A Weekend Getaway to Perth, Ontario
Only an hour drive from Ottawa, Perth Ontario is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway. A town surrounded by nature, history and a cool shopping and dining scene, Perth is a great place to go exploring with plenty of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Paddle the Tay River with Perth Major Outfitters
With the Tay river winding it’s way through the heart of the city, there's no better way to explore Perth than by boat. Only a 15-20 minute paddle from downtown Perth, Perth Major Outfitters offers a variety of boat rentals, from paddleboards and canoes to solo and tandem kayaks. A slow moving river reminiscent of the Rideau canal, it's an easy paddle to check out downtown Perth's sights from the water. Keep your eyes peeled, as the riverbanks are the perfect spot to view local wildlife like Great Blue Herons, muskrats, a variety of birds and even water snakes.
After an excursion on the river, head back to shore and play a quick round of mini golf, or try out their self-propelled Pedal go-karts or kick-bikes on a windy trail through the nearby forest.
Stroll Through Stewart Park
Stewart Park is a beautiful spot where locals and visitors congregate to enjoy the city's largest urban green space. With beautiful gardens, flowing streams, mature weeping willows and plenty of outdoor picnic spots, Stewart Park is a peaceful place to enjoy nature. Each summer the park also plays host to the Stewart Park Festival where lively tunes from local musicians fill the park with a festive air, and will most certainly have you tapping your feet to the beat.
Hunt for Orchids at Purdon Conservation Area
Only a 30-minute drive from downtown Perth you'll find Purdon Conservation Area, a unique wetland ecosystem home to a large colony of Showy Lady's Slipper Orchids. Hike through 2.5 km of easy trails and keep your eyes peeled for these unique orchids during the peak months of June and July. Self-guided interpretative guides are available, detailing the unique ecology of the area, and will help you spot the small details in the lush vegetation.
Dive into the Local Culinary scene
Quick eats
Perth Cheese Shop
Tucked away in a cozy storefront off Gore St, you'll find a cheese lover's paradise, the Perth Cheese Shop. With a selection of local and international meats and cheeses, and an endless choice of accoutrements from crisp crackers to sweet and savoury jams, the Perth Cheese Shop has everything you need for the ultimate charcuterie board, or a perfect picnic in the park. If you're eating solo or just want a snack for the road, you'll definitely want to try one of their mouth-watering charcuterie cones. Filled with cured meat, cheese, crisp cheese twists, plus a side of pickles and olives, it's the perfect sampler size for a tasty bite on an afternoon of exploring.
If you're a seasoned cheese and charcuterie foodie, you'll also find an impressive selection of locally made wooden charcuterie boards made by Perth artist Bill Ryan. Known for his beautiful designs, the stunning live edge boards are perfect for a wine and cheese night for two, or an impressive party spread for friends and family.
Perth Chocolate Works
Located in the historic Code’s Mill, Perth Chocolate Works is heaven for the chocolate lover. Peek through a glass window into the chocolate-making kitchen from the main Code’s Mill entrance, and watch the chocolate production in process. Then round the corner to their chocolate-filled shop, where mouth-watering chocolate creations like truffles, macaroons, bear paws, chocolate covered licorice and cherries and even chocolate cheesecake await. For those who like their chocolate in drinkable form, try a gourmet hot chocolate on a brisk fall day, or a delectable iced hot chocolate on a hot summer afternoon.
BlackFly GrubHub
Tasty designer doughnuts are the specialty at BlackFly GrubHub's shop in the shops at Code’s Mill. Fresh baked daily, you'll have trouble deciding between flavours like maple bacon, peanut butter chocolate, lemonade stand , pistachio or the classic cinnamon sugar. Pick up a half dozen for the trip home, or take a well deserved doughnut break in the beautiful indoor courtyard and enjoy a tasty treat surrounded by lush plants and exposed brick.
If you need a little savoury before your sweet, they also serve up an epic selection of hot dogs, from their popular BLT dog, to the pickled peach dog or the pimento dog.
Perth Pie Co.
A warm and inviting bakery owned by local baker Kassy Boulay, Perth Pie Co. has cemented its spot in the Perth community. Their epic pies range from sweet to savoury, with seasonal classics like mincemeat and pumpkin available seasonally. While pies are their specialty, baking is their passion, and their butter tarts, maple cream cookies and ginger molasses cookies are among their best sellers.
