Find Three Days of Museums, Shops and Dining in London, Ontario

Located in the heart of southwestern Ontario, London is a university town that mixes a youthful, cosmopolitan vibe with a rich cultural history. While London does share some similarities with its British namesake — including a Thames River — its welcoming charm, distinct neighborhoods and impressive array of independent shops and restaurants are uniquely its own.

The city has also done a wonderful job of prioritizing parkland. Nicknamed the “Forest City” thanks to an abundance of green space and tree-lined streets, London is as pretty as it is approachable.

As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.

Friday: Fuel Your Stomach and Your Mind

On day one, head to the center of the city and spend your day leisurely exploring London’s lively downtown core. Start with breakfast at the Early Bird (Elvis fans won’t be able to resist the “Fat Elvis French Toast,” which comes with bananas and peanut butter).

Once you’ve settled the bill, walk a few minutes east and you’ll be rewarded with a to visit to one of the city’s most treasured landmarks: Covent Garden Market. In operation since 1845, it’s among Canada’s oldest markets and features an impressive selection of local food purveyors, as well as artisans, flower sellers and specialty shops.

Once you’re done taking in the sights — and picking up a fair share of locally made goods — at the market, exercise your mind at nearbyMuseum London. This art and history museum examines the city’s rich artistic and cultural identity.

Less than a five-minute walk from the museum liesEldon House, London’s oldest residence. Just admire the property’s façade or take a tour of the interior, which retains much of its original furnishings from the 1800s.

After lunch at Church Key (try the “Irish Enchilada” with lamb and minted whiskey crème fraîche), spend the rest of the day rambling up and down legendary Richmond Row.

Here you’ll find the city’s main north-south thoroughfare, peppered with restaurants, clothing boutiques and locally owned stores. Be sure to take time out from window-shopping to stroll through verdant Victoria Park (the location of choice for festivals come summertime) and pop intoSt. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica to admire the exquisite interior. It’s also worth trying to catch a performance at the city’s acclaimedGrand Theatre.

You’ll have no shortage of options for dinner in the area.David’s Bistro serves up divine French dishes,Garlic’s of London pays homage to everyone’s favorite ingredient and the Tasting Room has a tempting selection of wine flights to complement its contemporary menu. Afterward, see what’s on tap at the popular pub Toboggan Brewing.

Saturday: History and Hops

As a university town with no shortage of sleep-starved students, it should come as no surprise that London is famous for its abundance of coffee shops. Start the day by grabbing a cup of joe and a freshly baked breakfast pasty at one of the city’s many independent coffee spots, likeAsmara Coffee House orHappiness.

Next, see London and the surrounding region’s history come alive atFanshawe Pioneer Village, which lies at the northern end of the city. Through authentic artifacts, live costumed performances and interactive tours, this living-history museum tells the story of London and the surrounding rural communities throughout the 1800s.

Continue your historical journey with a visit to London’s funky Old East Village district. This area, with its enchanting artsy vibe and quirky mix of architecture styles, was designated an Ontario Heritage Conservation District to help retain its variety of housing styles (which includes many 19th-century structures).

Have lunch at one of Old East Village’s homey eateries, such as Unique Food Attitudes, which serves hearty Polish fare. After lunch, take a tour of Banting House, a Canada National Historic Site that was once home to Nobel Prize winner Sir Frederick Banting, honored for his discovery of insulin.

Don’t miss the chance to also explore the area’s many galleries (like London Clay Art Centre), bookstores (like Neo Tokyo, which specializes in anime), used clothing boutiques (like Sentimentalist) and antiques shops (like Back to the Fuchsia).

When you’re done browsing, grab dinner at Paradigm Spirits Co. (a seafood-heavy restaurant complete with fresh Atlantic oysters and just one of the area’s many craft alcohol producers). Bring the evening to a close with a nightcap at hip neighborhood hangout the Mockingbird Bar.

Ale aficionados can elect to turn dinner into a pub crawl by snacking and sampling their way through Old East Village’s impressive number of distilleries and microbreweries, including Powerhouse Brewing Company, London Brewing, Anderson Craft Ales, Dundas & Sons Brewing Company and Union Ten Distilling Co.

Sunday: Forests and Fellowship

Brunch is a popular pastime in London so follow the locals to the Craft Farmacy, which is renowned for its decadent breakfast spreads.

Next, you’ll want to don a good pair of walking shoes and set out for Springbank Park, because no visit to the “Forest City” would be complete without some firsthand research as to how the city earned its eco-friendly epithet. This scenic, 300-acre green oasis lies along the Thames River and holds the title of the city’s largest park.

Springbank has several easygoing hiking trails and is also home toStorybook Gardens, a fairy-tale-themed amusement park and a great stop for those traveling with children.

After communing with nature, set your sights on the southeastern section of the city, particularly focusing on the Wortley Road area south of Bruce Street. Colloquially known as “Old South,” this district (also called Wortley Village) offers an interesting mix of century-old historic homes and trendy new condos, as well a variety of independently owned businesses — perfect for a stroll with a side of shopping.

Grab something light for lunch atMai’s Café & Bistro or the Black Walnut Bakery Café. Once you’re fueled up, visit one of the city’s most celebrated art galleries, Westland Gallery, which showcases a diverse collection of regional artists.

Spend the afternoon wandering in and out of the shops along tree-lined Wortley Road (Sha Choix has lovely handcrafted jewelry and Curiosities showcases Canadian-made home goods, clothing and accessories) and discover for yourself why this picturesque pocket of London was once named the best neighborhood in Canada.

For dinner, go for a palate-pleasing vegan meal at Plant Matter Kitchen, comfort food at the Sweet Onion Bistro or Asian fusion at Sagi of Wortley. After dinner, whet your whistle at a local haunt like Old South Village Pub or Wolfepack Company Bar, which is known for having some of the most creative cocktails in town.