Are you uninterested in the identical outdated weekend locations and touristy spots? In that case, look no additional than Perth, Ontario, and boy, do we have now some issues to do in Perth Ontario! This small city is only a few hours drive from Toronto, but it usually flies beneath the radar. We’re actually undecided 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 outlets, farm-to-table eating places, handcrafted breweries, and historic structure. Whether or not you’re planning a particular couple’s getaway or just on the lookout for a spot to flee the hustle and bustle of town, you gained’t be upset.
Begin planning your subsequent Ontario highway 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 navy settlement because of the Warfare of 1812.
- The realm’s first settlers have been supplied land in return for his or her navy service. They got here from many nations, together with Scotland, Eire, France, Italy, Germany, and Poland.
- House to Canada’s oldest pioneer burial floor. Initially known as The Outdated Methodist Burying Floor, it’s now often known as St. Paul’s United Church Cemetery.
- The city was the placement 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 lady, Elizabeth Hughes.
Locations to Keep in Perth, Ontario (and Surrounding Areas)
Regardless of being a smaller city, there are various totally different choices for lodging in Perth, Ontario. You will see choices for any type of journey, together with accommodations, motels, mattress & breakfasts, short-term leases, off-grid cabins, and much more rustic tenting. Listed below are a number of choices we advocate:
Finest Western Perth Parkside Inn & Spa
82 Peter St
There aren’t many accommodations in Perth, Ontario, however that definitely doesn’t imply you must settle. The Finest Western Perth Parkside Inn & Spa is snug and welcoming, with its clear and trendy look. Visitors get pleasure from a complimentary breakfast, and you’ll choose up dinner on the onsite steak and seafood restaurant, The Locks. For many who love just a little pampering, the lodge can be residence to Perth’s day spa, the Parkside Spa, the place you may splurge on a therapeutic massage or a facial.
Aquarius Motel
17518 Hwy 7
Whereas motels usually get a foul identify, there are some extremely rated Perth, Ontario motels to contemplate that may provide 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 must be famous that every 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 lets you calm down utterly, surrounded by the fantastic thing about nature.
Throughout our journey, we stayed on the Mica Cabin. Whereas these two cabins are off-grid, they nonetheless provide a luxurious expertise. Solar energy and turbines guarantee you have got energy, a compostable bathroom is offered within the indoor rest room, and the kitchen space features a propane stovetop, mini fridge, and operating water. One of the best half? Massive home windows alongside the entrance of the cabin guarantee you may benefit from the gorgeous views even when stress-free 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 may as well drive quarter-hour in the other way from the city and camp at Murphy’s Level Provincial Park on Massive Rideau Lake.
9 Issues to Do in Perth, Ontario Throughout Your Go to
Don’t let the very fact Perth is a small city idiot you. This lovable little city has one thing to supply for everybody, from scrumptious sweets to the world’s pure magnificence – it’s simple to fill a weekend itinerary for a fun-filled journey. Listed below are our recommendations 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 authentic craft breweries within the province.
Over time, the brewery has grown and developed, pushed by the recognition it attracted within the space. In the present day, 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 number 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
In-built 1863-1864, Perth City Corridor was designed not solely to function the native city corridor for a rising city but in addition to supply house for a hearth corridor, police station, put up workplace, live performance corridor, and market. The end result was a surprising stone constructing that continues to face sturdy within the coronary heart of the city. It was designated a historic web site in 1984. In the present day, the constructing continues to operate 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 show 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 known as the Mammoth Cheese, was made with milk from twelve Lanark County cheese makers and stood a formidable 6 ft 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 bit of the unique cheese remains to be preserved on the Perth Museum.
Go Mountain climbing at Murphy’s Level Provincial Park
2243 Elmgrove Street
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 Massive Rideau Lake is a superb spot to embrace the native magnificence, with 5 mountain climbing trails, fishing, canoeing, and swimming.
In the event you go to throughout the snowy season, a number of of the paths are groomed for cross-country snowboarding, whereas others are non-groomed and out there 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 may park within the lot by the gate and stroll in.
For these within the space’s mining historical past, you may 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 company to discover open air. Nevertheless, you could be part of a scheduled guided tour to see contained in the mine and bunkhouse. Name the park immediately for extra info: 613-267-5060.
Buy Hand-Crafted, Small Batch Spirits at Prime Shelf Distillers
14 Warren Cres
Is craft beer not your drink of alternative? Don’t fear – Prime 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 could go to to see all of them for your self. For the complete Perth expertise, pair your drink of alternative 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 must always make a degree of visiting throughout our journey, and we’re comfortable we listened! All donuts are handmade on-site. Whereas there are some extra “commonplace” favourites, we shortly fell in love with the various flavours and variations out there. 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 trying to find fast and simple eating places in Perth, Ontario, be sure you add Blackfly Grub Hub to your listing. Along with their well-known donuts, additionally they provide scrumptious connoisseur 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 steel swing bridge. Whereas the brewery itself is comparatively new, the homeowners have paid cautious consideration to honouring the world’s historical past by way of branding, décor selections, and the occasions they host.
Cease in for a chilly beer and a chew to eat from their scrumptious menu that includes tasty choices just like the bison burger and braised beef sliders. You may as well get pleasure from dwell native music when you’re on the town on a Friday night time.
Tour the Perth Museum
11 Gore St E
Positioned contained in the historic Matheson Home, a stone mansion inbuilt 1840, the Perth Museum presents a singular have a look at life within the space within the 1840s. It options 4 interval rooms, restored and furnished to mirror how it could have seemed for the Matheson household throughout that period.
The home itself was almost 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 placement 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 price; 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 sweets in small batches. Whenever you go to, you have got the chance to look at the proficient chocolate makers at work.
In case you have a candy tooth, be warned. With so many unimaginable choices out there, it may be onerous to decide on! Our favourites embody the Candy & Salty Bark, Peanut Smoothie Bar, and blended chocolate-covered fruit. Nevertheless, no matter what you select, we’re positive you gained’t be upset!
Take a Stroll By way of Stewart Park
41 Mill St
Positioned within the coronary heart of Perth, Stewart Park is a central gathering house for the city. Relying on whenever you go to, you will see that a big selection of occasions, performers, and festivities. The Stewart Park Pageant (July 19-21, 2024), particularly, is a weekend utterly devoted to celebrating Perth and all of the city has to supply, together with native companies, musicians, and extra.
The park presents strolling trails good for an informal stroll. Simply outdoors the park, you can even go to The Haggarts residence, 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 all the way down to his son, John Graham Haggart, who served because the mayor of Perth earlier than transferring on to extra distinguished positions in Ontario politics.
Really feel the Small-City Spirit in Perth, Ontario
In the event you’re on the lookout for a soothing getaway, this charming city is nicely definitely worth the journey. With so many issues to do in Perth, Ontario, we’re positive you’ll make lasting recollections. In the event you’re like us, you’ll even depart with plans to return within the close to future! This hidden gem proves that a number of the greatest highway journey locations are simply ready to be found in our personal backyards.