Ontario is home to almost 20 different counties to explore, each with their own unique things to do and places to visit. Some are known for a wealth of waterfalls like Grey County, while others are known for wine like Niagara. But a great place to go in Ontario that has something for everyone is Perth County. There are a host of different things to do in Perth County that will satisfy everyone’s interests, from foodies to families.
So, come along and discover why Perth County should be your next Ontario road trip destination! Learn all about the different things to do, places to eat, and Perth County attractions to add to your itinerary! Plus, I’ve got some tips to help you have a successful visit, which including everything from when to visit to what to bring!
Where is Perth County?
Perth County is located in Southern Ontario, right in the middle between Lake Huron and Lake Ontario. It’s approximately two hours west of Toronto. Making it an ideal Toronto road trip destination. But it’s also close to Hamilton, only 1.5 hours away. And around 2 hours from Simcoe County.
Top Things to do in Perth County
One of the most popular destinations in Ontario is in Perth County. That’s Stratford! And while there are a ton of great things to do in Stratford, be sure to go beyond it to discover the best things to do in Perth County aside from Stratford.
Explore Small Towns
Everyone knows I’m a sucker for small towns! And if you love them too, Perth County is full of charming Ontario small towns! And each of them has their own distinct feel and personality. Some are great for foodies and others offer some unique shopping. But all are worth a visit! Below is a list of some of the top small towns in Perth County that are a must-visit!
Listowel
Located in the northern portion of Perth County, Listowel is an adorable small town with a lot to offer. It also makes for a great base to stay while exploring the area as there are a variety of accommodation options, from hotels to Bed and Breakfasts.
Listowel is home to an adorable downtown that’s full of great shops, cafes, and restaurants. But it’s also home to street art! There are murals, historic photographs, and more! If you love the outdoors then Listowel is perfect for you! There’s the beautiful Memorial Park that’s home to the Rotary Walkway that runs along the Maitland River, a large playground, outdoor amphitheatre, and more. The North Perth Trail System also runs through Listowel. This 22 kilometre multi-use trail runs from Gowanstown (to the north) through Listowel and to Hefryn to the south.
If you’re looking to learn more about Listowel and the history you’ll love this self-guided historical tour of the town. It will take you to many of the old buildings and places that are significant in Listowel. And if you’re looking for a taste of Europe in Ontario you can find that in Listowel! Its home to the largest Irish Festival in North America called Paddyfest. It’s been running for over 40 years and takes place in March.
Mitchell
Located in the West Perth County, Mitchell is a gem! It’s a must visit for outdoor enthusiasts, from birders to hikers! The area is home to a bunch of different parks like Demonstration Forest and Lion’s Park. Mitchell is also home to the West Perth Thames Nature Trail that runs for 10 kilometres along the Thames River and runs right through town.
Mitchell has a rich history and some incredible architecture, like the old Hicks House building that was built in the 1870s and dominates the main street. It’s also a great place to stop and eat, with a variety of cafes and restaurants there’s something to satisfy anyone’s palate. There is also some great shops along the downtown as well as a series of historic murals along the exterior of Valu-Mart.
Shakespeare
I may be a bit biased as I’m a lover of all things Shakespearean and classic literature, but Shakespeare is one of the cutest places in Perth County. Located in the eastern portion of Perth County, just 15 minutes outside Stratford, Shakespeare is pretty well an intersection but packs a wealth of hidden gems!
Shakespeare is known as the antique capital of Perth County! With most of the shops all focusing on antiques, it’s like a treasure hunt exploring them all. And you don’t have to be an antique snob to appreciate them, many of the shops have something to pique everyone’s fancy, from classic books to old paintings, and so many other cool finds from around the world. It wouldn’t be complete without a shop paying homage to all things British and you’ll love popping in the British Touch to find quirky treats and fun British Memorabilia.
One of my favourite gems in Shakespeare is Harry Ten Shillings, an adorable tea room that serves up tasty scones and even has a little gift shop too. Don’t worry nature lovers, Shakespeare has something for you too! The Shakespeare Conservation Area! And before you leave head to one of the coolest craft breweries in Ontario, Shakespeare Brewing Company. They have a wicked eclectic interior, fun patio with hops growing overhead, and the coolest beer can designs!