Giving back to the community is also an important part of Perth Pie Co.'s mission. Their Suspended Menu provides those who may be in need with a selection of items donated by other customers, allowing the less fortunate to enjoy their home baking as well.
Dine Out or Take Out
Mex & Co.
A multi-level waterside patio and delicious Mexican cuisine make Mex & Co. a great spot for a lazy lunch or hearty dinner in downtown Perth. Popular with locals and visitors alike, you'll want to get there early to grab a spot to enjoy their mouth-watering fajitas, tasty tacos, and authentic Mexican dishes.
Bistro 54
If pasta is your main of choice, then look no further than Bistro 54. With classic Italian fare like Salsiccia del Diavolo, Capricciosa and Veal Parmigiana, enjoy a summer dinner al fresco under twinkling lights on their cozy patio in a converted alleyway.
The Stone Cellar
Known for their inventive dishes and five star fine dining, the Stone Cellar is the perfect spot for people with more refined palates. A warm and inviting dining room adorned by wood and exposed brick provides a cozy ambiance, while their secluded ivy-laced patio provides an intimate spot for a romantic dinner.
Picnic Cafe and Catering
Picnic Cafe and Catering is a cool cafe known for its fresh local food, and is a great spot to pick up the fixings for the perfect afternoon picnic in Perth. With gardens on the premises, Picnic uses their very own organically grown produce wherever possible, making for some of the freshest foods in town. Choose from a variety of salads, bowls, soups and sandwiches, and top it off with some home-baked Salted Chocolate Tahini Cookies, Hello Dolly Bars or gluten-free brownies for dessert.
Quench Your Thirst
Perth Brewery
Perth has no shortage of local producers, and for those who love a cold pint, the town's two local breweries provide great options to explore local brews. On your way in or out of town, right off the Trans-Canada highway you'll find Perth Brewery, a great stop to pick up some local suds. Check out the large steel fermenting barrels while you pick up your order, where their popular brews like the Last Duel Lager and Calypso IPA are created onsite.
Laketown Beer Co.
Just steps away from the Tay River, Laketown Beer Co. , tucked into an old wooden clapboard building, provides a convenient brew curbside pick-up, and also has a small outdoor patio where you can enjoy a pint of their Nautical Disaster IPA or Wreck of Boaty Mcboatface DIPA.
Top Shelf Distillers
Top Shelf Distillers is a must-stop for those who love mixology, and for adventurous drinkers seeking some inventive and uniquely distilled liquors. While Top Shelf Distiller's vodka, gin and 3-year old whisky are mainstays in the distillery's popular lineup, their exotic moonshines are what they are famous for. Try their popular Apple Pie Moonshine, or unique flavours like Butter Tart or Dill Pickle. Located on the edge of town down a dead-end road, their epic moonshines are distilled in an environment worthy of Prohibition times.
Artizen Kombucha and North Folk Cafe
The owners of Artizen Kombucha, Dasha & Sebastien, are a dynamic kombucha duo. While Dasha fell in love with fermentation in her grandmother's kitchen in Siberia, Russia, Sebastien began brewing kombucha over 20 years ago in the Ottawa region. Their recently opened North Folk Cafe serves up their popular kombuchas on tap, as well as the full gamut of kombucha stubbies and 1 litre bottles to take away. Established in 2016, Artizen Kombucha has a variety of unique flavours including their popular Tart Cherry, Pomegranate lemon and Raspberry Hibiscus.
Also available in store and online are their Bubbles and Bites Boxes, which allow you to send a selection of fun gifts to friends and family from local makers. Create a custom box with your selection of kombucha, then add on goods from local producers like fresh flowers, local coffee, gourmet pastries, small batch preserves, and local honey. There is also an option to purchase a Pay it Forward box, providing local goods to those in need.
Coutts Coffee
Coutts Coffee is the place to stop for coffee aficionados, and is a mainstay in the community, keeping locals and visitors well caffeinated for over 20 years. Located in "The Sheriff's House" , a heritage building dating back to 1841 where Sheriff Thompson once resided, they roast Arabica, Fair Trade, and Organic coffee beans onsite. They offer a selection of coffee beverages including the usual suspects like cafe mochas, and flavoured lattes, all available hot or iced, as well as a selection of baked goods including pecan buttertarts , decadent macaroons and date squares. For those looking for some take-home java, a selection of beans are available to go, along with numerous accessories for every type of coffee enthusiast. Burlap bean sacks are also available for purchase, with proceeds going to a charity supporting coffee farmers in Ecuador.
