No time to book a cottage now.
All the kids can talk about is back to school.
Starting to feel the panic that the best season of the year is slipping away?
Summer may be coming to its inevitable end, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t time to squeeze in a little more fun before the school bell starts to ring again. Here are 15 of the very Best Things To Do In and around London (Ontario, Canada).
Take a picture tour of The University Of Western Ontario. I may be biased, but I think it’s one of the most beautiful schools in the country.
Explore the Covent Garden Market. An indoor market with fresh local produce, gourmet food stands and gifts galore.
Picture via www.londontourism.ca
Declare a Beach Day. The gorgeous beaches of both Port Stanley and Grand Bend are under 1 hour away. They both offer beautiful beaches, warm waters, loads of restaurants and shops along their main streets, and endless opportunities for family time.
Take A Hike. Take off on an adventure to Rock Glen Conservation Area. Located at 8680 Rock Glen Rd, Arkona about 30 minutes outside of London, it’s worth the drive to find this little piece of magic in our own backyards. Trails to hike and fresh water falls just waiting to be explored. There is a $4.00 entrance fee per person.
Let History Come Alive. Spend a morning touring through Fanshawe Pioneer Village. 1424 Clarke Road.
Picture via Fanshawe Pioneer Village
Admission is $7.00 (children 3 and under are free). Fanshawe Pioneer Village in London offers visitors a peek into what life must have been like in the 19th century. The village is complete with authentic period houses, interactive exhibits, and daily demonstrations by costumed actors who always remain in character.
Fore! London is home to some of Ontario’s best Golf Courses, both private and public. Our choice; Forest City National Golf Club located at 1540 Robins Hill Road. The course is challenging, the staff warm and friendly and don’t miss stopping by the club house afterward for dinner and a drink. You can’t beat the view over picturesque Fanshawe Lake! Worthy of note; they also have great deals on Twilight rates!
Immerse Yourself In Make-Believe.
Jump into the pages of a fairy tale at Storybook Gardens. It’s an enchanted storybook-themed park for families with young children. The theme park includes familiar storybook characters, themed playgrounds, and even a spray pad.
Be Part Of The Crowd.
Picture via London – Tourism Media
Take in a concert or even comedy act at Budweiser Gardens, or find your favourite new food at one of the many food festivals taking place in Victoria Park in downtown London. Sunfest in July and Ribfest in August are among Londoner’s favourites.
Take part in a standing ovation at an award winning theatrical performance at the Stratford Festival.
Before you leave, be sure to take a walk along the lake. Feeling energetic? You can even rent a kayak orpaddle boatt and float among the ducks and swans.
Feed your inner adrenaline junkie at the Delaware Speedway. Just a 20-minute drive you can find and feed your need for speed. Delaware Speedway has been home to stock car racing for more than 55 years. Insider Tip: Admission for children, aged 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Purchase tickets in advance online or at the gate.
Play all day at the London Children’s Museum hands-on and interactive activities where families can dig for dinosaurs to exploring Canada’s North.
Picture via The London Children’s Museum
Located at 21 Wharncliffe Rd South, the London Children’s Museum offers a huge variety of hands-on and interactive activities. Families can dig for dinosaurs, dress up like fire fighters, run a store, explore Canada’s North and take part in all kinds of special programs running every day. Hours of fun for the little ones in your family.
Picture via Boler Mountain
Skiing may be the sport at Boler in the winter, but in the summer the zip lines and ropes course reign supreme. Not to be missed, the Boler Mountain Treetop Adventure Park. Note that reservations must be made in advance for this activity.
Cheers. Take a tour of the Labatt Brewery and see the skill required to be a brew master.
Picture via London Tourism
See, hear, touch, smell, and taste all that it takes to create a great beer. Note, tours cost $12 (at time of publishing) take 2 hours and must be pre-booked by email (londontour@labatt.com) or by phone at 519-850-TOUR(8687).
Bee Brave at a Bee Farm! Have an adventure at Clovermead.
Picture courtesy of Clovermead
Family fun awaits at 11302 Imperial Road North, Aylmer, just outside of London. The farm boasts a fun play area, farm animals, wagon rides, giant, pedal carts, rope swings, zip lines, mazes and so much more!
Feed your inner artist at Museum London.
Completed in 1980 this museum was designed by Raymond Moriyama. The museum includes more than 5,000 regional and Canadian works and over 45,000 artifacts. “This unusual building on Ridout Street shows the work of 18th and 19th century Canadian artists, together with temporary exhibitions covering the whole range of old and new North American art.” via uwo.ca/city_of_london/
Whatever your pleasure, no matter what kind of adventure you seek, there’s a little something for everyone in and around London Ontario this summer. Hope you enjoy exploring all London Ontario and area has to offer.
Happy Travels!
Angelica Dimeo says
Storybook gardens and the university look pretty cool.
lori n. says
I/d love to visit Storybook gardens, for the kid in me too!
michelle tremblett says
Oh beautiful, we love day trips and London is fairly close, we will have to check it out.
Dawn S says
More reasons to love beautiful London!
Tiff says
Great article! I just moved to London Canada from Vancouver!!
Robyn Bellefleur says
Good to know. I was planning a trip to London to visit a few friends, now we can make a plan to actually do stuff.
Kim Tanti says
Our oldest daughter went to Fanshaw. We spent many days in London. We would pick her up and go out for the day then shopping and take her back. We always found something to do that was not expensive.
Janet M says
There are so many amazing activities to do plus be one with nature.
sonia pinette says
Take A Hike. Take off on an adventure to Rock Glen Conservation Area would be fun to do with my family.
Julie Fields says
This place looks incredible. I would love to visit. Great photos.
Krista Embertson says
Love London lived there for a couple of years to go to school Western is a beautiful campus, and I’m still a big fan of Storybook Gardens
kathy downey says
I would love to visit the Museum London,bet it’s beautiful !
Betty S says
great to know there are interesting things right in our own backyard. We loved Storybook gardens when my children were really young
nicolthepickle says
I would love to go to Storybook Gardens. I was there when I was a child, and I remember it fondly.
Jenn says
All excellent ideas! Zip lining at Boler Mountain looks like a blast – something my husband would absolutely love!