Best Things To Do In Brantford, Ontario

Once home to Alexander Graham Bell, Wayne Gretzky and Lawren Harris (Group of Seven), Brantford is an inspiring city that’s filled with surprises…

I really didn’t know what to expect when we embarked on our family getaway, but left Brantford feeling confident that we’d soon return. The city is made for those who love the outdoors and want to explore their surroundings at a leisurely pace. There are also a few unique reasons to visit so I thought I’d share my favourites below!

Best Things To Do In Brantford, Ontario

Explore The Grand River On The Beast: An 8-Person SUP

In addition to the notable names above, Brantford is also home to the largest stand up paddleboard I’ve ever seen! Affectionately known as The Beast, the 8-person SUP is perfect for beginners, families or a group of friends. It is incredibly stable (due to its size) so we decided to take little Luka out for his first SUP experience! Memories were made.

Looking for other ways to explore the river? Grand River Rafting is a trusted outdoor adventure company that offers kayaks, canoes, SUPs, Turbo Tubing, yaks, raft trips etc. Although their success has ballooned over the years, you can still feel the heart of this family business. These guys love the Grand River and will help you fall in love with it too…

Relax In Your Hoppy Place: A Beer Spa

Hugged by the Grand River and located inside an old industrial building (Slingsby Manufacturing Co circa 1872), Grand Wellness Centre has a Beer Spa that is reason alone to visit Brantford. With treatments like a Body Brew Wrap, Healing “Ale”ments Scrub and Beer Soak, beer-lovers will be in their hoppy place…

If the brew life is not for you, there are a dozen or so other reasons to visit this glorious spa, including an old world salt cave. Here you can snuggle up with blankets on zero gravity chairs and listen to cascading waterfalls as you benefit from halotherapy…

Have A Spot Of Tea

There’s nothing I enjoy more on a rainy day than afternoon tea and that is exactly what we experienced at The Golden Teapot Tearoom.

Located inside the Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant, this quaint and cozy tearoom feels like an extension of the founder’s living room. Linda Pickering is a true gem. One of those people who – in an instant – will restore your faith in humanity. Her generosity, patience and personalized approach to hospitality made this tearoom the perfect spot for little Luka’s first afternoon tea experience…

You’ll need to book ahead as the tearoom is quite small and popular, but make sure it’s on your list when you visit Brantford. A gallery visit and walk around the gardens afterwards is also a must!

Visit The Birthplace Of The Telephone

It’s nicknamed the telephone city for a reason! Brantford is where Alexander Graham Bell dreamt up one of the most important inventions of our time (the telephone) so a visit to Bell Homestead National Historic Site is a must in my opinion.

The historic home is filled with original furnishings and paintings that will transport you back in time. I still can’t believe I stood in the very room where the telephone was invented! The tour here is about an hour long and is absolutely fascinating. You must pre-book your visit so give them a call to reserve your spot.

Check Out Brantwood Farms

This family farm has been around since 1905 and was such a treat to visit! If you’re in Brantford during October, their Fall Festival is a fun way to spend the day. Highlights include: wagon ride, corn maze, farm animals, a haunted barn and much more!

If you’re in the mood for pick your own, head to the orchard like we did and fill up those bags!

Oh, and plenty of pumpkins await. They have all shapes, sizes and colours so you’re bound to find the right one(s) for you.

Stay At Home2 Suites By Hilton Brantford

Opened in 2019 (and re-opened recently after pandemic closures), this is Brantford’s newest hotel. All suites have full kitchens, living rooms and spacious layouts so it’s the perfect spot for families and those who need a bit of extra space.

Breakfast, WiFi and Parking are free and there’s a gym, laundry facility and pool onsite. We had two, restful sleeps in their comfy beds!

Eat Your Way Through Brantford

I was pleasantly surprised by the food options in Brantford! We devoured everything from greasy spoon breakfasts to healthy, sustainable eats during our trip. Here are the spots we dined at:

Sociable Kitchen + Tavern – We had our favourite dinner in Brantford on this patio. We’ve been dining at Charcoal Group restaurants since we were kids (in Kitchener-Waterloo) so it comes as no surprise that these guys have it all figured out. The food, the drinks, the service, the ambiance — everything was on point.

Our Kitchen Brantford – You can feel the love and community vibes as soon as you step foot inside this space. Founded by Catherine Ferrar, the commercial kitchen is a hub and culinary incubator that gives food entrepreneurs a space to launch their dreams, collaborate and grow. Sounds incredible, right? It is.

Beautiful things happen when people collaborate and create in a communal space. I highly recommend visiting Our Kitchen Brantford to feel the city’s pulse and taste the goodies the talented chefs whip up daily.

SkyWay Cafe – If you’re travelling with a toddler or someone who loves planes, this is the breakfast spot for you. The food is cheap and cheerful, service is friendly and it’s the kind of place where staff know regulars by name.

You can even poke your head in next door and see if someone can show you the planes up close!

Dairee Delite – My Instagram DMs blew up when I shared a story about this much-loved ice cream spot. I couldn’t believe how many of you have tried it! For those who haven’t, this retro ice cream shop has been serving Brantford since 1953. You really can’t visit the city and NOT get ice cream here…

The Blue Dog Café – A place to unplug and reconnect, this café is the kind of place I could spend hours in. We loved both the patio and the warm, welcoming indoor space where we met many locals during our breaky.

All of the food and beverages we tried were fresh and delicious. Order the quiche here. Thank me later.

Hudson Public Kitchen + Bar – Located in the heart of downtown Brantford, this new resto has a menu lined with comfort food options. The Butter Chicken Poutine caught my eye and delivered on taste.

The Healthy Rabbit – I loved everything about this place. Their commitment to sustainability, the interior decor, the front and side patios, the food. Everything.

Expect plant-focused meals, locally-sourced ingredients, homemade dressings and desserts, compostable and biodegradable takeaway containers, cutlery straws etc. Trust me, you’ll feel good about dining here. I know we did!

A huge thanks to Discover Brantford and the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario for hosting us and sponsoring this post. As always, all reviews and opinions are my very own.