I wasn't expecting much from this Ontario city but it proved me wrong

I recently took a day trip down to London, Ontario — not exactly everyone's first choice, I know — and discovered that it's full of hidden gems, history and things to do once you're there.

Like a lot of people from Toronto, I'd mostly thought of London as somewhere you drive through on the way to another, more happening destination. After spending the day exploring the city, though, my perception changed, and if you keep reading, yours might too.

On top of your "things to do in London, Ontario" list should be a stop at Jumbo Video Microplay, and that's exactly where my day began.

Photo by Sandeep Panesar

Walking inside immediately brought back memories of Friday night movie rentals with my family. Rows of DVDs, video games for every console, nostalgic merch, the familiar yellow branding covering the walls; every aisle felt like stepping into another, long-gone era: the ultimate millennial childhood.

Now, you might think Jumbo Video went completely extinct, but that's far from the truth. This London location, a city staple for the past 37 years, has evolved rather than disappeared.

Alongside its movie rentals, it now carries new and retro video games, consoles, accessories, collectibles, and trading cards, making it just as much a destination for gamers as it is for movie lovers.

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Talk about a store that has it all 🤩

♬ Don't Slow Down - NETT & puremind & shoco

I spent far longer inside than I expected, rediscovering films I hadn't thought about in years and lingering a little longer in the curated holiday movie section. Holding a copy of Home Alone (1990) felt like I was holding a piece of my childhood.

Suffice it to say, the place had me in my feels.

Of course, the experience at Jumbo Video Microplay today goes beyond rentals. Even if you don't plan on renting anything, you can still buy movies, games, and collectibles. And if shopping isn't on your agenda, it's still worth visiting simply because there are so few stores like it left.

Fun fact: the only other Jumbo Video location is in Belleville, Ontario.

After that nostalgic stop, during which I picked up a bag of salty-but-worth-it Jumbo popcorn (water retention alert!) and a pair of Hey Arnold! socks that were screaming my name, I made my way to Boler Mountain, something of the Blue Mountain of western Ontario, and another top contender on the things to do in London, Ontario docket. 

A winter hotspot, Boler Mountain offers snow tubing, skiing, and snowboarding, with locals flocking to the recreational facility to enjoy the outdoors even when temperatures dip below freezing. But it's pretty popular during the warmer weather, too.

Photo via Boler Mountain.

In the summertime, it's like a scene from Grown Ups (2010), with adults and kids alike ziplining across a 1,100-foot line and tackling classic treetop obstacles surrounded by lush greenery.

The only difference? There's no pool beneath the line, and no wooden pool shed to crash into. IYKYK.

My fear of heights was giving complete main-character energy, so I opted out of the treetop adventure. Instead, I tackled the Fitness Trail. There's also an adjacent Mountain Biking Trail, making the experience versatile.

A day pass is required for each activity. Fitness Trail access is $5, Mountain Biking Trail access is $14, and the full Treetop Adventure Park, which includes one Big Zip, is $62. All prices are before tax.

By this point, I was well into the second half of the day and feeling pretty good.

Nostalgia? Tapped into.

Wellness? Checked off.

There was only one gem left to discover: Labatt Memorial Park. I made the 16-minute drive from Boler Mountain to the world's oldest operating baseball field to watch the London Majors take on the Brantford Red Sox.

Photo by Sandeep Panesar

I'm not exactly a baseball fan, but I've been to my fair share of Toronto Blue Jays games for the vibes... don't judge me. That said, there's something refreshing about watching baseball in a smaller city compared to the massive crowds and sheer scale of Rogers Centre.

Walking into Labatt Memorial Park, which originally opened as Tecumseh Park in 1877, I immediately noticed how relaxed the atmosphere felt. And the fans? They all seemed to know one another. I guess they've been bonding over the London Majors, who were founded in 1925, for generations.

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A little baseball history ⚾️🤌🏼

♬ Upbeat Funk - FASSounds

Watching the game at such a historic ballpark made the experience even more memorable, and definitely didn't break the bank. Tickets to watch from anywhere in the stands are just $13. And that's why families filled the stands, kids cheered for every big play, dogs lounged on blankets, and the whole evening captured that classic feeling of summer baseball.

Yes. You read that right.

Dogs. At. The. Game.

And to top it all off, the Majors dominated the Red Sox with a 16–3 win.

The only part of the experience that fell short was the concessions. My dream of digging into a veggie hot dog slathered in mustard and ketchup remained unfulfilled because vegetarian options were limited to chips, popcorn, and candy. The concession stands are also cash only, so be sure to bring some bills or loose change if you're planning to grab a snack.

Before heading home, I had to make one final stop for dinner. Since it was a long weekend and some of London's most sought-after restaurants were unfortunately closed, I settled on Subway.

In my defence, it wasn't just any Subway; it was a drive-thru, which was an interesting experience in itself. I was both pleasantly surprised and completely baffled, considering it was my first time ordering a sandwich through a speaker system.

On my way back home from London, the two-hour drive had me thinking about when I would come back to London, not as a pit stop, but as another full-day adventure to explore more of what the city has to offer.