Stratford (Ontario)

Climate

By car

From Toronto: follow Highway 401 west to Kitchener, then west via Highways 7/8.
From London: east via Highway 7.

By bus

• Stratford Direct Bus

  phone: +1-800-567-1600
  For Stratford Shakespeare Festival theatre-goers, the Festival offers direct bus service between Toronto and Stratford for performances from July to October. Online booking is available. People with special needs should book by telephone.

By train

VIA Rail has two daily trains on the Toronto-London route that calls in Stratford, with one also running to/from Sarnia. Journey time from Toronto is just over two hours.

• Stratford railway station

  address: 101 Shakespeare St

By plane

Travellers arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Kitchener-Waterloo International Airport, or London International Airport will require another mode of transportation to get to Stratford.

Stratford AirporterProvides shuttle service between Stratford and Toronto Pearson International.

By taxi

Taxis are plentiful and service is available for a flat rate of $8 within Stratford (as of July 2009).

• City Taxi

  phone: +1 519 272-2222

• Taxi Dispatch Stratford Limited

  phone: +1 519 271-2600

• Radio Taxi

  phone: +1 519 271-4242

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Stratford Shakespeare FestivalDrawing more than 600,000 visitors each year, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival is North America's largest classical repertory theatre. While always including some plays of William Shakespeare, the Festival also produces many other classical and contemporary works: the 2013 playbill features 12 plays and musicals.

The Festival runs from April to October at the following theatres:

• Festival Theatre

  address: 55 Queen Street

• Tom Patterson Theatre

  address: 111 Lakeside Drive

• Avon Theatre

  address: 99 Downie Street

• Studio Theatre

  address: 34 George St. East

In addition to the play performances, the Festival hosts a wide range of tours and events. Check the Festival website for more details.

• Festival Theatre Garden tourA tour of the Festival Theatre's gardens, including the Arthur Meighen Gardens, which contain many flowers and plants mentioned in Shakespeare's works. Tour days vary.

• Costume Warehouse tourThe Festival's costume warehouse stores costumes and props from past productions and is one of the largest costume warehouses in North America. Tour days vary.

• Festival Theatre backstage tourThe backstage tour shows you props and wardrobe departments and gives an interesting look at how the Festival's thrust stage is remodeled between the afternoon and evening performances. Tour days vary.

• Pre- and post-performance discussionsThere are a number of different discussions including Meet the Festival (free discussions with actors and production staff), Talking Theatre (free discussions with Festival staff on selected topics), post-performance discussions (free question and answer sessions with actors after selected performances), pre-show lectures (free lectures on that night's play hosted by a noted academic).

Other attractions include:

• Stratford-Perth Museum

  phone: +1 519 393-5311
  address: 4275 Huron Rd
  A community museum dedicated to the cultural heritage of Stratford and Perth County.

• Art In The Park

  phone: +1 519 272-0429
  address: Lakeside Drive between North and Front Streets
  An outdoor gallery representing the works of regional artists.

• Gallery Stratford

  phone: +1 519 271-5271
  address: 54 Romeo Street
  Exhibits of contemporary and historical art.

• Shakespearean GardensThis garden is modeled after traditional English gardens and includes an herb garden, a rose garden, and a picturesque gazebo. It is the perfect place for a picnic.

• The park system around the Avon River: Stroll the shaded path around the lake. There are lots of benches for people-watching and picnicking. There are many swans, ducks and geese to be seen in the city. You can rent a canoe or pedal boat from the York Street Visitors Kiosk, +1-800-561-7926 or +1 519 271-5140.

• Culinary Walking Tour+1 519 273‐7818. A 1 1/2 hour walking tour of food shops with the opportunity to sample local treats. Meets at the Stratford Tourism office at 47 Downie Street. Tu and Th 10:45AM, rain or shine. Adults, $7.50.

• Stratford Summer Music Festival

  phone: +1 519 271-2101
  Stratford Summer Music (July/August) is an annual multi-week concert series set in various outdoor and indoor venues around town. A mix of free and ticketed events are offered.
• Stratford Festival

Stratford is the home town of pop superstar Justin Bieber. The city has a guide of places he used to hang out at. The schools are not open for tours, and has no places where he lived.

Startford's downtown core has an eclectic assortment of stores to browse, including bookstores, clothing boutiques, toy stores, and craft stores. Stroll along Ontario, Wellington, and Downie Streets to get an overview. The stores downtown are generally open 7 days a week during the theatre season. Most stores open at 9:30AM and close at 5:30PM, and many stay open until 8PM on Friday evenings.
The Theatre Stores, located at the Festival Theatre and the Avon Theatre, +1 519 271-0055 x2320, sell gifts, clothing, books and music related to the current year's Stratford Festival playbill.

For a pre-theatre meal, be sure to make a reservation.

• Balzac's Coffee

  phone: +1 519 273-7909
  address: 149 Ontario St
  Coffee, espresso drinks, pastries, pre-made sandwiches, homemade ice cream.

• Madelyn's Diner

  phone: +1 519 273-5296
  address: 377 Huron Street
  All-day breakfasts.

• York Street Kitchen

  phone: +1 519 273-7041
  address: 41 York Street
  Breakfast, soups, salads, made-to-order sandwiches, mains and daily lunch specials.

• Bentley's Inn Bar and Restaurant

  phone: +1 519 271-1121
  address: 99 Ontario Street
  Pub food in a comfortable atmosphere. Good for post-theatre fare. Snacks, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, pizza, steak, wings, shepherd's pie and daily specials.

• Bijou Restaurant

  phone: +1 519 273-5000
  address: 105 Erie Street
  Modern French, with a menu that changes daily.

