The Stratford center point is about the area of Downtown Stratford and the area of Avon Theatre.
Summer is the best time to visit if you want to attend the festivals. The Stratford Blues & Ribfest takes place at the end of June, while the Stratford Summer Music event runs through July and August. While you're at it, you can catch one of the performances at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. The weather is also warmest at this time of year: The average temperature in July is 63 degrees Fahrenheit.
October is another great month to visit Stratford. On average, the temperature is a cool and refreshing 48 degrees Fahrenheit. You can snap photos of the colorful fall leaves or attend the indie theater and arts festival, Spring Works. For the lowest hotel rates, visit between November and April. Winter may not be festival season, but you can browse the local shops, do a winter sport like cross-country skiing, or relax all day in your hotel's hot tub.
One of the best places to get a discount is Best Western Plus the Arden Park Hotel. AARP members and seniors can get 10 percent or more off room rates. If you're a CAA or AAA member, you could get up to 15 percent off room rates. Do you ride a motorcycle? Best Western's Ride Rewards Program gives motorcyclists a discount of 10 percent or more on room rates. Veterans, military personnel, and government employees also get a discount of 10 percent or more off the Flexible Rate.
As if that weren't enough, Best Western offers a program called Business Advantage for small to medium-sized businesses. If your business qualifies, you and your employees will receive a 10-percent discount on room rates. There are also special rates for groups, though you'll have to contact the company to get more information. And, of course, if you already frequent Best Western hotels, you already know it has a loyalty program. Collect and save enough points, and you can redeem them for a free stay.
If you want an alternative to Best Western, Queen's Inn offers corporate guest rates as well as meeting rooms that fit up to 50 people. Along with the standard high-speed internet, companies can also make use of audio-visual equipment, the copier, and fax machine, and on-site catering with group menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When you're finished with meetings for the day, you can relax with a drink and some dinner at the Boar's Head Pub.
If you're looking for a mid-range hotel, consider staying at the Parlour Inn by Vintage Hotels. It was built in 1871, and the decor reflects its long history; each guest room has beautiful antique furnishings. However, that doesn't mean that it's stuck in the past. Guests can access the high-speed internet, brew java in the Keurig coffee machine, and watch movies on the flat-screen TVs that are in every room. If you book a premium room, you'll also get to use a Jacuzzi tub.
Other great options include the Festival Inn, which has an indoor swimming pool, a whirlpool, a sauna, meeting and conference rooms, and complimentary breakfast. The newly renovated rooms come with double, queen, or king-size beds. If you have your heart set on a place with a mini-fridge, try the Annex Suites. Every room has either a king or queen-size bed, and certain suites have gas fireplaces. It's the perfect combination of amenities you love and reasonable prices.
There are plenty of things to do in Stratford besides the festivals already mentioned. Foodies should sign up for the Flavours of Stratford walking food tour. Depending on which of the two tours you choose, you could visit a distillery, try delicious soup, or eat some local gelato. If you'd rather go on a self-guided tour, buy a Savours Stratford Chocolate Trail pass. You'll get vouchers to six different shops, which you can then visit to get samples of chocolate. Not in the mood for sweets? Try the Savour Stratford Bacon & Ale Trail pass instead.
Stratford also has family friendly attractions. At McCully's Hill Farm, the kids have the chance to pet animals. Adults can browse the available homemade products like fruit pies, preserves, and maple pork sausage. Different events go on all year. In March, you can bring the family on a sugar bush tour and learn how maple syrup is made. In the fall, the farm holds a festival where kids can go through a corn maze, get their faces painted, and launch the pumpkin catapult.
People of all ages can appreciate the Wildlife Conservation Area. It has walking and biking trails as well as the option to rent bikes. There are picnic areas, canoe rentals, and volleyball courts. There is also a playground for the kids. Are you a fan of the supernatural? If so, you may enjoy the Ghosts of Stratford walking tours. The guides wear costumes and share true stories of creepy events that happened in town. Some residents believe certain places are haunted. Do you dare to find out where?
Stay at a hotel, motel, or inn and enjoy the attractions while you're in town. Stratford is a wonderful place for exploring nature, eating local food, going to the theater, or catching a live concert. Whether you're here on business or simply getting away for the weekend, there's something just right for your budget.
Below are reviews of the city of Stratford, ON from an actual visitor's perspective.
The shopping downtown is great. No chain stores. The park by the river is lovely. The Stratford Concert Band is excellent.
We are here for close proximity to Stratford General Hospital.
Play we saw was funny and we enjoyed it. And we took a nice walk along the river.
Been there many times, wife's kind of home town. Quaint, good shopping, easy to get around, inexpensive parking
Friendly and walkable
We went to three plays Macbeth, Anne of Green Gables and Annie at the Avon and Festival theatres which were all great. We enjoyed walking downtown and eating dinner at the Pizza Mediterranean Bistro and Arden Hotel Lounge. Walking at the river was beautiful. Stratford is a lovely and friendly town!
Festival Theater for "Annie" the musical.
The town is beautiful this time of year!
Stratford is a special city and well worth visiting. From heritage buildings including the City Hall clock tower and public art and fountains at the Festival Theatre, it seems like Stratford treats its guests with respect and an invitation to come back again.
Stratford is beautiful and very nice to visit!
Everything is a close drive. A nice shopping district.
Beautiful place!
It is a lovely old town with many great shops. The buildings are so historic as well. Sitting by the river at a park or along the walkways is a great experience as well.
Visited the river area and the new Tom Patterson Theatre which is quite stunning!
Nice people, beautiful scenery and great theatre!
Plays, shopping, restaurants, parks, old buildings.
Lots of shopping and restaurants. Loved a new store called Daisies & Doilies!!
The theatre, the downtown, the shops and restaurants, the places to stay, the countryside...all make Stratford a wonderful destination.
Love Stratford and the community it is.
Small city charm with a world class theatre!
Beautiful, clean hotel. Good restaurants downtown. 5/5
The restaurants were amazing (didn't have one mediocre meal here), the boutique shops, scenery and the Avon River. The paddle boating was one of the highlights of my trip!
Bustling small quaint town with convenient parking and a variety of food choices.
Clean with many beautiful buildings, lots to see and do in the area as well.
Stratford Festival is the best!
Charming little town. Lots of cool little shops.
Charming little town. Lots of cool little shops to visit.
The world class theatre options. We also found a lovely yarn shop. The owner was friendly and very helpful.
A beautiful city with gorgeous gardens and a lovely river walk. The homes and stores are so well kept. There are plenty of restaurants and eclectic boutiques. We make a yearly trip to Stratford for its professional quality plays, its culture, eateries, great shopping and overall beauty.