Millbank
If you’re looking to explore the pure Mennonite community that calls Perth County home then head to Millbank. Located approximately 25 minutes north of Stratford, Millbank is considered the heart Perth’s Mennonite community with many of the shops and restaurants celebrating their incredible handy work and delicious food that’s all locally grown.
A few must stops in Millbank include; Millbank Family Furniture for incredible Mennonite handcrafted furniture, crafts and more, Zehrs Country Market for farm fresh produce and meats, Millbank Cheese & Butter for the best Ontario made cheeses since 1908, and Stonetown Artisan Cheese. But probably the most famous place in Millbank is the delightful Anna Mae’s Bakery and Restaurant. This family run Mennonite restaurant has delicious baked goods and the best home-cooked meals in Perth County. And they were even featured on The Food Network’s You Gotta Eat Here!
Visit Farm Gates
You’re probably wondering, what is a Farm Gate? Farm Gates are places to purchase local, farm fresh produce that range from fresh vegetables to local meat and even fresh baked goods. And these Farm Gates come in different forms, some are stores that sell their fresh produce alongside other local producers, farm stands that are usually self-serve with no one to assist you and run on the honor system, while others are located in local food shops.
With 200,000 hectares (nearly 500,000 acres) of prime agricultural land in Perth County there are countless places offering up farm fresh goods. Perth County Tourism even puts out a handy Farm Gate map available at the tourism office and at other local shops, farms, and restaurants in the area that showcases over 50 places to stop, opening times, what each place is known for, as well as a seasonal availability guide.
One thing to note is that not all are just open seasonally, some Farm Gates are open year round like; Carson’s Country Market, McIntosh Farms Butcher Shop, The Best Lil Pork Shoppe, and Neubrand Country Produce. While there are so many great Farm Gates to stop at in Perth County I’m sharing a couple of my favourites.
Organic Oasis Farm Store
Located just north of Shakespeare, Organic Oasis Farm Store is the most picturesque farm I’ve ever visited! Surrounded by towering trees, their little country storehouse is adorable and smells so good as soon as you walk in. This certified organic grower has a wealth of items, from fresh produce to meats, lotions, ice cream, and more!
The property is also home to a couple of walking trails to explore, a pollinator garden, pretty chickens, and even a Hogs Lookout Trail that takes you up to a sweeping view of the area and you might even see their pigs frolicking in the field. Organic Oasis Farm Store is also open year round for all your farm fresh needs.
McCully’s Hill Farm
Located near St. Marys in southern Perth County, McCully’s Hill Farm is a great stop for baked goods, corn, and other farm fresh produce, meats, a diverse array of jams, as well as their own maple syrup. Plus, they are open year-round. The McCully’s have a long history of farming in the area that dates back to around 1850.
McCully’s Hill Farm is a great place to bring your family throughout the year, as they are open year round. They have a Fall Festival, Maple Syrup Festival and even photos with Santa. You can also wander their gardens, check out the goat pen, and more.
(Note: Google Maps may lead you to the wrong location. If coming south on Road 119 (ON -7) take exit County Road 9 towards St. Marys and you’ll find the farm just down the road to your right.)
Get Outdoors
There are endless things to do in Perth County for nature lovers! Whether you’re looking for beautiful parks to wander, great hiking trails, or outdoor areas to bring the family, Perth County has you covered. There’s something for every level, from short easy trails to long distance trails.
Wildwood Conservation Area
A fantastic place to enjoy a half-day outdoors, a full day, or even a camping trip in Perth County is at Wildwood Conservation Area. The park covers over 1400 hectares (3500 acres) and is home to the Wildwood Dam and Reservoir. There are countless things to do in Wildwood Conservation Area and span all the seasons. In the winter at Wildwood you can enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and fat biking.
The rest of the year you can enjoy their picturesque hiking trails, of which you’ll stumble across a wealth of wildlife from songbirds to deer, go camping at one of their over 400 campsites (including some backcountry camping sites), or hit the water by boat, canoe, kayak, or for a refreshing swim in the summer. The trails are also great for mountain biking which is quite popular at the park.
