Thornbury Ontario Travel Guide
Thornbury, Ontario is a great community and one that I highly recommend visiting and adding to your next weekend getaway bucket list. I’m lucky to live close by so I spend lots of time here. It has a permanent spot on my ‘cutest small towns in Ontario’ list. I’m excited to share some of the best things to do, where to eat and grab a coffee, and places to stay in this Thornbury Ontario travel guide.
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Things To Do In Thornbury, Ontario
Bike or Walk The Rail Trail
Thornbury is along the route for the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail that goes from Collingwood to Meaford. I love parking at one of our favourite small town Ontario breweries, Thornbury Craft Co., and then biking towards Collingwood on the trail. You’ll see the trail right at the back of the parking lot. On your return, you can end with a refreshing beer back on their patio. My go-to is the blood orange flavour, especially on a hot day. More on that later.
Do Some Local Shopping
When you drive into Thornbury, you’ll notice right away how many great local shops there are along the main street. You could easily spend an afternoon doing some shopping and enjoying the unique boutiques.
Explore The Neighbouring Village Of Clarksburg
If you love exploring small villages that are bursting with character, art galleries and vintage shops, you’ll definitely what to visit the neighbouring village of Clarksburg. Clarksburg is only a 5 minute drive from Thornbury and is definitely worth the trip.
Walk Across The Wooden Trestle Bridge
There is a beautiful wooden trestle bridge in Thornbury, Ontario that cross over the Beaver River. It used to be part of the railway system that dates back to 1872 but it’s now part of the Georgian Rail Trail that is used for biking and walking. It’s a great bridge to walk across and enjoy the views. My favourite is to head to the bridge after I grab a coffee or ice cream.
Visit A Nearby Winery
One of my favourite wineries near Collingwood and Thornbury is Georgian Hills Vineyard. I highly recommend visiting this winery, especially during the summer months when you can sit outside. It’s one of the most beautiful outside patios in the area with views of the vineyards.
They often host live music events so make sure you check their events page to see what’s coming up. In the summer they host ‘Wine Wednesdays’ which is the best place to enjoy a mid-week summer evening.
Visit Art Galleries
Thornbury is a very artistic town so it makes perfect sense that there are lots of art galleries to enjoy. Stop in to check out beautiful pieces by international and local artists.
Unwind With A Meditation & Sound Bath
If you’re looking to relax and refresh both body, mind and spirit, a meditation and sound bath at Beam Light Studio is a great option. They have different events on throughout the week so you can check their website for upcoming events and meditation sessions.
Places To Eat & Drink In Thornbury, Ontario
Thornbury Craft Co.
Thornbury Craft Co. is a frequent stop on my small town Ontario brewery recommendations. They have an incredible patio that’s perfect for enjoying a cider or craft beer flight, especially after a bike ride. As I mentioned above, my go-to order is the Blood-Orange or Wild Blueberry Elderflower Cider.
They host events throughout the year and have live music most Saturdays from 2-5pm. You can check our their events page for the full line-up.
Local Tip: If you try a cider or beer you love, head inside to their Taproom where you can purchase them to take home with you. This is a great way to support the local community and it’ll help you reminisce on your trip when you’re back home. They also have cool branded t-shirts and hats if that’s more your style.
Cranky Bear Café
Cranky Bear is one of my favourite Thornbury coffee shops. Not only do they serve delicious coffee, they also have incredible smoothies, homemade healthy-but-delicious squares, and the cutest decor and vibe. There’s also a little patio if you visit on a nice day.
The Port Tavern
The Port Tavern is a popular restaurant in Thornbury for visitors and locals for a variety of reasons. The location itself – right on the water near the marina – is a reason to visit, but the delicious food and incredibly friendly servers are the reason you’ll keep coming back.
I definitely recommend sitting outside on their large patio but they do have lots of indoor seating as well.
Polpette
Polpette is a new Italian restaurant located in the beautiful character home that once housed the Winifred’s English Pub. I always loved visiting Winifred’s and sitting on the huge patio so I’m excited to give this new restaurant a try. I wanted to include it because it’s a unique and beautiful place for a restaurant in Thornbury.
Pom Pom Treats Ice Cream
A visit to Thornbury isn’t complete without a delicious ice cream cone from Pom Pom Treats. They’re open seasonally and make ice cream in small batches. I’m a sucker for their mint flavour.
Places To Stay In Thornbury, Ontario
Penny’s Motel
Penny’s Motel is a popular choice for places to stay in Thornbury. This completely renovated motel has modern amenities mixed with that cool, retro vibe.
Leeward House
Leeward House is the newest addition for places to stay in Thornbury. This boutique hotel is opening in July 2026 so make sure you get your reservations in early.
I’ll keep adding to this Thornbury Ontario travel guide as I discover more unique local joys and hidden gems in this cute Ontario small town. If you have a suggestion for me add to this list, please leave a comment below so I can check it out.
