Trains, Tusks, and Tasty Eats; Fun Ideas for a Summer Getaway to St. Thomas, Ontario
Ontario’s southwest is a beautiful region filled with amazing small towns just waiting to be discovered. Only 30 minutes from London, ON, and an easy 2-hour road trip from Toronto, St. Thomas is a small city packed with fun attractions, an amazing culinary scene and cool hidden gems around every corner. Plan a fun summer weekend getaway to St. Thomas and discover this laid-back, welcoming city with a fascinating railroad past, a larger-than-life elephant connection, cool outdoor spaces, and loads of local food, arts and shopping to explore.
Visit Canada’s First and Only Elevated Park
No visit to St. Thomas is complete without a stop at its most unique attraction; the St. Thomas Elevated Park. As Canada’s only elevated park, this amazing green space sitting high above the city is a must-see on any visit to St. Thomas. From its origins as a single-track timber-trestle bridge over Kettle Creek built in 1872, to it’s opening in 2017 as Canada’s first elevated park, this historic train bridge is recognized as an engineering marvel of its era, which during its heyday saw more than fifty trains cross its tracks each day.
Take a pic beside one of the cool colourful art installations or curvy sculptures, lock up your love on the rustic love lock arch, or relax on a scenic bench and watch as the sky turns cotton candy pink. Open from 5am to 11pm daily, the Elevated Park is also a great place to take a morning stroll before the sun peaks above the horizon, or practice your astro-photography skills under a star-filled sky.
The Elevated Park is fully wheelchair accessible and dog-friendly, with easy and free parking nearby. If you’re looking to extend your stroll or cycle beyond the bridge, follow the Western Trail which takes you through classic Ontario farmland for an additional 4 km (one way), just west of the city.
Discover St. Thomas’ Railway History
Known as the Railway City, railway vibes are everywhere in St. Thomas. From the Whistlestop Trail to Whistle Stop Ale, railway history is infused in every aspect of the city’s DNA.
As a significant hub for many railway lines in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, St. Thomas was a major North American railway hub and known as the “Railway Capital of Canada”. With more than 100 trains from multiple lines coming through each day, St. Thomas was a buzz of rail activity, and was even the main stop on the Canada Southern Railway route between New York and Michigan.
The Elgin County Railway Museum
Railway ties run deep in St. Thomas, and the best place to learn about the city’s rich railway past - and see some pretty cool historic trains up close, is at the Elgin County Railway Museum. Housed inside what was once the Michigan Central Railroad Repair Shops, this expansive and iconic space is full of railroad history.
Explore the museum’s collection of “rolling stock” and get up close to giant steam, diesel and electric engines, boxy baggage cars, as well as motor and hand propelled cars. Venture inside the Grand Trunk Western Caboose and see where crew members worked and lived, and even hop aboard the revered Car 14, a swanky vintage passenger car, and one of the crown jewels of the collection.
If you’re a fan of model trains or anything mini, a stop at the History in Motion room is a must. Be mesmerized as scale model trains zip through a miniature 20th century St. Thomas, as well as the other major railway corridors between Windsor and Niagara Falls like the London and Port Stanley Railway, and the Port Stanley Incline Railway.
The Canada Southern Station (CASO Station)
A stunning piece of railway architecture, and a historic landmark in St. Thomas, the Canada Southern Station building is hard to miss. Completed in 1873, the CASO Station was once one of the largest railway stations in Ontario, acting as the main station for passenger traffic, as well as the headquarters for the Canada Southern Railway Company. Follow the tracks from the Elgin County Railway Museum to the impressive red brick façade, then take a peek inside the restored station, which is now used as a business hub, event centre and home to the North America Railway Hall of Fame.
Follow in the Giant Footsteps of Jumbo the Elephant
One of the most interesting and unexpected pillars of the city of St. Thomas, is the elephant. And not just any elephant, but the beloved Jumbo. Famous for most of his life, Jumbo was a giant 12ft-tall, 7-ton Sudanese elephant who joined the London Zoo in the 1860’s. He became extremely popular with the public and even royalty, but was sold to the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1882. He travelled with the circus performing across North America, until while on a stop in St. Thomas in September 1885, was tragically struck by a locomotive and died. While Jumbo’s life ended in St. Thomas, his legacy and spirit have lived on, inspiring the personality and character of this small southwestern Ontario town. Jumbo may be gone, but definitely not forgotten.
