Formerly known as Little Falls, the town of Fergus is one of Ontario’s mini Scottish settlements. A quiet and quirky place along the Grand River, there’s a little something for families, retirees, artists, and nature seekers alike. I’ve been to Fergus a few times for work and really enjoyed learning from and chatting with residents on each visit. It’s near enough to larger cities like Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Toronto, but small enough that you feel removed from the hustle and bustle.
✅ TLDR: Don’t have time to read the whole article? Here are my top finds for your Fergus trip!
🛎️ Find awesome hotels
🚙 Rent a car
🎟️ Book the best tours
🥦 Secure travel insurance
🛍️ Shop my favourite travel products
🌟 Follow Travel with TMc on IG
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, these links provide a small commission to allow this website to continue building helpful and interesting content. Thank you for supporting Travel with TMc, whether through sharing the content you enjoy or using the links. It is much appreciated!
Why Visit Fergus, Ontario?
Fergus is a lovely little town in Ontario known for its Scottish settler roots and cozy weekend vibes. It’s an excellent place to getaway for a few days, slow down, and recharge. There are festival year-round to keep you entertained and plenty of good restaurants too. If you’re ever in need of a custom kilt or imported Scottish housewares or taste treats, this is the place to go – specifically The Fergus Scottish Corner Shop. Fergus is also a wonderful place for writers to unplug from the chaos and still have access to everyday needs. It’s an affordable place to spend a weekend at any point during the year.
Where is Fergus?
Located in Southwestern Ontario’s Wellington County, Fergus is a 1.5 hours drive west of Toronto and 25 km north of Guelph.
When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Fergus?
Fergus is an excellent year-round destination. In the winter it’s the perfect spot to hibernate, rest, and recharge. In the spring, summer, and fall there are loads of festivals and events, as well as nature activities nearby along the Grand River.
What Should I Pack for a Weekend Trip to Fergus?
Packing for a weekend in Fergus, Ontario will depend on the season and purpose of your trip. When in doubt, pack layers or pop into one of the local shops to pick up any items you later find you need.
Getting to Fergus
By Car
If you’re like me and you love a road trip, then check out the online platform Discover Cars for your rentals. I found the platform super easy to use. They compile data from several car rental companies so that you can compare prices in one place. They display the breakdown for all fees and taxes which makes things easy to read. Discover Cars also offers lower prices because they negotiate on your behalf directly with the car rental companies.
Pro Tip: For the best driving directions for Canada or overseas, I use the Waze app.
By Train
Not surprisingly given Canada’s track route with trains, this isn’t the most economical option. However, it is possible to (partially) take the train to Fergus. First up, when departing from Toronto, you’ll hop on the GO Train from Union Station and then hop off at the Guelph Central GO. From there it’s a pricey taxi ride 25 km into Fergus.
Pro Tip: The GO Train only costs $10 on weekends!
By Bus
It’s not the most straight-forward route, however it’s more economical than the train in this instance. If you’re coming from Toronto to Fergus you could hop on ParkBus to get to Elora. That’ll take roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes. From there it’s a short 6 km taxi ride into Fergus.
Pro Tip: I love using the OMIO app. You can compare and book buses, trains, and flights really easily.
Transportation in Fergus, Ontario
By Foot
My favourite way to see a place is by walking and luckily Fergus is a fabulous place to use the heel-toe express. Everything is more or less in walking distance along St. Andrew Street or across the river. If you want to hop over to Elora you’ll need to drive.
By Taxi & Uber
The Fergus Elora Taxi service is available to you during your stay should you require a ride.
Where to Stay in Fergus, Ontario
There are a range of accommodation options for a weekend in Fergus. For a hotel, check out the historic and gorgeous Breadalbane Inn for a romantic weekend getaway. There are a few home rentals, such as the rustic Stone Mill Retreat which is a 2-bedroom townhouse with a fireplace that can welcome 2 couples or a small family. The Cozy Corner is technically in nearby Elora, however it was so cute and artsy that I couldn’t resist sharing it with you. This tiny home is absolutely adorable.
Unique Airbnb
If there is one place to stay in Fergus, it is the Riverside Church Guesthouse, a converted historic church. The one-of-a-kind rental has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, well-stocked kitchen, a full laundry room with a 2nd fridge, a large back deck, BBQ, and riverfront access in the warmer months. It’s perfect for families, groups of friends, or even the solo traveller looking to splurge on a memorable and relaxing getaway.
