St. Marys offers walking tours each summer proudly tell the architectural history of ‘Stonetown’. Wonderful stone buildings gleam in the sun and hold a wide range of shoppers’ delights. Baseball fans flock to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. And who can resist the swirl of bagpipes on the river at sunset? Farmers’ markets, garden tours, Teddy Bear picnics and the Once Upon the Thames Storytelling weekend all deserve a place on your calendar. On a hot summer day, the St. Marys Quarry is simply the best place to cool off. Fall for a year round roster of special events, great dining at local inns and restaurants, and the rich history found in the St. Marys Museum.

Charming hamlets spring up where the Avon and the Thames Rivers converge. Rural communities offer a glimpse of typical rural Ontario - sturdy homes with lush gardens and busy farms where some of the finest crops in Canada are grown. Fine examples of heritage architecture can be seen in the many churches and fieldstone farm houses that dot the countryside. Gardening supplies, antiques and collectibles can be found in shops along the way. A picnic on one of the scenic waterways could be the perfect end to a perfect family outing.

Recreation & Activities

Hike along the Grand Trunk Trail and explore the Riverview Walkway along the eastern bank of the historic Thames River. With more than 30 hectares of parkland, this is a picture perfect setting for memorable family outings all year long. Bring a picnic and don’t forget your camera. Wildwood Conservation Area, at the corner of Hwy 7/19 & Rd 9, offers camping, boating, fishing, hiking trails and special summer programs for family groups with kids of all ages. With three golf courses, (one of which offers winter tube sliding), it’s easy to satisfy the urge to go green when you visit and stay to play.

Shopping & Treasures

Heritage buildings in the picturesque town of St. Marys house a plethora of shopping delights. Arts and craft supplies, antiques, candles, chocolates, fashions for men and women, designer desserts, music and gardening treasures all await you in the charming shops along Queen Street.

Natural Attractions & Architecture

Carved in stone and etched in history… Crafted by sturdy Scottish stone masons and embellished with European flair, the historic buildings of St. Marys gleam in the sun and glisten in the rain. Parks along the banks of the Thames River provide ample space for picnics and play. Commercial buildings, historic homes and inns attest to the prosperous times enjoyed by St. Marys’ founders. Deep, cool and refreshing, the natural wonder of the St. Marys Quarry is a perfect destination on a hot summer day.

A charming Victorian era house is the new home of the Stratford Perth Museum, just west of Stratford. Exhibits on display welcome hands-on encounters with history. Take a drive through the country to admire the picturesque rural architecture of the sturdy barns and substantial farm homes that line the side roads of Perth South.

Music & Theatre

The sun setting over the river provides the perfect backdrop for the toe tapping music of fiddles and bagpipes. Visit www.townofstmarys.com for complete information on music events.

Fabulous Food

In town and out, from fine dining to pub grub, from bountiful buffets to a fresh cup of coffee or a cone of hand-scooped ice cream, you’ll find food fare to please everyone in Perth South. Enjoy a picnic in the park with cheeses, meats and baked goods from a local deli or pick up a traditional take-out like fish and chips. Menus skillfully created by local restaurateurs, great wines and elegant service provide evenings of fine dining. At farmers’ markets, you’ll find locally grown seasonal fruits and vegetables to enjoy on the road or cook up when you get home. Visit McCully’s Hill Farm outside St. Marys for maple syrup, garden produce, preserves and familyfriendly events that celebrate each season’s harvest.

Arts & Crafts

Make the light of spring glow even brighter by developing your candle making skills at the Candle Artisan Retreat in St. Marys. select from the wide variety of supplies available in the shops along Queen Street. Or, if you have a green thumb, (or hope to grow one), plan to attend the St. Marys Horticultural Society’s Garden Fair in June. In summer, tour the beautiful gardens and borrow ideas from the experts. Don’t miss the creative fare on display at the artisans and crafters market.

Festivals & Fairs

There’s always something to see and do in Stonetown. Victoria Day celebrations kick off the year with special exhibits at the museum and a library book sale. In the busy month of June, Milt Dunnell Field bursts into blooms for the Horticultural Society’s Garden Fair and then the Pipe Band Tattoo takes the field with toe tappin’ music, special guests and free admission. June is also the month to attend the 13th Annual Induction weekend at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. In July and August, mark the Stonetown Heritage Festival and the Garden Tours on your calendar and don’t forget to bring the kids and their beloved bears to the 23rd Annual Teddy Bear Reunion. With parades, concerts, the Festival of Outdoor Lights and horsedrawn wagon rides planned for November through January, St. Marys is truly a town for all seasons.

When you think of pumpkins, don’t be limited to pies and jack-o-lanterns. Toss a pumpkin at McCully’s Hill Farm and guess how far it will fly. Talk about going ballistic! Kids simply love it! With seasonal events all year long, this family farm is the perfect place to get close to animals in a lovely rural setting.

Event Calendar