A Weekend in Stratford
Stratford, Ontario is world-renowned for its annual Stratford Festival, dedicated to Shakespeare and the theater. The town draws inspiration from Shakespeare in multiple ways: from the gardens of the same name, streets with names such as Romeo, and its location on the Avon River. And through all these references to Shakespeare, Stratford manages to remain charming versus kitschy.
However, you might be like me… While I have nothing against Shakespeare, I probably wouldn’t ever plan a whole trip around Shakespearean theater. Lucky for you (and me), Stratford has much more on offer!
This weekend itinerary in Stratford is perfect for luxury, great food, more beer than you thought a town of this size could even produce, and a beautiful river walk.
Logistics
Stratford is located in southwest Ontario. If you have some extra days, a wine tasting trip in the Niagara region would pair nicely with this itinerary.
Driving Times:
From Toronto – 2 hours
From Detroit – 2.5 to 3 hours
Where to Stay
There are multiple options for inns, B&Bs, and Airbnbs to choose from when planning your stay in Stratford. However, if you’re looking for the best in luxury accommodation, look no further than the Bruce Hotel.
Located adjacent to the park where the annual Stratford Festival is held, the Bruce is a luxurious oasis. The hotel is also an easy walk to downtown Stratford, putting all the restaurants, shopping, and breweries of the town within reach.
You have your choice of a garden or city view room or a suite. All have a private patio or balcony, which makes for an excellent place to enjoy an evening glass of wine or a morning coffee. The rooms are big and comfortable, with a sitting area, desk, and wet bar all available.Â
There are so many included amenities, you’ll almost lose track of them! Welcome treats await you in your room. Coffee and tea delivered to your room every morning. Fresh cookie delivery on demand (via the adorably named “Cookie Hotline”). Turndown service and concierge service. A beautiful pool and spa, along with a well stocked gym. And, one of my favorites, included breakfast each morning!Â
FRIDAY
Check in to the Bruce Hotel anytime after 3:00 pm. Let the desk staff know what time you’d like your coffee delivered in the morning and maybe even order a couple cookies for eating now. Definitely take a moment to admire the hand painted map that takes up an entire wall of the lobby. This particular design represents a map that would have been drawn during Shakespeare’s day.
And, since I know you’re probably a traveler like me, you’ll definitely appreciate the beauty of this map!
Take a bit of time to settle into your room. It’s spacious and there are lots of little comforts to discover! Open a bottle of wine and enjoy a glass on your private patio or balcony. I can confirm it pairs well with the small treats that await you in your room.
Once you’ve had a chance to unwind after a day at work (it is Friday, after all!), head over to the Restaurant at the Bruce for dinner. (Reservation recommended.) The dining room is beautiful and they also have a large covered patio to enjoy. The menu is a nice mix of seafood, meat, and vegetarian options. There are great sharing plates and more substantial mains. The property also produces their own honey, so keep that in mind when ordering.
After dinner, relax in your room or pop into the hot tub. The Nordic-inspired indoor pool is a gorgeous space, and we had the whole place to ourselves!
SATURDAY
If you’re in the mood, pop into the gym for a morning workout. Afterward, you can enjoy your coffee and tea that’s been delivered to your room. Head over to the Restaurant again for your breakfast, where you’ll be provided a menu with a multitude of sweet and savory hot breakfast options. I recommend the Eggs Benedict. My husband enjoyed the Canadian Continental that comes with a delicious fresh croissant.Â
Once you’re fueled up, it’s time to check out Stratford! Head behind the hotel to Upper Queen’s Park Stratford, site of the famous festival. Walk along Lake Victoria to make your way towards Stratford. It’s a lovely walk, so take your time. We enjoyed seeing the ducks and swans along the route.
Once you make it to Stratford, wander around and explore the town. An abundance of locally owned shops will provide you with some great opportunities to support small businesses and pick up some great items to take home with you. We always find the local record shop when visiting a new town, and Sound Fixation did not disappoint. Swing by Stratford City Hall, a beautiful, eye-catching building.
When you’re all shopped out, stop by Mercer Beer Hall for lunch or snacks. They have the best craft beer list in the town, so I’m sure you’ll find something to enjoy! The menu has a lot of Asian inspiration, and I was very excited to find karaage on offer, a delicious Japanese-style fried chicken.
Now that you’ve enjoyed some great eats…I’m sure you’re ready for some local breweries, right? Because this is a Wander. Ramble. Roam. itinerary, after all 😉Â
From Mercer Beer Hall, head over to Black Swan Brewing. They have a great selection of different types of beers, and everything we tried was solid. I particularly enjoyed Wild Child. After you’ve enjoyed your beer on the patio, head to Jobsite Brewing next. Snack on some popcorn while you sample some beers in their large, industrial space.
In the same building as Jobsite, you’ll also find Junction 56 Distillery. They have one of the largest selections of craft gins I’ve come across! Additionally, they do some really fun collaborations with other local businesses in Stratford. You can do a guided tasting for $10 per person (groups of 6 or less) on Saturdays. Reservations are required.
Your last brewery to hit up, back into the downtown core, is Heritage Hops Brew Company. This one is located right in the town center, so grab a seat on the patio and enjoy the beer along with your surroundings.
At this point, you might need a little break. Head back to the hotel to relax before dinner. (And maybe place a call to the Cookie Hotline!)
When you’re ready for dinner, head to Braai House. This South African inspired menu is focused on open fire cooking. And it is AMAZING. I highly recommend the Braai Bowl, with some of the tastiest vegetables I’ve ever had. The ribs are also incredible. Â
I bet you probably thought earlier in the day — “Dang. For such a small town, this place has a lot of breweries!” Well, my friends, you aren’t done yet. In addition to awesome food, Braai House also has a microbrewery on site. Kyle Nesbitt of Angry Squirrel Brewing provides an excellent line up of fresh made brews. If you’re always on the lookout for some juicy beer, don’t skip his New England IPA. After I reached out to Kyle on Instagram to let him know how much we were enjoying his beer, he invited us down for a little tour of his setup. Great beer, delicious food, and a cool brewer — what more could you ask for?
SUNDAY
Sunday is for sleeping in. However, if you are an early riser regardless (like I am), maybe swing by the pool again this morning. One side is a lap pool, so you can get a good workout in before breakfast. You can purchase goggles and other items at the front desk, if needed. Check out from the hotel isn’t until 11:00, so enjoy another coffee delivery and breakfast at the restaurant. The Bruce also has an Illume Spa onsite if you’re feeling like a booking yourself a treatment before you head home.
And, if you’re like me…maybe swing by one of your favorite breweries again to grab some cans to take home with you 🙂Â
From the luxury, incredible food, and unbelievable number of local beers, Stratford really exceeded all my expectations. This town is an excellent weekend getaway and you’ll leave with great local goods and better memories. And hey! You don’t even have to be a lover of Shakespeare to be a lover of Stratford.
