Well, warm weather season has finally arrived, and that means it’s time to start planning the inevitable small-town getaway. Of course, you can jump into your car and experience a classic Ontario road trip, but there’s certainly a case for hopping on the train.
One charming Ontario town that makes for a perfect mini vacation is just under a two-hour VIA Rail ride from Toronto. Ingersoll is located in Oxford County along the scenic Thames River, with stunning river trails, a cozy downtown core filled with chic indie food stops (and a few cheesy surprises), as well as one of the region’s most charming overnight stays: a historic mansion-turned-inn and spa.
VIA Rail has three trips a day to and from Toronto, with tickets starting at just $35 each way. The train puts you close to the town’s downtown core so you can start your trip in the middle of all the action.
Once you arrive, grab a Raspberry Coconut Crumble and Maple Wave Canadiano at The Evergreen Coffee Lounge, or make a beeline for The Olde Bakery Cafe on Thames South for a fresh stuffed croissant.
From there, take a nice, long stroll along the Thomas Ingersoll Scenic Trail. It takes you past tons of charming green spaces and community landmarks, including, drumroll, the Ingersoll Cheese & Agricultural Museum. The museum explores more than 150 years of Ontario cheesemaking history, so it’s totally a fitting stop given Oxford County’s long-standing dairy roots.
Behind the museum, Centennial Park is home to Canada’s first cheese-themed playground, which is just as fun as it sounds for both kids and grown-ups alike. It has massive Swiss cheese climbing structures, a blue cheese spinning wheel and even cheese-sliced benches. A little too cheesy? We think not, definitely worth a visit.
After that, spend some time browsing the downtown shops. Pick up some handcrafted pottery as a souvenir at Patina’s Gifts of Art & Craft, and stop in at The Wine Cellar & Cheese Shop for artisanal cheeses and wine-related finds.
For lunch or dinner, head to Louie’s Pizza & Pasta for its huge panzerotti or Mango Salad for authentic Thai. If it’s an overnight trip, make a (long) pit stop at Scotch & Ponder and sip on the most spectacular Old Fashioned alongside a tray of sliders.
Tuck in for the night at Elm Hurst Inn & Spa. The historic former home of cheesemaker James Harris has been turned into a luxe, Victorian-style inn, complete with a spa, restaurant and countryside grounds that are perfect for a post-massage stroll with a glass of wine in hand.
If you have extra time, use Ingersoll as a jumping-off point to explore more of Oxford County, including its secret Saturday cheese festival! Afterward, check out this perfect Southwestern Ontario town that’s also nestled along the beautiful Thames River.