Make your escape to charming Stratford, Ontario

Travel dreams further afield than your vacation days will take you? Don’t let your lack of time off get you down.

We’ve all heard of “staycation,” but the latest travel trend will have you packing up your PC and heading for the hills. “Workcation” is the perfect way to scratch the itch to get out of town when your vacation time is lacking.

The charming small town of Stratford, Ontario is an optimal place to grab your laptop and set up shop. Write your memos from a cozy coffee shop, take your lunch break alongside the local mascots — swans, and wrap up your evening with a show at one of the town’s theatres as part of the Stratford Festival.

A warm and sunny recent weekend made the perfect backdrop for a foray west of Toronto to this riverside community boasting plenty of small-town charm. I started out with a field trip around town to get acquainted, cashing in on tickets from the Sip and Savour Trail, curating my own afternoon snack to enjoy along the Avon River.

For those who have a furry friend at home who might be impeding a little adventure, bring them along! With my usual pet-sitter booked up, my two giant bunnies came along for the ride. Our spacious room at the 14-room Mercer inn had space for all of us, including a non-carpeted area in case of any accidents. Centrally located in downtown Stratford on Ontario Street, this building is the former home of the Stratford newspaper and boasts a delightful restaurant on the main floor.

Dinner on the patio at nearby The Starlight was a feast of small bites and local cider, served up with a side of live music. Tastiest bite of the night goes to the perfectly spiced patty, accompanied with pickled veggies and chutney. The eclectic menu had something for any appetite, and the cocktail menu makes it an ideal spot to grab a drink after a night at the theatre.

Work over a morning coffee on the sunny terrace at Balzac’s or pop by Brch & Wyn for a tasty breakfast before heading upstairs to their co-working space, complete with meeting rooms, in case you need to take that Zoom call in private. Grab a quick salad at Bowl Bar for lunch and take a stroll along Ontario Street to stretch your legs before heading back to your desk.

Or for an extended lunch, stop in and say hello to Elizabeth at The Salt Cabin. Relaxing to the soothing sounds of waves on a beach at this salty oasis is more fun than following up with that email, anyway.

If you’re lucky enough to be out of office for the day, take in a tour with Lauri at Stratford Walking Tours, and learn the history of Stratford’s time as the hub for locomotive repair, the history of the Stratford Festival, and stop on the steps outside the Avon Theatre, where Stratford’s most-famous son, Justin Bieber, got his start as a busker. Stratford’s other noted celeb, Lloyd Robertson, has his own garden in front of City Hall. You might even get a special appearance by Stratford’s mayor, Martin Ritsma, who took us on a special tour stop to council chambers.

While most destinations in Stratford were walkable from the Mercer, it’s worth taking the car on a quick jaunt to the Stratford Perth Museum. Artifacts document Stratford’s past with a unique foray into the present: The Justin Bieber Experience. The display is chock full of items belonging to the award-winning singer, donated by members of the local community and his family members — grandma and grandpa still live locally. Check out the Backstage Tour option for a personal tour, and don’t forget to sign your name on the chalkboard alongside Justin’s before you go.

After working up an appetite, I wandered downstairs from my room to Mercer’s Kitchen and Beer Hall for a delicious dinner. Tip: Be sure to save room for dessert — the Japanese cheesecake won’t disappoint.

Find out more at visitstratford.ca.

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X: @shantoranelles