Visit the Jumbo Elephant Memorial
On the 100th anniversary of Jumbo’s death, a giant 38-ton life-sized commemorative statue of Jumbo was erected, paying tribute to this cultural icon. Located just steps away from the St. Thomas Elevated Park, the Jumbo Elephant Memorial s is a must-stop spot to get an iconic selfie with one of the most famous elephants who ever lived. Marvel at the sheer grandeur of his size, and pay tribute to this larger-than-life creature.
Go on an Elephant Mural Scavenger Hunt
Jumbo has not only inspired the spirit of St. Thomas, but it’s artists as well. While discovering all the cool murals in the city, be sure to find all the elephant inspired works of art; eleven in total. From realistic depictions, to quirky artistic representations, St. Thomas’ urban spaces are teeming with trunks and tusks, making it perhaps one of the most elephanty cities in Ontario!
Enjoy Great Tunes at the Railway City Music and Arts Festival
If you’re planning your getaway to St. Thomas in mid-August, you’re in for a treat. The Railway City Music and Arts Festival is a free multi-day music festival showcasing local and regional musical talent from southwestern Ontario. Check out emerging artists along with established musicians playing a range of tunes from country and folk, to instrumental, EDM and classic rock. Bring a lawn chair, picnic blanket, or grab a spot at a picnic table close to the action and bob your head, tap your leg, or break out your best dance moves as the hook drops.
In between sets be sure to peruse the extensive Artisan Market full of great local products, arts and homemade goods. Pick up cool wooden creations, handmade knits, homemade soaps and candles, fun home décor, and original art prints made by creatives from the region.
Discover Cool Local and Urban art
Explore Urban Art – The St. Thomas Mural Map
It’s hard to turn a corner in St. Thomas without catching a glimpse of vibrant pops of art lining the city streets. With a mix of historic and modern pieces, the city’s urban art is colourful, uplifting, and makes an epic background for the perfect St. Thomas selfie. While you’ll have no trouble finding vibrant murals around the city, the best way to explore is to follow the St. Thomas mural map, highlighting over fifty beautiful pieces of art from local, regional and international artists. Some spectacular finds you shouldn’t miss are Brain in Bloom, Encontros Abstratos, Greetings From St. Thomas, Time to Rest and Will You Dance With Me.
St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre
With free admission all year round, and a collection including permanent and rotating exhibits, the St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre is a great spot to delve into the local art scene. While exploring the city’s green spaces you may also notice some pieces from the “Art, Trees & Trails” project created by the Public Art Centre, bringing reproductions from the Centre’s permanent collection to local trails, parks and conservation areas around town.
Indulge in St. Thomas’ Diverse Food Scene
Great Restaurants for Lunch or Dinner
A region surrounded by rich and abundant agricultural land, St. Thomas has a culinary scene infused with local ingredients, creative twists and small-town love.
For an elevated dining experience only minutes away from the Elevated Park, pop into Grassroots. Known for their hyper-local cuisine, specialty dry-aged steaks, and inventive cocktails, their dishes perfectly balance familiar flavours with unexpected tasty twists.
Priding themselves on their from-scratch mantra, The Bistro in the heart of downtown St. Thomas has a cozy, earthy and welcoming feel with a touch of elegance. Snuggle into a booth for a quick lunch, or save up your appetite for Greek style lamb chops, blackened salmon, or seven cheese tortellini for a satisfying supper.
If comfort food is more your vibe, swing over to the popular Legends Tavern for double-dusted wings and homemade burgers, or indulge in crispy fish and chips at family-run local favourite Your Fish & Chips.
For those craving international fare, Bella Jacks Mexican Cantina is your go-to spot for mouthwatering chimichangas and ice-cold margaritas, while Plaza Sushi is ready to satisfy all your pork bao, crispy tempura and spicy tuna roll cravings.
St. Thomas’ pizza scene is extensive, and deserves a section of its own. Described as the town with the most pizza per capita, and a pizza trail for those slice fanatics, you’ll have a hard time deciding between a wood-fired pizza from Old School Pizza or Dough Box, or a specialty pie from Pizzaworx or Elgin Harvest.
Sweet Treats and Cozy Cafés
When you’re looking for some liquid energy, St. Thomas’ cafés are ready for you. For a morning java jolt, or a mid-afternoon caffeine fix, head to Streamliners Espresso Bar. Opt for a classic pour-over coffee, or indulge in a flavour-infused specialty iced latté or frothy cappuccino in this chic café.
