride. In the summer months you can expect a lot of ducks, Canadian geese, and swans with their babies. They regularly decide to walk into the middle of the road, so make sure you’re aware of your surroundings.
The main street along the river, Lakeside Drive, is where the popular Stratford Art in the Park takes place, where you can browse a selection of Canadian arts and crafts from local artists. From the Avon River you have easy access to Upper Queen’s Park as well as Gallery Stratford too. There’s a lot of free parking in the area which is a bonus.
Rent a paddleboat
Hopefully you have nice weather while spending 48 hours in Stratford, because in the warmer months you can take full advantage of the Avon River and rent a paddleboat for an hour at The Boathouse. This family-run business has been around since I was a child, so I have fond memories of both the paddleboats and the River Tour.
You have the option to rent either a paddleboat, canoe, or kayak for an hour, or you can join a scenic 30 minute River Tour where you can just sit back, relax, and take in the views of Stratford from a different perspective. Whichever option you choose, The Boathouse is a must-visit in Stratford, Ontario.
Retail therapy
Stratford is quickly becoming a popular destination for day trippers looking to do some shopping. Ontario Street is the main street in Stratford, offering a good selection of shops and places to eat. Some of the longest serving shops in Stratford are located here, such as Bradshaws and Watson’s, but there are some new shops such as Stilettos & Sawdust that are worth visiting as well.
Ontario Street isn’t the only place to shop though. Downie Street, York Street, and Wellington Street all offer something a little different, and are all great alternative options for shopping in Stratford. No 48 hours in Stratford is complete without doing a bit of retail therapy.
This is just a small glimpse into all of the amazing things to do in Stratford, Ontario. Many tourists end up going to the same places to eat in Stratford and visiting the same shops and points of interest, without exploring more of what the city has to offer. Hopefully this gives you some food for thought as you start planning your next trip to Stratford, whether that’s a day trip to Stratford or you’re thinking of spending a little bit longer in Canada’s premier arts town.
Have you visited this small town in Ontario before? I’d love to hear your thoughts about Stratford and what the favourite parts of your trip were. Don’t forget to follow my travels on Instagram too – and feel free to get in touch!
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