Frank Russo
3 things I love about the Stratford Area:
It's so easy to get around, to see and do everything on each of our agendas. There are unique highlights here to keep each one us occupied. We can trust that it's a safe and friendly place for our kids to practice being on their own for a few minutes without us having to worry.
3 Favorite local hidden treasures you shouldn't miss:
Wings of Paradise Butterfly Conservatory The kids love to go see the
thousands of butterflies, birds, tropical plants and bugs - of all kinds - on our
way to Stratford. Open all year round, they have special events in a great
tropical experience for kids of all ages.
We always enjoy the family experience and learn something new every time
we visit.
Family & Company Wow! The first
thing you need to do upon entering this toy-topia is bend down and pick up your jaw from the floor, because you've never seen
anything like this place. They advertise that they are "the coolest toy store
on the planet"; and I know this is a kid's store, but it can truly bring out
the kid in anyone. More than toys, they have magic shows, a "Tropical Soda
Bar", and their staff, all of whom are toy "experts", are playing right along
with the kids, so its all around joy.
McCully's Hill Farm Horse drawn, or tractor pulled hayrides of the Sugar Shack, and traditional syrup
making demonstrations are exhilarating-and sweet. For my kids, who think that
our food simply comes from the supermarket, it's a fabulous place for them to
gain an honest awareness in a fun and natural environment. There is also a farm
market featuring over 18 unique maple products to bring back home.
My perfect day spent in the Stratford Area:
First of all there is so much to do here that it would take at least a weekend. Having said that, a perfect day for us would start off early-there's no sleeping in-with a family breakfast at Let Them Eat Cake. It's right downtown and is a perfect starting point for us. I know my wife would love for me to drop her off there, so that she could explore all the family owned boutique shops. Meanwhile I would take the kids to the third largest Costume Warehouse in the world for a 45 minute tour of hundreds of props and thousands of costumes of the past fifty plus years of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. They can try on Shakespearean attire, and really have fun imagining and becoming the characters that they see on the stage. (We took some priceless photos of my son dressed up as Falstaff.) Afterwards we'd head back downtown to explore in amazement the Family & Company toy store. We could spend all afternoon there, and if we weren't going to see a show, we just might. Instead, we stop in at Fundamentals to pick up some new books for the kids. A few steps away are great restaurant take-out options, where we choose from a selection of fresh and hearty options then picnic by the swans along the Avon river. For added interest, both Stratford Tourism and the York Street Information Centre have swan food sold in little baggies for easy distribution. Or hop in the car and visit Demetre's, Stratford's favorite family restaurant. Now if we weren't seeing a show, I'd like to drive out to St. Marys to McCully's Hill Farm, because I want them to have a better appreciation of the things that we take for granted in the city. If it's a nice day, I'd like to then go for a dip in the St. Marys Quarry. Billed as "Canada's largest outdoor swimming pool"-it's a gorgeous spot, and perfect for families with kids our age. Finally, I'd take us back to our hotel, so that daddy can have a nap.