And don’t worry if you don’t have a canoe, kayak, or stand up paddle board as all are available to rent on site, including life vests. You can also rent fat bikes and mountain bikes too, both of which come with helmets.
Shakespeare Conservation Area
If you’re looking for a tranquil little spot to get your dose of nature than check out Shakespeare Conservation Area. Located just north of the little downtown of Shakespeare, the park is a perfect spot to enjoy a picnic with all your farm fresh goodies or to just go for a little causal hike.
There is a covered pavilion and picnic tables to enjoy your picnic at. Or you can take a stroll along one of their hiking trails that take you through the forest and around the beautiful pond. You’ll see plenty of wildlife and birds but not a lot of people, making it a great crowd-free place to hike in Ontario.
Lion’s Park in Mitchell
Another of the great parks in Perth County is located right in the heart of Mitchell, Lion’s Park. The park is full of things to do, there’s a playground and splash pad for kids, a small zoo – West Perth Animal Park, and Music in the Park during the summer.
One of Perth County’s best trails runs right through the park and is one of the top things to do in Perth County for outdoor enthusiasts. The West Perth Thames Nature Trail is a beautiful 10 kilometre trail that runs along the scenic Thames River. The trail takes you through forests, wetlands, past a dam, and you’ll spot a bunch of different bird species here.
Kissing Bridge Trail
Another great trail that runs through Perth County is the Kissing Bridge Trail! The trail is part of the Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail (G2G Rail Trail), which covers over 127 km.
Running between Guelph and Millbank, is a 45 km section of the G2G Rail Trail called the Kissing Bridge Trail. It’s one of the best Grand River trails and takes you over rivers like the Grand and Conestoga River, as well as wetlands close to Elmira.
The big draw to this trail is in the name! You can take a short 2 km detour that brings you to the West Montrose Kissing Bridge! Built in the early 1880s, the bridge is the only remaining covered bridge in Ontario. Plus, it’s one of the oldest in Canada!
Memorial Park in Listowel
Located in the heart of Listowell, Memorial Park is a beautiful park that offers plenty of family friendly activities like playground, splash pad, skate park, and baseball fields. But it’s also home to the Rotary Walkway that is a loop trail that takes you through the park and along the lovely Maitland River. The trail is full accessible and great for all fitness levels.
Other trails and parks in Perth County to visit; G2G Rail Trail, Demonstration Forest, Avon Trail, and Ellice Swamp.
Stratford-Perth Museum
Another of the top things to do in Perth County is to visit the Stratford-Perth Museum. Located just outside Stratford, the museum is set on a beautiful five acres and is set in a stunning Victorian home from the 1870s. The museum is home to a variety of exhibits, some of which are permanent and others are constantly changing.
A couple of their exhibits include; the famous Just Bieber: Steps to Stardom exhibit, a Stratford Festival exhibit with some of the costumes from early days, and the Railway Century exhibit that tells the story of the incredible rail history in the area.
Also on site is the Stratford-Perth Archives that’s home to a collection of historical documents about Perth County and area. And just behind the museum, you’ll find a series of trails named the Tom Orr Memorial Perth County Historical Walk. Here you’ll find a nearly one kilometre trail that showcases the history of the area through plaques, starting in the ice age and following through to present day. This is a fun and free activity in Perth County and is open year round.
The Stratford-Perth Museum also hosts an array of other fun events and activities like the Fresh Air Yoga, Blank Stage: Performances from the Porch, and in the winter you can go skating on their front lawn or snowshoe their trails.
Goats on 86
Whether you’re looking for fun things to do in Perth County with kids or for the kid at heart, a great stop on your Perth County road trip is Goats on 86. Now you’re probably wondering what that even means. It’s quite literal. On county road 86 in northern Perth County, just 5 minutes outside Listowel, is a farm with a massive goat and alpaca pen just off the road.
Here you can stop (make sure your car is fully off the road) and pet and feed the goats and alpacas. They even have a little machine that dispenses feed for the animals for only 25 cents. The goats are immensely friendly and will come trotting over as soon as you approach the fence. But one thing to note is there are no washrooms here and make sure you only feed the goats and alpacas the feed from the machine.
