The Basics Are Covered
One of the best things about Perth Plaza's location is that you won't need to hunt for the everyday essentials. Groceries, pharmacy, coffee, beer — it's all a short walk or a couple of minutes away.
Groceries
- Barnabe's Independent Grocer 80 Dufferin St · 7am–9pm daily · ~5 min walk
- Foodsmiths 106 Wilson St W · 8am–7pm (Sun 9am–5pm) · ~7 min walk
- Metro 50 Wilson St W · 7am–9pm (Sun 8am–6pm) · ~10 min walk
Pharmacy
- Shoppers Drug Mart 50 Dufferin St · 8am–10pm daily · Next door
- RemedysRx 80 Dufferin St · 9am–6pm (Sat 10am-1pm, Sun Closed) · ~5min walk
- Pharmasave Downtown 57 Foster St · 9am–5:30pm (Sat 9am-4:30pm, Sun Closed) · Next door
Beer & Spirits
- LCBO 80 Dufferin St · Wine, beer & spirits · Mon–Wed 10am–6pm, Thu–Sat 10am–8pm, Sun 11am–6pm
- Beer Store 100 Wilson St W · Mon–Wed 10am–6pm, Thu–Fri 10am–7pm, Sat 10am–6pm, Sun noon–5pm
Morning Coffee
- Tim Hortons 98 Dufferin St · Open 24 hours · ~5 min walk
- Starbucks 78–80 Dufferin St · 5:30am–8:30pm (Sun –8pm) · ~5 min walk
- Tim Hortons 136 Gore St East · 5am-11pm daily · Downtown location
EV Charging
- Tesla Supercharger 80 Dufferin St (Barnabe's car park) · 8 stalls, up to 250kW · Open 24 hours · ~5 min walk. Non-Tesla EVs can also use these stalls with a CCS adapter.
- ChargePoint Charging Station Colbourne Lane Car Park · 2 Free Level 2 Chargers (Just pay for parking) · Open 24 hours · Located in the middle of Downtown.
Dining in Perth
Perth punches well above its weight when it comes to food. Whether you want a quick drive-through, a pint and wings, or a proper sit-down dinner by the river, it's all here — most of it within a five-minute drive of the motel.
All your favourite chains are on Dufferin Street — the same road the motel sits on.
Most are within easy walking distance or a short drive away.
Perth has a fantastic lineup of locally owned restaurants — most of them in the historic downtown core, a short drive along Wilson Street from the motel.
A family-owned scratch diner serving breakfast and lunch all day, every day, since 1994. Famous for its Eggs Benedict, plus house-smoked meats and fresh-cut fries. Right on Highway 7, just a couple of minutes from the motel.
Perth's busiest local spot for good reason. Burgers, fish & chips, fresh mains, and an easy atmosphere in a gorgeous heritage building. Dedicated gluten-free fryer.
A classic small-town diner with serious cooking — smash burgers, fresh-cut fries, lamb chops, and homemade desserts. Everything made to order, never frozen.
A family-friendly bistro with a proper kids' menu, great salads, and a warm atmosphere. Trout, chicken burgers, wraps — something for everyone, every day of the week.
Right in the heart of downtown on Gore Street. Tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, and a beautiful riverside patio in season. Generous portions and fresh ingredients. No reservations taken.
Set inside a stunning historic stone building at Code's Mill overlooking the Tay River. Great pub food, local beers on tap, live music on busy weekends, and an unbeatable patio.
A Perth institution with decades of history. Traditional German and European cooking — schnitzel, spatzel, smoked salmon — right on the Tay River. Plenty of gluten-free options.
Consistently praised pizza — loaded with toppings and cooked fresh. Also does shawarma platters. Delivers too, making it a great option for a night in.
Voted best in Perth. Thick, flavourful pizzas loaded with fresh ingredients. A loyal local following for good reason. Great for taking back to the room.
When you want to make an evening of it, Perth has some genuinely exceptional restaurants. Booking ahead is strongly recommended for all of these.
Perth's finest. A small, intimate room on Gore Street with impeccable service and a seasonal menu that earns comparisons to Michelin-starred dining. Cauliflower steak, Ahi tuna sandwiches, mushroom burgers — Chef James delivers every time. Book well in advance.
Wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and cocktails on Gore Street. Italian-trained chef Paolo produces stunning pies — including excellent gluten-free options. A beautiful room with counter seating overlooking the kitchen.
A hidden gem on the river for wine lovers. Fondue, baked brie, charcuterie boards, and an exceptional cocktail list — all served in a cosy riverside space. Dog-friendly patio in summer.
Craft Drinks Scene
Perth has a surprisingly accomplished craft drinks scene for a town of its size. A brewery, a brewpub, and a distillery — all within easy reach.
Perth Brewery
Nearly 30 years of craft brewing on Dufferin Street. The taproom carries the full range — including their celebrated Maple Lager and Play non-alcoholic lager. No food, so it's dog-friendly. Pick up a case to take back to the room.
Bridge Masters Brewing Co.
A lively brewpub right on Beckwith Street by the historic swing bridge — southwest-facing patio with river views, arcade games, shuffleboard, and a cosy indoor lounge. Food menu, live entertainment on weekends. One of Perth's liveliest spots.
Top Shelf Distillers
Small-batch vodka, gin, whisky, and moonshine — including their legendary dill pickle moonshine and buttertart cream. Distillery tours with tastings and local cheese pairings available. Worth a stop even if you don't drink much — the tour is genuinely interesting.
Get Outside
Perth sits in the heart of Lanark County, surrounded by rivers, trails, and provincial parks. You don't have to go far to find somewhere beautiful.
Stewart Park
The green heart of Perth. Five beautifully kept acres on the Tay River, a short walk from the downtown shops and restaurants. Mature trees, stone bridges, picnic benches, and the murmur of the Tay Rapids running through the middle. Free outdoor concerts in summer. The ideal morning walk.
Free · Downtown · ~10 min walk
Conlon Farm Recreation Complex
53 acres of green space just south of town — a real favourite with families. There's a splash pad, a skate park, a bike pump track, playgrounds, sports fields, and walking trails. Easy, free fun for kids of all ages.
★ 4.7 · Free · Great for kids
Tay River Pathway
A flat, accessible 1.5 km heritage loop pathway which passes The Round Garden, which is a unique garden designed for all the senses, as well as community gardens and a white pine reforestation. It is suitable for wheelchairs and includes several park benches.
Free trail · Easy
Perth Wildlife Reserve
The Betty Wilson Nature Trail winds 2.5 km through the Perth Wildlife Reserve just outside town — easy walking, bird watching, and peaceful woodland. A quiet alternative to the busier downtown trails, and dog-friendly.
Free · Easy · Dog friendly
Mapleview Golf & Country Club
A well-maintained 18-hole course just outside town, popular with both locals and visitors. A practice green, driving range, and friendly clubhouse round out the experience. A relaxed way to spend a morning before checking in.
★ 4.4 · ~10 min drive
Last Duel Park
A picnic area and boat launch on the Tay River — and the site of Canada's last fatal duel, fought here on June 13, 1833. Two young men quarrelled over a woman; one was killed, the other fled to the United States. Perth Brewery even named their flagship Last Duel Lager after it. History like this is why people love this town.
Free · Picnic area · Boat launch
Murphys Point Provincial Park
A short drive from Perth, Murphys Point offers hiking, swimming, canoeing, and camping along the Rideau Lake system. In winter, the trails convert to snowshoe and cross-country ski routes. One of Ontario's quieter provincial parks — no summer crowds.
~20 min drive · Day use & camping
Silver Queen Mine & Lally Homestead
Inside Murphys Point, an easy 2 km loop trail leads from the restored Lally Homestead to the Silver Queen Mine — a turn-of-the-century mica mine with heritage displays and a rebuilt miner's bunkhouse. A self-guided trail booklet tells the whole story, and guided tours run through the summer.
Easy walking trail · ~20 min drive
Kiwi Gardens
Ten acres of mature show gardens just outside town, with meandering woodland pathways, sculpture and garden art tucked among the perennials, and a nursery full of treasures if you want to take a little of Perth home with you. A peaceful, photogenic stop.