• Foster's Inn

  address: 111 Downie Street
  Two doors from the Avon Theatre. The ever-changing daily specials compliment the familiar, adventurous and even exotic menus. Great cuisine, clean crisp decor.

• Pazzo Pizzeria/Ristorante

  phone: +1 519 273-6666
  address: 70 Ontario Street
  Lunch and dinner. Soups, salads, panini, pasta, fish, ribs, veal, duck, lamb. The more casual pizzeria downstairs offers appetizers, thin-crust pizza, pasta and panini. Reservations recommended.

• Rene's Bistro

  phone: +1 519 508-1777
  address: 20 Wellington St, Stratford ON
  Creative French/Italian-inspired recipes and beautifully presented, Rene's offers high quality dining at a very reasonable price.

Splurge

• The Church

  phone: +1 519 273-3424
  address: 70 Brunswick Street
  Modern French. Dinner tasting menu $85-$110, vegetarian/vegan options available. A la carte mains $34-$49. Reservations required.

• The Old Prune

  phone: +1 519 271-5052
  address: 151 Albert Street
  Reservations required.

• Rundles

  phone: +1 519 271-6442
  address: 9 Cobourg Street
  Reservations required.

• Boar's Head Pub

  phone: +1 519 271-1400
  address: 161 Ontario Street
  Comfy local pub with a good selection of well-kept beers on tap. Pub food. Live music..

• The Dominion House Bar & Grill

  phone: +1 519 271-3870
  address: 3 Guelph St
  Daily lunch and dinner specials. Live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night, and Karaoke Sunday nights. Licensed

There are variety of accommodation options for visitors to Stratford, including a large number of B&Bs. This is a small sampling of what's available, the Stratford Tourism Alliance website has a more complete list. Prices quoted below are for high season, which runs from approximately mid-April to mid-November.

Budget

• Stratford Fairgrounds Trailer Park and Campgrounds

  address: 20 Glastonbury Drive
  Season: April 1 - October 31. Full and partial hook-ups. Washroom and shower facilities. $16-20.

Cottages

• Cottage on the Thames

  phone: +1 519 998-1337
  address: 279 Thomas Street
  St. Marys (15 minutes from Stratford). Backs onto the scenic Thames river. Two bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, three-piece bathroom with jetted tub, breakfast nook, well-appointed living room with sofa bed.

Vacation Rentals

• Rundles Morris House

  address: 7 Cobourg St
  Available for rent, May-Oct with a living room offering sweeping views of Lake Victoria and parklands, two bedrooms with queen size beds and bathrooms en suite, both with down comforters and pillows. The house does not have an elevator. Seasonal, healthy breakfasts are included, prepared each morning by your own private chef. Dinner may be served in the house during restaurant hours, and should you wish to use the house for small meetings or parties, they will be glad to cater these for you. Tariff is $595.00 per day, plus 13% H.S.T.

Motels/Hotels

• Albert St. Inn

  phone: +1 519 272-2581
  address: 23 Albert Street
  Centrally located.

• Arden Park Hotel

  phone: +1 519 275-2936
  address: 552 Ontario Street
  Indoor pool and whirlpool. Tennis courts. Dining room and bar. A 'standard' modern hotel, with 144 rooms and suites.

• Festival Inn

  phone: +1 519 273-1150
  address: 1144 Ontario Street
  Indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna. Dining room and licenced lounge. Internet by request. A short drive down the road to the central part of town. 182 rooms and suites.

• Mercer Hall Inn

  phone: +1 519 271-1888
  address: 108 Ontario Street
  Centrally located. 14 rooms, individually decorated with the works of local artists. Whirlpool tub and electric fireplace in some rooms. Internet.

• The Queen's Inn

  phone: +1 519 271-1400
  address: 161 Ontario Street
  Centrally located, and within walking distance of the four Festival theatres. Restaurant and Boar's Head pub on-site. Internet.

Bed & Breakfasts

• Across the Bridge B&B and Original Artworks

  address: 49 Huron Street
  Late 1800s home, fully renovated in 2008. Open year-round, close to downtown. Free parking on site. Full, hot breakfast, can cater to special dietary needs: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. Free wireless Internet. Original art on display and for sale.

• Dufton House

  address: 12 Elizabeth Street
  Historic bed and breakfast with award-winning gardens. Suites with private entrances, full amenities, ensuite bath, and self-catered kitchen facilities. Walking distance to theatres, downtown.

• The Old Rectory B&B

  address: 218 Ontario Street
  Built in 1902, The Old Rectory Bed and Breakfast has been renovated to retain its historic beauty and charm. Centrally located, free parking on site, full breakfast included. Steps away from theatres and downtown. Internet.

• The Queen and Albert B&B

  address: 174 Queen Street
  Just up the street from the Festival Theatre and a short walk to downtown. Well-appointed suites with terraces, ensuite baths, TV, WiFi, A/C, fridges. Fine breakfasts, original artwork throughout, eclectic decor, "boutique-inn" feel.
• Others available through the Stratford Festival office and SABBA.

Stratford Public Library, 19 St. Andrew Street, +1 519 271-0220, . Free computer/internet access.

• Brickman's Botanical Gardens

  address: Perth Line 44
  Located 15 minutes outside of Stratford, this is a beautiful botanical gardens and a mini farm zoo. Adjacent to a garden nursery where you can buy several of the plants on display.

• Wildwood Conservation Area

  address: 3995 Line 9
  Wildwood Conservation Area is located 11 km west of the City of Stratford, and 7 km east of from the Town of St. Marys. The park encompasses a campground, wetland area, a reservoir with boat launch and walking trail and more. Many events and outdoor activities are held here.

Some options for further travel include:

• Niagara-on-the-Lake - for more theatre, visit the Shaw Festival in this picturesque historic town