Established in 1816 as a military settlement, the town of Perth is one of the oldest and most charming small towns in Ontario and promises a great place for exploring the region’s rich history, culture, and colourful natural areas.
With its beautiful parks and heritage buildings, Perth makes for a great road trip destination or weekend getaway and offers plenty of activities and attractions to explore. Whether looking to admire a little bit of history or enjoy the community’s small-town vibes, these are the 15 best things to do in Perth, Ontario.
A Quick Look At The 15 Best Things To Do In Perth, Ontario
- Take A Stroll Through Stewart Park
- Visit Code’s Mill
- Check Out The Mammoth Cheese
- Take To The Waters Along The Tay River
- Take A Heritage Walking Tour
- Hike Through The Perth Wildlife Reserve
- Visit The Perth Museum & Visitor Centre
- Play A Round At The Perth Golf Course
- Hike Along The Tay River Trail
- Visit A Perth Brewery Or Distillery
- Explore Murphys Point Provincial Park
- Visit A Local Gallery
- Wander Through Kiwi Gardens
- Admire The Red Fox Mural
- Attend A Perth Festival
The 15 Best Things To Do In Perth, Ontario
1. Take A Stroll Through Stewart Park
Donated to the town by the Stewart family in 1947, Stewart Park is one of the most enchanting landmarks in Perth today and is a must-experience site when visiting the small town. What’s even better, as a condition of its donation, the park is entirely free to visit, as are the festivals held within its property.
Stewart Park consists of breathtaking landscapes of willow trees, gardens, and other natural foliage spread out along several small islands separated by the Tay River and connected only by picturesque wooden bridges.
Promising plenty of picturesque scenery and a quiet setting for enjoying the ambiance of nature, Stewart Park is a great spot for a quick stroll or a picnic. Just be sure to stop by the Perth Farmer’s Market first for some local produce.
2. Visit Code’s Mill
If you do plan on having a picnic in Stewart Park, you should plan on stopping by Code’s Mill first to stock up on some local treats. One of the most historic buildings in the town today, Code’s Mill was first constructed by Scottish Stonemasons in 1842 and expanded to include five buildings by 1932.
Originally a Codes Custom Wool Mill, the complex was converted into the Tay Knitting Mill and Code Felt before ultimately becoming a commercial complex in 1998. Today, you will find a collection of five shops operating out of the historic complex, including;
- Perth Chocolate Works: A family-owned local artisan chocolatier that engages high-quality ingredients for some mouth-watering treats.
- Kelly’s Flowers and Gift Boutique: This floral haven offers a variety of plants, bouquets, planters, and colourful gift shops for your souvenirs
- Blackfly Grub Hub: A creative doughnut shop selling delicious and unique snacks perfect for your picnic in the park.
- Concave Gallery: Check out some beautiful pieces focused on unconventional artists and their works.
- Fiddleheads Bar & Grill: A popular restaurant with a patio overlooking the beautiful scenery of Code’s Park.
3. Check Out The Mammoth Cheese
Perhaps Perth’s most unique attraction is its Mammoth Cheese. Located in a bright red bar behind Crystal Palace, this popular thing to do in Perth is a replica of a giant 22,000-pound cheese that was produced in the town in 1893 for a Chicago exposition promoting the Canadian cheese industry.
While you can’t taste this model of local history, you can follow your sightseeing of the monument with a visit to the Perth Cheese Shop at the Old Mill for an exploration of the local contribution to the industry.
4. Take To The Waters Along The Tay River
With beautiful rivers and streams weaving throughout town, it would be a shame to visit Perth in the summer months without actually getting on the water. Luckily, Perth Major Outfitters offers kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding rentals for working your way along the Tay River or even crossing the Tay Canal to the Rideau Canal.
If you are visiting with your own kayak or canoe, you can launch into the water from either the Tay Basin or Last Duel Park.
5. Take A Heritage Walking Tour
There are tons of things to see and do in Perth. But the town itself really isn’t that big. You can easily explore everything the town offers on foot.
For this reason, one of the best ways to experience a thorough exploration of the town is to take a heritage walking tour that hits all of the cultural highlights and monuments, including the picturesque dry stone bridge, Big Ben and Ian Miller, the Perth Brewery, and all of its other cultural and historical buildings.
6. Hike Through The Perth Wildlife Reserve
Set just a 7-minute drive from downtown, the Perth Wildlife Reserve is a 257-hectare protected area that houses a variety of biologically diverse habitats for birds, wildlife, and various plant species.
The reserve can be explored along the Tay River or the Betty Wilson Nature Trail, which weaves 2.5 km through the area. The trail features interpretive signs educating visitors about the local species that reside in the park, which include bluebirds, waterfowl, deer, porcupines and much more.
