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Luxury travel blog » Places » North America » Canada » Ontario » Things to do in London, Ontario, Canada

Things to do in London, Ontario, Canada

June 27, 2019 by Carol Perehudoff Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links.

Considering it’s Canada’s 11th largest city, London has a lot of green space. It also has plenty of culture. To help you find the best things to do in London, Ontario, local art gallery owner Michael Gibson gives us his insider tips.

London Canada
 
 

Table of Contents

  • Things to do in London, Ontario
  • London Ontario Restaurants
  • A good place for a drink
  • Other places to visit in London
  • Cultural Attractions in London Ontario
  • Outdoor attractions 
  • An indoor outdoor attraction
  • London, Canada hotels

Things to do in London, Ontario

Trying to Cycle the Fanshawe Trail

My husband, Mark, and I stopped our bikes at the top of an incline on the Fanshawe Lake Trail just outside London, Ontario. My ankles were spattered in mud. My forehead was glistening from sweat. 

Mark looked at his watch. “We’re not going to make it.”

I peered down at the uneven trail ahead of me. Beside us, leafy maples, fragrant pines and spruce stood shoulder to shoulder like spectators at a marathon, and the reservoir gleamed blue to our left. I didn’t want to give up. I wanted to explore more of this 3,000 acre conservation area at the edge of London, but clearly I’d screwed up.

I’d put us on a 22-kilometre mountain biking trail, while we were riding skinny-wheeled city bikes. There were roots and rocks and bridges and twists and a dip down the centre of the path from a recent rivulet of rain.

We’d driven to London, Ontario, about 190 kilometres southwest of Toronto, to see an art exhibit at the Michael Gibson Gallery by landscape artist, Dorothy Knowles, who just happens to be my mother, but I wanted to see some of London’s outdoor attractions first. I just wasn’t expecting this much of it.

“I guess we’ll have to turn back,” I said, kicking dirt off my shoe.

“We can’t,” Mark pointed out. “It’s one way.”

“Oh, oh.”

Dorothy Knowles paintings Gibson Gallery

I have to get off this trail so I can get to my mom’s art show! Paintings by Dorothy Knowles

 
 

Forest City

Normally I consider myself a good travel planner. After all, traveling is my career. Since I’d heard that London, Ontario, is known as the Forest City, and that before it grew into an urban centre of 380,000 it was a thick blanket of trees, I wanted to explore its natural side as well as its cultural attractions. 

My research, which took place in the car on the way down, mentioned places such as Sifton Bog, Westminster Ponds and Meadowlily Woods, where remnants of London’s indigenous nature lives on, but I’d steered Mark towards the Fanshawe Conservation Area because one website said the trail was easy, and another listed it as 2/5 on the Difficulty Scale.

I’d assumed this meant on a scale between nice paved paths and some huffing and puffing, not the make-sure-you-have-the-proper-gear-or-you’re-in-trouble scale. 

“It’s easy on a mountain biking scale,” Mark said.

“Oh.” Well, why hadn’t somebody said so? It would have helped if I’d had some insider tips.

Michael Gibson - my insider tip source

Michael Gibson – my insider source

 
 

Insider London

That’s why, once Mark and I had skulked back along the trail the wrong way, walking our bikes, ringing our bells and leaping into the bushes whenever we heard another bike coming our way, I asked Michael Gibson, the owner of the Michael Gibson Gallery, for some ideas on the best things to do in London, Ontario.

A London resident since 1963, he established his downtown art gallery in 1984, and if anyone knows how to spend time in London, he does. So let me pass on his suggestions on where to eat, drink and browse. Below that I’ll list some top London attractions Mark and I discovered for ourselves. 

David's Bistro London Ontario
 
 

London Ontario Restaurants

David’s Bistro – An intimate French-inspired bistro across from Michael’s gallery, it features a daily prix-fixe menu and affordable wine. David has been a downtown London restaurateur for decades and always is very welcoming and friendly.
Address: 432 Richmond St, London, ON N6A 3C9

Abruzzi – An Italian restaurant on King Street across from the market, they make their own pasta, have great risotto and always have a juicy pan roasted chicken on the menu.
Address 119 King St, London, ON N6A 1C3

New Dehli Deli – Michael’s go-to lunch spot in the Covent Garden Market downtown. Bhan, the owner, works tirelessly to cook incredible Indian/Caribbean inspired curries.
Address: Covent Garden Market Bldg, 130 King St, London, ON N6A 1C5
 
Root Cellar – Located in Old East Village, the Root Cellar is a rustic chic restaurant with an organic menu and farm-to-fork cuisine.
Address: 623 Dundas St, London, ON N5W 2Z1
Chaucer's Pub London Ontario Canada
 
 

A good place for a drink

Chaucer’s Pub –  It’s a great hiding spot in the winter if you grab a seat next to their fireplace.  They feature a good selection of beers and have a nice patio in the summer. 
Address: 122 Carling St, London, ON N6A 1H6
 
The Runt Club – They have a comfortable patio and food, and a casual atmosphere.
Address: 153 Albert St, London, ON N6A 1L9

Other places to visit in London

Attic Books – A cavernous used book store on Dundas Street.  Make sure to go upstairs to the second floor to browse limited edition books and their extensive art and architecture section. 
240 Dundas St, London, ON N6A 1H3
 
Brown & Dickson – Another good used book store on Richmond Row that specialize in local history, art and culture.
567 Richmond St, London, ON N6A 3G2
 
Filthy Rebena – Vintage clothing store now located on Richmond Row across from Victoria Park.
177 Dundas St, London, ON N6A 1G4
 
Western Fair Market – Open only on Saturday and Sundays, the Western Fair Market has everything from local veggies, eggs, meat, cheese and baking.
900 King St, London, ON N5W 2X7
 
London Museum, Ontario
 
 

Cultural Attractions in London Ontario

London Museum

At first glance the London Museum may look like a warehouse, and we actually drove right past it, but it looks better from other angles, and when my mother, my sister Catherine, Mark, and I all trooped in, we were delighted.