Perhaps one of the cutest cafes in St. Thomas is Jancat Art Café. The pop of pink and splash of quirky Tokyo style match perfectly with their colourful and flavourful hand-crafted bubble teas. If you’re feeling famished, or are looking for a quick bite, they also offer other authentic Japanese specialties on rotation like Tonkotsu ramen, Hiyashi Chuka and onigiri.
You can’t go wrong when you hear the word fritter, and the Fritter shop is definitely the place to stop for these tasty classic pastries. Pick up some classic apple fritters for a picnic in the park, or load a box for the road full of exotic fritter flavours like strawberry rhubarb, Dutch chocolate or cherry cheesecake.
When your ice cream cravings call, head to the Ice Box in Pinafore Park for a summer scoop. Choose a classic or waffle cone and top it high with sinful scoops of artisanal ice cream or creamy gelato. If you have a bigger appetite, head to the Hungry Twist, specializing in freshly twisted Hungarian chimney cakes. Known for their savoury chimney cake sandwiches, they also offer a sinful sweet option; a cinnamon sugar chimney cake piled high with vanilla ice cream, apple pie filling and dollops of whipped cream. Bring a friend as this tantalizing treat takes two to devour!
Cheers at a Local Brewery
Railway City Brewing
With beers like Dead Elephant India Pale Ale, Iron Spike Red Ale and Black Coal Stout, Railway City Brewing Co. gives a nod to the railway heritage of the region, and is one of the most popular breweries in town. Sample their selection of crisp and inventive brews with a flight on their airy outdoor patio, or hop inside for a pint paired with their popular stone-baked pizza, or basket of soft-baked pretzel bites with triple stout crunch mustard.
Caps Off Brewing
Snuggled into an unassuming back alley off Talbot St. in downtown St. Thomas, Caps Off Brewing is known for their creative small-batch beers brewed with local ingredients. With a creative, quirky, and classic feel, their cozy taproom and all-season patio is the perfect place to wind down the day.
Get Outside – Cool Parks and Trails in St. Thomas
Once you’ve checked St. Thomas’ Elevated Park off your list, it’s time to explore some of the city’s other great parks and trails. Surrounded by bountiful agricultural land, a unique Carolinian ecosystem (the rarest in Canada), and cool green spaces right in the city centre, there are plenty of fun spots for a summer stroll.
Pinafore Park
Pinafore Park is a favourite among locals, and is the most well-known park in the city. Stretch your legs on the 2.7 km fully-accessible trail, enjoy a mid-afternoon picnic under lush mature trees, or try your luck fishing on Pinafore Lake. The park also has an impressive playground and splash pad; the perfect spot to take little ones on a hot summer day.
Whistlestop Trail
A unique trail to the region, the Whistlestop Trail is a cool 15 km (one way) paved trail that runs right through St. Thomas, and parallels the city’s railway line. Start on Talbot St. at the L&PS Station and meander through the city on foot, or hop on two wheels and journey all the way south to the town of Port Stanley.
Waterworks Park
If you’re looking for a fun hike right in the city, head to Waterworks Park. Take an easy walk around the park across a series of arched foot bridges over beautiful water gardens, or head for a longer hike on a well-maintained trail to the scenic hilltop lookout with views of the reservoir and Kettle Creek Valley below. The park also has several covered pavilions, a playground and splashpad, and is a popular spot to cast a line.
Shop Local
There’s no better way to get a feel for a city and to support local small businesses than to shop local. On Saturday morning from early May to late October, wander through the Horton’s Farmers’ Market, and be sure to come with some empty shopping bags. Pick up locally grown produce, tasty baked treats, fresh-cut flowers, locally made spirits and brews, plus cool handmade items from local artisans.
For those with a more robust shopping appetite, head to Talbot St. where you’ll find cute independent shops filled with fashion, flare and fun finds. Shop for antiques at Antiques on the Side, grab vintage home décor at Revival Studio, get a luxurious leather handbag at Suzanne Faris Design, or indulge your spiritual side at Purely Wicked, jammed packed with cool apothecary-style bath and body products, crystal-infused candles and everything tarot.
To find more information or to plan your visit to St. Thomas, visit Railway City Tourism.
Some activities in the above were provided by Railway City Tourism, although all recommendations are our own.
