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City in Ontario, Canada
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Stratford is a city in Southwestern Ontario that is internationally known for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, acclaimed for its presentation of Shakespearean, classical and musical theatre. In 2021, it was home to 33,000 people.
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Provides shuttle service between Stratford and Toronto Pearson International.
Drawing more than 600,000 visitors each year (before COVID-19), the Stratford Festival is North America's largest classical repertory theatre. While always including some plays of William Shakespeare, the Festival also produces many other classical and contemporary works: the 2023 playbill features 14 plays and musicals.
At the Set Changeover Experience, you'll watch the stage crew transform the stage for the evening performance. The guide will explain the process, including technical details. On the Festival Teasures Tour, you'll visit the Festival's costume warehouse stores costumes and props from past productions. It is one of the largest costume warehouses in North America.
There are a number of different discussions including Meet the Festival (free discussions with actors and production staff), Talking Theatre (free discussions with Festival staff on selected topics), post-performance discussions (free question and answer sessions with actors after selected performances), pre-show lectures (free lectures on that night's play hosted by a noted academic).
A community museum dedicated to the cultural heritage of Stratford and Perth County.
An outdoor gallery representing the works of regional artists.
Exhibits of contemporary and historical art.
This garden is modelled after traditional English gardens and includes an herb garden, a rose garden, and a picturesque gazebo. It is the perfect place for a picnic.
This self-guided tour introduces you to Stratford's pork and brewing history. With each ticket, you get five vouchers for a bacon or ale treat from the participating businesses. Buy tickets at Destination Stratford, 47 Downie Street; Bradshaws, 129 Ontario Street; Small-Mart, 119 Ontario Street; and Werk Shop, 111 Ontario Street.
Stratford Summer Music (July/August) is an annual multi-week concert series set in various outdoor and indoor venues around town. A mix of free and ticketed events are offered.
Coffee, espresso drinks, pastries, pre-made sandwiches, homemade ice cream.
Pub food in a comfortable atmosphere. Good for post-theatre fare. Snacks, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, pizza, steak, wings, shepherd's pie and daily specials.
Modern French, with a menu that changes daily.
Two doors from the Avon Theatre. The ever-changing daily specials compliment the familiar, adventurous and even exotic menus. Great cuisine, clean crisp decor.
Lunch and dinner. Soups, salads, panini, pasta, fish, ribs, veal, duck, lamb. The more casual pizzeria downstairs offers appetizers, thin-crust pizza, pasta and panini. Reservations recommended.
Snack bar.
Mains $23-37, pizza/burger $16-18
Reservations required.
Comfy local pub with a good selection of well-kept beers on tap. Pub food. Live music.
Centrally located. 35 rooms, including 9 suites and 1 three-bedroom apartment.
Indoor pool and whirlpool. Tennis courts. Dining room and bar. A 'standard' modern hotel, with 144 rooms and suites. A pet-friendly, eco-friendly, and family-friendly hotel.
Best Western Premier
Centrally located. 14 rooms, individually decorated with the works of local artists. Whirlpool tub and electric fireplace in some rooms. Internet.
Centrally located, and within walking distance of the four Festival theatres. Restaurant and Boar's Head Pub on-site. Internet.
Historic bed and breakfast with gardens. Suites with private entrances, full amenities, ensuite bath, and self-catered kitchen facilities. Walking distance to theatres, downtown.
Built in 1902, it has been renovated to retain its historic beauty and charm. Centrally located, free parking on site, full breakfast included. Steps away from theatres and downtown. Internet. Its two coach house suites are self catering with private and separate entrances.
By bus
By train
By plane
Travellers arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Kitchener-Waterloo International Airport, or London International Airport will require another mode of transportation to get to Stratford.
By bus
Stratford Transit operates bus routes from the transit terminal on Downie Street close to the downtown core. There are six regular routes that run for six days a week, M-Sa 8AM-10PM.
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