8 Ontario Towns With Unforgettable Main Streets

Canada's most populous province is more than just a collection of suburbs supporting the nation's capital or the Greater Toronto Area. Ontario has a string of memorable small towns that hug the shores of its four great lakes and weave their way amongst the diverse Niagara Escarpment. In other cases, it is bygone British heritage that takes the stage (quite literally, in fact, when it comes to our first entry). But whether surrounded by nature or history, these eight towns have forged truly unforgettable main streets filled with all of the commercial/entertainment outlets you could hope for, and few you would never expect.

Stratford

Shaped by its Elizabethan identity, downtown Stratford has a delightfully Old World feel to it. Its dual main drags are lined with red-brick architecture overtop of trendy, tourist-friendly businesses. Ontario Street parallels the Avon River and concentrates the bulk of Stratford's restaurants, whereas Downie Street branches off toward the stately city hall and the Avon Theatre. The latter comes into play during the annual Stratford Festival, when Shakespeare and other contemporary performances hit venues all over downtown. Another fun activity to indulge in during your Stratford wander is the Chocolate Trail. Just grab your voucher and map from Destination Stratford, or three different spots along Ontario Street, and then treat yourself to six of the 26 participating sweet shops. Mmm!

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Speaking of beloved theatre festivals, the annual Shaw Festival takes over Niagara-on-the-Lake for 10 months out of the year. Of course, this area is famous for the three massive waterfalls known collectively as Niagara Falls, but just 20 minutes up the Niagara River, where its mouth meets Lake Ontario, the 19th-century enclave, affectionately known as "NOTL," is every bit as enchanting. The plays of George Bernard Shaw, and a solid slate of additional works (such as C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe) hit the stages of four performance venues on or right beside Queen Street. In between shows, be sure to sample some selections from the peninsula's world-famous wine region. Alternatively, history buffs can make for the bookends of Queen, where you'll find the riverside Fort George National Historic Site, and lakeside Fort Mississauga - both remnants of the War of 1812.

Paris

Another charming river town with an antiquitous feel can be found less than an hour east of Stratford. Paris calls itself "Ontario's Prettiest Little Town," and it's hard to disagree. Here, Grand River Street closely follows the bank of its namesake waterway (en route to the confluence with the Nith River), giving rise to a short but sweet commercial district. The view from William Street Bridge shows off its tantalizing backside - full of cobblestone and patios - whereas the actual thoroughfare brings us back to those attractive, frontier-style brick buildings on both sides. Paris may have a population inside of 15,000, but there are nearly 100 businesses punctuating this unforgettable strip. So book a night at the opulent Arlington Hotel, grab a pint at the Cobblestone Pub, and enjoy the quiet pleasures of riverfront Paris.

Dundas

Just west of "Steel City," the community of Dundas strikes a very different chord. Sandwiched between the boardwalks and migratory birds of Cootes Paradise Sanctuary (an extension of the Hamilton Harbour, and more broadly speaking, Lake Ontario) and the waterfall-ladened nature trails of Dundas Valley Conservation Area, downtown Dundas accents the experience in its own humble way. King Street passes a mix of bakeries, bikes, butchers, and banks, eateries spanning Asia, Mexico, India, and Britain, and a string of cute shoppes (with the extra pe added o the spelling) for good measure. But the standout landmark, both inside and out, has to be the Carnegie Gallery, where visitors can find Canadian-centric art housed within the old (i.e. circa 1910) public library.

Tobermory

At the very tip of the Bruce Peninsula, where the waters of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay converge, the fishing and ferry town of Tobermory is always a treat to roll into. I used to vacation here as a kid. On another occasion, I hiked here via the nearly 900-kilometer Bruce Trail (which terminates at the Bruce Peninsula National Park Visitor Center). And I've utilized the Chi-Cheemaun ferry a number of times in order to take the shorter and more scenic route from Northern Ontario to its Southwestern reaches. Along with all of the natural attractions, I always look forward to walking Tobermory's main drag, which follows the boundary of Little Tub Harbor. Here you'll find the diving and glass-bottom boat tour agencies (with crystal clear waters and over 20 nearshore shipwrecks, Tobermory is considered the "Scuba Diving Capital of Canada"), all-you-can-eat fish & chips, and plenty of other unique outlets tailored to the wave of seasonal visitors.

Grand Bend

Grand Bend is one of Ontario's premier summer beach towns, and the commercial core of Lambton Shores. Main Street is essentially one big tourist attraction that flows from the esteemed Colonial Hotel at the intersection with Lakeshore Road, all the way to the Blue-Flag-rated beach (one of only 22 in the country) on the southeastern edge of Lake Huron. Enjoy your fill of 1960s ice cream nostalgia, Mexican-themed restaurant-bars, and spritely surf shops before emerging at the sandy beach - community stage with live music to your right; mural-enveloped pavilion to your left. All the while, the humble, green-tipped Grand Bend Lighthouse and colorful chutes of scattered parasailers punctuate the horizon.

Bayfield

Just a bit further north up the shore of Lake Huron, the quaint Village of Bayfield is a welcomed respite post-Grand-Bend-party. Designated as a Heritage Main Street, the heart of Bayfield begins in the public square (where the old-timey Town Hall stands guard) and terminates at Pioneer Park, right where the Bayfield River meets the swimmable Great Lake. The couple of blocks in between introduce an impressive array of inns, art galleries, eateries (of both the classy indoor and relaxed outdoor varieties), and a bounty of boutiques. Unfortunately, one of downtown Bayfield's most beloved landmarks, the 145-year-old Albion Hotel, suffered a crippling fire late last year. Thankfully, restorations are well underway, and will ensure that this Main Street staple persists for centuries to come.

Little Current

Little Current is the largest and liveliest town on Manitoulin Island (the largest freshwater island in the world). The aptly-named Water Street congregates a decent density of independent shops, and is even considered the sparsely-populated island's "Fashion Center." Between the historic Anchor Inn Hotel on the west side and the Manitoulin Expositor (i.e. Northern Ontario's oldest newspaper) to the east, a string of colorful, waterfront-facing, Old West-style buildings houses a perfect blend of practical and indulgent amenities. After a cup of joe and a bit of shopping, cross the street and join the wooden plank boardwalk, from which you can ogle at the marina boats as you head toward the Little Current Lighthouse and iconic swing bridge.

Parting Thoughts

Ontario's towns boast compelling main streets that bring the summer crowds but hold true to their heritage, and their surroundings. Be they anachronistic villages fit for a visit from the Royals themselves, fun-in-the-sun beach spots, or working class communities with a splash of charm, a visit to any of these eight places is something you simply won't forget.