Elora is one of Ontario’s most charming towns and I couldn’t wait to visit! With its historic town centre, cute shops and restaurants, beautiful river and gorge, and blue-green swimming hole, Elora did not disappoint. You could spend one full day in Elora and easily see most of the main sights but I really enjoyed staying for one night. I visited Elora in the summer but would love to go back in the fall. I hope you enjoy my guide to Elora, Ontario!
WHAT TO DO
Town Centre
If you are visiting in the summer, plan to arrive early to find a parking spot close to the town centre. Park at the public parking lot on 25 Metcalfe Street or adjacent to it on Water Street and walk over the bridge towards the town centre. This will be your first view of the Grand River!
After the bridge, turn left onto Mill Street. This is my favourite area of Elora! Check out all of the cute shops and restaurants. You’ll see the Elora Mill in the distance.
On your right is a little courtyard called Elora Mews with more shops and cafes.
At the end of Mill Street you’ll reach the well known Elora Mill Hotel & Spa. You can go and take a peak if you please.
Then, walk up Price Street and take a left on James Street. Here, you can stop at Victoria Park (scroll down to next section) or continue right on Henderson Street and right down Metcalfe Street. You’ll now be walking through another adorable area of Elora with lots of restaurants and shops.
Don’t miss Mermaid in Elora at the corner of Church Street! The side of the store is covered in vines and flowers with a funky clock tower and a colourful glass studio in the distance. It’s like a storybook!
At any time of day, Elora’s town centre is so picturesque.
Victoria Park
Victoria Park is a beautiful little park in the middle of downtown Elora with views of the Elora Gorge and stairs down to it. It’s a must-do! Walk along the cliff-side black fence and you’ll reach a great lookout.
Continue on to the stairs and head down to dip your feet into the Gorge and check out the caves!
Bissell Park
Another lovely little park and trail in downtown Elora is Bissell Park. Walk along the boardwalk until you reach the bridge with a great view of the Grand River.
Elora Quarry Conservation Area
A popular attraction in Elora is the Elora Quarry Conservation Area. This limestone quarry has beautiful blue-green water, a small beach and a hiking trail. I loved swimming and relaxing on the beach here for the day! Tickets need to be purchased and should be reserved in advance to visit.
Elora Gorge Conservation Area
Another popular attraction is the Elora Gorge Conservation Area where you can tube, kayak, and canoe down the rushing river. There is also a hiking trail along the top of the cliffs but safety barriers prevent great views of the gorge. Tickets need to be purchased and should be reserved in advance to visit.
WHERE TO STAY
Finding accommodations in Elora during peak season is quite difficult. Since the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa is a popular wedding venue in Ontario, accommodations book up fast. If you are planning to stay in Elora overnight, try to book at a Bed & Breakfast well in advance. I stayed in August and a month in advance had to book accomodations in another town, 18 minutes from Elora. However, staying outside of Elora gives you more budget-friendly options.
We stayed at Maryhill Inn Bed & Breakfast and besides the travel time to Elora, we loved it! Open since 1850, this former stagecoach stop is charming, comfortable and affordable. We loved the front porch and there is also a great outdoor seating area and hot tub in the back. Our room was super cozy with a fireplace and bathtub – great for visiting in the colder months! Breakfast in the morning was delicious and the owners and their adorable dog were lovely. I highly recommend staying here if you’re visiting Elora, Guelph, Kitchener, or the surrounding area.
If you’re looking for upscale accommodations, the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa is the place to stay.
WHERE TO EAT
Elora has lots of great options for places to eat and drink. For breakfast and/or coffee to start your day, check out Lost + Found Cafe, The Elora Cafe, Cafe Creperie of Elora, Gorge Country Kitchen, Box Social and Wreckless Eric.
We had a delicious lunch complete with an Instagram-worthy cocktail at The Friendly Society. Our dinner at The Cellar Pub and Grill came with a great view of the Grand River. Some other good options for lunch and dinner are Shepherd’s Pub, La Fontana, Elora Brewing Company, The Wild Tart, The Evelyn, and Handsome Devil Bistro. For fine dining, visit the Elora Mill Restaurant.
Scoop Ice Cream has delicious handmade ice cream and Sweet Distractions will cover all your sugar cravings.
For cocktails, visiting the Elora Distilling Company is a must.
I hope you enjoyed my guide to Elora, Ontario!
To read my blog post, “A Guide to Bayfield, Ontario,” click here.
To read my blog post, “A Guide to Prince Edward County, Ontario,” click here.
To read my blog post, “A Guide to Blue Mountain, Ontario,” click here.