Shop & Browse
If you’re like me a enjoy browsing local shops in small towns then you’ll love Perth County. There is at least one great shop, if not a handful, in each of the small towns that make up Perth County. But I have a few favourites that I think you should add to your shopping list!
The Clothing Loft
As a responsible traveller and lover of a good bargain, I’m always excited to find a second-hand store on my travels. I hate to see fast fashion hit the landfill when many times it can do for a new home. So, I was stoked to find The Clothing Loft in Listowel. With a very chic vibe, The Clothing Loft has an awesome selection of new and almost new pieces that range from handbags to dresses.
BK’s Brand Name
Another great shop in Listowel is BK’s Brand Name. They actually have two store fronts, the main store and a discounted one. Here you’ll find a ton of great pieces, many of which are unique. There’s everything from fabulous women’s shoes to fun shirt designs like small town proud, men’s apparel, and even accessories.
Jillian’s
Want to pretend you’re on HGTV and shopping for home décor? Then Jillian’s is the shop you’re after! Located in Mitchell, Jillian’s is full of all things beautiful (AKA what I want to fill my home with), from chic furniture to eclectic accent pieces, and so much more, like jewellery and the cutest planters. It’s a large store, so be prepared to spend some time inside exploring all of the nooks and hidden gems.
The British Touch
As I mentioned above, one of my must stops in Shakespeare is The British Touch. In between visits from my brother, who lives in London, England, this is the perfect shop to stock up on some of my favourite British treats like Walker’s shortbread and Walker’s Cheese & Onion Crisps. But it’s full of all things British, from treats to royal memorabilia, and so much more.
Flip! Vintage Antiques & More
While Shakespeare is home to a bunch of different antique shops, all worth a visit and unique in their own way, my favourite antique shop in Shakespeare is Flip! Vintage Antiques & More. They have a huge assortment of pieces that range from furniture great for a DIY project to antiques from around the world, and my favourite – vintage books!
Golf
I come from a golfing family so I know there are plenty of avid golfers looking for great places to go in Ontario for golfing. And golfing is another activity to add to the list of things to do in Perth County. There are six public golf courses in Perth County. A few to try out are Listowel Golf Club with 27 holes and a gourmet restaurant, Mitchell Golf & Country Club, and Tralee Golf Course which is great for families.
Where to Eat in Perth County
If you’re a foodie then you’ll love Perth County! Food in Perth County is all about farm fresh local ingredients. Most of the restaurants and cafes use local produce, local meat, and their baked goods are made from scratch. With countless farms and a heavy Mennonite community, Perth County was made for food lovers!
But if you’re looking for the top places to eat in Perth County, there are a bunch, so let me narrow it down a bit for you. Beyond the farm gates and Stratford, I’m focusing on three main towns in Perth County to give you a taste of where to eat.
Listowel
If you’re looking for where to eat in Listowel here are a few great options. If you’re looking for the classic café then head to Impressions Bakery. Located in downtown Listowel, this café and bakery has the most amazing baked goods, all made from scratch, as well as other great light fare options. I paired a citrus cruller with a refreshing iced coffee with a hit of maple for a snack one day and for breakfast, the next enjoyed a delicious coconut pineapple muffin that was gluten-free and vegan. So they have something for everyone.
A great lunch spot, even if you aren’t golfing is at the Listowel Golf Club, located just north of downtown. They have an incredible patio overlooking the golf course. And if you’re in need of more tasty desserts then head over to Life’s A Party.
Millbank
As I’ve mentioned before one of the best places to eat in Perth County is Anna Mae’s Restaurant, located in Millbank. This family-run Mennonite restaurant has all your classic home-cooked meals and was even featured on You Gotta Eat Here! But what are they known for? The meal of choice to order is their broasted chicken dinner. It’s a must have meal! And don’t forget to pop into their bakery after to grab some awesome pies or other desserts for home.
Mitchell
This small town makes up for in size with its wealth of food options, all of which are located in the downtown.
