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The Best Things To Do in Elora, Ontario: Discover Ontario’s Most Beautiful Town

Discover the top things to do in Elora, Ontario, a charming town known for its stunning limestone cliffs, vibrant arts scene, and thrilling outdoor adventures. From hiking the breathtaking Elora Gorge to enjoying live music at Riverfest, this guide covers must-see attractions, historic sites, and the best local eateries.

Elora Mill Spa and the best things to do in Elora, Ontario
Elora Mill and Spa on the Elora Gorge – Photo Credit: Destination Ontario

Famous for the magnificent and adventurous Elora Gorge, where the Grand River carves its way through limestone cliffs, the town of Elora, Ontario, is a charming small town that combines small-town scenery with breathtaking adventure.

In May 2023, I took my partner to Elora, Ontario, for his birthday. We hiked the ‘Gorgeous Gorge,’ ate at charming eateries on the river, and ducked into a jam session of the ‘No Name Band’ at the Royal Canadian Legion.

In August 2023, we returned for Riverfest, a weekend-long showcase of rock, country, and hip-hop music. We loved our time in Elora and bought tickets for Riverfest 2024. I’ve been to Elora many times over the years and keep coming back.

A Little About Elora, Ontario

Elora Quarry and Elora Gorge - Photo credit: Destination Ontario
Beachgoers enjoying the Elora Quarry and Elora Gorge

Just 90 minutes from Toronto and 25 minutes from Guelph, Elora offers a reprieve from big city hubbub without having to travel too far.

A.J. Casson, one of the painters from Ontario’s famous Group of Seven, dubbed Elora “Ontario’s Most Beautiful Village.”  In 2021, Travel+Leisure magazine ranked Elora as one of the best small towns in Canada.

And all of this love is for a very good reason.

This riverside town, which is partnered with the equally adorable town of Fergus in Southern Ontario’s Wellington County, straddles the banks of the Grand River. The River winds its way south from the town of Dundalk past Six Nations, the largest First Nations community in Canada, alongside Kitchener to the clear waters of Lake Erie.

I am always drawn to Elora’s amazing artist community, eclectic shops, fabulous food, active adventure, and nearby festivals. We took the fastest route to Elora via Highway 401 West and Highway 6 North. On my latest visit, we spent a weekend in the town, exploring the gorgeous streets in between musical acts at Riverfest and learning about Elora’s rich history.

A History of Elora, Ontario

Sign showing the history of Elora, Ontario
Historical plaque showcasing the history of Elora – Photo credit: Merle Rosenstein

In 1832, Captain William Gilkison founded Elora after a purchase of 14,000 acres along the Grand River in Nichol Township. Scottish stonemasons built the village, and the quality and attention to detail of their work are still evident in the historic building in the town’s scenic downtown.

Limestone from the Elora Quarry was used for many homes, churches, bridges, and commercial buildings. The original limestone buildings have been maintained and now house shops and restaurants, water-power-fuelled mills, and other industries throughout the town.

The beauty of Elora is showcased in the town’s architectural styles, which vary from Victorian to Gothic Revival and Georgian.

The elegant Elora Mill, once a flour mill and distillery, was constructed in 1843 at the end of Mill Street. It opened as an inn for the first time in 1975, and since 2018, it has operated as the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa. This historic landmark is being carefully restored to its former glory. Along with stunning architecture, Elora has a thriving arts community.

Best Things To Do In Elora, Ontario

The Elora Arts Scene

A mechanical-style deer sculpture on the Elora, Ontario art scene
A mechanical-style deer sculpture on the Elora, Ontario art scene – Photo credit: Merle Rosenstein

Located in a restored limestone schoolhouse, the Elora Centre for the Arts is a hub for makers in this small, picturesque town. The centre offers supportive arts classes for adults with varying abilities, such as oil painting and tapestry weaving.

I loved rug hooking as a child and thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit by Newfoundland textile artist Anastasia Tiller. Tiller uses rug hooking to show the relationship between nature and humanity.

The Elora Sculpture Project is an outdoor exhibition throughout downtown Elora and Fergus from May to October each year. There’s a map you can use for a self-guided tour. I found five multimedia sculptures just walking around town.

Active Adventure

A father and son laugh while tubing through the Elora Gorge in Ontario
Tubing through the Elora Gorge – Photo credit: Destination Ontario

The Grand River rushes through Elora Gorge, passing 22-metre-high cliffs limestone cliffs along the way. I have fond memories of rolling over rapids through the famous Elora Gorge with my kids while tubing in Elora. Trails are labelled easy to hard.

The Elora Gorge is also a popular hiking destination. There are three kilometres of trails within the park, all labelled from easy to difficult.

‘Lover’s Leap,’ a scenic lookout located in Victoria Park, was named for a legend about an Indigenous princess who is said to have leaped to her death from this spot following the death of her beloved in battle.

