Stroll, Sip, Shop, See and Snack Your Way Around Elgin County and St. Thomas

This two-day tour through the friendly communities of St. Thomas and Elgin County breaks up your days with themed activities that allow you to stroll, sip, shop, see and snack your way around this beautiful part of Ontario.

3 women on dock at conservation area

Day 1 Morning Activity: Stroll

Gorgeous parks and trails in St. Thomas and Elgin County make starting your day off with a little fresh air exploring a natural choice. Excellent options include:

A hike at Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area, a beautiful wetland with a network of trails in Sparta.
Exploring the Whistlestop Trail, a natural trail that runs from St. Thomas to the harbour of Port Stanley.
Taking in the view of the Kettle Creek Valley from St. Thomas’ Elevated Park, Canada’s first and only elevated park.

aerial of elevated park

Day 1: Lunch

If your morning travels leave you feeling peckish near Port Stanley, stop by The Art & Soul Café for art for the eyes and food that will feed your soul. If you’re closer to St. Thomas, fuel up with delicious Mexican favourites at Bella Jacks.

women serving beer sampler

Day 1 Afternoon Activity: Sip

After an active morning and a delicious lunch, settle in for an afternoon of serious sipping.

Craft beer lovers will have fun sampling their way through the taps at Natterjack Brewing Company, Railway City Brewing Co., Caps Off Brewing Co. and Port Stanley Brewing Company.
Wine enthusiasts will adore finding their favourite varietals at Skye Chase Estate Winery or trying the many exclusive access wines available at From The Vines, a beautiful wine bar in St. Thomas.
If a hot cup of tea is calling, the Green Frog Tearoom at Pinecroft Pottery is sure to please.

Skye chase winery

Day 1: Dinner

Get a taste of the area you’ve been exploring all day by enjoying a dinner that showcases fresh, local favourites. In Port Stanley, Solo on Main Restaurant and Bar uses only the freshest local foods in a menu with all house-made ingredients. In St. Thomas, The Bistro’s tasty daily specials won’t disappoint.

couple eating at Solo on Main

Accommodations

Whether you’re looking for a historic inn, cozy bed and breakfast, spacious vacation rental or modern hotel, the diverse range of accommodations options in Elgin County and St. Thomas makes it easy to find a place to stay that’s perfectly matched to your preferences.

Favourite local hotels and inns include Kettle Creek Inn, Inn On The Harbour, The Windjammer Inn and the Comfort Inn in St. Thomas.
Nature’s Oasis Retreat is a luxurious bed and breakfast with an indoor pool, sauna, and hot tub.
Stay at Grey Gables B & B, a beautifully restored heritage home located just minutes by foot from the Port Burwell beach.

Day 2 Morning Activity: Shop

With such a busy first day behind you, you may want to enjoy a slow start to your second morning. After a leisurely breakfast, spend a few hours enjoying the area’s many unique places to score local finds. Fantastic options include:

Drift for locally made custom wood furniture and beach-inspired décor.
Joshua & Company for beautiful home goods and gifts.
Sparta Country Candles for amazing hand-poured candles, garden décor and more.
Visit Art Emporium, Port Stanley’s largest art gallery, showcasing an extensive collection from over 100 regional artists.
Horton Farmers’ Market for fresh produce, local meats and baking, and hand-crafted items (Saturdays mornings from May through October).
Las Chicas Del Café for family-owned and operated direct-trade coffee from Nicaragua.

Four people sit around a table inside a cozy café with exposed brick walls and warm lighting, smiling and chatting while enjoying coffee and iced drinks. A woman standing beside the table leans in and laughs with the group, creating a welcoming and social atmosphere.

Day 2: Lunch

Should your shopping travels take you toward Port Stanley around lunchtime, Two Forks’ menu of classy casual dishes is a perfect choice for your mid-day meal. If you’re closer to St. Thomas, Your Fish and Chips is a local institution that’s been serving up fantastic fish and chips for decades.

Four older women sit around a table in a cozy restaurant, smiling and raising glasses in a toast. Two hold red wine while the others hold copper mugs and cocktails, with warm lighting and a rustic bar visible in the background.

Day Two Afternoon Activity: See

By this point in your travels, you may be thinking you’ve seen everything the area has to offer but think again. These afternoon activity choices will give you an entirely new view!

The Legends of Erie Boat Tour is a one-hour pontoon boat cruise where you’ll learn fun facts about Lake Erie while cruising along the shores of Kettle Creek.
Get to know Canada’s Cold War secrets on a tour of the HMCS Ojibwa, a 90-meter Oberon Class Submarine in Port Burwell.
Catch a matinee at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre.
Discover CASO Station and the North American Railway Hall of Fame, featuring special events, historic exhibits, and memorable photo opportunities.

Group riding on a pontoon boat under a bridge.

Day Two Late-Afternoon Activity: Snack

What’s a getaway without a well-timed snacky hour? Excellent local places to find a little treat to help tide you over until dinner include: Shaw’s Ice Cream , Streamliners Espresso Bar and The Fritter Shop.

Day Two: Dinner

Wrap up your second day with another excellent meal. Straikos By The Lake in Port Burwell is a fantastic choice for tasty fish and chips and burgers. Legends Tavern in St. Thomas offers pub fare favourites, including legendary nachos. If you’d prefer a dinner that’s a little more hands-on, consider taking an evening cooking class at Pepper Tree Spice Co. in Port Stanley.

woman looking at camera

How do I book the tours, accommodations, or activities mentioned in this article?

To book any of the experiences, dining reservations, or accommodations listed in this guide, please follow the links provided throughout the article to visit each individual operator's official website. Please note that Ontario's Southwest is a regional tourism organization and does not process bookings or reservations directly

When is the best time of year to try this tour?

While Elgin County and St. Thomas are beautiful year-round, this specific itinerary is best experienced between May and October. Key stops like the Horton Farmers' Market (open Saturdays, May to October), the Legends of Erie Boat Tour, and certain patio sips or beach visits are highly seasonal. If you are traveling in the late fall or winter, we highly recommend checking the seasonal hours for individual businesses before you head out.

Is this itinerary pet-friendly?

Many of the outdoor "Stroll" locations—like the St. Thomas Elevated Park and the Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area—are great for leashed pets. Additionally, several patio spaces at local breweries and spots near Port Stanley are welcoming to dogs in the warmer months. However, indoor attractions like the HMCS Ojibwa submarine tour, the Port Stanley Festival Theatre, and indoor dining spots generally cannot accommodate pets. We recommend confirming pet policies directly with individual operators on their websites before arriving.

How accessible are the stops featured in this itinerary?

The experiences in Elgin County and St. Thomas vary widely when it comes to accessibility. Flat, paved, or hard-packed trails like the St. Thomas Elevated Park are generally excellent for strollers and mobility devices. Many local shops and modern breweries are fully accessible, though some historic downtown buildings may have step-up entries.

Please be aware that certain unique experiences have physical limitations. For example, touring the HMCS Ojibwa submarine requires navigating steep, vertical ladders and narrow hatches, which is not accessible for those with mobility devices. Because conditions change, we highly recommend checking the official websites of individual operators linked in the article to confirm specific accessibility features before your visit.