Overview

While the city of London, Ontario, was founded in 1826, its history actually dates back a few years earlier. Around 1793, John Graves Simcoe, Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, selected a tract of land in Ontario's southwestern peninsula to serve as the young province's capital. Although York (now called Toronto) was chosen instead, the quaint hamlet on the Thames River grew to become one of Ontario's most affluent cities, a bustling metropolis of nearly 400,000 people with high-rise buildings, tree-lined streets, and tranquil green spaces. Must-see sites include Banting House, where Sir Frederick G. Banting (the doctor who discovered insulin during World War I) resided from 1920-21, and the Labatt Brewery on Simcoe Street, which has been brewing Canada's preferred quaff since the 1840s. Also noteworthy is Museum London on Ridout Street, where paintings from Paul Peel and Eva Bradshaw capture scenes from the town's earliest years, and historical exhibits include antique furniture, farm tools and the beautiful Eldon House just down the street. What's the perfect recipe for a day in London? Visit the Farmer's Market held at Covent Garden, which dates from the 1840s and is where local farmers sell everything from prime cuts of meat and fish to fresh Ontario produce. For dinner, enjoy a seafood feast at Michael's on the Thames, where tableside cooking, live singing and beautiful river views earn high marks from locals and tourists alike, or visit the elegant Chancey Smith's in Covent Garden. Afterwards, head over to the Western Fair Event Centre, where a potpourri of family fun awaits, including shows at the IMAX Theatre and harness racing. If a brush with the fine arts is desired, London's historic Grand Theatre has a reputation for putting on top-notch performances.

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