A rock formation called ‘The Tooth of Time’ sits in the centre of the Grand River stream, just above the falls. The stream wore a channel through solid stone. The landmark is covered in vegetation, making it a popular spot for photography and even the film and television industry.

The Elora SkyRider Zipline is open in July and August on Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays. This thrilling activity allows children three and up to ride. It’s a good introductory zipline experience and affords excellent views of the Elora Gorge.

Surrounded by 12-metre cliffs, Elora Quarry has a large beach and swimming hole, making it one of the most popular beaches in Ontario. The conservation area has a one-kilometre loop trail that winds through cedar forests and overlooks the Grand River.

Elora’s Fantastic Food Scene

A hand holding a pint of beer from Elora Brewing Co. inside an historic building
Beer from the Elora Brewing Co. – Photo credit: Destination Ontario

In Elora, it’s easy to find excellent restaurants, breweries, and cafes. There’s a mix of pubs, fine dining, breweries, and even a distillery on either side of the main crossroads of Mill Street, Metcalfe Street, and Geddes Street.

You can stop at The Wild Tart, which specializes in traditional afternoon tea. Executive Pastry chef Marc Collyer once worked at the Michelin-starred The Manor House, a 14th-century country house located in the Cotswolds in Castle Coombe, England.

I had the best burger ever at The Cellar Pub and Grill, a restaurant in Elora’s historic downtown. We had left Riverfest just in time to miss the rain. I’m glad we had a reservation because this place gets busy!

The restaurant has a patio overlooking the Grand River. The building is a good example of Elora’s historic stone architecture, which was built in the 19th century. The fieldstone facade has been carefully preserved. The dining area is warm and inviting and is meant to look like a wine cellar, with wine barrels, dark wood furniture and beams, and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace.

Other noteworthy restaurants are The Friendly Society on Mill Street, The Evelyn on Metcalfe Street, The Elora Brewing Company on Geddes Street, and the Shepherds Pub. Besides brewing beer, The Elora Brewing Company has live music during the week and on weekends, an open mike on Sunday nights, and Tuesday Trivia. In between meals, stroll down the main drag to find a keepsake of your trip.

Superior Shopping

Sign for the Mermaid in Elora store in Elora, Ontario
Sign for the Mermaid in Elora store – Photo credit: Merle Rosenstein

At the Mermaid In Elora on Metacafe Street, I lost track of time perusing eclectic and cool objects such as clocks, posters, stationery, journals, locks, leather bags, and door knockers.

At the 40-year-old Elora Pottery, you can take a class and learn the art for yourself or shop for your favourite art piece. The Hanscombe Glass Studio, on Church Street just off Metcalfe, creates amazing glass windows, ornaments, and bowls from up-cycled or repurposed glass.

St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, rated among the best farmer’s markets in Ontario, is located in Woolwich, Ontario, 17 km from Elora. The popular market welcomes more than one million visitors each year. It’s Canada’s largest year-round market, with over 250 vendors of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and crafts.

The area is known for its Mennonite heritage.    The St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is open Thursdays and Saturdays year-round and for ten Tuesdays in the summer months.  Most of the other establishments in the area, including the St. Jacobs Outlet Mall and Market Road Antiques, are open seven days a week.

More Reasons To Visit Elora

Ultimate Ontario author Merle Rosenstein poses on the RiverFest Elora sign in Elora, Ontario
Merle Rosenstein at the Elora RiverFest – Photo credit: Merle Rosenstein

Riverfest appeals to almost everyone, including families with young children, folks over 50, and teenagers. However, there are other events in Elora, Ontario, and nearby Fergus that are worth experiencing first-hand. No matter what the season, you’ll always find a festival drawing you back to these beautiful towns.

  • Now in its 45th season, The Elora Festival is one of Canada’s most popular international choral festivals. It features world-class choirs and vocal ensembles. Performances are held over two weeks in July.
  • In August, it’s time to ’tilt yer kilt’ in Fergus at the annual Fergus Scottish Festival Highland Games. Enjoy three days of live Celtic music, highland dancing, genealogy, guest speakers, camping, and more. The 80th anniversary is in August 2025.
  • In the fall, you can come for the Elora-Fergus Fall studio tour and meet local artists for two weekends in September and October.
  • In January, Fergus celebrates A Night with Robbie Burns, a tribute to Scotland’s national poet. It isn’t spring without the Elora Vintage Antique Show for collectors from Toronto to Windsor. If you love antiques, this show is for you.
  •  The Fergus Fibre Festival caters to knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, and anyone interested in Ontario wool and fleece. The Fergus Fibre Festival takes place on the last Saturday in May.

Are You Ready To Visit Elora, Ontario?

I hope to see you in Elora! If you go, you’ll get hooked on finding all of the amazing things to do in Elora the way I did, and you’ll find reasons to return.

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Stacey Wittig

Thursday 3rd of October 2024

Interesting history!

Merle

Monday 7th of October 2024

@Stacey Definitely!