Explore the Forest City - ONTARIO CANADA - Tourism London

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Explore the Forest City - ONTARIO CANADA - Tourism London
INSIDE: City of Music • Food & Drink • Things to Do • Festivals • Sports • Outdoor Fun

                                                                                   O NTA RIO •CA NA DA

                                           +
                                    Making Memories
                                      Where to find the
                                     best photo spots for
 2022-2023 VISITOR GUIDE

                                        your socials

                                                                                   Explore the
                                                                                   Forest City
LONDONTOURISM.CA

                                                                                          Find your next
                                                                                      outdoor adventure

                                                                                                LondonTourism.ca   1
Explore the Forest City - ONTARIO CANADA - Tourism London
CAPTURE EVERY MOMENT                             CAPTURE EVERY MOMENT

                              A DIAMOND IS FOREVER

2    Tourism London, Canada
Explore the Forest City - ONTARIO CANADA - Tourism London
42
Contents
4    Land Acknowledgement
6   For the Young at Heart: Fun in London
8    Farmers’ Markets & Family Farm Fun
12   Only in Old East Village (OEV)
13
16
     The City’s Most Popular Patios
     Around the World in 48 Hours
                                                     34
18   Making Memories in the Forest City
22
24
     Bean There? London’s Coffee & Tea Houses
     Beer, Wine & Spirits
                                                          28
28   A City of Music
                                                               londontourism.ca
30   Summer Festivals                                          tourinfo@londontourism.ca
34   London is a Sports City                                   1-800-265-2602 or 519-661-5000

36   Baseball: Labatt Memorial Park                            Follow Us
                                                               Facebook: /tourismlondon
39   Parks & Nature
                                                               Twitter: @tourism_london
40   Golf Courses                                             Instagram: tourismlondon

                                                 45
42   Cycling: Bike Friendly City                               Downtown Welcome Centre
45   Food & Drink Listings                                     391 Wellington St.
                                                               (corner of Wellington St. & Dundas St.)
53   Things to Do Listings
                                                               Wellington Road Welcome Centre
68   Places to Stay Listings
                                                               696 Wellington Rd. S.
72   Map of London
                                                               Open year round. Check our
74   Important Numbers                                         website for hours of operation.

                                                               PRINTED IN CANADA

                                                               Taxes
                                                               A Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) of
                                                               13% is levied on most purchases.
                                                               Additionally a by-law was endorsed
                                                               by City Council to implement a 4%
                                                               tax on overnight stays in London.

                                                               Disclaimer
                                                               Outdoor activities are weather
                                                               permitting. Information is believed to
                                                               be accurate at time of printing.

                                                               On the Cover
                                                               Sifton Bog 
                                                               Photo: Dudek Photography

                                                               Creative Direction & Design
                                                               Marco Di Carlo
                                                               velocitystudio.com

                                                                    LondonTourism.ca            3
Explore the Forest City - ONTARIO CANADA - Tourism London
Land Acknowledgement
                                                           W
                                                                  E ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE ARE
                                                                  on the traditional lands of the
                                                                  Anishinaabek (Auh-nish-in-ah-bek),
                                                           Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-no-show-nee),
                                                           Lunaapéewak (Len-ah-pay-wuk) and
                                                           Attawandaron (Add-a-won-da-run).

                                                           We acknowledge all the treaties that are
                                                           specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt
                                                           Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/
                                                           Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting
                                                           Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty
                                                           of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London
                                              Sifton Bog   Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty
                                                           of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish
                                                           with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the
                                                           Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

                                                           This land continues to be home to diverse
                                                           Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis and
                                                           Inuit) whom we recognize as contemporary
                                                           stewards of the land and vital contributors to
                                                           society. We hold all that is in the natural world
                                                           in our highest esteem and give honour to the
                                                           wonderment of all things within Creation.
                                                           We bring our minds together as one to share
                                                           good words, thoughts, feelings and sincerely
                                                           send them out to each other and to all parts of
                                                           Creation. We are grateful for the natural gifts in
                                                           our world, and we encourage everyone to be
                              Fanshawe Conservation Area
                                                           faithful to the natural laws of Creation.

                                                           The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours
                                                           to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First
                                                           Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the
                                                           Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live
                                                           as sovereign Nations with individual and unique
                                                           languages, cultures and customs.

                                                           This Land Acknowledgement is a first step
                                                           towards reconciliation. It is the work of all
                                                           citizens to step towards decolonizing practices
                                                           and bringing our awareness into action. We
                                                           encourage everyone to be informed about the
    The Forks of the Thames   Fanshawe Conservation Area   traditional lands, Treaties, history, and cultures of
                                                           the Indigenous people local to their region.

4   Tourism London, Canada
Explore the Forest City - ONTARIO CANADA - Tourism London
LondonTourism.ca   5
Explore the Forest City - ONTARIO CANADA - Tourism London
fun in london

     For the
     Young
     at Heart
    Whether you’re a kid, or just a kid at
    heart, London offers a wealth of fun
    and frolic for any age. From bowling
    to arcades, waterparks and beyond                                                           The Rec Room
    — our city proves playgrounds aren’t
    just for the little ones anymore.

    L
        OOKING FOR SOME PREMIER EATS AND ENTERTAINMENT?
          The Rec Room is the place to go. Owned and operated by
          Cineplex — yes, the same folks who bring you the biggest
    movies on the biggest screens — Canada’s premier hotspot
    has taken London by storm since opening its doors at
    Masonville Place. With Canadian-inspired cuisine, virtual
    reality adventures, arcade games, live entertainment and
    more. The Rec Room is the ultimate gathering place to grab
    a pint, host an event, or just play all day. While visitors of all
    ages are welcome until 10 p.m., the night is for the grown-ups.
    Whether you’re looking to unleash your inner gamer, or just kick
    back, relax, and see where the evening takes you.

    More than just your average bowling alley, Palasad SocialBowl
    offers something for everyone, serving as an ultra-deluxe,
    uniquely fun, mega-entertainment centre. Featuring a swanky,
    fully-stocked bar and great food — including fantastic
    wood-fired cuisine to tempt any palate. Meanwhile, bowling,
    billiards, ping pong, laser tag and more are sure to keep the
    entire family entertained. Craft cocktails, local beer offerings and
    live music featuring some of the best acts London and
    area have to offer, all under one roof.                                Palasad SocialBowl

6         Tourism London, Canada
Explore the Forest City - ONTARIO CANADA - Tourism London
Looking for something a little more
                                    physical? The Factory at 100 Kellogg
                                    Lane has you covered. Known as
                                    Canada’s biggest indoor adventure
                                    park, The Factory packs all things
                                    awesome into its 170,000 sq. ft. space,
                                    including a trampoline park, a 100+
                                    arcade game centre, multiple escape
                                    rooms, and an indoor kids’ playground
                                    — not to mention North America’s
                                    highest indoor ropes course. For those
                                    more interested in spectator sports, the
                                    facility offers up a number of quality
                                    food options, as well as a lounge area
                                    with wifi and comfortable parent zones,
                                    perfect for keeping an eye on the
                                    little ones in comfort. Oh, and did we
                                    mention there’s a fully licensed bar
                     The Rec Room                                              The Factory
                                    on-site? For the adults, of course.

                                     East Park

                                     East Park

                                                                               The Factory

100 Kellogg Lane                                                               Finally, for those looking to beat the heat
                                                                               this summer, East Park will help you
                                                                               splash your cares away with the perfect
                                                                               place to play. Situated over 100 acres
                                                                               just off Hamilton Road, you can’t miss the
                                                                               state of the art wave pool, found right in
                                                                               the middle of their seven-slide waterpark,
                                                                               alongside the always-popular splash
                                                                               pad, go karts, batting cages, and 18-hole
                                                                               executive golf course. To put it mildly,
                                                                               East Park has something for everyone,
                                                                               including mini golf, rock climbing and
                                                                               bumper cars, as well as a driving
                                                                               range named London’s best in 2019 —
Palasad SocialBowl                                                             guaranteeing a full day of fun.

