This Shakespeare-inspired town in Ontario is perfect for your next spring getaway

If you're looking to experience a touch of the Elizabethan era in Ontario, Stratford is a charming town that offers far more than its claim as Justin Bieber's hometown.

I made the two-hour drive to Stratford with no strict agenda, content to wander and see where the town would take me. Still, my first stop was anything but ordinary: the Little Prince Micro Cinema, popularly known as the smallest movie theatre in the world.

Nestled into a perfectly compact space, the theatre felt like stepping into another time. I was greeted by a life-size cutout of Charlie Chaplin and nostalgic decor that paid homage to the Victorian era, and left having watched the silent comedy (in black and white, of course), The Gold Rush, in the coziness of a 12-seat theatre.

The Gold Rush (1942) at Little Prince Micro Cinema.

This Guiness World Record-holding venue was truly a treat for someone who usually enjoys a trip to the generic multiplex.

From there, I set out on foot, wandering into the heart of Stratford and soon finding myself outside the Avon Theatre, home to the renowned Stratford Festival.

To my disappointment, it was closed, so I had to forgo the chance to step inside and see where the magic of a "world-class theatre attraction" unfolds every year.

But the best thing about visiting a new place with nowhere specific to be is how quickly curiosity takes over.

So, I kept walking.

That's when I stumbled upon Fanfare Books, an independent bookstore that's been around since 1967. There's something grounding about a place like this: shelves packed with books and the familiar scent of paper, which made me feel like I'd walked into a library rather than a bookstore.

Of course, the shelves were lined with all kinds of books, including the works of William Shakespeare. I felt a sudden urge to pick something up, but I already own a complete collection of his plays — he's a playwright who shaped much of my literary studies back in university. Nerd alert? Maybe.

Eventually, my wandering brought me toward the iconic Avon River, named after Shakespeare's River Avon, which runs through the playwright's birthplace and final resting place.

Before settling onto a bench with my book and coffee (it would have been so fitting — but cliché, I know — if I were reading Shakespeare), a small sandwich shop called The Little Kitchen caught my attention. Its menu was displayed outside: simple, takeout-only, and exactly what I needed.

I stepped in and ordered a sandwich called The Tempest, an epic nod to Stratford's Shakespearean spirit. Sandwich in hand — a delicious stack of pesto, arugula, goat cheese, tomato, and balsamic vinaigrette on sea-salted focaccia — I made my way to the water's edge, where lunch became less about eating and more about realizing just how steeped in history the town really is.

Nearby, the Stratford War Memorial marks a square dedicated to the fallen soldiers from Stratford who served in the First World War. At its centre stands a sculpture by Walter S. Allward, one of Canada's greatest artists, depicting what the town describes as "the supremacy of right over brute force." 

The Stratford War Memorial. 

After my lunch break and short history lesson, I headed to the Shakespearean Garden, a designated historic site filled with carefully curated botanicals, which I'm sure would look magical in the winter months, too.

It wasn't hard to let my imagination wander here. Some might say it feels like stepping into the Capulet orchard itself, where the star-crossed lovers once met in secret during their courtship. If you're a Romeo and Juliet fan, you'll know exactly what I’m talking about.

The Shakespearean Garden.

As the day unfolded, one detail kept catching my attention: courtyards. They seemed to be everywhere. Cafes tucked them behind storefronts, offering quiet corners to sit and sip. Even in the centre of town, there was a courtyard-like space overlooking the memorial, designed for gathering but feeling surprisngly intimate.

A coffee shop with a courtyard.

Courtyards were a common feature in Elizabethan homes and often the backdrop for some of Shakespeare's most memorable scenes, making their presence in Stratford feel especially fitting.

I left Stratford with a simple promise: to return when the city is alive with festival energy, celebrating the massive impact Shakespeare has on the town. That, and the need to stop by Romeo's Corner Cafe — another small landmark that was closed upon my arrival — perhaps for some marchpane. If you know, you know.