- The city was named in 1832 after Stratford-upon-Avon, England, and the river was similarly named the Avon.
- Stratford became an unlikely global theatre hub in the 1950s due to the vision of local journalist Tom Patterson, who aimed to revitalize the local economy through Shakespearean performances.
- The city maintains a swan program where a flock of white mute swans, descended from a pair donated in 1918, is released onto the river every spring.
- Stratford's economy historically relied on railway repair and furniture manufacturing before its transition into a tourism and culinary destination.
About Stratford, Ontario
Stratford is a globally recognized hub for classical theatre, defined by the extensive programming of the Stratford Festival which operates across venues like the Festival Theatre and the Tom Patterson Theatre. The city is situated along the Avon River, which serves as a central aesthetic and recreational feature for the community, including the landscape of the Arthur Meighen Gardens. Beyond performance arts, the city maintains a commitment to cultural preservation visible in institutions like the Stratford Festival Archives and the curated collections at Koolen Fine Arts. Its urban design reflects a mix of Victorian-era architecture and modern cultural infrastructure, positioning it as a distinct destination for arts-focused tourism in Southwestern Ontario.
Highlights of Stratford, Ontario
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Venues
Experience world-class Shakespearean productions in a renowned thrust stage auditorium.
Venues
Admire the modern architectural design of this riverside venue that offers views of the Avon.
Parks
Walk through extensive landscaped riverfront trails that connect various parts of the city's park system.
Museums
Tour the production facilities to see the immense scale of set and prop construction for theatrical seasons.
Venues
Explore decades of Canadian theatre history through curated exhibits of scripts and costume designs.
Parks
Visit the garden for its unique blend of horticultural displays and permanent art installations.
Museums
View a rotating collection of fine art in an intimate gallery setting located in the heart of the city.
Venues
Attend seasonal concerts that bring professional musical performances to various acoustic venues across town.
Top things to do in Stratford, Ontario
The 34 highest-rated places in Stratford, Ontario, ranked by travellers.
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The Festival Theatre is the primary stage of the Stratford Festival, an internationally recognized repertory theatre com...
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The Avon Theatre is a cornerstone of the Stratford Festival, located in downtown Stratford, Ontario, and primarily hosts...
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Upper Queen's Park is a scenic recreational space located along the Avon River in Stratford, Ontario. Contrary to the pr...
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Southside Park is the primary recreational hub of Woodstock, Ontario, spanning 40 hectares of diverse landscapes along t...
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The Tom Patterson Theatre is a state-of-the-art, purpose-built venue opened in 2020 as part of the Stratford Festival, d...
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Milt Dunnell Park, locally known as The Flats, is a prominent community park situated at the confluence of the Thames Ri...
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The Stratford Perth Museum serves as the primary repository for the cultural and industrial history of Stratford and Per...
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Stratford, Ontario on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Stratford, Ontario
June through September, when the Stratford Festival season is in full swing and the riverfront parklands are most accessible.
2-3 days to accommodate multiple theatre performances and explore the riverfront park system.
The historic downtown core is highly walkable, though local transit and taxi services are available for reaching venues on the periphery.
Staying in the downtown core provides walking distance access to most major theatres and the riverfront, while the area near the Festival Theatre offers quieter, park-adjacent options.
Mid-to-high range, primarily due to the cost of professional theatre tickets and premium local dining experiences.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 34 curated attractions in and around Stratford, Ontario, ranked by traveller ratings.
Festival Theatre is the highest-rated place to visit in Stratford, Ontario right now.
The largest category is museums, with 13 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Toronto, Montreal, North Vancouver (city).
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