Rooted at the forks of the Thames River, London, Ontario blends leafy parkland with a downtown rich in galleries, markets, and performance spaces. Settled in the 1820s and nicknamed the “Forest City,” it boasts more than 40 km of riverside paths on the Thames Valley Parkway and a calendar full of concerts and festivals.

You’ll find Canadian history at Eldon House and Banting House (birthplace of insulin), baseball lore at Labatt Park, and a serious appetite for food, coffee, and craft beer across Covent Garden Market and the Old East Village. Families love Springbank Park and Storybook Gardens; culture seekers gravitate to Museum London and the nearby Stratford Festival.

Plan for warm, lively summers (ideal for beaches at Grand Bend and Pinery Provincial Park) and snow-dusted winters with skating and cozy pubs. Tipping is 15–20%, currency is CAD, and the compact core is easily walkable with LTC buses and rideshares filling in the gaps.

London, Ontario

London’s energy flows from the river to Richmond Row’s cafes and the Old East Village’s artisans and breweries. Don’t miss Covent Garden Market for lunch grazing, Museum London for art and regional history, and the 100 Kellogg Lane complex for food halls and indoor adventures.

Top sights and experiences include: Thames Valley Parkway cycling, Eldon House (1834 heritage home), Banting House National Historic Site, Springbank Park and Storybook Gardens, Fanshawe Pioneer Village (seasonal), and brewery hopping at Anderson Craft Ales, London Brewing Co-operative, Storm Stayed Brewing, and Powerhouse Brewing at 100 Kellogg Lane.

• How to get there: Fly into London International Airport (YXU) or via Toronto (YYZ), then bus/car to London (~2–2.5 hrs). Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical one-way fares within Ontario can be ~$100–$250; many U.S. routes connect via YYZ.
• Where to stay: Browse central stays (Downtown/Richmond Row, Woodfield), cozy heritage inns (Old South/Wortley Village), and family-friendly options near parks. Compare options on Hotels.com or find whole homes on VRBO. Downtown boutique picks (Hotel Metro), heritage charmer (Idlewyld Inn & Spa), and family favorites (Delta Hotels by Marriott London Armouries, Residence Inn) keep you close to sights.

Day 1: Arrival, Market Bites, and Riverside Stroll

Morning: Travel day. If flying, check options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From Toronto, driving to London takes ~2 hours via Hwy 401; VIA Rail takes ~2–2.5 hours from Union Station (book ahead, variable pricing).

Afternoon: Check in and aim for Covent Garden Market to shake off the journey. Snack your way through vendors—try a fresh-made sandwich or pierogies—and grab a maple treat to go. Coffee fix: Locomotive Espresso (balanced, quality roasts) or Black Walnut Bakery Café (buttery pastries, friendly buzz).

Evening: Casual dinner at Toboggan Brewing Company (wood-fired pizzas, local ales) or The Tasting Room (shareable plates near Budweiser Gardens). If you’d like a playful orientation, do a city game with Self-Guided London Scavenger Hunt: Exploring Forest City—an app-led romp past landmarks and hidden gems.

Day 2: Museum London, Eldon House, and a Downtown Food Tour

Morning: Brunch at The Early Bird—retro vibe, big portions (the “Elvis” peanut butter–banana–bacon is legendary). Walk to Museum London for regional art and history, then continue to Eldon House, an 1830s home with heirlooms and garden views that whisper of early London society.

Afternoon: Join the Downtown London Walking Food Tour to sample multiple kitchens in a few hours—an excellent way to meet makers and map your week’s eats.

Evening: Dinner at The Church Key Bistro-Pub (Ontario lamb, elevated pub fare) or Abruzzi Ristorante (house-made pasta, tight local wine list). Nightcap at Anderson Craft Ales (clean, hop-forward) or Storm Stayed Brewing (inventive small-batch pours).

Day 3: Parks, Storybook Gardens, and Riverside Dining

Morning: Fuel up with pour-overs at CommonWealth Coffee Co. before a stroll or bike ride on the Thames Valley Parkway. Families can add Storybook Gardens—carousel rides in summer, a lit skating trail in winter.

Afternoon: Choose one: Fanshawe Pioneer Village (living history, blacksmith demos; seasonal May–Oct) paired with the nearby Museum of Ontario Archaeology and the Lawson archaeological site; or Boler Mountain’s Treetop Adventure (ziplines/ropes in warm months; skiing/snowboarding in winter).