Built in 1903, the building has retained many of its original features, including exposed brick, lofty levels, and pristine stained glass windows. It has also been converted into other spaces: a restaurant, a home, and now the guesthouse. If you check out the link for it above, I give all sorts of detail about its history, including how it was moved piece by piece from one town to another! If those walls could talk…
What to Do in Fergus Ontario
Okay, now that we’ve got all of the logistics out of the way, let’s talk about the fun stuff – activities!
Arts & Culture
Fergus is known for its Scottish settler heritage, evident in its namesake festival. On top of that though, there are some really neat spots in town to join in with the local scene. Play with Clay offers drop-in space for anyone to sit, spin, and get dirty, as well as workshops and ready-to-paint pieces for the newbies.
The Fergus Grand Theatre has been a staple in the community since 1928. It has hosted everything from movies to concerts to comedy and drag shows. Today it’s also used as a rental space and is popular with children’s entertainment. If you get the chance to peek inside, do. The original chairs, historic photos, and a few other vintage pieces are on display, even if you aren’t able to squeeze in a show.
Festivals
For a little town, Fergus packs a big punch. They’ve got festivals year-round, from the famous Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games to the newer Meadows Music Festival or Cogs & Clockworks Steampunk Festival.
Outdoor Activities
Fergus is a fabulous place to be in a town and simultaneously recharge in nature. To begin, you can walk pretty near anywhere while in town. Park the car, get out the sunglasses, and enjoy a leisurely stroll along St. Andrew Street or the Grand River.
Visit the award-winning century-old Templin Gardens for a summer evening concert during Twilight at Templin or stop and smell the flowers.
Between May and October, drive a little out of town to the Elora Gorge and Quarry Conservation Areas. Melted glacial water beckons you to the swimming hole for a dip, kayak, or tubing. You’ll also find great hiking. Please heed safety signage when visiting.
Driving a little farther, head to Belwood Lake Conservation Area to discover a spring-fed quarry with a sand beach. Enjoy a book, go for a swim, fish, water-ski, and more.
Shopping
Fergus has a lot to offer for a small town. There are boutique clothing stores, a specialty chocolate store, a most fabulous secondhand bookstore called The Bookery, yarn and quilting stores housed in the same shop, and many more unique local establishments.
Indoor Activities
If you’re in Fergus on a rainy or extra cold day, that’s alright because you’ve still got options. The first place I would head to is The Outpost Bottle Shop where they’ve got a shelf full of board games and friendly locals who love to chat. If you’re a beer drinker, this is also going to be a gem to discover, with their rotating taps and fully-stocked fridges with brews-to-go.
Another option would be the Wellington County Aquatic Centre. There you’ll find 6 swimming lanes in a 25-metre pool, as well as a leisure pool with a water slide that’s perfect for kids. To top off the indoor fun, check out the 12-seater whirlpool.
Book lovers and historians have 2 lucky options: the Wellington County Museum and Archives and the Fergus Library Branch. Both historic buildings are beautiful and the staff are extremely helpful.
Where to Eat and Drink in Fergus
Breakfast
There are many great places to sit and enjoy a bite or a pint in Fergus, from fine dining options to your new favourite watering hole. But first, breakfast. The Vault Coffee and Espresso Bar is technically a great café for breakfast, lunch, or a to go snack. If you’re looking for a healthy breakfast spot with character or just a cup of joe to start your day, head to the former bank for an order of eggs (or an Oreo cinnamon bun!) with a side of history. While waiting for your food, pop into the original bank vault and let your imagination run.
Around the corner is another breakfast spot called Horizon Family Restaurant. Quick note: please don’t wear your hoodie up there. Come hungry, the portions are huge.
Lunch
There are several great lunch spots in Fergus, including the aforementioned Vault. For healthier fare between 11am and 3pm, head to The Red Door Restaurant. Their smoothies are delicious (though I wasn’t thrilled it was served in a plastic cup), their wraps overflowing, and their carrot cake is famous.
Joe’s Butcher Shop & Deli is at the top of my list of places to eat at during my next visit. His deli sandwiches made with the best quality meat keep locals coming back again and again. If that’s not a vote of confidence, I don’t know what else is. In chatting with Joe I also learned that they make homemade cabbage rolls, which you can take to go. I’m salivating!
