Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Stratford is a small city in southwestern Ontario that shares its name and its river with Shakespeare's birthplace in England. Once a railway and farming town, it was transformed in 1953 when the Stratford Festival opened under a tent, growing into one of North America's leading repertory theater companies. The festival still shapes the town's calendar, economy, and identity.
The Festival Theatre, with its distinctive thrust stage, is the main venue, joined by the Avon Theatre downtown and the rebuilt Tom Patterson Theatre by the river. Backstage tours and discussions with artists add depth for theater lovers. Between performances, visitors stroll beside the Avon River, where the town's famous swans glide past parkland, and the Shakespearean Gardens grow plants mentioned in the plays. Queen's Park offers picnic lawns near the Festival Theatre, and Art in the Park brings local artists outdoors during summer. Gallery Stratford and the Stratford-Perth Museum cover visual art and local history, while Ontario, Wellington, and Downie streets hold the shops and restaurants of the downtown core.
Stratford suits theatergoers, couples, and food lovers, since the dining scene is unusually strong for its size. The festival season runs roughly spring through fall. Outside it, the town is quieter but still pleasant for a calm weekend.
WiserMap travel guideStratford Ontario Festival Theatre and Avon River SwansStratford guide: Festival theatres, Avon River swans, Shakespearean Gardens, galleries and the Bacon and Ale Trail in a walkable Ontario city, plus food tips.Read the guide
The Stratford Festival's main stage, famous for its thrust stage design that puts the audience on three sides of the actors, pioneered here in the 1950s. It hosts large Shakespeare productions and musicals from spring to fall. Book well ahead and arrive early to enjoy the gardens around the building.
Historic proscenium theater on Downie Street in downtown Stratford, a key Stratford Festival venue for musicals, classics and new plays. It is close to many restaurants for pre-show dinners. Check the season program and book your dinner reservation when you buy tickets.
Modern Stratford Festival theater on the banks of the Avon River, reopened in a striking new building in 2022, with an intimate thrust stage and riverside lobby. It is named after the festival's founder. Walk there along the river path and arrive early to enjoy the views.
The Avon River flows through the heart of Stratford past lawns, paths and Lake Victoria, home to the town's famous white swans. Each spring the swans are released in a cheerful parade. Rent a canoe or paddleboat in summer, or simply walk the riverside trail.
Formal gardens beside the Avon River planted with herbs and flowers mentioned in Shakespeare's plays, with a bust of the playwright and paths beside an old mill site. It is free and peaceful. Visit in summer when the gardens are at their best, and walk on toward downtown.
Large riverside park beside the Festival Theatre, with big shade trees, lawns sloping down to the Avon River and paths along the water. It is perfect for a picnic before a show. Look for the swans and enjoy the walk between the theater and downtown.
Public art gallery in a historic building near the river, showing changing exhibitions of contemporary and historical art, often by Canadian artists. Admission is often free or by donation. Check what is on and combine a visit with a walk in the nearby parks.
Regional museum on the edge of Stratford with exhibits on local history, from pioneer farming and the railway to rock music and hockey, plus changing displays. It is a good stop on a rainy day. Check opening hours, as they vary by season.
Stratford's compact downtown of 19th-century brick buildings along Ontario, Wellington and Downie streets, packed with independent shops, bookstores, cafés and restaurants. It is lively before and after shows. Browse the shops and look up at the old facades as you walk.
Distinctive red brick city hall built in 1899 on a triangular site at the heart of downtown, with towers, turrets and a richly detailed facade. It is a designated national historic site. Admire it from Market Square, which hosts events and markets in season.
Outdoor art market held on summer weekends along the riverbank near the Avon River, where local artists sell paintings, pottery, jewelry and crafts directly to visitors. It is free to browse. Check the dates before visiting, and chat with the artists about their work.
Self-guided food trail with stops at local restaurants, pubs and shops that serve bacon dishes and craft beer, with passes sold by the local tourism office. Stratford also runs a chocolate trail. Buy a pass, collect the tastings at your own pace and walk between stops.
No reviews yet. Been to Stratford? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Stratford? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Laurel L. Russwurm from Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: University of Waterloo Stratford Campus, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: JFVoll, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Claraleney, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jfvoll, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Derek Hodges, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Robert Taylor from Stirling, ON, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Robert Taylor from Stirling, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Robert Taylor from Stirling, ON, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Robert Taylor from Stirling, ON, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Robert Taylor from Stirling, ON, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Dhodges assumed (based on copyright claims), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Ian Furst, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Robert Taylor from Stirling, ON, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Robert Taylor from Stirling, ON, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
