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North America : Canada : Ontario : Southwestern Ontario : Stratford

Stratford (Ontario)

Stratford is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario. Stratford, [1] or [2], is internationally known for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival [3], acclaimed for its presentation of Shakespearean, classical and musical theatre.

Get in

By car

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

From London: east via Highway 7.

By bus

Greyhound offers service from other Ontario cities. The local depot is at 219 Frederick Street, +1 519 273-2160. This is about 3km from the downtown core, so you may want to take a taxi into town (there will be taxis waiting at the depot when the bus arrives in Stratford).

For Stratford Shakespeare Festival theatre-goers, the Festival offers Toronto Direct - a non-stop bus service from Toronto to Stratford for matinee performances on selected weekends in July, August and September. Pick-up and drop-off at the York Mills Subway Station in Toronto. Contact the Festival Box Office at 1 800 567-1600 to book. $45 (not including performance ticket).

By train

VIA Rail[4] offers daily train service to and from Stratford on the Toronto-London-Sarnia route. The train station is located at 101 Shakespeare Street, 1 888 842-7245 (toll-free).

By plane

Travellers arriving at Toronto Pearson International or London Airport will require another mode of transportation to get to Stratford. Stratford Airporter, 1 888 549 8602 (toll-free), [5], provides shuttle service between Stratford and Toronto Pearson International.

Get around

By taxi

Taxis are plentiful and service is available for a flat rate of $7 with Stratford (as of July 2007).

  • City Taxi, +1 519 272-2222
  • Taxi Dispatch Stratford Limited, +1 519 271-2600
  • Radio Taxi, +1 519 271-4242

See

  • Stratford Shakespeare Festival, 1 800 567-1600, [6]. Drawing 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 2009 playbill ([7]) includes three plays by Shakespeare among its offering of 13 separate events.

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

  • Festival Theatre, 55 Queen Street.
  • Tom Patterson Theatre, 111 Lakeside Drive.
  • Avon Theatre, 99 Downie Street.
  • Studio Theatre, 34 George St. East (corner of George and Waterloo streets, behind the Avon Theatre).

Other attractions include:

  • Stratford-Perth Museum, 4275 Huron Rd., +1 519 393-5311, [8]. Sep-Apr: Tu-Sa, 10AM-4PM. May-Aug: Su, M Noon-5PM, Tu-Sa, 10AM-5PM. A community museum dedicated to the cultural heritage of Stratford and Perth County. Admission by donation.
  • Art In The Park, on Lakeside Drive between North and Front Streets, +1 519 272-0429, [9]. W, Sa, Su in June, July, August & September (weather permitting). An outdoor gallery representing the works of regional artists.
  • Gallery Stratford, 54 Romeo Street, +1 519 271-5271, [10]. Tu-Su, 10AM-5PM. Exhibits of contemporary and historical art.

Do

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

Stratford Summer Music, several venues throughout town, +1 519 271-2101 or 1 800 567-1600 (toll-free), [11]. July 21 to August 17, 2008. A series of music concerts, including orchestral, chorale, and piano concerts, about half of which are free. Free, pay-what-you-can, and ticketed, depending on the event.

Buy

There is a wide range of things to buy in Stratford, from souvenirs from the Festival to antiques, clothing, exotic foreign goods, local artwork, etc.

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.

Eat

For a pre-theatre meal at one of the better restaurants, be sure to make a reservation.

  • Balzac's Coffee, 149 Ontario St, +1 519 273-7909, [12]. Coffee, espresso drinks, pastries, pre-made sandwiches, homemade ice cream.
  • Madelyn's Diner, 377 Huron Street, +1 519 273-5296, [13]. All-day breakfasts.
  • York Street Kitchen, 41 York Street, +1 519 273-7041, [14]. Every day, 8AM-8PM. Breakfast, soups, salads, made-to-order sandwiches, mains and daily lunch specials.
  • Bentley's Inn Bar and Restaurant, 99 Ontario Street, +1 519 271-1121, [15]. Pub food in a comfortable atmosphere. Good for post-theatre fare. Snacks, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, pizza, steak, wings, sherperd's pie and daily specials. Entrees $6.50-$19.95.
  • Bijou Restaurant, 105 Erie Street, +1 519 273 5000, [16]. Dinner Tu-Su. Lunch F-Su. Modern French, with a menu that changes daily. Average main $24.
  • Foster's Inn, 111 Downie Street, 1 888 728-5555, [17]. Two doors from the Avon Theatre. The ever-changing daily specials compliment the familiar, adventurous and even exotic menus. Great cuisine, clean crisp decor with friendly efficient service assures your experience will be memorable.
  • Pazzo Pizzeria/Ristorante, 70 Ontario Street, +1 519 273-6666, [18]. 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. $17-31 dinner mains. Reservations recommended.
  • Tango Coffee Bistro, 104 Ontario Street, +1 519 271-9202, [19]. Located Uptown Stratford, 15 minutes walk down the beautiful park from the Festival Theatre. Live entertainment. A unique combination of warm atmosphere, art, music, delicious food, and of course, great coffee.