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Explore the Forest City - ONTARIO CANADA - Tourism London
LO
                                                                                                                                                   XP

Farmers’

                                                                                                                                            CITY • #E
Markets

                                                                                                                                        S T
                                                                                                                                                    RE

Southwestern Ontario is known to serve
up an abundance of incredible fresh
produce and local ingredients
year-round. It’s no surprise that London
is home to a number of unique farmers’
markets ready for you to explore.
                                                                       Covent Garden Market

                                               Located in the heart of Old East Village,
                                               The Market at Western Fair District is
                                               home to 100+ permanent vendors. This
                                               is a popular destination for chefs, cooks
                                               and local gastronomes in search of a wide        London’s biggest and best flea and
                                               variety of artisanal products and seasonal       farmers’ market, The Gibraltar Market has
                                               ingredients each weekend.                        been a community hub for entrepreneurs,
                                                                                                foodies, vintage lovers and everyone
                                                                                                in-between. While Trails End Farmers’
                                                                                                Market & Furniture is London and area’s
Formally established in 1845, Covent                                                            original country market. Each Saturday
Garden Market is one of London, Ontario’s                                                       they have a variety of produce, meats,
most treasured cultural landmarks. Today,                                                       cheeses, eggs, fish, baked goods and
the market continues to be a centre of rural                                                    more at unbelievable prices.
and urban exchange where wholesome,
farm-fresh quality can be found each day                                                        If you’re visiting the Hyde Park
of the week. With outdoor markets running                                                       neighbourhood, Ungers Market is a
May through December, and a line up                                                             must visit. This family owned and
of exciting events all summer long, this                                                        operated market offers both locally-
downtown treasure is a must visit                                                               and store-made meats, baked goods
for lunch or to pick up your ingredients                                                        and produce.
fresh for dinner.                                         The Market at Western Fair District

8      Tourism London, Canada
Explore the Forest City - ONTARIO CANADA - Tourism London
ORELDNO
         NT
             • DISCOV
                                                                                   Family
THE F
        ER                                                                         Farm Fun
                                                                                   Escape the city and spend
                                                                                   some time in the fresh farm
                                                                                   air at nearby spots that are
                                                                                   fun for the whole family!

                                                                                   Visit Clovermead Adventure Farm where
                                             Clovermead Adventure Farm             families can explore, pet animals, jump,
                                                                                   play and ‘bee’ happy together. It’s all the
                                                                                   buzz! You can enjoy wagon rides, slides,
                                                                                   mazes, zip lines, pedal go-carts, a splash
                                                                                   pad and more! Experience summer days
                                                                                   with the Bee Keeper, daily in July and
                                                                                   August, where you can meet the queen bee,
                                                                                   see a hive opened for you and maybe even
                                                                                   see a baby bee hatch! Shop for some sweet
                                                                                   treats and unique treasures at the Honey
                                                                                   Gift Shop and ‘bee’ sure to sample their
                                                                                   honey at the Honey Tasting Bar. Located
                                                                                   just 20 minutes outside of London, discover
                                                                                   old fashioned fun at their heritage
                                                                                   honey farm near Aylmer, Ontario.

                                                                                   Looking for an entertainment
                                                                                   farm that provides acres of
                                                                                   outdoor fun for young and
                                                                                   old alike? Spend the day at
                                                                                   Kustermans Adventure Farm making
                                                                                   memories in their incredible Farm Fun
                                                                                   Yard exploring their zip lines, jumping
                                                                                   pillows, pony rides, Diggerland, Speedway,
                                                                                   massive corn pit, train rides, petting zoo,
                         Clovermead Adventure Farm
                                                                                   bouncy town and so much more. Each
                                                                                   season also brings new experiences to
                                                                                   enjoy – Sunflower Festival, Corn Mazes,
                                                                                   Kustermans After Dark Haunt as well as
                                                                                   pick-your-own farm-fresh strawberries,
                                                                                   blueberries, raspberries and pumpkins.
                                                       Kustermans Adventure Farm
                                                                                   If pick-your-own apples, pears, pumpkins,
                                                                                   peaches and strawberries are more your
                                                                                   thing, be sure to check out Great Lakes
                                                                                   Farms. This family-run farm also features
                                                                                   a corn maze, zip line, straw mountain and
                                                                                   tractor rides. Enjoy the Baker Café and go
                                                                                   shopping in their gourmet retail store.
                        Kustermans Adventure Farm                                  If you’re there, be sure to say hi to
                                                                                   Farmer Joe!

                                                                                   Enjoy the outdoors and all of the family
                                                                                   farm fun that London’s surrounding
                                                                                   areas have to offer!

                                                                                                       LondonTourism.ca       9
Explore the Forest City - ONTARIO CANADA - Tourism London
10   Tourism London, Canada
AD

                Best Sunday
             Brunch Restaurant
             Delta Hotel London Armouries

             WINNER

     LondonTourism.ca              11
Follow the OEV Dumpling Trail
                                                                                                Dumplings come in many shapes and
                                                                                                sizes and are found in most cultural
                                                                                                cuisines. Make your way down Dundas
                                                                                                Street for the tastiest tour in town… the
                                                                                                OEV Dumpling Trail! Let Momos at the
                                                                                                Market introduce you to the dumplings
                                                                                                of Nepal and be sure to stop in at
                                                                                                Unique Food Attitudes for the Polish
                                                                                                dumplings which you know and love,
                                                                                                pierogies. From Mexico, to Korea, to
                                                                                                Italy and more, feast your way around
                                                                                                the world, right here in OEV.

                                                                                                    Bella’s Acacia Catering

Only in OEV
Located just east of downtown in London’s core,
Old East Village (or OEV to all of its friends) is a historic
neighbourhood that was designated as an Ontario                                                 Tour OEV’s Libation District
Heritage Conservation District in 2006. The neighbourhood                                       In OEV, spirits are an art, beer a craft
                                                                                                and coffee a ritual. Leisurely meander
has seen a significant amount of revitalization in recent                                       through the OEV Libation District and
years, in both the residential and commercial areas.                                            find yourself immersed in the artisanal
                                                                                                world of spirits, beer, soda, tea and

F
      ROM UNIQUE RETAIL SHOPS, ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, BREWERIES AND                                coffee. Be satiated and entertained at
      distilleries to incredible public art, historic buildings and a diverse array of          local breweries, experience the only
      restaurants, there is so much more to discover, Only in Old East Village. This fun        Eritrean coffee roaster in town or get
 campaign celebrates all the one-of-a-kind businesses, organizations and locations              to know the fine art of spirit making
 you’ll find only in OEV. Take a self-guided wander to the sites and experiences that           through tours and tastings at London’s
 showcase all that this neighbourhood has to offer!                                             only two distilleries. All this and so much
                                                                                                more can be found only in OEV!

                                                                                                    Powerhouse Brewing Company
                                                  Culture Cruise through OEV                    t
                                                  For decades, the historic streets of OEV
                                                  have been an arts, culture and music
                                                  hot spot which continues today. Be sure
                                                  to weave your way through the streets
                                                  of OEV to see several murals by local
                                                  artists, public art by a Canadian legend,
                                                  London’s only National Historic Site, an
                                                  ever-growing collection of awe-inspiring
                                                  clay tile mosaics and so much more. Find
                                                  yourself lost in the creativity, innovation
                                                  and heritage that defines OEV.
  London Clay Art Centre

12       Tourism London, Canada
Patio season

  Lone Star Texas Grill                                                                               Barney’s Lounge & The Ceeps

The City’s Most
                                                                                                      Looking for a patio to enjoy a coffee on?
                                                                                                      Check out Black Walnut Bakery Café. With
                                                                                                      two locations in the city, you can enjoy a
                                                                                                      hand-crafted beverage with homemade

Popular Patios
                                                                                                      sweet and savoury treats. Every baked
                                                                                                      good is made on site and every coffee
                                                                                                      bean is hand roasted!

                                                                                                      With a wide variety of vendors featuring
Picture it: the sun is shining warm on your smiling                                                   cuisine from all over the world, Covent
                                                                                                      Garden Market is the go-to lunch spot in
face. You’re with your people, laughing and                                                           downtown London. Their enormous, bright
catching up over apps, maybe with a local craft                                                       and sunny patio has a ton of picnic tables
beer or curated cocktail in hand.                                                                     (some more artistic than others) so you’re
                                                                                                      almost always guaranteed a seat!

