Are you bored with the identical outdated weekend locations and touristy spots?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 just some hours drive from Toronto, but it typically flies beneath the radar. We’re truthfully 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 retailers, farm-to-table eating places, handcrafted breweries, and historic structure. Whether or not you’re planning a particular couple’s getaway or just in search of a spot to flee the hustle and bustle of town, you gained’t be disenchanted.
Begin planning your subsequent Ontario highway journey with this record of the most effective issues to do in Perth, Ontario:
This text is now out there as a cell app. Go to GPSmyCity to obtain the app for GPS-assisted journey instructions to the points of interest featured on this article.
Historical past of Perth, Ontario
- It was established in 1816 as a army settlement as a result of Conflict of 1812.
- The realm’s first settlers had 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.
- House to Canada’s oldest pioneer burial floor. Initially referred to as The Outdated Methodist Burying Floor, it’s now generally known as St. Paul’s United Church Cemetery.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 struggle over a girl, Elizabeth Hughes.
Locations to Keep in Perth, Ontario (and Surrounding Areas)
Regardless of being a smaller city, there are lots of completely different choices for lodging in Perth, Ontario. You will discover choices for any fashion of journey, together with resorts, motels, mattress & breakfasts, short-term leases, off-grid cabins, and much more rustic tenting. Listed here are just a few choices we advocate:
Finest Western Perth Parkside Inn & Spa
82 Peter St
There aren’t many resorts in Perth, Ontario, however that definitely doesn’t imply it’s a must to settle. The Finest Western Perth Parkside Inn & Spa is comfy and welcoming, with its clear and trendy look. Friends take pleasure in 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 also be house 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 typically get a foul title, there are some extremely rated Perth, Ontario motels to think about that can 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 points of interest like The Perth Museum. It needs to 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 permits you to 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 provide a luxurious expertise. Solar energy and turbines guarantee you will have energy, a compostable bathroom is out there within the indoor toilet, and the kitchen space features a propane stovetop, mini fridge, and working water. The most effective half? Giant 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 favor a extra rustic getaway, whether or not you take pleasure in 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 even drive quarter-hour in the other way from the city and camp at Murphy’s Level Provincial Park on Large 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 cute little city has one thing to supply for everybody, from scrumptious sweets to the realm’s pure magnificence – it’s straightforward to fill a weekend itinerary for a fun-filled journey. Listed here are our ideas 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 pastime 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. In the present day, you’ll find over 20 beer types for craft beer lovers of all tastes. You may take pleasure in your beer on-site within the taproom paired with their on-site woodfired pizza or seize your favourites to go. We introduced just a few 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 additionally to supply house for a hearth corridor, police station, submit workplace, live performance corridor, and market. The end result was a surprising stone constructing that continues to face robust 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 neighborhood.
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 display Canada’s cheese-making prowess. It was made to be exhibited on the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
The 22,000-lb cheese, generally known as the Mammoth Cheese, was made with milk from twelve Lanark County cheese makers and stood a formidable 6 toes excessive. Information of the cheese rapidly unfold, making a stir of curiosity throughout North America and Europe.
The monument shows a reproduction of the cart that carried the cheese, however a bit of the unique cheese continues 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 Large 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 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 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 outdoor. Nevertheless, you should be part of a scheduled guided tour to see contained in the mine and bunkhouse. Name the park instantly 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 coated. This small-town distillery is understood for making high-quality, handcrafted, small-batch spirits with a enjoyable and distinctive twist.
Some choices that stood out to us had 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 should go to to see all of them for your self. For the complete 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 likely one of the true hidden gems in Perth. One of many locals gave us a heads-up after we requested about what we should always make some extent of visiting throughout our journey, and we’re completely satisfied we listened! All donuts are handmade on-site. Whereas there are some extra “normal” favourites, we rapidly fell in love with the numerous 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 looking for fast and simple eating places in Perth, Ontario, be sure you add Blackfly Grub Hub to your record. Along with their well-known donuts, in addition they provide scrumptious connoisseur hotdogs. It’s the right alternative to take pleasure in a tasty meal whereas supporting an area small enterprise.
Take pleasure in a Craft Brew at Bridge Masters Brewing Firm
29 Beckwith St E
This brewery will get its title from its location on the foot of Canada’s oldest steel swing bridge. Whereas the brewery itself is comparatively new, the house owners have paid cautious consideration to honouring the realm’s historical past via branding, décor selections, 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 even take pleasure in reside native music in the event 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 provides a novel take a look at life within the space within the 1840s. It options 4 interval rooms, restored and furnished to mirror how it might have seemed 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 placement in 1967.
The museum is open Wednesday via Sunday, 10 AM to five PM. There isn’t a set admission charge; 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. While you go to, you will have the chance to look at the gifted chocolate makers at work.
In case you have a candy tooth, be warned. With so many unbelievable choices out there, it may be laborious to decide on! Our favourites embody the Candy & Salty Bark, Peanut Smoothie Bar, and combined chocolate-covered fruit. Nevertheless, no matter what you select, we’re certain you gained’t be disenchanted!
Take a Stroll By means 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 once you go to, you will see that a big selection of occasions, performers, and festivities. The Stewart Park Competition (July 19-21, 2024), specifically, 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 provides strolling trails excellent for an informal stroll. Simply exterior the park, you can too 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 outstanding positions in Ontario politics.
Really feel the Small-City Spirit in Perth, Ontario
In the event you’re in search of a soothing getaway, this charming city is nicely 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 depart with plans to return within the close to future! This hidden gem proves that a few of the greatest highway journey locations are simply ready to be found in our personal backyards.