7. Visit The Perth Museum & Visitor Centre
Built in 1840 and designated a National Historic Site, the Perth Museum operates out of the historical home of Honourable Roderick Matheson, a merchant and Senator of Canada’s first Parliament.
Now owned by the city, the historic house has been restored and features four period rooms containing historical relics from the time within its period parlour, dining room, drawing room, and kitchen.
Transporting visitors back to the 19th century, the Perth Museum is one of the best things to do in Perth today.
8. Play A Round At The Perth Golf Course
Much more than a simple 18-hole course, playing a round at the Perth Golf Course is actually a historical activity, with the complex holding the distinction of being the oldest golf course in Canada, having been first opened for continuous play in 1890.
Offering beautiful greens and inviting fairways for experienced golfers and beginners alike, playing a round is a great way to spend an afternoon combining summer activity with historical sightseeing.
9. Hike Along The Tay River Trail
Dating back to the original military settlement of Perth-Upon-Tay, the Tay River Trail is one of the most historical hiking paths and a must-experience route when visiting the town today.
Starting from the Tay Basin, visitors follow the trail in one of two directions. The path upstream leads to the river’s source at Bobs Lake. Meanwhile, those headed in the downstream direction will follow the path to the Tay Delta and the Lower Rideau Lake.
10. Visit A Perth Brewery Or Distillery
Perth is a great spot to visit as a craft beer enthusiast and is home to two renowned local breweries and a distillery offering craft spirits and cocktails.
- Laketown Beer Co: Formerly known as Weatherhead Beer Co, this Perth microbrewery is located along the Tow Path and serves as a great spot for a break sipping a variety of ice-cold beers.
- Perth Brewing: Home to 21 different kinds of beer, Perth Brewing is perfect for the craft connoisseur and offers a fun evening sampling an array of flavours.
- Top Shelf Distillers: Catering to those who prefer spirits, moonshines, and liquors, Top Shelf Distillers specializes in all things vodka, gin, whisky, and other classic favourites and is the perfect choice for visitors seeking a stiffer drink.
11. Explore Murphys Point Provincial Park
Located just a 15-minute drive south of town, Murphy Point Provincial Park is a great way to immerse in the natural setting of the Big Rideau Lake, with hiking trails weaving their way through the protected land.
The park’s hiking trails include part of the Rideau Trail, which spans between Kingston and Ottawa, while shorter alternatives include the Silver Queen Mine Trail and the Beaver Pond Trail.
Regardless of the route you take, the provincial park promises a fun summer afternoon exploring the region’s protected wetlands, forests, and lakes.
12. Visit A Local Gallery
If you are looking to catch a glimpse of Perth’s artistic culture, you should head over to Gore Street at the heart of town. Here, you will find a collection of galleries displaying a variety of pieces by local and Canadian artists.
- Studio 87: Spend an hour touring the gallery’s artistic pieces while admiring the beautiful backdrop views of the river.
- Riverguild Fine Crafts: Canada’s oldest artist Cooperative, the Riverguild Fine Crafters features pottery, wood carving, etchings, blown glass, and other artist handcrafts curated by a collection of over 75 Canadian and local artisans.
- Katherine Muir Miller Gallery: A colourful collection of landscape pieces that capture the stories and experiences of journeys across Canada.
13. Wander Through Kiwi Gardens
Set just a short drive from town, Kiwi Gardens is a 10-acre show garden designed to inspire seasonal gardeners through a series of displays, including pathways, plants, and art.
While many of the plants are for sale, Kiwi Gardens also hosts a series of events throughout the year, so be sure to check the upcoming calendar before visiting, and don’t forget to stop by the onsite farmers market.
14. Admire The Red Fox Mural
One of the most celebrated landmarks in Perth today, the Red Fox Mural was created in 1988 and has become an iconic backdrop of photos commemorating tourist visits to the town.
While the Red Fox Mural is the most recognizable, the town is actually home to a variety of these murals, and visitors can easily spend a few good hours uncovering the various artworks.
15. Attend A Perth Festival
While Perth is a fantastic destination to visit at any time of the year, the best time to plan your holiday would be to coincide with one of its many annual festivals. Some of the best celebrations of the year include;
- Festival of Maples: Held every year since 1976, the Festival of Maples is one of the biggest celebrations that takes over the town of Perth and features local maple producers, live music, artisans, and much more.
- Perth Garlic Festival: Perfect for the garlic lover, the Perth Garlic Festival features garlic-themed foods, snacks, and cooking demonstrations, as well as a vibrant entertainment lineup and beer tent.
- Stewart Park Festival: Enjoy summer festivities in Perth’s breathtaking Stewart Park while enjoying live music, local vendors, a marketplace, a beer garden, and more.