If you’re looking for lunch or somewhere to grab the perfect sandwiches for a picnic then head to The Sugar Maple Restaurant. Their deli sandwiches are huge and so great! You can also great treats here like their enormous and mouth-watering apple fritters.
And if it’s a quick refreshing ice cream treat you’re looking for after a hike in the area then pop into BJ’s Dairy Bar & Eatery. This fun and colourful shop has a great selection of flavours as well as indoor and outdoor seating.
Perth County Road Trip Planning Tips
I want to make sure that when you’re planning your trip to Perth County that you have the best experience. So, I’ve come up with a handful of solid road trip planning tips for you that covers everything for essential things to bring with you to the best time to visit Perth County, and more!
What to Bring
Along with your clothing and toiletry essentials. There is one must have item that should be on your list to bring to Perth County. And that’s a cooler. And not just a small cooler, you’ll need a big one to be able to take home all the great treats you’ll buy in Perth County. I travelled solo and still filled 2 small coolers full of baked goods like cookies and pies, beer from Shakespeare Brewing Company, and more fresh goodies from the various farm gates I visited.
On the Road
There are also a few things that you’ll need to know about driving through Perth County. During your road trip in Perth County you’ll find yourself on countless backroads, many of which are home to all the incredible farms that call the area home. But with farms comes farm vehicles, so be sure to watch out for them and be mindful that you may get stuck behind one for a distance. This is also Mennonite country so you’ll surely encounter a lot of horse and buggies. Slow down and pass when it’s safe.
If you’re covering a section of Perth County then you may not have to worry about the distances between all the small towns and places. But if you’re staying for a few days and exploring the area, below are some distances and drive times between Perth’s various hotspots to help you plan your visit accordingly.
Listowel (North Perth) to St. Marys (Perth South) – approximate 1 hour drive time (67 km)
Listowel to Mitchell – 30 minute drive time (38 km)
Mitchell (West Perth) to Shakespeare (Perth East) – 30 minute drive time (35 km)
How Long to Stay
If you’re considering visiting Perth County you may also be thinking about how long to stay. Depending on where you’re coming from Perth County makes for an easy day trip but if you’re looking for a great staycation in Ontario then I recommend staying a minimum of 2 nights in Perth to enjoy a taste of what the area has to offer. But you can also easily make it week long vacation by spending a day in each of the small towns.
Best Time to Visit Perth County
It’s always a great time to visit Perth County but if I had to pick one time of year that is the best it would be summer. Perth County is an awesome Ontario road trip destination with all of its parks and trails and farm fresh produce at all of the seasonal farm gates.
But the area is also a fun place to visit in the winter with snowshoeing, charming small towns to explore shops and cafes, and of course maple syrup festivals. McCully’s Hill Farm has maple syrup festivals every Weekend in March. And then there are Christmas tree farms like Kroes Christomas Tree Farm and Outback Tree Farm.
Bring Cash
Another important tip is to remember to bring some cash with you. Some of the farm gates only accept cash. Plus you’ll need some change for Goats on 86!
Check Opening Hours
Like many small towns, opening hours can vary. So, if you plan to visit somewhere specific be sure to check their opening hours before you go so you won’t be disappointed. And many, if not all, of the Mennonite businesses do not open on Sundays.
Where to Stay in Perth County
There are a variety of accommodation options in Perth County, spanning from north to south. So, it all depends on what you’re looking for and if you have a specific location you want to stay. There are campgrounds, like at Wildwood Conservation Area. An array charming of Bed and Breakfasts. And even a few great hotels, motels, and inns.
If you’re looking to stay in the northern part of Perth County then I recommend staying at the Listowel Country Inn Motel. This adorable sprawling motel is located just north of downtown Listowel and is great for solo travellers as well as families. Their rooms are comfortable, immaculately clean, and their suites are huge with Jacuzzi tubs and patios. The vibe has a hint of Spanish flair and in the summer the exterior adorned with a wealth of beautiful flower arrangements. If the great rooms, affordable prices, and location don’t get you then the lovely and helpful owner will.
I was a guest of Perth County but all opinions and experiences are my own.
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