With concerts, theatre, Christmas sales and an illuminated train, Perth is a great place to banish the November blahs and get in the holiday spirit. And it’s only 85 kilometres from Parliament Hill – an hour’s drive, in good conditions – making it an easy day trip from Ottawa.
The place even looks like a Christmas card, a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed by producers of holiday rom-coms, who often use Perth as a stand-in for Smalltown, U.S.A. Heritage limestone buildings housing shops and restaurants line downtown Gore Street and adjacent side streets. A landmark clock tower soars above Perth Town Hall, a National Historic Site built in the 1860s. And the Tay River meanders picturesquely through Stewart Park, on the edge of downtown.
You could easily spend a day just shopping and eating your way through Perth.
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“We have a really active downtown core,” says Cathy McNally, director of community services for the Town of Perth.
So where can you do a little holiday shopping? At Strévé Design (64 Gore St. E.), you can browse for scarves, wraps, kimonos and capes in natural fabrics such as silk and wool, designed in Perth by shop owner Cheryl Straby. (If you’re in the mood to treat yourself, you could always try on one of Straby’s striking coats and jackets.)
For pottery, artwork and other handmade items, head to Riverguild Fine Crafts (51 Gore St. E.), a local artists co-operative founded in 1977. A few doors down, Fall River & Co. (39 Gore St. E.) sells home decor, linens, candles, fine foods and furniture. And at Dragon Moon (2 Gore St. E.), you’ll find crystals, metaphysical books, tapestries, clothing and more.
When you’ve worked up an appetite, try cozy Gather (40 Gore St. E.), where the soups, sandwiches and other light dishes are made with products from local suppliers. Another great spot is the Perth Pie Company (12 Gore St. E.), where you can relax with a hot beverage and freshly baked goods and pick up sweet and savoury pies to bring home.
Throughout November, Perth will play host to a number of festive events. From Nov. 14-17, the Perth Community Choir is presenting A Christmas Carol: The Musical at Perth and District Collegiate Institute (13 Victoria St.). If you go for a weekend performance, you can also check out the Perth Farmers’ Christmas Market at the Crystal Palace (28 Drummond St. E.) and a bake sale at the Perth and District Union Library (30 Herriott St.), both on Saturday, Nov. 16. There’s also a Christmas Craft and Vendor Market at the Royal Canadian Legion (26 Beckwith St. E.) on Sunday, Nov. 17.
Downtown will likely be hopping on Saturday, Nov. 23 for the annual Once Upon a Christmas event. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., amusements will include a vendor marketplace, face-painting, horse-drawn wagon rides and photos with Santa, and you can warm up around one of the fire pits with free hot chocolate.
The following week, the popular CPKC Holiday Train is scheduled to stop at the rail crossing on Wilson Street in Perth on Thursday, Nov. 28, from 8-8:30 p.m. Visitors can take photos of the gaily illuminated freight train and enjoy a concert by Tyler Shaw and Shawnee Kish. Donations of money or non-perishable goods for the local food bank are encouraged.
On Saturday, Nov. 30, the Ennis Sisters will be giving an East Coast Christmas Concert at St. Paul’s United Church (25 Gore St. W.).
And finally, here’s one more reason to day-trip to Perth: Downtown street parking is free for two hours, and it’s only $1 an hour on weekdays at five central parking lots (free on weekends).
Award-winning Ottawa travel writer Laura Byrne Paquet shares her sightseeing tips for Eastern Ontario and beyond on her website, Ottawa Road Trips.
