Top Tourist Places to Visit in London, Canada, America
London is a city located in the Southwestern Ontario in Canada, around 170 km southwest of Toronto and 620 km southwest of national capital Ottawa. It is the seat of Middlesex County and has its own municipality.
London is one of the educational hubs of the country with institutions of Fanshawe College and the University of Western Ontario. Medical research, education, insurance and IT are the major income sources of London. London is also known for its colorful festivals.
Geography of London:
London is located on the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor at the coordinates of 42.9837° N 81.2497° W. The metro region of London spans over an area of 2,665.28 sq. km. and is placed 251 meters above the sea level.
History of London:
It is believed that, Europeans were the original inhabitants of London, initiated by Peter Hagerman in the beginning of the 19th century. London was established as a village in 1826 and was converted into a city in the year 1855. In later years, London developed as one of the major education and tourism hubs of the country.
How to reach London?
London International Airport is catered by Air Canada Express, WestJet, United Express, Canjet and Sunwing Airlines which operate flights to Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Chicago, Winnipeg and Varadero. It is placed around 10 km away from the downtown of London.
London Railway Station is served by VIA Rail with everyday connection to Toronto, Ottawa and many other locations, is sited at 205 York Street. Also there are regular bus services available between London and Toronto.
The major taxi operators catering London are:
- London Taxi
- U-Need-A-Cab
- Aboutown
Things to do in London:
- Labatt Brewery Tours
- Thames Valley Trail
- Forest City Velodrome
- The Grand Theatre
- Western Fair
- The John Labatt Centre
- Delaware Speedway
Culture, Food and Shopping in London:
The major festivals organized in London include Home County Folk Festival, London Fringe Theatre Festival, London Ontario Live Arts Festival and The International Food Festival.
The prime shopping centres in London are:
- Masonville Shopping Centre
- CityLights bookstore
- White Oaks Mall
- Grooves Records
Visitors can visit the following food corners to have delicious dishes and tasty drinks:
- Prince Albert’s Diner
- Raja Fine Dining
- Marienbad Restaurant
- Bertoldi’s Trattoria
Tourist Attractions in London:
Banting House National Historic Site:
Banting House National Historic Site is a must visit site in London because it displays lot on the life and achievements of the explorer of insulin, Canadian Sir Frederick Grant Banting. It is open from noon-4PM between Tuesday-Saturday. Entry fee is $5.
Springbank Park:
Springbank Park is a top tourist site in London located towards the west of downtown area. It has lot to show tourists like picnic areas & facilities, wading pool, storybook gardens and playgrounds.
Museum London:
Museum London is a beautifully constructed structure showcasing a variety of art and historical exhibits. It is sited at Ridout Street North in pleasant environment.
Other places of interest near London include:
- Eldon House
- Blackfriars Street Bridge
- Wortley Village
- Victoria Park
- East Park Golf Gardens and Wally World
- Storybook Gardens
- Labatt Memorial Park
- Harris Park
- Gibbons Park
- Fanshawe Conservation Area
Best time to visit London:
From September to May is the ideal time to visit London because most of the major cultural events are celebrated during these months.
Accommodation Options in London:
London is one of the highly emerging cities in Canada known for its word class accommodation centres. The budget hotels of London generally charge around $50 per night, middle range-$100 per night and luxury-$150 per night with latest facilities. List of prime hotels and lodges in London include:
- Hotel Metro
- Quality Suites London
- Country Inn & Suites London South
- Hampton Inn
- Hilton London Ontario
- Idlewyld
- Windermere Manor Hotel & Conference Centre
- Courtyard by Marriott London
- Travelodge London South
- Station Park All Suite Hotel
- Econo Lodge
- Four Points by Sheraton
- Staybridge Suites London
- Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre
- Residence Inn London Downtown
- BEST WESTERN PLUS Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre
- Delta London Armouries
- Homewood Suites by Hilton London Ontario