Splurge

  • The Church, 70 Brunswick Street, +1 519 273-3424 [20]. Closed Monday. Sunday brunch 11:30AM-1:30PM. Modern French. Dinner tasting menu $85-$110, vegetarian/vegan options available. A la carte mains $34-$49. Reservations required.
  • The Old Prune, 151 Albert Street, 1+ 519 271-5052, [21]. Dinner Tu-Su. Call for lunch hours. Dinner menu $65.50-$70.50. Reservations required.
  • Rundles Restaurant, 9 Cobourg Street, +1 519 271-6442, [22]. Dinner Tu-Su. Lunch Sa, Su. Classical French with Italian and Japanese influences. $29.50 lunch menu, $77.50 dinner menu. Reservations required.

Drink

  • Boar's Head Pub, 161 Ontario Street, ☎ +1 519 271-1400, [23]. Comfy local pub with a good selection of well-kept beers on tap. Pub food. Live music. 
  • Down the Street Bar and Restaurant, 30 Ontario Street, +1 519 273-5886, [24].
  • The Dominion House Bar & Grill, 3 Guelph St(corner of Downie), ☎ 519 271-3870, [25]. Daily lunch and dinner specials. Live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night, and Karaoke Sunday nights. Licensed, groups welcome! 

Sleep

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 [26] 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, 20 Glastonbury Drive, +1 519 271-5130, [27]. Season: April 1 - October 31. Full and partial hook-ups. Washroom and shower facilities. $16-20.

Cottages

  • Cottage on the Thames, 279 Thomas Street, St. Marys (15 minutes from Stratford), +1 519 998-1337, [28]. 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. $110.

Motels/Hotels

  • Albert St. Inn, 23 Albert Street, +1 519 272-2581 or 1 866 572-2581, [29]. Centrally located. $89-$250.
  • Arden Park Hotel, 552 Ontario Street, +1 519 275-2936 or 1 877 788-8818, [30]. Indoor pool and whirlpool. Tennis courts. Dining room and bar. A 'standard' modern hotel, with 144 rooms and suites. $157-$225.
  • Festival Inn, 1144 Ontario Street, +1 519 273 1150 or 1 800 463-3581, [31]. 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. $95-$179.
  • Mercer Hall Inn, 108 Ontario Street, +1 519 271-1888 or 1 888 816-4011, [32]. Centrally located. 14 rooms, individually decorated with the works of local artists. Whirlpool tub and electric fireplace in some rooms. Internet. $130-$195.
  • The Queen's Inn, 161 Ontario Street, +1 519 271-1400 or 1 800 461-6450, [33]. Centrally located, and within walking distance of the four Festival theatres. Restaurant and Boar's Head pub on-site. Internet. $99.00-$240.00

Bed & Breakfasts

  • Across the Bridge B&B and Original Artworks, 49 Huron Street, +1 519 305 1313,[34]. Late 1800s home, in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, Across the Bridge B&B was fully renovated in 2008. Open year-round and located just across the Huron St. bridge from downtown. Free parking on site. Full, hot breakfast - and can cater to special dietary needs: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. Free wireless Internet. Original art on display and for sale by local and international artists. $99-$158.
  • The Old Rectory B&B, 218 Ontario Street, +1 519 271 7498,[35]. Built in 1902, in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, The Old Rectory Bed and Breakfast has been renovated to retain its' historic beauty and charm. Centrally located with plenty of free parking on site, full breakfast included. Steps away from all the Stratford Festival Theatres and the best downtown Restaurants and Shops. Internet. $170-$220.
  • The Queen and Albert B&B, 174 Queen Street, +1 519 272 0589,[36]. Perfect Location. Just up the street from the Stratford Festival Theatre and a short walk to downtown Stratford for the Avon, Tom Patterson and Studio theatres as well as Stratford’s fine restaurants and boutiques. Park your car, walk around town, soak up the ambience of Stratford. Stratford’s original boutique B&B has four well appointed Suites for a soothing and relaxing stay. Well known for superb breakfasts, original artwork throughout, an eclectic decor. The Queen and Albert B & B has 10 Years of experience satisfying all guests. $100-$175.
  • Many others available through the Stratford Festival office[37] and SABBA[38].

Contact

Stratford Public Library, 19 St. Andrew Street, +1 519 271-0220, [39]. Free computer/internet access.

Get out

  • Brickman's Botanical Gardens, Perth Line 44(take Highway 8 west out of Stratford; right on Perth Rd. 140; left on Line 44 at Wartburg and go 1 km), ☎ 519-393-6223(brickmansbotanicalgardens@hotmail.com). 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, 3995 Line 9(located on highway 7 between Stratford and highway 19), ☎ 519-284-2931, [40]. 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

This page was last edited at 19:30, on 25 March 2009 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by James Yolkowski, Kenneth Leone and Kier G. Smith, Wikitravel user(s) Titania, Dundealgan, Morph and Pashley, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.