Y
      OU’VE GOT NOWHERE ELSE TO                     Located across the street is Jack Astor’s         Another hip spot by the unstoppable
      be but here – no emails to answer, no         Richmond Row. With two patios to choose           Wolfe Pack, Los Lobos serves up unique,
      draining Zoom meetings to attend. If          from, street-level and rooftop, you’re sure       modern Mexican cuisine and tequila-
the last two years felt like they lasted forever,   to enjoy your time here. Watch as the Jack        focused craft cocktails. Their patio is fenced,
we have two glorious words for you: PATIO           Astor’s bartenders practice their “flair” while   private, partially covered and the perfect
SEASON! New to London? We’ve got you.               you cool down under a mister with a Big           summertime destination.
If you’re a local, you may be familiar with         Astor Fishbowl in hand (well, probably both
some of these popular patios, but have you          hands – they’re huge!).                           Following the British tradition of the gastro
been to them all? Support one of your tried-                                                          pub by specializing in locally sourced food
and-trues or try something new!                     If rooftops are your thing, just next door is     done with gourmet flair, the Church Key
                                                    Lone Star Texas Grill. Rain or shine, you can     Bistro Pub is your destination pub. Enjoy an
You can’t talk about patios in London               enjoy authentic, Texas-sized portions while       impressive selection of craft beers or order
without mentioning Barney’s Lounge & The            sipping on mouth-watering margaritas.             off their extensive Sunday brunch menu on
Ceeps. Located in the downtown core, and            String lights and live music with London          their intimate outdoor courtyard. It’s pure
in close proximity to Western University, this      favourites like Rick McGhee complete              patio bliss.
is one of London’s oldest and most popular          the experience!
patios. Even celebrities like Ed Sheeran
have stopped by! Enjoy delicious drinks and         Jack Astor’s                                      Explore more online
deep-fried apps in this laid-back, fun                                                                Be sure to check out londontourism.ca for
and lively atmosphere.                                                                                more patio ideas including blogs on London’s
                                                                                                      Hidden Gems and Top Nightlife Spots.

                                                                                                                        LondonTourism.ca        13
The Dumpling Trail            The Libation District

                                Experience The Only in OEV Tours
                                www.oldeastvillage.com/onlyinoev

14     Tourism London, Canada
FOOD TRUCK
                                                                Fabulous food can be found at
                                                              locations around town or available
Featuring 745 exciting slots,                                    to rent for private functions.
 your favourite table games
  and brand new e-tables.
           LONDON-GATEWAYCASINOS.COM
                 1.519.672.5394

MUST BE 19 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO ENTER THE GAMING FLOOR,
 AND TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY PROMOTIONS OFFERED BY GATEWAY.

                                                                                    LondonTourism.ca   15
taste

                                                         Aroma of India

     AROUND
     THE WORLD
     IN 48 HOURS
     London’s iconic international restaurant and culinary scene will
     take your tastebuds on a trip like no other. To be well travelled
     means to have visited many different countries and experienced                  Shiki Japanese Restaurant

     various cultures… even if that means doing it all in one city, right? As London
     continues to grow in population and diversity, so does its restaurant options.
     Experience authentic tastes from around the world right here in the Forest City.

            AFRICA                                                               FRANCE
     Don’t just indulge in the flavours but take in the entire            The cuisine at Blackfriars Bistro combines
     experience at Yaya’s Kitchen. This beloved supper club’s             precise technique and skill with quality, hand-
     mission is to tell the story of Black excellence through             selected ingredients. The restaurant supports and
     food. Expect 6 to 7 courses with every dish being rooted             depends on indie farmers, sustainable fisheries,
     in the identity and culture of African communities. Every            local artisans and craftspeople for seasonally
                                                                                                                                         Congee Chan
     aspect of their events is curated to tell a unique story, from       changing offerings. Their French-influenced menu items
     the music to the tablecloths and everything in between.              will sure have you mimicking the chef’s kiss motion.
                                                                          Try their Beef Bourguignon, aka French beef stew.

            CHINA
     Named after the popular Chinese dish, Congee Chan                           Greece
     serves up true authentic Chinese cuisine. The menu                   Located in the heart of downtown, Mythic Grill offers
     is diverse and leans towards Cantonese-style dishes.                 traditional Greek cuisine with a modern flare, served
     Experience the traditional family-style served dishes,               in a quaint bistro atmosphere, combining history with
     high quality yet affordable and large portions with                  taste. Whether you’re seated on the patio or inside the
     your favourite travel companion(s). If you’re seeking                dining room, you’ll find a little piece of Hellas right here
     something unique, try the different types of Congee                  in London. A must try is their drool-worthy Moussaka, a
     offered, the Beef Internal Delicacy Noodles in Soup or               grilled eggplant dish layered with seasoned ground beef,
     the Chu-Hou Beef Tendon.                                             and potatoes, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce.

16         Tourism London, Canada
Blackfriars Bistro

                                                                   Dolcetto

                                                                                                                                                 Yaya’s Kitchen

                                                                                                                                  Mythic Grill

       INDIA                                                                     Thaifoon
Aroma of India brings the authentic flavours
of India with a menu that features both traditional
and original recipes. Whether you’re a butter chicken
lover or crave more of the spice that Indian food is globally
known for, their menu has something for every palate. They
offer flavourful fragrant curries, a wide range of vegetarian
options, traditional Indian desserts and much more.

       ITALY
Who doesn’t love Italian food? Dolcetto is always a crowd
favourite for those within and outside city borders. The
dishes they serve are hearty yet upscale with a focus on
fresh, seasonal ingredients while their extensive wine list is                       THAILAND
top notch. This is the type of place that’s great for date night              Recently having opened their second location, Thaifoon
or any special occasion. Dolcetto has also perfected their                    continues their commitment to excellence. It is evident
lasagna as if it is straight out of Italy – definitely something              in everything that they do from using home-grown herbs
to write home about.                                                          to importing select ingredients directly from Thailand to
                                                                              provide diners with truly authentic flavours. Their street-style
                                                                              Pad Thai is a fan favourite and their chicken satay served
       JAPAN                                                                  with warm peanut sauce makes for the perfect appetizer.
Don’t be fooled, Shiki Japanese Restaurant is a hidden
gem serving London and the surrounding area since 1987.
                                                                                   If you’ve made it this far without halting your reading
You’ll understand why they’re the longest-running,
                                                                                   and immediately making reservations to one (or
Japanese-owned family restaurant in the city by simply
                                                                          MORE

                                                                                   more) of the above restaurants, bravo! Craving
stepping through the doors. Shiki specializes in sushi,
                                                                                   additional countries such as Vietnam, Lebanon or
sashimi, Japanese-style fondue and hibachi dishes.
                                                                                   even Latinx inspired? Check out our ‘Tastes from
Don’t overlook their Aburi sushi upon ordering!
                                                                                   Around the World’ blog on londontourism.ca

                                                                                                                            LondonTourism.ca         17
Market Lane Mural
                                             MURALS
                                             If your feed focuses on the bright, the vibrant
                                             and the outdoors, you won’t want to miss a

IN THE FOREST CITY
                                             stop at the Market Lane Murals in the downtown
                                             core. Painted as a part of the theme ‘Forest City
                                             Playground’, Market Lane is now home to four
                                             stunning works of art by three talented artists who have
                                             sparked important conversations, challenged thoughts
 The secret to a great trip is the           and encouraged viewers to slow down and admire the
 memories behind it. What better              surroundings. Want to encourage conversation on your
                                                feed? Mark this as a stop in your Forest City itinerary.
 way to remember your time in
 the Forest City than by capturing              Also painted as a part of the ‘Forest City Playground’
                                               theme, Hamilton Road’s Neighbourhood Laundromat
 some iconic shots for your social             Café Mural showcases an art piece as bold and vibrant
 media feeds. Here are some                  as the neighbourhood it’s in. The message of “Explore
                                             the Forest” hopes to motivate people to become tourists
 suggestions for the best places to          in London, to explore new and unfamiliar areas or
 snap photos to ensure your friends and      appreciate a bit more of what’s in their own backyard.
                                             While you’re there, check out the interactive angel wings
 followers double tap on your experiences.   on the opposing side of the building and grab a snack
                                             from inside the café to complete the post.

