Post Office: Shakespeare: N0B 2P0
Number of Homes:
Number of Businesses:
Industry(s): Shopping, Dining, Agriculture
Rated:
Reasons: Homey atmosphere, Uniqueness

Getting There:
Located West of Kitchener, take Hwy. 8 off the 401 to
Hwy. 7/8 west to Stratford and follow to Shakespeare.
From Stratford, take Hwy 7 east towards Kitchener.
Shakespeare: N43° 22.1774', W080° 50.2214'

Map of Shakespeare
Map of Stratford


Passing through Shakespeare can take a minute, or a day — depending on whether you drive heedlessly through the village, or stop to savour one of the jewels of Visitor country. One thing is sure — everyone who stops and strolls through Shakespeare, will do so again and again — visitors are astonished at the quality and variety of antiques, quilts, crafts, and gourmet delights to be found in the unique shops, and they always — always! — come back.

Summer is the ideal season to visit this town full of treasures. Visitors to theatre in Stratford wisely leave time for a leisurely exploration of the little neighbouring village named for the Bard. This small community has earned its international reputation as an intriguing place to shop; it probably has the highest proportion of antique shops to population anywhere in the province. Antiquing opportunities range from high end emporiums to shops piled deep with potential bargains.

Shakespeare is a town for quilters. It is popular with gourmets. It’s a favourite stop for anglophiles. It’s a village where it is Christmas every day of the year, and where craft lovers and craft makers can lose themselves for days.

Stratford, Ontario, Canada

Post Office: Stratford: N5A 4A0
Number of Homes: Stratford: 142,407
Number of Businesses: Stratford: 1,206
Industry(s): Manufacturing, Education,
Rated:
Reasons: Theatre, Festivals, Relaxing Atmosphere,

Getting There:
Located west of Kitchener, take Hwy. 8 off the 401 to Hwy 7/8 west
follow to Stratford;
Stratford: N43° 22.2', W080° 58.9337'

Stratford is a city to savour, a centre of indoor fantasies and outdoor beauty. Stratford1s creative spirit is evident everywhere, from the stages of the four Stratford Festival theatres to the individuality of the small city1s boutiques and restaurants. The Stratford Festival of Canada 2008 season runs through November 9, with 17 plays ranging from serious Shakespeare to light-hearted musicals, but theatre is only one of a full playbill of reasons to visit Stratford. Stratford is known as perhaps the best place in Canada to seeking culinary adventures, with dozens of unique restaurants, from formal dining to hip bistros. There are many festivals in this festival city, including music events all summer long, and the popular Stratford Book Festival in October.

Stratford is a city of gardens, from beautiful municipal gardens to the spectacular gardens around the Festival theatre. Walkers will enjoy the lovely walking paths along the Avon, a setting ideal for strolling, and very popular for picnicking and people-watching. The Avon is also a great place for canoeing, taking a boat tour, or watching dragon boat crews practice.

Stratford is home to many artists, artisans, musicians and authors, and their work can be found in the local art galleries (including the prestigious Gallery Stratford), shops and boutiques. Many Stratford stores ‹ from garden design shops to toy stores to book shops ‹ have been rated among the best in Canada. There are great shopping opportunities downtown, and at all the major entrances to the city. Many visitors to Stratford come for theatre. But they all come for love. Stratford is a city for lovers ‹ lovers of theatre, music, art, food, books, gardens, antiques, architecture, quilts, crafts, coffee, or even extra special ice cream cones. And lovers of . . . well, of that special other person you bring to one of the most enjoyable communities anywhere in the world. Just east of Stratford, Shakespeare in the summer is a wonderful community to visit.