London – Day 1 of a 5-Day Trip in Ontario
I flew in to Toronto late afternoon, picked up my car and drove the 2 hours to London. I was in Ontario for a few weeks due to work, but had the evenings and the weekend to explore. My visit was in the summer, so it was hot! The beginning of the trip begins the night before with dinner in Mississauga (where the Toronto airport is located) from Chaska. The restaurant specializes in Indian street food. It is located in a business district near the airport, but the food is amazing! I ordered the kathi roll, the samosa, and a mango lassi to go.
I then drove to London and stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton London. I also picked up some groceries for breakfast the next morning.
Day 1
London
Start your official Day 1 with homemade breakfast! Then head out to Westminster Ponds/Ponds Mill Conservation for a morning walk. The start of the trail is right by the Welcome Centre. Portions of the trail is on boardwalk. The loop takes about 1.5 hours to complete.
After the walk, stop by the Neighbourhood Laudromat Café to snap a picture of the mural. This funky and hip spot offers food and coffee while using the laudromat. The café is not in a great area, but the mural is nice.
For lunch, head to Tony’s Pizza. I ordered the medium penzerotti, which came with marinara sauce for dipping. Penzerotti is similar to a calzone. The difference between the two is that calzones are oven-baked, whereas penzerottis are deep-fried. Both are pastries stuffed with cheese, tomato sauce, and others (mushrooms, green peppers, etc.). The medium portion size is big enough to feed two people.
Not far from Tony’s Pizza is London Brewing Co-operative. Stop for a drink or get something to go! The brewery has an outdoor patio and lots of parking.
In the afternoon, go for a short 20 minute walk at Sifton Bog. The entire boardwalk is on the wetland. The trail leads out to a platform at the centre of the bog and the changing scenery makes the trail definitely worth a visit.
Next, head to Springbank Park. Springbank Park is a 300 acre park along the Thames River. It is a popular spot for an afternoon walk (or run) and even has its own mini amusement park called Storybook Gardens. I wandered the east side of the park near the Civic Garden Complex.
Afterwards, stop for another drink at Storm Stayed Brewing Company. The interior of the brewery is modern compared to its façade and has its own patio.
To end the day, head to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. Buffalo Wild Wings is not in British Columbia, so I was really excited to learn that it is in London, Ontario! It is best to go on a Tuesday or Thursday due to their buy one get one wing deals. I ordered 15 wings with 3 flavours – parmesan garlic, lemon pepper, and mango habanero. The parmesan garlic is my all-time favourite wing sauce.
Another suggestion for dinner is Ichiban Sushi House. The sushi was good, although not as great as Vancouver. I went with a coworker and we shared a sushi boat.
Complete Day 1 Itinerary
*Travel times may vary. Check Google Maps for most accurate travel details.
9:00am: Homemade breakfast.
10:00am: Go for a morning walk at Westminster Ponds/Ponds Mill Conservation (1.5 hour trail) (5 minute drive from Four Points by Sheraton London).
12:00pm: Check out the mural at the Neighbourhood Laundromat Café (8 minute drive from Westminster Ponds).
12:30pm: Lunch at Tony’s Pizza (4 minute drive from Neighbourhood Laundromat Café).
2:00pm: Visit London Brewing Co-operative (2 minute drive from Tony’s Pizza).
3:00pm: Go for an afternoon walk at Sifton Bog (20 minute trail) (17 minute drive from London Brewing Co-operative).
4:00pm: Visit Springbank Park (5 minute drive from Sifton Bog).
6:00pm: Visit Storm Stayed Brewing Company (6 minute drive from Springbank Park).
7:00pm: Dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings (9 minute drive from Storm Stayed Brewing Company).
5-Day Ontario Itinerary
Click “Download” below for an excel version of my 5-Day Ontario Itinerary. Feel free to use the excel file as a planning template for your own trip in Ontario (Toronto, Niagara Falls, and London Areas)!
Travels with Carolyne 