                                                                      For more information on some
                                                            MORE

                                                                      of London’s most iconic murals,
                                                                      visit: londontourism.ca/murals
18       Tourism London, Canada
RESTAURANTS
       Dimi’s Greek House provides an experience and
       atmosphere that you won’t want to miss capturing for the
       “gram”. Be sure to snap a selfie if you’re lucky enough to
       get a seat in front of their Merola tiled walls – we promise
       it’ll be profile photo worthy. Or participate in the fun
       with their traditional plate smashing when celebrating
       milestones – Opa! While you’re enjoying the atmosphere,
       be sure to try out their Instaworthy lamb chops, racked
       up or order a plate of their famous saganaki and catch
       the flaming action on your stories – just be
       sure to watch out for your eyebrows!                        For a list of London’s most

                                                       MORE
                                                                 Instagrammable restaurants, visit:
       Los Lobos is owned and operated by                        londontourism.ca/igrestaurants
       London’s iconic brother duo, The Wolfe
       Brothers. Greg and Justin Wolfe have found success
       with fun, wacky and busy decor in their restaurants
       and this family-style modern Mexican restaurant is no
       exception. The restaurant is covered floor to ceiling
       with original art and Day of the Dead inspired
                                                                                                                                    Los Lobos
       imagery. There’s even a 15-foot cross made of
       broken guitars suspended above the dining room.
       Don’t forget to get an overview shot of your table
       once your meal and drinks arrive – it’ll be sure
         to have your DMs blowing up.

                                                                                                          Dimi’s Greek House

                                                                                    TRAILS
                                                                                    Is your feed craving some greenery? Add Sifton Bog
                                                                                    to your London bucket list. This natural gem has a
                                                                                    meandering boardwalk that leads to a platform
                                                                                    extending into Redmond’s Pond. If you need a quick
                                                                                    shot of nature (physically and digitally), this is the
                                                                                    place to see it. This is a short 3 km hike within the
                                                                                    city and once you reach the pond it is amazing how
                                                                                    remote it feels. Along your stroll you might spot turtles,
                                                                                    dragonflies, different birds and even deer – outdoor
                                                                                    enthusiasts, rejoice!
          For more on London’s
MORE

          unique natural areas, visit:                                              Located south of Commissioners Road and east of
          londontourism.ca/nature                                                   Wellington Road, adjacent to the Tourism London
                                                                                    Welcome Centre, Westminster Ponds is a fan
                                                                                    favourite for locals and tourists alike. You may have
                                                                                    seen this iconic Environmentally Significant Area
                                 Sifton Bog
                                                                                    featured in the feeds of many. Now it’s your chance to
                                                                                    get in on the action. The approximately 200 hectares
                                                   Westminster Ponds
                                                                                    with six major ponds, 11 km of managed trails and
                                                                                    a variety of natural habitats is what makes it one of
                                                                                    London’s hidden gems!

                                                                           Like what you’re seeing? Be sure to visit our
                                                                           Instagram page @tourismlondon for more Insta-feed
                                                                           worthy inspiration and locations. If you’ve had a
                                                                           chance to stop by one of these suggested spots, tag
                                                                           us using the #ExploreLdnOnt to possibly be featured!

                                                                                                                         LondonTourism.ca        19
Season Subscriptions,
     Single Tickets &
     Gift Certificates Available

                                   2
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     MAY 31 - JUNE 4
     GABS SINGS
     BABS
     WRITTEN, CO-ARRANGED
     & PERFORMED BY GABI EPSTEIN

     JUNE 7 - JUNE 11
     THE CROONER

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     CREATED BY RICK KISH

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     MY HERO
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     OUR HOUSE
     WORLD PREMIERE
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      AUGUST 3 - AUGUST 20
     THE VIEW
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        6-302 Bridge Street, Port Stanley
     Box Office 519-782-4353 www.psft.ca

20   Tourism London, Canada
LONDON
      Purdy Natural                                             SOUVENIRS
                                                               Available at Tourism London Welcome Centres
Natural wellness boutique Local gifts         Self-care shop
                                                                       696 Wellington Road South and
                        & more
                                                                             391 Wellington Street
                    111 Mount Pleasant Ave,                                   519-661-5000
                           London, ON
                         (519) 630-5305
                    info@purdynatural.ca

  purdynatural.ca       @purdynatural         /purdynatural

                                                                                         LondonTourism.ca   21
10Eighteen

                                                                D     OWNTOWN LONDON IS HOME
                                                                      to a many unique spots. Fancy a
                                                                      board game or a delicious panini
                                                                to accompany that fresh brew? Check
                                                                out Saga Board Games & Coffee,
                                                                London’s inclusive board game café
                                                                with hundreds of games on hand.

     Bean
                                                                Or stop by Reset Social Café and
                                                                check out the incredible murals and
                                                                freshly roasted on-site beans. Their lattes
                                                                will have you swooning as you relax in
                                                                their colourful atmosphere.
                                         Locomotive Espresso
                                                                Love arts and culture? Be inspired at
                                                                The Rhino Lounge Bakery & Coffee
                                                                Shoppe located in Museum London
                                                                at the Forks of the Thames. Serving up

     There?
                                                                Patrick’s Beans, they offer a collection
                                                                of specialty coffees and drinks to
                                                                choose from.

                                                                The independent Black Walnut Bakery
                                                                Café has grown into a pair of locations
                                                                on Richmond Row in Downtown London
                                                                and in Wortley Village. Drop by for in-
                                                                store, hand-batched roasts with diverse
                                                                flavour profiles and delicious from
                                                                scratch baking. You don’t want to miss
                                                                their famous “cruffin”.

     London, Ontario is brewing in local tea houses             On Dundas Place, visit Coffee Culture
                                                                Café & Eatery. They’re brewing up
     and java joints where locals and visitors                  fresh coffee, espressos, lattes and

     alike can relax and indulge in a hot cup.                  cappuccinos with their high-quality,
                                                                whole-roasted coffee beans.

22    Tourism London, Canada
Just down the street check out the new Grace Bodega – London’s
first café, wine bar and fresh market. They say life is too short to
drink bad coffee so they’re serving up seasonal and international
brews at their espresso and brew bar.
                                                       Reset Social Café
Venturing into Old East Village and specializing in
hand-crafted, pour-over coffee and espresso                                            The Rhino Lounge Bakery & Coffee Shoppe
roasted by Trebilcock Coffee Roasters Inc.,
10Eighteen offers a variety of ready to eat items
that pair perfectly with that fresh brew.

Maybe you’re looking for a vegan or gluten-free
option? With two locations, Locomotive Espresso
is the perfect spot for espresso-based drinks, local and fresh
 food fare and baked goods. And you don’t want to miss
 vegan donut day every Friday!

Freshly roasted and brewed onsite using only the finest Ethiopian
coffee, Asmara Coffee House is named after the capital city of
Eritrea, which is known for its unique methods of brewing coffee                                                     The Tea Lounge
directly from coffee seeds unequaled by other methods. Just one visit
will convince you that each coffee you drink can      Asmara Coffee House              With a Roastery in The Market at
be both an enjoyable and memorable experience.                                         Western Fair District and a location in
                                                                                       Wortley Village, Fire Roasted Coffee
                                                                                       Company serves up handcrafted
                                                                                       beverages and fresh-baked goods daily.
                                                                                       Roasting all their beans by hand, the
                                                                                       Roastery also offers tastings for those who
                                                                                       claim to be lovers of the bean.

                                                                            Serving up frothy cappuccinos with freshly
                                                                            made almond milk or organic dairy, Rebel Remedy
                                                                            Health Bar is your sustainable lifestyle coffee stop you
                                                                            don’t want to miss. Try the Shroom Banoffee for a cold
                                                                            tonic made with Four Sigmatic functional
                                                                            mushrooms or the keto-friendly Bulletproof Coffee.

                                                                            If coffee isn’t your thing and you’re more of a tea
                                                                            drinker, London has two dedicated spots you don’t
                                                                            want to miss. Check out The Tea Lounge and
                                      Black Walnut Bakery Café
                                                                            experience an entire world of tea. With afternoon
                                                                            tea service and tea flights available (including a
                                             Fire Roasted Coffee Company    Chocolate Tea Flight experience), you’re going to
                                                                            want to stop by their gallery room or central
                                                                            lounge in person.

                                                                            Located inside Covent Garden Market, The Tea Haus
                                                                            carries a variety of over 200 fine loose teas, herbal
                                                                            infusions and specialty teaware. No doubt they have
                                                                            a tea for every tea lover!

                                                                            Finding your perfect spot could take a while. With an
The Tea Haus                                                                abundance of small-batch, specialty-bean coffee
                                                                            roasters and quality loose-leaf tea spots, you may
                                                                            have to try a few before you can accurately
                                                                            determine the best!