Evening: Dinner at Craft Farmacy (oysters and farm-to-table plates) or Michael’s On The Thames (classic steak-and-seafood beside the river). Gelato or small-batch scoops at Haven’s Creamery cap the night sweetly.

Day 4: Old East Village, Banting House, and a European Evening Food Tour

Morning: Breakfast at The Bag Lady Variety (whimsical, hearty) then explore the Old East Village. If it’s a weekend, roam The Market at Western Fair District for local produce, pastries, and hot lunch stalls.

Afternoon: Visit Banting House National Historic Site to learn how a sleepless night here helped spark the discovery of insulin. Sip a flight at London Brewing Co-operative (community-minded, malty standouts) or Powerhouse Brewing at 100 Kellogg Lane (pair with arcade/attractions in the complex).

Evening: Savor the European Evening Walking Food Tour in London, Ontario—a progressive dinner through dishes from Western to Eastern Europe, with stories tying each bite to place and tradition.

Day 5: Day Trip to Stratford (Theatre, Gardens, and Cobblestones)

Morning: Drive ~45–50 minutes to Stratford (take Hwy 7/8). Start with espresso at Balzac’s in a historic pump house, then wander the Shakespearean Gardens along the Avon River—swan sightings included.

Afternoon: Catch a Stratford Festival matinee (April–October; book in advance), or browse indie boutiques and chocolate shops on Ontario Street. Lunch at Pazzo Taverna (thin-crust pizza, pastas) or Mercer Hall (Ontario-forward plates).

Evening: Return to London for dinner at Che Restobar (Latin flavors, excellent ceviche and tacos) or a late table at Abruzzi. If you’re up for music, check listings at London Music Hall or intimate Aeolian Hall.

Day 6: Lake Huron Beaches—Grand Bend and Pinery Provincial Park

Morning: Head northwest ~1 hour to Grand Bend. Walk the sandy mile-long beach, climb the lookout at the main beach, or drive 10 minutes to Pinery Provincial Park for dune trails and rare oak savanna.

Afternoon: Picnic in the park (rent bikes or canoes in summer), or detour to craft stops and farm stands along the way. On blustery days, swap in Port Stanley on Lake Erie (~40 minutes south) for pastel cottages and a long pier.

Evening: Back in London, rally your crew for a playful challenge with Scavenger Hunt Adventure in London by Zombie Scavengers—you’ll solve prompts and “survive” an apocalypse while exploring favorite corners of the city.

Day 7: Wortley Village Stroll and Departure

Morning: Slow brunch in Old South’s Wortley Village at Black Walnut Bakery Café (almond croissants, egg sandwiches) or Plant Matter Kitchen (vegan comfort classics). Browse indie shops and admire the heritage streetscape.

Afternoon: Last-minute souvenir sweep along Richmond Row, then head to YXU or east to Toronto. Check flight options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; expect ~40 minutes to fly YXU–YYZ, or ~2 hours by car to YYZ depending on traffic.

Evening: Travel home with a mind full of gardens, gallery moments, and riverside sunsets—plus a new list of favorite Canadian bites and brews.

Where to Stay (Book With Flexibility)

• Downtown boutique: Hotel Metro puts you steps from Budweiser Gardens and Covent Garden Market. See central options on Hotels.com.
• Heritage charm: Idlewyld Inn & Spa is a Victorian beauty in Old South, convenient to Wortley Village cafes. Compare rates on Hotels.com.
• Family favorites: Delta Hotels by Marriott London Armouries (historic building, pool) and Residence Inn London Downtown (kitchenettes) offer space and comfort. Browse more on Hotels.com.
• Homes & condos: For longer stays, search entire homes and stylish lofts on VRBO; neighborhoods like Woodfield, Old South, and near Western University are convenient and leafy.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: The core is walkable; add buses or rideshares for breweries and parks. Day trips are easiest by car.
• Seasonality: Fanshawe Pioneer Village and Boler’s Treetop Adventure are seasonal; winter swaps include indoor climbing at Junction and skating at Storybook Gardens.
• Shows & tickets: For Stratford Festival (Apr–Oct), book weeks ahead for the best seats. Keep an eye on London Music Hall and Grand Theatre schedules for concerts and plays.

With seven days, you’ll taste what locals love: trails that hug the Thames, a market brimming with flavor, and neighborhoods where indie makers thrive. Day trips add theatre and beaches to the mix—making London, Ontario a balanced, memorable base for a Canadian getaway.