In addition to changing exhibitions it has a permanent exhibition called The Long View that showcases London artists as well as the Group of Seven, the Painters Eleven and the Regina Five.

Two prominent local painters to look out for are Paul Peel, London’s best-known 19th century artist, and Greg Curnoe (1936 – 1992), whose ‘bicycle’ paintings propelled him to fame. Part of the London Regionalism movement, he was a fantastic creator, a kind person and someone I knew and adored.

Another artist to look for is the late Paterson Ewen, who lived in London for several years.

London Museum is at 421 Ridout Street North London, ON Canada N6A 5H4

Michael Gibson Gallery in London Ontario Canada

 
 

Michael Gibson Gallery

Of course I’m going to mention Gibson Gallery. How could I not? Michael has a bold and determined idea of what he likes, shows what he likes, appreciates originality and his passion for art is clear.

My mother’s show, for example, highlights a little-known series of still life paintings set in front of landscapes, an experimental (and fun) side of her art that has rarely been seen.

Another Dorothy Knowles

 

 

The gallery shows contemporary art by emerging artists and established national artists including work by my late father, William Perehudoff; Canadian abstract painter Jonathan Forrest; and the estate of the inimitable London-based artist Greg Curnoe.

157 Carling St, London, ON N6A 1H5

Banting House National Historic Site

Dr. Frederick Banting only lived in this home for 10 months, but it was here that he had his eureka moment that led to the discovery of insulin. Today, Banting House has restored rooms, artefacts and info on the importance of insulin in the treatment of diabetes.

Banting House 442 Adelaide St N, London, ON N6B 3H8

Outdoor attractions 

Fanshawe Conservation Area

Yes, I am going to mention the Fanshawe Conservation Area despite my failed attempt to be sporty. Why? Well, other people think that Fanshawe Lake Trail is easy so you might, too. Regardless, it’s a lovely area to visit, and we enjoyed cycling around (just not on that trail).

Fanshawe Pioneer Village

The Fanshawe Pioneer Village is an open-air museum inside the conservation area. With more than 30 buildings, it recreates life in the good old days of yore. Run by the non-profit London and Middlesex Heritage Museum, it highlights 19th-century rural life and the development of London.

London Canada Thames River Parkway
 
 

The Thames River Parkway

I found the cycling trail of my riverside dreams right in downtown London. It is the Forest City! Altogether the Thames River Parkway is a multi-use 40 km network of paved trails through the parkland that runs along London’s Thames River, and if the weather is good, cycling or walking this scenic trail is one of the best things to do in London.

(And yes, London Ontario has a Thames, a Covent Garden Market and other place names that pay homage to its illustrious namesake.)

But back to the trail. To access it, we parked by the London Museum, which is in front of it. It’s very handy if you want to combine London’s cultural and outdoor attractions.

Victoria Park

Victoria Park is the heartbeat of green London. This 18-acre park has picnic spots and places to stroll in the summer and an ice rink and Christmas lights in the winter. Established in 1878, it’s the former site of a British military garrison, and the venue for many local events.

Covent Garden Market London Ontario

Covent Garden Market

 
 

An indoor outdoor attraction

Covent Garden Market

This long-running market is right downtown, has a fun atmosphere and a history that dates back to 1845. Open seven days a week, it houses restaurants, food stalls, and a seasonal Saturday farmer’s market.

130 King St, London, ON N6A 1C5

 

Still wondering what to do in London, Canada? For more cultural attractions, you can visit London’s other museums including the Children’s Museum, the Museum of Archeology, the Royal Regiment Museum, or Eldon House, a historic home built in 1984.

You can also attend one of the city’s many events such as Ribfest in August, or Sunfest, a music and cultural festival in July – and if you’re up for a challenge, you can tackle the Fanshawe Lake Trail.

For more information on things to do in London Canada visit the tourism website. For more information on Canada Travel check out Things to do in Canada.

 

London, Canada hotels

We stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London Ontario. It has an indoor pool, fitness room, restaurant, downtown location and the service was exceptionally friendly. 

Another option is the Park Hotel London, an all-suites hotel with a bedroom and separate living room with a small kitchenette. It’s close to restaurants and bars.

Read more on Ontario travel: 

Things to do in Blue Mountain

One day in Toronto

Hockley Valley Resort

 

Filed Under: Art, Ontario Tagged With: Ontario getaways

About Carol Perehudoff

A former freelance travel columnist for the Toronto Star, Carol has won more than 20 writing and blogging awards and honours. A spa and luxury travel expert, she's written for top travel publications around the globe.

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