                                                                                                                 LondonTourism.ca      23
Did you know...
                                                             that John Kinder Labatt
                                                          first started brewing beer in
                                                         London, Ontario back in 1847?
                                                           For over 170 years, Labatt has been
                                                           brewing excellence and laying the
                                                                 foundation for London’s
                                                                   love for a cold pint.

                                                       Visit a number of beloved, locally owned
                                                       small-batch breweries and distilleries
                                                       dedicated to making exceptional craft
                                                       beer and cocktails right here in London.

                                                       Head over to Old East Village’s
                                                       (OEV) Anderson Craft Ales.
                                                       Focused on small-batch,

     Raise a
                                                       handcrafted premium hop-based
                                                       ales, you can visit their tap room or
                                                       take cans, kegs and growlers to go.

                                                       While there, stop by London
                                                       Brewing. Known as only one of
                                                       two certified organic craft
                                                       breweries in Ontario, and the first

     Glass
                                                       Craft Malt Certified brewery in
                                                       Canada, they seek to create great
                                                       beer and have a positive impact
                                                                                               London Brewing
                                                       on the community.

                                                       During your time in OEV, you’ll want to make a stop at
                                                       the newly revitalized Kellogg’s factory, 100 Kellogg
                                                       Lane. There you’ll find Powerhouse Brewing
                                                       Company. Brewing five core brands as well as
                                                       local collaborations and seasonal brews, there’s
     Today, London is home to an abundance of          always something new to try or take home.
     breweries and distilleries that have all become
                                                       Before you leave OEV, you’ll want to check out
     destinations you don’t want to miss. Enjoy the    Dundas & Sons Brewing Company. Big supporters
     tastes and subtleties of the largest craft        of both the art and music scene, this nano brewery
                                                       serves up locally sourced organic craft beers,
     libations city in Southwestern Ontario.           wines, spirits, cocktails and food.

24     Tourism London, Canada
Toboggan Brewing Co.

                                                                                                                        DRINK

                                                                                                    Vegan? No problem, Curley Brewing
                                                                                                    Company has you covered. Located in
                                                                                                    Hyde Park, they’re London’s first and only
                                                                                                    plant-based brew pub offering house
                                                                                                    brewed pints and flights.

                                                                                                    Storm Stayed Brewing Company believes
                                                                                                    it takes more than just quality ingredients,
                                                                                                    sound science and innovative techniques to
                                                                                                    make a brewery special. Feel welcomed into
                                                                                                    the neighbourhood of the Coves near Old
                                                                                                    South. They are proud to warmly welcome
                                                                                                    all of those who visit the modern, dog
                                                                                                    friendly taproom or patio!

                                                                                                    Forked River Brewing Co.

                                                    If you’re headed downtown, you’re going
                                                    to want to stop by Toboggan Brewing
                                                    Company. With eight core brands always
                                                    on tap, they also have a rotating number of
                                                    seasonal brews that change regularly.

                                                    Forked River Brewing Company is always
                                                    brewing something new. Known for their
                                                    three flagship brews, they also have a
  Anderson Craft Ales                               selection of rotating seasonal flavours. The    If a cocktail is more your style, London is home
                                                    newly expanded taproom makes it the             to two fantastic distilleries. Nestled in 100
             Powerhouse Brewing Co.                 perfect place to enjoy a flight or glass.       Kellogg Lane, Paradigm Spirits Co. is London’s
                                                                                                    newest addition. With a mission to share their
                                                    Beerlab! is London’s craft brewery that         passion for spirits and cocktail culture, the
                                                    specializes in experimental, small-batch        former Kellogg processing facility allows them
                                                    beers, passionately brewed in-house.            a unique opportunity to produce spirits using
                                                    Conveniently located in the heart of            many of the same ingredients used in cereal
                                                    downtown London, this is the perfect spot       production that are grown and harvested
                                                    for an outing with friends or before an event   within our region.
                                                    at Budweiser Gardens.
                                                                                                    Union Ten Distilling Co., located in OEV,
                                                                                                    couldn’t be more enthusiastic about
Union Ten Distilling Co.
                                                                                                    small-batch spirits – those liquors that
                                                                                                    were lovingly created through dedication
                                                                                                    to the craft, using innovative methods and
                                                                                                    natural ingredients. Expertly crafted food,
                                                                                                    spirits and cocktails come together in a
                                                                                                    privately owned micro-distillery and
                                                                                                    restaurant. A truly unique experience.

                                                                                                                     LEARN MORE
                                                                                                                 For more information
                                                                  Storm Stayed Brewing Company
                                                                                                                 on London’s brewery
                                                                                                               and distillery scene, visit
                                                                                                               londontourism.ca/drink
                                      Thirsty? TAKE A TOUR!
                                      Experience a fully guided tour of local cideries, breweries
                                      and distilleries with Ride the Bine and enjoy samples and
                                      tasting flights along the way! Easily book your tour
                                      or check availability online at ridethebine.com
                                                                                                                       LondonTourism.ca           25
COME

                        VISIT

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     CLASSES                    TASTINGS            EVENTS

                    519.659.6060 PARADIGM SPIRITS.COM
26   Tourism London, Canada
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MARCH 3-12, 2023                     DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE
                                     TO WITNESS THE NATION'S
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CURLING.CA/TICKETS                   AT BUDWEISER GARDENS

                     presented by:

                                                LondonTourism.ca   27
music

W
                                                  A City of
         HETHER YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT
         Johnny Cash’s proposal to June
         Carter in front of 7,000 Forest City
fans, the sheer charisma of Canada’s
Country Gentleman Tommy Hunter, or
the monstrous success and influence of
renowned music producer Jack

                                                  Music
Richardson – it’s no secret London’s
musical roots run deep.

A City of Music
In November 2021, the city was designated
a UNESCO City of Music – earning the
only such honour in all of Canada – for
placing creativity and cultural industries
at the heart of its development plans. Fact
is, from music education to incubation
and events, London continues to nurture,          In the immortal words of Beethoven himself –
develop and strengthen our music sector
– connecting us to the world. And there’s         music can change the world. Truer words were
plenty to enjoy, live and in-person.
                                                  never spoken, especially here in London, Ontario.
 Shad in Downtown London
                                                  Def Leppard at Budweiser Gardens

Live Music Venues
A wealth of incredible and unique music
venues treat both locals and visitors
nearly every day of the week; from huge
showstopping arena events, to intimate
acoustic offerings.
Budweiser Gardens, located in the heart of
downtown, boasts seating for over 10,000,
and continues to welcome a wealth of both
national and international talents in a variety
of genres, from Shania Twain to Slayer,
Selena Gomez to Imagine Dragons and
more. They’ve also rolled out the red carpet
for the country’s industry elite, playing host
to the Canadian Country Music Association
Awards (in 2016 and 2021), as well as the
2019 JUNO Awards.
Just down the street, London Music Hall is
known as a premier stop for epic touring
acts making their way through Southern                                               What’s a night out on the town
Ontario, with a long list of headliners
including Snoop Dogg, Lights, Dashboard
                                                                                     without some good eats?
                                                                                     Be sure to stop and enjoy some local flavour on
Confessional and Loud Luxury.                                                        the way to any of London’s unique music venues.
                                                                                     Whether it’s a quick bite before the show, or some
                                                                                     post-concert cocktails, we’ve got you covered at:
                                                                                     londontourism.ca/food-and-drink
28       Tourism London, Canada
Music Retail
                                                                                                 In addition to incredible venues and
                                                                                                 locales, London’s lyrical legacy also
                                                                                                 comes in the form of amazing retail
                                                                                                 offerings, perfect for any visiting musician
                                                                                                 or music fan.
                                                                                                 Music City Canada is a fun, family-run music
                                                                                                 mecca, based right here in the Forest City.
                                                                                                 A collaboration of all brands under one roof
                                                                                                 staffed by industry professionals, the space
                                                                                                 at Charterhouse Crescent is more than just
                                                                                                 a store. It is a community where artists can
                                                                                                 feel at home, with services and supplies for
                                                                                                 professional touring musicians, DJs, venues,
                                                                                                 event promoters/planners and more. They
                                                                                                 also have a wide selection of instruments, as
                                                                                                 well as rehearsal space and a world-class
                                                                                                 recording studio.
  Want to get a taste                                       Kip Moore at the London Music Hall

of some London talent?                       Live Music Venues                                   For those looking to add some new tunes to
Feel free to check out the collection                                                            their collection, London’s record stores
                                             The folks at Palasad SocialBowl serve up
   of All Routes Lead Downtown                                                                   are a cut above and are sure to satisfy,
 playlists on Spotify, brought to you        not only a wide variety of local and visiting
                                                                                                 including local favourites Speed City
 by the London Music Office and              bands, but a little fun too, with bowling
                                                                                                 Records, Grooves, Odyssey Records and
   curated by some of our local              and arcade games a-plenty, alongside
                                                                                                 The Village Idiot, just to name a few.
    scene’s most noted musical               an amazing menu to satisfy any foodie.
            masterminds.                     The legendary Aeolian Hall is an acoustic
                                             marvel with a rich history of community,
                                             art, culture and activism.