A popular nearby Caribbean takeout joint called the Underground Kitchen serves daily specials from 11am to 7pm. Open from Tuesday to Friday, they serve the coziest comfort food from curried goat to Jamaican patties.
Dinner & Drinks
Fergus has a variety of evening eats options, from casual to fine dining. If you’re looking for a taste of the area’s Scottish roots, head to The Fergusson Room and order the steak and ale pie. Grab a seat at the end of the bar beside the fireplace in the winter for the best atmosphere as you listen to the locals banter. Heads up, it is first come first seated here, however if you’re in a group of 7 or more you can make a reservation for this very popular gastropub. I’ve sat at the bar both times I’ve eaten there and quite enjoyed having a view of the whole place from my perch.
Next door at the adjoining Breadalbane Inn is Scozia. A fine dining restaurant with an Italian-inspired menu made with local farm-to-table ingredients, this is the perfect spot for an intimate date or special family occasion. During the day there’s a lovely sunroom to sit in too. Both restaurants at The Breadalbane Inn are also open for lunch.
Gente Urban Italian Eatery is another Italian-inspired restaurant in town. The family-run business is located in an old home, a few seconds walk from the Riverside Church Guesthouse. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a great choice regardless of your group size and no matter the season. Gente specializes in homemade pasta, pizza, and entrees such as lamb. Their sommelier will help you pair the perfect wines with your meal.
If you’re looking for casual pub food during the day or a fun night out, head to The Goofie Newfie. As the name suggests, they’ve plenty of East Coast favourites on the menu, from fish and chips to lobster poutine and everything in between. Do you prefer a pint on a patio overlooking the river as the sun shines on you? This is your spot. Heads up, they’re closed on Sundays and Mondays during long weekends. Quirky, no?
If you prefer a more lowkey pub night, across the river and beside the bridge is The Brew House on the Grand. Another cozy spot in the winter that offers summertime patio seating, they’ve got your tastebuds covered with 18 beers on tap and a claim to the best wings in town.
Looking for a more sophisticated evening clinking wine glasses? Head to Tapavino Wine and Tapas Bar on St. Andrew Street. If I were you, I’d bring a group of friends so that you can try all of their tapas. I wouldn’t be able to choose just a few looking at their mouthwatering menu!
For friendly energy and a community atmosphere, check out The Outpost Bottle Shop. The owners and their son run the place and are very welcoming. With burgers, pizza, kids’ meals, and several appetizers, there’s lots to choose from if you’re hungry. The shining stars here though are the rotating craft beers and the fully stocked Ontario wines and ciders. You’re welcome to sit in and enjoy live music, trivia, or other community events or you can take some treats back to your accommodation (or home!). Check out their back patio in the warmer months, which overlooks the Templin Gardens.
Bonus Google Map of Fergus
I’ve put together this bonus Google Map of places to eat, stay, and adventure during your time in Fergus, Ontario. Feel free to add this map to your phone for easy access on your travels.
Sneak Peek of a Weekend Trip to Fergus
Subscribe and Stay in the Loop!
Stay tuned to all things vanlife, tips for international destinations, and learning how to pay yourself to travel like I do by subscribing to the (nearly) monthly newsletter and joining me on Instagram. Thanks for reading!
Helpful Tips for Booking Your Trips
Flights
If you want affordable flights, you must get into the points and miles game. Check out my Travel Coaching services to help Canadians fly for less than a tank of gas!
Car Rentals
To help you explore new destinations, turn to Discover Cars for a huge range of vehicle options and excellent prices.
Accommodation
There are so many options for affordable, comfortable, and unique accommodation. Some of my favourite accommodation options are housesitting and hostels. I’ve been using Trusted Housesitters and Hostelworld for years. If you prefer hotels, then check out Booking.com.
Activities
Get Your Guide is a fantastic resource for different activities to try when travelling. They have everything from walking tours, food tours, tickets to attractions, and multi-day trips, and more. Check out this super cool view I had of Tallinn when I was in Estonia for the Christmas markets in 2023, all because of a Get Your Guide experience. My favourite tour so far that I’ve been on with Get Your Guide is a fantastic walking food tour I did in Dublin. That experience had a wild twist – you’ll have to read this blog post to find out why!
