Are you bored with the identical outdated weekend locations and touristy spots? In that case, look no additional than Perth, Ontario, and boy, do we’ve some issues to do in Perth Ontario! This small city is only a few hours drive from Toronto, but it typically flies below the radar. We’re truthfully unsure why!
You’ll really feel such as you stepped right into a Hallmark film from the second you arrive. The streets are lined with distinctive retailers, farm-to-table eating places, handcrafted breweries, and historic structure. Whether or not you’re planning a particular couple’s getaway or just searching for a spot to flee the hustle and bustle of town, you received’t be disillusioned.
Begin planning your subsequent Ontario street journey with this listing of one of the best issues to do in Perth, Ontario:
Historical past of Perth, Ontario
- It was established in 1816 as a army settlement as a result of Battle of 1812.
- The realm’s first settlers have been supplied land in return for his or her army service. They got here from many nations, together with Scotland, Eire, France, Italy, Germany, and Poland.
- Dwelling to Canada’s oldest pioneer burial floor. Initially known as The Previous Methodist Burying Floor, it’s now often called St. Paul’s United Church Cemetery.
- The city was the situation of the final deadly duel in Higher Canada, which occurred on June 13, 1833, between Robert Lyon and John Wilson. The duel resulted from a combat over a girl, Elizabeth Hughes.
Locations to Keep in Perth, Ontario (and Surrounding Areas)
Regardless of being a smaller city, there are numerous totally different choices for lodging in Perth, Ontario. You’ll discover choices for any fashion of journey, together with lodges, motels, mattress & breakfasts, short-term leases, off-grid cabins, and much more rustic tenting. Listed here are a couple of choices we advocate:
Finest Western Perth Parkside Inn & Spa
82 Peter St
There aren’t many lodges in Perth, Ontario, however that actually doesn’t imply it’s important to settle. The Finest Western Perth Parkside Inn & Spa is comfy and welcoming, with its clear and trendy look. Company get pleasure from a complimentary breakfast, and you’ll decide up dinner on the onsite steak and seafood restaurant, The Locks. For many who love slightly pampering, the resort can also be house to Perth’s day spa, the Parkside Spa, the place you possibly can splurge on a therapeutic massage or a facial.
Aquarius Motel
17518 Hwy 7
Whereas motels typically get a foul identify, there are some extremely rated Perth, Ontario motels to contemplate that can supply a clear and comfy place to relaxation your head after a day of exploring the city. The Aquarius Motel is a superb instance. It’s a handy spot, simply 2 km from sights like The Perth Museum. It needs to be famous that each one rooms on the motel are non-smoking.
Cabinscape: Rhya Cabin & Mica Cabin
Whereas these tiny off-grid cabins aren’t discovered within the city of Perth, they’re only a brief 15-minute drive away. Each the Rhya and Mica Cabins are situated on Rideau Valley Conservation land with a surprising waterfront view and a distant location that means that you can chill out fully, surrounded by the great thing about nature.
Throughout our journey, we stayed on the Mica Cabin. Whereas these two cabins are off-grid, they nonetheless supply a luxurious expertise. Solar energy and turbines guarantee you might have energy, a compostable bathroom is out there within the indoor rest room, and the kitchen space features a propane stovetop, mini fridge, and working water. The perfect half? Giant home windows alongside the entrance of the cabin guarantee you possibly can benefit from the gorgeous views even when enjoyable indoors.
Tenting in Perth, Ontario
In the event you would like a extra rustic getaway, whether or not you get pleasure from tenting or tenting in a trailer or RV, there are a number of choices in and round Perth. McCullough’s Touchdown is a personal campground on the shores of Mississippi Lake, simply quarter-hour from Perth. You can too drive quarter-hour in the other way from the city and camp at Murphy’s Level Provincial Park on Huge Rideau Lake.
9 Issues to Do in Perth, Ontario Throughout Your Go to
Don’t let the actual fact Perth is a small city idiot you. This lovely little city has one thing to supply for everybody, from scrumptious sweets to the realm’s pure magnificence – it’s simple to fill a weekend itinerary for a fun-filled journey. Listed here are our solutions for what to do in Perth, Ontario:
Seize a Drink at Perth Brewery
121 Dufferin St
Lengthy-time craft beer fanatic Terry Steeves moved his beer-making passion from his kitchen to an official brewery in 1993, forming the Perth Brewing Firm (PBC). The Ontario authorities had simply began licensing Brew-on-Premise beer making, making PBC one of many unique craft breweries within the province.
Over time, the brewery has grown and advanced, pushed by the recognition it attracted within the space. Right this moment, you’ll find over 20 beer kinds for craft beer lovers of all tastes. You’ll be able to get pleasure from your beer on-site within the taproom paired with their on-site woodfired pizza or seize your favourites to go. We introduced a couple of again to the cabin, together with our favorite, the Calypso IPA.
Benefit from the Historical past of Perth City Corridor
80 Gore St E
Inbuilt 1863-1864, Perth City Corridor was designed not solely to function the native city corridor for a rising city but in addition to supply area for a hearth corridor, police station, put up workplace, live performance corridor, and market. The consequence was a surprising stone constructing that continues to face robust within the coronary heart of the city. It was designated a historic website in 1984. Right this moment, the constructing continues to perform as a central hub for the group.
Go to the Mammoth Cheese
This one-of-a-kind attraction has a enjoyable, distinctive story behind it. In 1893, the cheese was created to reveal Canada’s cheese-making prowess. It was made to be exhibited on the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
The 22,000-lb cheese, often called the Mammoth Cheese, was made with milk from twelve Lanark County cheese makers and stood a powerful 6 toes excessive. Information of the cheese shortly unfold, making a stir of curiosity throughout North America and Europe.