                                             Looking for something a little cozier? Be
                                             sure to check out some of London’s most
                                             beloved eateries and watering holes
                                             featuring an ever-growing line-up of local
                                             talent, including The Richmond Tavern,
                                                                                                                     London Music Hall of Fame
                                             FitzRay’s, Eastside Bar & Grill and many
                                             more gems found around every corner.
                                                                                                 Music History
                              Texas King at London Music Hall                                    Finally, if history is what you’re after, the
                                                                                                 London Music Hall of Fame – located right
                                                                                                 on Dundas Place – is a treasure trove of
                                                                                                 nostalgia, from some of the city’s most
                                                                                                 notable names. The only one of its kind
                                                                                                 in Canada – this love letter to our local
                                                                                                 musical legacy features more than 40 acts
                                                                                                 representing every musical genre from
                                                                                                 opera to punk, with glass cases packed
                                                                                                 full of awards and guitars, costumes, vinyl
                                                                                                 recordings and more.

                                                                                                                    LEARN MORE
                                                                                                               To learn more about
                                                                                                             London’s designation as a
                                                                                                             UNESCO City of Music, visit:
                                                                                                              LondonCityofMusic.ca

                                                                                                                  LondonTourism.ca         29
TD Sunfest

                                                                     Rock the Park

                                                     Sound of the

PHOTO: WHITNEY SOUTH
                               Summer
               It’s no secret London is known as
               a premier destination for all things
               music, but it’s our summer festivals
               that take it all to the next level.
                                                        TD Sunfest

               These annual treasures can be
               found all across the Forest City,
               from our beautiful downtown
               core and beyond – London is your
               premier destination for festival fun.

    30         Tourism London, Canada
festivals
PHOTO: WHITNEY SOUTH

                                                                                                                       Back for 2022, Home County Music & Art
                                                                                                                       Festival is set to celebrate their 47th year, in
                        CMAOntario                                                                                     a big way, welcoming music, art and food
                                                                                                                       to downtown London’s beautiful Victoria
                       Kicking it all off this year, the Country                                                       Park July 15-17. This admission by
                       Music Association of Ontario returns to                                                         donation event is known for featuring
                       London June 2-5, with four days of live                                                         Canada’s best roots, traditional and indie
                       music and more, with free concerts and                                                          folk/pop acts, as well as enriching and
                       an all-new street fair. From emerging                                                           supporting the cultural life of London’s
                       artists to legacy acts, capped off by                                                           four-county community through the
                       an awards show featuring some of the                                                            presentation of original crafts and art.
                       best artists the province has to offer.
                       Including our own local songstress                                                              Looking for something to tempt your taste
                       Genevieve Fisher, alongside favourites                                                          buds? London Ribfest has you covered July
                       Tim Hicks and Michelle Wright,                                                                  28-August 1. In a typical year, when this
                       hosted by Jason McCoy and 2021                                                                  much-anticipated event takes over Victoria
                       CCMA Rising Star Robyn Ottolini,                                                                Park, the event draws thousands of people
                       the CMAOntario weekend is sure                                                                  to the downtown core, eager to sample
                       to be a blast.                                                                                  from a wealth of award-winning ribbers, or
                                                                     CMAOntario                                        take in some live entertainment, and this
                                                                                                                       year is sure to be no exception.
                                                                    Next up, get ready to strap on your dancing
                                                                    shoes and groove to the international               Victoria Park
                                                                    flavour of TD Sunfest, taking over Victoria
                                                                    Park July 7-10. A festival of food, culture, art
                                                                    and music, Sunfest celebrates a number
                                                                    of cultures from all over the world, with
                                                                    performers on the main bandstand and four
                                                                    other stages, all while visitors explore rows
                                                                    of craft vendors and artisan booths – not
                                                                    to mention a plethora of food stands
                               Home County Music & Art Festival     selling tasty treats.

                       Meanwhile on June 4, Gathering on the
                       Green is a free, fun day of activities and
                       entertainment held annually on the first
                       Saturday in June in Wortley Village, rain
                       or shine.

                       Four stages, five days and countless
                       jazz musicians. The first annual Aeolian
                       Jazz and Musical Arts Festival will run
                       from June 15-19 and will feature some         London Ribfest
                       of the very best including six-time Juno
                       nominee, Carol Welsman.                      The following week brings a number of big
                                                                    names to the Forest City, thanks to Start.ca’s
                       Looking to indulge in the local music        Rock the Park July 13-17, with five nights
                       scene? Join the Forest City London           of music meant to satisfy fans of any
                       Music Awards for their 20th anniversary      genre, from headliners Alanis Morissette,
                       celebration during London Music              The Glorious Sons, TLC, Dierks Bentley
                       Week, taking over London June 19-26.         and more. Over the years, what started as
                       Enjoy incredible performances, unique        a small charitable event featuring solely
                       dining offerings, a high school battle of    classic rock artists has expanded into a
                       the bands and two (yes, two) awards          must-attend annual tradition for not only
                       shows that recognize the best of the         Londoners, but visitors from across
                       best in music in London.                     Canada and the U.S.

                                                                                                                                            LondonTourism.ca         31
ALANIS MORISSETTE
                   DIERKS BENTLEY
                 THE GLORIOUS SONS
                      TLC / AQUA
                        JA RULE
                      JULY TALK
                       FIZZFEST
                       FIZZFE
         PHOTO BY: BILL WOODCOCK

                                   & MORE!

          WWW.ROCKTHEPARK.CA
            WWW.ROCKTHEPARK.CA

32   Tourism London, Canada
LondonTourism.ca   33
SPORTS

London is a
Sports City
Looking to catch a game while you’re
in the city? London is home to a
number of sports teams that will no
doubt get you up and out of your seats.

A
       S A HOCKEY FAN, NOTHING BEATS A FRIDAY NIGHT
       London Knights game at Budweiser Gardens. With just over
       9,000 fans in attendance, it is the place to be to watch some
       exciting junior hockey. Named the CHL Team of the Century, the
Knights have produced a number of notable NHL players including
                                                                        London Knights at Budweiser Gardens
Mitchell Marner, Corey Perry, Darryl Sittler, Brendan Shanahan,
Patrick Kane, Rick Nash and many more! You never know which
future NHL star you might be watching on the ice. In addition to the
Knights, London is also home to the London Nationals (GOJHL),
London’s oldest junior hockey team.

London Lightning at Budweiser Gardens

                                                                             Also playing out of Budweiser Gardens
                                                                             is the London Lightning basketball team
                                                                             (NBL). Founded in 2011, the Lighting have
                                                                             won more championships than any other
                                                                             team in the league and provide an exciting
                                                                             atmosphere for basketball fans looking
                                                                             to catch a game.

34       Tourism London, Canada                                         34    Tourism London, Canada
Just outside of downtown
                                                                                         London is the legendary
                                                                                         Labatt Memorial Park, home to
                                                                                         the London Majors (IBL). Labatt
                                                                                         Park holds the Guinness World
                                                                                         Record of being the world’s
                                                                                         oldest continually operating
                                                                                         baseball grounds, with a
                                                                                         history dating back to 1877!
                                                                                         If you’re spending a Friday or
                                                                                         Saturday night in the summer
                                                                                         in London, be sure to check
                                                                                         out a Majors game as they
                                                                                         look to make it back-to-back
                                                                                         championships in 2022.

                                                        London Majors at Labatt Park

For all your varsity sports action, London
is home to the 2021 Vanier Cup Football
Champions Western Mustangs (USPORTS)
and the always dominant Fanshawe
Falcons (CCAA).

