Stratford rewards a long weekend, and the countryside around it rewards a day trip. The city sits in farm country in southwestern Ontario, within easy driving distance of a reservoir park, a Lake Huron beach and a small limestone town. None of these trips needs a full day of planning, and each one gives a different view of the region than the theatres do. A car is the practical way to do them, since public transport between these places is limited, so confirm your route and driving time on the day.
St. Marys: the Stonetown
St. Marys is the closest and easiest trip, a half-day by car between Stratford and London, just off Highway 7. It calls itself the Stonetown because downtown and the Town Hall are built from local limestone. The town's draws include the old streets, the museum and archives in the hilltop heritage house in Cadzow Park, built in 1854 and nicknamed the Castle in the Bush, the Grand Trunk Trail with two high trestle bridges, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the St. Marys Station Gallery. In summer the old limestone quarry becomes a large freshwater swimming pool, which is the reason many families make the trip. Outside summer the pleasures are the architecture, the trail and the cafes, and it is a good choice on a day when the theatres are closed.
Wildwood Conservation Area: trails, paddling and a beach
Wildwood is a reservoir park of about 1,416 hectares, southwest of Stratford and a short drive from St. Marys. It has more than 30 km of multi-use trails for hikers and cyclists, rental canoes, kayaks and paddle boards, a beach, fishing, birdwatching and more than 400 campsites. It makes a natural pair with St. Marys, so you can walk the Stonetown in the morning and spend the afternoon on the water. A trail pass is required from the gatehouse, cyclists must wear helmets and dogs must be on a leash, so read the signs on arrival. Check the conservation authority's pages for seasonal opening dates and fees.
Pinery Provincial Park: the big beach day
Pinery is the longest trip, about an hour west of Stratford near Grand Bend, and it deserves a full day. The park has about 10 km of sand beach on Lake Huron, rare oak savanna and dune ecosystems, 10 walking trails, a 14 km bike trail and a canoe route on the Old Ausable Channel. It is open all year, with swimming in summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Day-use reservations can be made online, and it is wise to book in advance on summer weekends. Pack sun protection, water and insect repellent, and plan dinner in Grand Bend before the drive home if you have the energy.
Close to home: trails and heritage
Not every outing needs a car. The T.J. Dolan Natural Area on Stratford's southwest side has a river loop of about 4.4 km and side trails, with free parking, and it is open year round for walking and snowshoeing. Within the city, a short heritage walk from City Hall passes the courthouse, the gardens and the river, and the Avon River path links the theatres, Lake Victoria and the Shakespearean Gardens. These work well as half-day alternatives when a longer drive is not appealing.
Choosing a trip
For families with young children in summer, St. Marys with its quarry or Wildwood with its beach and playground are the easiest. For couples, a Wildwood paddle at sunset or a Pinery sunset on the lake is hard to beat. For history and architecture, St. Marys wins. For wildlife and landscapes, choose Pinery, and for a quiet, cheap morning, walk the Dolan trails. In winter, Pinery's skiing and snowshoeing are a real draw, while the quarry and the camping areas are closed.
Combining a trip with a show
If you have a matinee, pick St. Marys or the Dolan trails in the morning and be back downtown with two hours to spare. For an evening show, a morning at Wildwood leaves time for lunch and a rest. Pinery is best as a day of its own, because the drive each way makes a show the same evening a long day. Whichever trip you choose, leave a buffer for traffic, especially on summer weekends, and check the weather before you set out.
Practical tips
Fill the tank before leaving town and carry water, sun protection and snacks, since services can be sparse. Check each park's gate hours, day-use rules and fees before you go, as these change by season. Keep dogs on leashes and leave nothing behind. Let the hotel know if you plan to return late, and check parking and check-in arrangements, especially at small inns with limited late check-in. A downtown base keeps the evening easy, because you can get back, shower and walk to dinner without driving again.