Perth History and Local Landmarks
The Famous Last Duel
Perth is a historic town with an intriguing past. Established in 1816 as a military settlement, Perth was named in honour of Governor-General Sir Gordon Drummond, whose ancestral home was located in Perthshire, Scotland. Perth is well known for the last fatal duel in Upper Canada in 1893 which saw Robert Lyon and John Wilson square off to an old fashioned duel, with Elizabeth Hughes at the centre of the quarrel. A local park is named after the dual to commemorate the event (in which Robert Lyon lost his life), and the original pistols have been preserved in the Perth Museum. You can even enjoy a pint of "Last Duel Lager" brew from local Perth Brewery.
Mammoth Cheese
Beside the Crystal Garden in downtown Perth you'll find the Mammoth Cheese. This giant cheese replica commemorates the 22,000 pound cheese that was produced in 1893 to be exhibited in Chicago at the World's Colombian Exposition. As a way to promote Canadian cheese around the world, the Mammoth Cheese was made from the milk from 10,000 cows and was 6 feet high and 28 feet in circumference.
Perth Museum
To get a full appreciation of Perth's rich history, stop by the Perth Museum located in the historic Matheson House. Built in the 1840's for the Honourable Roderick Matheson, a wealthy merchant and senator in Canada's first parliament after Confederation, the house has been restored to reflect the grand lifestyle of the Matheson family who lived there for over 90 years.
Four elegant period rooms including a parlour, drawing room, dining room and kitchen, give you a peek into the lifestyle of the late 1800's. Stunning floor-to-ceiling wallpaper adorns the walls of the residence, replicating the original patterns and style of the time, while a single piece of the original paper has been preserved and is on display for visitors to view.
The museum also contains two galleries with rotating exhibitions, and the outdoor courtyard has a stunning Scottish garden maintained by the Perth Horticultural society. This summer and fall local musicians from Perth will provide outdoor entertainment in the courtyard for those visiting the museum, and for those strolling the quaint streets nearby.
Big Ben Statue
Avid equestrians will recognize Perth as the home to famous Canadian show jumping champion Ian Miller and his famous mount Big Ben. A bronze life-sized statue of the pair can be found in Stewart Park across from Code's Mill. Miller Brooke farm is still in existence and is just a short drive out of town in Perth's countryside.
Shop in Perth's Historic Downtown
Riverguild Fine Crafts
For local crafts and unique creations, head to Riverguild Fine Crafts on Gore St. From hand crafted pottery and wood carvings, to whimsical paintings and intricate metalwork, everything in the store is sourced from Ontario, with local Perth artist like Stephen Clark and Gary Barr showcasing their impressive work.
Queen Bee Millinery
If you're looking for colourful and unique handmade hats and fascinators, stop by Queen Bee Millinery in downtown Perth. Dainty head pieces perfect for high tea or a special event line the walls of the small boutique owned by self-taught milliner Ranelle Larocque. Choose a simple head piece, lavish fascinator sure to impress, or create a custom-designed creation for that perfect outfit.
Gore St. Antique Market
At the edge of the main downtown strip you'll find the Gore St. Antique Market. Put on your antiquing hat and peruse items from antique lamps and old tins, to rustic wooden furniture and vintage jewelry. You’ll be sure to find some one-of-a-kind treasure to take home.
Where Dragons Fly
For trendy home decor, fashion accessories, plus a great selection of essential oils, skincare products and candles, stop by Where Dragons Fly. This beautiful airy boutique is one of the newest shops on the block, and is the perfect spot to shop for gifts, or for a special keepsake for yourself.
Where to Stay
Best Western Plus Perth Parkside Inn & Spa
In a great location directly beside Stewart Park, the Best Western Plus Perth Parkside Inn & Spa provides all the expected comforts and amenities of a Best Western Property. With an indoor pool, luxury spa, and the Locks Restaurant with outdoor patio, it's a great base for city exploration. The hotel regularly hosts events like weddings and corporate functions, and with its convenient location within a stone's throw of restaurants and local sights, it’s a great place to spend a weekend.
Find more information to plan your visit to Perth Ontario visit Perth Tourism
*Some businesses may be closed or have reduced hours due to covid-19. Please check hours of operation before visiting.
Some activities in the above were provided by Perth Tourism, although all recommendations are our own.
