Exploring the best of Toronto and Southern Ontario.

Happy Sunday, everyone! I hope you’re having a lovely weekend.

I don’t mean to be the bearer of bad news, but in case you haven’t realized, there’s only a precious few weeks left of summer! While technically summer isn’t over until September 23, I always consider Labour Day the unofficial end of the season. Whether it’s kids being back in school, that distinct chill in the morning air, or the return of Pumpkin Spice Lattes, the vibe just changes after that last long weekend! Summer always goes by too fast, but the good news is that there’s still a couple of weeks left to soak it up and enjoy it. So if you’ve been putting off planning that beach day or cottage weekend, now’s your chance! And if you’re looking for a fun, summery destination where you can end the season on a high note, I happen to have a great suggestion for you. It’s somewhere I’d never been before, and now that I’ve experienced it, I can’t wait to go back. Recently, Tania and I visited – and fell in love with – the town of Port Stanley!

Located on the shores of Lake Erie in Elgin County, about 35km south of London, Port Stanley is one of Ontario’s cutest beach towns. Not only does it have one of the province’s nicest beaches, it’s also home to quaint shops, renowned restaurants, historic architecture and unique attractions (they even have their own tourist railway!) If you’re heading to Port Stanley for a day or weekend trip, you’ll find there are tons of fun things to experience in this charming town. So without further ado, here are my recommendations for the best things to see and do in Port Stanley…

Head to the beach! Port Stanley’s Main Beach is no doubt its most popular attraction, drawing thousands of tourists during the summer months. Along with Grand Bend’s beach, it’s one of only 22 Canadian beaches to have earned Blue Flag status for its commitment to water quality, cleanliness, safety and environmental sustainability. The beach is lined with a colourful array of chic cottages, giving it a Hamptons-like feel. Fun fact for history buffs: in the early 1900s, Main Beach was filled with various attractions including amusement park rides, a water slide, a casino and an outdoor theatre, earning it the nickname “The Coney Island of the Great Lakes”. While those attractions no longer exist, Main Beach is still home to one historic icon: Mackie’s! This casual dining restaurant has been around since 1911. Their classic, no-frills beach fare (burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips) is popular among beachgoers, but they’re actually most famous for a drink: Orangeade. Known as “the drink that made Port Stanley famous”, it’s so synonymous with the town that its souvenir shops sell Orangeade-scented candles. I can’t fully describe the flavour – it’s like a mix of orange juice, orange soda, peach iced tea and lemonade all in one – but it’s absolutely addictive, and you can’t visit the beach without trying one!

Grab a bite to eat on Ontario’s largest beachfront patio. Located right down the beach from Mackie’s, GT’s on the Beach is one of Port Stanley’s most popular eateries. There’s nothing I love more than a casual beachfront restaurant where you can indulge in frozen drinks and fried food, and GT’s definitely delivers on that front! We started with drinks: a pina colada for me (are you surprised??) and a beer for Tania. For lunch, we split an appetizer of tortilla chips with guacamole and salsa, and the chicken and waffle sandwich with a side of onion rings. The chicken was fried to perfection and comes topped with coleslaw, pickles and the most delicious honey sauce – highly recommend!

Take in some local history. As you stroll around Port Stanley, you’ll notice several plaques and signs telling you about the history of the area, particularly its beautiful heritage buildings. Three particular structures of note:

• The Telegraph House, 205 Main Street – This charming Victorian building looks like a real-life gingerbread house! Built in 1875, it was the home of Postmaster Manuel Payne, who operated the Post Office & Customs House next door. Payne is known for bringing the telegraph system to Port Stanley, so the building’s name pays homage to him. Today, it operates as a popular bed-and-breakfast.
• The Livery Stable, 215 Main Street – This beautiful ivy-covered building dates back to the nineteenth century and may be one of Port Stanley’s oldest structures. It was originally a horse stable and, before the automobile came to Port Stanley, housed the town’s horse-drawn fire wagon. The building has had many lives as a confectionary shop, retail store and even a temporary Village Hall, and is now home to women’s clothing shop Studio Style.
• Christ Anglican Church, 283 Colborne Street – Built in 1845, this is Port Stanley’s oldest – and if I do say so myself, most beautiful – church. (It may actually be the prettiest church I’ve seen in all of Ontario!) Its bell tower features a 400-pound bell that was imported from Troy, New York in 1854. Notable Port Stanley resident Lieutenant Colonel John Bostwick (1780-1849) donated the land for the church, and is buried in its cemetery.

Get your retail therapy fix in downtown Port Stanley. Whether you’re looking for clothes, accessories, home décor, gifts or beach gear, you’ll find it all in Port Stanley’s many charming shops. Head to Paradise Vintage and Little Beach Shop for antiques, Drift and James Street for home décor, Laketones for one-of-a-kind artistic souvenirs, and the Fire Hall Market for everything else, from food to flowers to Port Stanley’s Post People. (You’ll see these charming Post People everywhere around town, and this is where you can pick up one of your own to take home!)

Watch the boats go under the King George VI Lift Bridge. Constructed in 1938, this historic bridge is the oldest lift bridge in Ontario. In the summer, it lifts every half hour to allow boats to pass underneath, which is pretty cool to see. So, have a seat on one of the nearby benches and enjoy the free show!

Dine in a secret garden. When I told a friend we’d be visiting Port Stanley, she told me we had to eat at Two Forks. We took her advice and I’m so glad we did! This restaurant is located in the heart of downtown Port Stanley and is renowned for both its food and atmosphere. Their large, tree-shaded patio is an intimate, secluded oasis: from the lush greenery to the romantic fairy lights, you’ll feel like you’re in a secret garden! Two Forks rotates their menu features regularly, but you can always count on delicious meals made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Here’s a peek at their current offerings. I ordered the fish and chips, made from pickerel caught right in nearby Lake Erie – absolutely delicious! Tania got the burger, which is made from Ontario beef, served on a brioche bun, and topped with guacamole and fresh veggies. We both really enjoyed our meals, and the skinny shoestring fries they came with were so good! I’m picky when it comes to fries, but trust me when I say these ones are the real deal.

Indulge in a sweet treat at DeBackere Farm Market. This charming farm store is actually located in the town of Union, just five minutes north of Port Stanley. They sell fresh local produce, homemade baked goods, gorgeous flowers and small-batch preserves. The staff are so friendly and their prices are very reasonable. We picked up a pack of four cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing (so yummy!) for just $5.50.

Well, there you have it… my guide to a perfect day (or weekend) in Port Stanley! I hope this post has inspired you to check out this special little town for yourself – I promise you’ll love it just as much as I do. If you visit any of the places I recommended, please let me know how you liked them – I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Do you have any special end-of-summer plans?