Seniors Discover the ‘Forest City’

I remember a fellow student at the Sorbonne from London, Ontario. His name was Charlie.  He was my buddy. We spent a lot of time together visiting famous secondary schools in Paris. Senior travelers find London in southwest Ontario, along the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor.

London is at the fork of the non-navigable Thames River, approximately halfway between Toronto and Detroit. The entire metropolitan area encompasses nearly 500,000 people.

The “Forest City” as it is called, with its lush green forest and fertile farm land, has a long history, dating back to 1793. The Blackfriars Street Bridge is a famous site that dates to 1875.

It crosses the North Thames River and still today carries a host of pedestrians. It remains the longest (216 ft.) footbridge of its kind in North America. St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica is another “must see” site in town and is famous all over Canada.

Seniors Enjoy Old World Charm

“London is located in the middle of Ontario’s Shakespeare Country and is known for its charming streets, unique attractions and old world charm. Like its British namesake, London is intersected by the River Thames. In keeping with its British traditions, double-decker bus tours depart daily from London’s City Hall.”

The Western Fair, one of Canada’s top fairs, draws over a quarter million visitors each September. Ontario’s frontier heritage is also captured in London. Senior visitors can step back in time at the Fanshawe Pioneer Village reliving life in southwest Ontario from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s.

One of the city’s most popular cultural attractions is the Grand Theatre and offers a wide variety of stage productions. London is a city of 39 Festivals to keep senior visitors coming back for more all during the year.

 Canadian Destination Attracts Senior Travelers

The city is loaded with things to see and do and this link can help you find those things to do, where to eat, where to stay, events, sports and a section dedicated just for visitors. You could plan to spend a few days in colorful London in order to take in the many amenities.

Seniors can ride the double-decker buses and enjoy the River Thames, but while London has clearly been inspired by its British namesake, it is a distinctly Canadian destination. Attractions like Fanshawe Pioneer Village, Banting House and Eldon House will captivate senior history buffs. Or indulge yourself with a tour of the Labatt Brewery.

Enjoy this great city. -jeb