If you’re more into the football commonly
found in the other London, be sure to check
out London’s semi-professional soccer
club, FC London (League1), whose men’s
and women’s team play their home games
at the German Canadian Club.
                                                                            Western Mustangs at Western Alumni Stadium

                                              While you’re downtown,            including Joe Kool’s, FitzRay’s, The
                                                                                Squire Pub and Grill, Crabby Joe’s
                                              be sure to grab a drink           or Winks Eatery. With great food and
                                              before the game at                plenty of TVs, these spots are also
                                                                                great if you decide to stick around
                                              one of the many great             and spend the night watching the
                                              sports bars                       game from there instead.

                         Joe Kool’s

                                                                                             LondonTourism.ca       35
EXPERIENCE

TAKE ME OUT TO
THE BALL GAME
With a history dating back to 1877, Labatt
Park has the distinct honour of being the
world’s oldest continually operating baseball
grounds as per Guinness World Records.

N
      ESTLED IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN LONDON                         Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Satchel Paige and Fergie Jenkins, who
      and with epic views of the city’s skyline, this 5,200-person   even played for London after retiring from Major League
      capacity stadium has also been named “Canada’s                 Baseball. At a time when baseball was still segregated, Labatt
      Favourite Ballpark” by Baseball Canada.                        Park welcomed players from all genders and backgrounds
                                                                     including some of the top African American and women’s teams
In 145 years of operations, Labatt Park has amassed an               in North America. From 1989-1993, London was home to the
incredible history with some of baseball’s most legendary players    Detroit Tigers minor league affiliated team, the London Tigers,
visiting the park. Fans may recognize iconic names such as           who also played their games at Labatt Park.

36      Tourism London, Canada
In July 2021, the City of London began
offering guided tours at Labatt Park to
   learn more about the rich history and the
     important impact the park has had on
    the London community and the game of
baseball. As part of these tours, guests can
wander onto the outfield to play a game
of catch, get a view of the park from the
dugout and step inside the original 1940’s
clubhouse which is still used today.
Baseball enthusiasts will be amazed by the
incredible stories and unique artifacts on
display noting important moments in time
in London’s rich baseball history.               See you at the park!
                                                 To book your tour or to learn more
Baseball is still being played annually at the
park by the London Majors who, in 2021,
                                                 about Labatt Park and the London
won their first Intercounty Baseball League      Majors, visit labattparktours.com and
(IBL) championship in 46 years!                  londonmajors.com

                                                                     LondonTourism.ca   37
38   Tourism London, Canada
PHOTOS: SIFTON BOG • DUDEK PHOTOGRAPHY / THE COVES • JOHN HERD / WARBLER WOODS • MARTIN JEON / KILALLY MEADOWS • FRIENDS OF KILALLY MEADOWS / WESTMINSTER PONDS • GUSTAVO SULMAN / MEADOWLILY WOODS • PAUL WALMSLEY

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             environmentally significant areas (ESA)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        London’s Unique Natural Areas
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         hiking    birding         fishing*
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Coves (the)                                                                                Medway Valley Heritage Forest
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Location: West of Wharncliffe                                                              Location: North London, roughly
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Rd., between the Thames River                                                              between Windermere, Sunningdale,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      and Baseline Rd. W.                                                                        Western and Wonderland Rds.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Size: 47 hectare site and 5 km                                                             Size: 129 hectare site and 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      of hiking trails                                                                          10.9 km of hiking trails
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Wildlife: Large-Mouth Bass, Midland                                                        Wildlife: Mallard Duck, Belted
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Painted Turtle, Black-Capped                                                               Kingfisher, 43 Species of Fish
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Chickadee and Northern Cardinal

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Sifton Bog
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Kains Woods                                                                                Location: South side of Oxford St.,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Location: West London near K   ains                                                       West of Hyde Park Rd.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Rd., North of Oxford St. W.                                                                Size: 42 hectare site and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Size: 28 hectare site and 5.8 km                                                           2.8 of hiking trails
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      of hiking trails                                                                          Wildlife: White-Tailed Deer, Midland
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Wildlife: Bald Eagle, American                                                             Painted Turtle, Gray Treefrog
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Goldfinch, Yellow Spotted
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Salamander
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Sifton Bog                                       Warbler Woods
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Kilally Meadows                                                                            Location: West London
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Location: Between Adelaide St.                                                             between Commissioners Rd.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      and Highbury Ave., along the North                                                         and Byron Baseline Rd.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Thames River and Meander Creek.                                                            Size: 40 hectare site and 5.4 km 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Size: 146 hectare site and                                                                 of hiking trails
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      10.3 km of hiking trails                                                                  Wildlife: Hairy Woodpecker, Indigo
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Wildlife: Yellow Warbler, G
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ray                                                            Bunting, Meadow Jumping Mouse
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Treefrog, Grey Squirrel,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Belted Kingfisher
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                The Coves                       Warbler Woods    Westminster Ponds /
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Lower Dingman                                                                              Pond Mills
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Location: Southwest London,                                                                Location: South of Commissioners
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      3370 Homewood Ln. reached                                                                Rd. & East of Wellington Rd. (parking
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       via Deadman’s Rd. east of                                                                behind the Wellington Road Welcome
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Westdel Bourne.                                                                           Centre) and extends eastward to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Size: 20 hectare site and 1.6 km                                                         Pond Mills Rd.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       of hiking trails                                                                         Size: 200 hectare site and 11 km 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Wildlife: Bass, White-Tailed Deer,                                                         of hiking trails
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Red-Spotted Newt and Bald Eagle                                                            Wildlife: Herons, Ducks, Dragonflies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Kilally Meadows              Westminster Ponds

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Meadowlily Woods
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Meadowlily Woods
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Location: Southeast London, east of                                                                    For more information on
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Highbury Ave., near Commissioners                                                                      London’s Environmentally
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Rd. & Meadowlily Rd.                                                                                   Significant Areas:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Size: 60 hectare site and 4.6 km                                                                      thamesriver.on.ca 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      of hiking trails                                                                                      519-451-2800 x 281
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Wildlife: Ovenbird, Great Horned Owl,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Pileated Woodpecker                                                                        *fishing is permitted with a provincial fishing licence

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 LondonTourism.ca                39
GOLF

Take your
best shot
Whether you’re an avid golfer
or someone new to the sport,
London is the leading golf
destination in Southwestern
Ontario and provides plenty of
options on and off the course
for your next golf getaway.

W
          ITH OVER 20 PUBLIC COURSES,
          as well as the ultra-exclusive and highly
          ranked Redtail Golf Club and
          London Hunt and Country Club,
London is no amateur when it comes to golf.
From challenging championship layouts to more
traditional courses, the terrain of Middlesex County
lends itself to the creation of great golf courses,      East Park Golf Club
making it a truly wonderful golf experience.

                       London Hunt and Country Club

                                                                                                          FireRock Golf Club

                                                       From beginners to seasoned golfers, London has courses that suit
                                                       the needs of all players. East Park Golf is an 18-hole par 62
                                                       course that is easy to walk and welcomes all skill levels. If you’re
                                                       feeling confident with your game or are looking for a course
                                                       to return to after a long hiatus, check out Twin Streams Golf Course.
                                                       Twin Streams will challenge you, but be a little kinder with your
                                                       overall score, as it is a par 65 course.

40       Tourism London, Canada                        40       Tourism London, Canada
Explore more online
                                                                               For more information on golf in London, including a
                                                                               full listing of courses, visit londontourism.ca/golf

                                                                  For the more experienced golfers looking for a challenge you’ll
                                                                  find that London also has plenty of options for you. The two
                                                                  municipal owned and operated courses in the city Thames
                                                                  Valley Golf Course and Fanshawe Golf Course are great spots
                                                                  to start if you’re visiting from out of town. With fair prices and
                                                                  multiple options of courses at both locations, golfers can be
                                          Echo Valley Golf Club   treated to a variety of play in just two locations. For golfers who
                                                                  are looking for an extra challenging round, FireRock Golf Club
                                                                  and Echo Valley Golf Club are two public courses that will
                                                                  challenge even the low handicapper. Both courses are
                                                                  located just minutes outside of the city and offer a
                                                                  desirable, secluded golf setting.

Crumlin Creek Golf Club

Worried about 18 holes being too long or tiring for you as you
learn the game? Crumlin Creek Golf Club has you covered, being
London’s only 12-hole golf course. This par 45 golf course will
provide you with just enough golf to get the hang of the game,
while saving you enough energy to conquer the rest of your day.