★ 4.8 · ~10 min drive
Mount Pakenham Ski Resort
A family-friendly ski and snowboard hill with three lifts, a terrain park, and a licensed chalet to warm up in. Eastern Ontario's go-to spot for a winter day out, with lessons and rentals available for beginners.
★ 4.5 · Winter season · ~50 min drive
Calabogie Motorsports Park
Canada's longest road racing circuit, hosting everything from NASCAR Canada Series races to track days and high-performance driving schools. Even as a spectator it's an impressive facility set in the rolling hills near Calabogie.
★ 4.8 · ~50 min driveExplore Downtown Perth
Perth was founded in 1816 and its limestone buildings, independent shops, and market square have barely changed. It's one of Ontario's best-preserved heritage towns, and the downtown core is entirely walkable.
Perth Museum
Set inside a beautifully preserved 1840s stone home on Gore Street, the Perth Museum brings the town's early settler history to life. Staff sometimes run costumed events. Free to enter; donations welcome.
Gore St. Antique Market
8,500 square feet and 45+ vendors across multiple floors. Everything from furniture and vintage clothing to kitchenware and collectibles. A proper rummage — you'll always leave with something.
Crystal Palace, Tay Basin & Friendship Fountains
A striking glass-walled pavilion on the Tay Basin, built in the 1990s from sections of the old Rideau Street Mall in Ottawa. From here you'll see the International Friendship Fountains — one representing Perth, one its Twin City of Perth, Scotland, and one its Sister City of Asago, Japan. Also home to the Perth Farmers' Market on Saturdays.
The Mammoth Cheese
In 1893, Perth-area dairy producers built a 22,000-lb block of cheese and shipped it by train to the Chicago World's Fair. The story is honoured with a life-size replica at the Crystal Palace — a properly odd and charming piece of local history. The original artefacts are on display at the Perth Museum.
Ian Millar & Big Ben Statue
A bronze statue honouring Olympic equestrian Ian Millar — a Perth local — and his legendary horse, Big Ben. Millar won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but it's this long-standing partnership the statue celebrates. Find it across from Code's Mill, right by Stewart Park.
Perth Farmers' Market
Local produce, artisan cheeses, honey, preserves, and baked goods from Lanark County farms and producers. A great Saturday morning outing — paired with a coffee from a nearby café.
Gore Street Shopping
Perth's main street is lined with independent boutiques, galleries, and specialty food shops — including the Perth Cheese Shop and Perth Chocolate Works. No chains, no big boxes. The kind of shopping trip that actually turns into a good afternoon.
Day Trips from Perth
Perth sits in a genuinely brilliant position on Highway 7 — Ottawa and Kingston are both within comfortable driving distance, and several beautiful Rideau Canal towns are even closer.
Smiths Falls
The gateway to the Rideau Canal — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Watch the locks in action, visit the railway museum, or just walk the canal path. Easy and entirely worthwhile.
Get directions →Carleton Place
A charming mill town set right on the (Canadian) Mississippi River. Stroll the Riverwalk Trail, browse the heritage downtown on Bridge Street, and grab a bite at a riverside patio. Closer than it sounds, and well worth the short drive.
Get directions →Westport & Foley Mountain
A picture-postcard village on the Upper Rideau Lake, paired perfectly with a hike up Foley Mountain Conservation Area. The Spy Rock lookout — formed by an ancient meteor impact — gives a panoramic view over Westport and the lake. There's a sandy beach and natural swimming area too.
Get directions →Merrickville
A tiny, perfectly preserved Rideau Canal town with great antique shops, heritage buildings, and summer lock activity. Often paired with a stop at the canal-side restaurants. One of Ontario's most photogenic small towns.
Get directions →Ottawa
Canada's capital is 85 km to the east. Parliament Hill, the National Gallery, the Canadian War Museum, the Byward Market, the Rideau Canal in winter — a full day is barely enough.
Get directions →Kingston
Ontario's original capital. Fort Henry National Historic Site, Queen's University, a beautiful waterfront, and great dining. Via Highway 7 through the Frontenac highlands — a scenic drive in itself.
Get directions →