The monument shows a duplicate of the cart that carried the cheese, however a chunk of the unique cheese remains to be preserved on the Perth Museum.
Go Climbing at Murphy’s Level Provincial Park
2243 Elmgrove Highway
As we talked about when discussing tenting in Perth, Ontario, Murphy’s Level Provincial Park is only a 15-minute drive from the city. This stunning park on Huge Rideau Lake is a superb spot to embrace the native magnificence, with 5 climbing trails, fishing, canoeing, and swimming.
In the event you go to in the course of the snowy season, a number of of the paths are groomed for cross-country snowboarding, whereas others are non-groomed and obtainable for snowshoeing. The campground doesn’t open till late spring (Might 10 for the 2024 season), and the park’s gate is closed, however you possibly can park within the lot by the gate and stroll in.
For these within the space’s mining historical past, you possibly can hike the self-guided Silver Queen Mine Path to an early 1900s partially open-pit mica mine. The realm additionally showcases a rebuilt miner’s bunkhouse and heritage shows. The realm is open for all visitors to discover open air. Nonetheless, you need to be part of a scheduled guided tour to see contained in the mine and bunkhouse. Name the park straight for extra info: 613-267-5060.
Buy Hand-Crafted, Small Batch Spirits at High Shelf Distillers
14 Warren Cres
Is craft beer not your drink of selection? Don’t fear – High Shelf Distillers has you lined. This small-town distillery is thought for making high-quality, handcrafted, small-batch spirits with a enjoyable and distinctive twist.
Some choices that stood out to us have been the Reunion Ontario Cherry Moonshine, Reunion French Toast Moonshine, Butter Tart Cream Liquor, and Rideau Maple Whisky Liqueur. However there are such a lot of choices, you need to go to to see all of them for your self. For the total Perth expertise, pair your drink of selection with Mrs. Garrett’s well-known butter tarts.
Seize a Donut at Blackfly Grub Hub
17 Wilson St E
This is without doubt one of the true hidden gems in Perth. One of many locals gave us a heads-up once we requested about what we should always make some extent of visiting throughout our journey, and we’re pleased we listened! All donuts are handmade on-site. Whereas there are some extra “customary” favourites, we shortly fell in love with the numerous flavours and variations obtainable. There are additionally vegan choices.
We bought a six-pack of donuts, together with maple bacon, peanut butter and chocolate cup, apple fritter, and chocolate mint after eight.
In the event you’re looking for fast and simple eating places in Perth, Ontario, remember to add Blackfly Grub Hub to your listing. Along with their well-known donuts, additionally they supply scrumptious gourmand hotdogs. It’s the right alternative to get pleasure from a tasty meal whereas supporting a neighborhood small enterprise.
Get pleasure from a Craft Brew at Bridge Masters Brewing Firm
29 Beckwith St E
This brewery will get its identify from its location on the foot of Canada’s oldest metallic swing bridge. Whereas the brewery itself is comparatively new, the homeowners have paid cautious consideration to honouring the realm’s historical past by way of branding, décor decisions, and the occasions they host.
Cease in for a chilly beer and a chunk to eat from their scrumptious menu that includes tasty choices just like the bison burger and braised beef sliders. You can too get pleasure from reside native music for those who’re on the town on a Friday evening.
Tour the Perth Museum
11 Gore St E
Positioned contained in the historic Matheson Home, a stone mansion inbuilt 1840, the Perth Museum gives a novel take a look at life within the space within the 1840s. It options 4 interval rooms, restored and furnished to replicate how it could have appeared for the Matheson household throughout that period.
The home itself was practically misplaced, having been slated for demolition. There was even a wrecking ball on the property when the City of Perth stepped in to buy the house and transfer the museum, as soon as situated within the Carnegie Library, to the situation in 1967.
The museum is open Wednesday by way of Sunday, 10 AM to five PM. There is no such thing as a set admission payment; guests are inspired to make a donation of their selecting on the door.
Indulge Your Candy Tooth at Perth Chocolate Works
17 Wilson St E
In the identical constructing as Blackfly Grub Hub, Perth Chocolate Works is a family-run specialty chocolatier specializing in high-quality, handcrafted candies in small batches. Whenever you go to, you might have the chance to observe the proficient chocolate makers at work.
In case you have a candy tooth, be warned. With so many unbelievable choices obtainable, it may be arduous to decide on! Our favourites embrace the Candy & Salty Bark, Peanut Smoothie Bar, and blended chocolate-covered fruit. Nonetheless, no matter what you select, we’re certain you received’t be disillusioned!
Take a Stroll By way of Stewart Park
41 Mill St
Positioned within the coronary heart of Perth, Stewart Park is a central gathering area for the city. Relying on if you go to, you will see that a wide array of occasions, performers, and festivities. The Stewart Park Pageant (July 19-21, 2024), particularly, is a weekend fully devoted to celebrating Perth and all of the city has to supply, together with native companies, musicians, and extra.
The park gives strolling trails excellent for an off-the-cuff stroll. Simply outdoors the park, you may also go to The Haggarts house, a historic stone mansion constructed by John Haggart in 1837. He was a stone mason who labored on the Welland and Rideau Canals. The home was then handed right down to his son, John Graham Haggart, who served because the mayor of Perth earlier than shifting on to extra distinguished positions in Ontario politics.
Really feel the Small-City Spirit in Perth, Ontario
In the event you’re searching for a soothing getaway, this charming city is effectively well worth the journey. With so many issues to do in Perth, Ontario, we’re certain you’ll make lasting recollections. In the event you’re like us, you’ll even go away with plans to return within the close to future! This hidden gem proves that a few of the greatest street journey locations are simply ready to be found in our personal backyards.