                                            East Park Golf Club

                                                                   Thames Valley Golf Course

                                                                  Golf fans can still get their fix and practice their swing in one of
                                                                  the many golf simulators open year-round. The Club House at The
                                                                  Factory is a newly opened state-of-the-art sport, dining & lounge
                                                                  experience that offers simulators, mini golf, and plenty of fine
                                                                  food and beverage choices to enjoy. There are so many options to
                                                                  play in London and we can’t wait for you to explore them all!

                                                                                                           LondonTourism.ca        41
CYCLING

     Bike
     Friendly
     City
     The City of London supports over 350 km of
     bike paths and lanes including the Thames
     Valley Parkway that stretches over 40 km of
     paved, off-road multi-use pathway running
     alongside the Thames River.

      Springbank Park

42   Tourism London, Canada
Boler Mountain

                                                                                       Forest City Velodrome

                                       Thames Valley Parkway

                                            Did you know?
                                            Bicycles can be transported on all
                                            regular train services with baggage cars
                                            between Windsor and London and
                                            Toronto and London. Bicycles can
                                            be loaded or unloaded at only those

     London Bike                           stations offering checked baggage
                                            service. An extra charge of $25 each

     & Walk Map
   For more information and to
                                           direction is applied for bike transport.
                                            For more information and to search for
                                            schedules and times visit: viarail.ca
request a print version of the map,
    email: cycling@london.ca
  or search ‘maps’ at: london.ca

         E     ASILY EXPLORE DOWNTOWN
               London by connecting directly from
               the Thames Valley Parkway. Visit the
         wealth of merchants, amenities and
         services all easily accessible by bike.
                                                                                                               Businesses that are registered
                                                                                                               with Ontario By Bike:
                                                                                                               10Eighteen
                                                                                                               Allure Hotel and Suites
                                                                                                               London Downtown
                                                                                                               
         If you are looking for more adventure                                                                 Boler Mountain
         check out Boler Mountain’s 120 acres                                                                  Champion Bicycles
         of property which includes a beginner
                                                                                                               Courtyard by Marriott London
         loop and advanced loops with great
                                                                                                               Days Inn London
         cross-country terrain.
                                                                                                               London Bicycle Café
         You can also visit the Forest City Velodrome                                                          London Brewing
         that offers 138 meters of indoor cycling track.                                                       Quality Suites London
                                                                                                               The Market at Western Fair District
                                                                                                               TownePlace Suites London by Marriott
                                                                                                               Trek Bicycle Store London

                                                                            Need to        Boler Mountain          Trek Bicycle Store London

                                                                            rent a         689 Griffith St.
                                                                                           bolermountain.com
                                                                                                                   4487 Wellington Rd. S.
                                                                                                                   trekbicyclestorelondon.com

                                                                            bike?          519-657-8822            519-680-5100

                                                                                                                   LondonTourism.ca           43
BLACKFRIARS BISTRO - A GASTRO LONDON LANDMARK
     HOME OF FOREST CITY CULINARY EXPERIENCES

                        A GENUINE FARM-TO-TABLE EXPERIENCE

                         Premier Catering Services    Contactless Curbside Take-away
                         Adjoining Pantry/Larder      Reservations Recommended
                         Al Fresco Dining             Cooking Classes & Experiences
                         Authentic Farm-To-Table      Free Parking

     /blackfriarsbistro /laverygroup                 /blackfriarsbistro /forestcityculinaryexperinecs

                                          P: 519-667-4930
   Steps from the historic
                              visit us at: www.blackfriarsbistro.com
     Blackfriars Bridge
                              www.forestcityculinaryexperiences.ca
46 Blackfriars Street, London
44   Tourism London, Canada
                                     info@blackfriarsbistro.com
FOOD & DRINK                                     Scots Corner (The)
          Food & Drink LEGEND                    268 Dundas St.
                                                 The Scots Corner is a typical Scottish
      B     Breakfast                            old-style pub with great atmosphere and
     BR     Brunch                               a wide selection of beer and traditional
      L     Lunch                                Scottish pub food.
                                                                                                  Grace Restaurant London
                                                 facebook.com/TheScotsCorner
      D     Dinner
                                                 519-667-2277
            Late Night (10 p.m. & later)          L   D         P   $$
            Live Entertainment                                                                     Breweries, Distilleries & Wineries
      P     Patio
                                                 Squire Pub & Grill (The)                         Anderson Craft Ales
      T     Take-out
                                                 109 Dundas St.                                   1030 Elias St.
     DL     Delivery                             Located across from Budweiser Gardens,           A family owned and operated brewery,
      $     Less than $15                        this upscale sports pub features locally         Anderson Craft Ales proudly brews
     $$     $25 - $35                            sourced house-made pub fare and                  out of London, crafting small-batch,
                                                 locally brewed craft beers. The perfect          handcrafted, premium beers without
     $$$    $35 or more
                                                 spot for dinner and drinks before or after       compromise that you’ll love; from
                                                 a game or concert. Also available for            their family to yours.
                                                 private functions up to 100 guests.              andersoncraftales.ca
                     Bars                        squirepubandgrill.ca • 226-663-9109              548-888-2537 (ALES)

                                                  D             P   T    DL $$                     BR   L    D          P   T   DL $
Ceeps & Barney’s (The)
671 Richmond St.
This London institution has a great              Wolfe Pack Company Bar                           Beerlab!
outdoor patio with an extensive drink            145 Wortley Rd.                                  420 Talbot St.
selection. The Ceeps and Barney’s is a           Wolfe Pack Company Bar offers a posh             Beerlab! Is a micro brewery focused on
place for all to have fun and socialize.         menu in a comfortable and relaxed                small-batch beers that are constantly
barneyspatio.com                                 atmosphere. The ever-changing food and           changing. Located in the heart of
519-432-1425                                     drink menu will give you a new taste and         downtown London, you’ll want to
 L    D                P   T   DL $$             experience with each visit.                      sample everything on this menu.
                                                 companybar.ca • 226-663-4567                     beerlab.com • 519-859-8853
                                                 Brunch: Saturday & Sunday only                    D    P    T   DL $
Joe Kool’s                                       Dinner: Wednesday to Sunday
595 Richmond St.                                 Late night: Friday & Saturday only
For over a third of a century, Joe Kool’s                                                         Booch Organic Kombucha
                                                 BR   D         P   T    DL $$
has hosted London’s longest continuous                                                            1027 Clarke Rd., Unit E
party. Let’s face it, the reason we all go                                                        Booch is an Ontario-based craft
out to a classic bar and grill is to have fun,                                                    kombucha brewery with a line up that
whether you’re by yourself or with a                            Catering                          pays tribute to the healing roots of this
group of 100 friends.                                                                             tonic, as well as new age flair; fermenting
joekools.ca                                      North Moore Catering Ltd.                        their brew with whole fruit, fresh pressed
519-663-5665                                     449 Wharncliffe Rd. S., Suite 2                  fruit juice, roots, flowers, herbs, botanicals,
 L    D                P   T   DL $$             Fresh, creative, fun, innovative! All foods      barks, trees and fungi.
                                                 made from scratch, in house. North Moore         boochorganickombucha.com
                                                 Catering Ltd. specializes in high-quality        519-204-2794           T $
Lavish                                           food, attention to detail and professionalism.
238 Dundas St.                                   northmoore.ca • 519-850-5111
Lavish is a unique new super club and                                                             Forked River Brewing Company
community space in the heart of beautiful                                                         45 Pacific Ct., Unit 4
downtown London! Join Lavish for                              Food Truck                          Forked River Brewing Company,
a delicious meal, amazing shows,                                                                  London’s oldest operating craft
fantastic drinks, great company                  Match on the Move Food Truck                     brewery, offers a spectrum of craft beer
and exciting nightlife.                          Various Locations                                including barrel-aged creations in their
lavishlondon.ca                                  From their burgers and sandwiches to             family-friendly taproom and retail shop.
226-663-2779                                     their tacos and poutines, Match on the           forkedriverbrewing.com • 519-913-2337
 D          P   T    $$                          Move Food Truck’s menu just hits the spot.        L    D    P    T     DL $
                                                 instagram.com/matchtruck • 226-219-9619 $$

                                                                                                                        LondonTourism.ca            45
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