Located in downtown St. Thomas, the St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre is a nonprofit organization that encourages, promotes and supports the visual arts in St. Thomas and the surrounding area. If you visit, you will see a permanent collection of more than 1,000 pieces of art and 16 annual exhibits that feature the works of regional, Canadian and international artists. These annual exhibits range from single-artist shows to historical retrospectives. There are also ongoing education programs for both children and adults. One of the highlights of the year is an art show created by the young artists from the local schools, allowing young talent to proudly display their works.
St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre
301 Talbot St.
St. Thomas, ON N5P 1B5, Canada
519-631-4040
stepac.ca
With a rich history of railways in St. Thomas, the Elgin County Railway Museum is a natural stop for anyone visiting this southern Ontario city. The museum was created to preserve the strong railway heritage of the St. Thomas region. Run by volunteers, the museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping the rail tradition alive.
Located in the 1913 former Michigan Central Railroad Locomotive Shops next to the Canada Southern Railway, which placed St. Thomas on the map as the "Railway Capital of Canada," the museum contains some of the trains that made the city famous. In the museum, you will find trains from the Canadian National Railways, the London and Port Stanley Railway, Grand Trunk Western Railroad, and the Norfolk and Western Railroad. There is also a model train exhibit. The museum is closed in the winter months due to safety concerns with the outdoor exhibits.
Elgin County Railway Museum
225 Wellington St.
St. Thomas, ON N5R 1A1
519-637-6284
ecrm5700.org
Located just outside St. Thomas in London, Ontario, Storybook Gardens provides families with a fun park for the entire family. This amusement park is open year-round. In the summer months, you will find a splash area, face painting, live animals, rides and an array of colorful gardens. During the winter, Storybook Gardens features an outdoor skating trail. The trail winds through many of the park's favorite attractions, including a seal pool with live harbor seals. The trail is refrigerated so you can find good skating no matter the weather. The zoo and farm animal viewing areas are also available in the winter. Main attractions year-round include the enchanted forest, natural wildlife pond, Old McDonald's Farm, Pirates' Island and Storybook Castle.
Storybook Gardens
1958 Storybook Lane
London, ON Canada N6K 4Y6
519-661-5770
storybook.london.ca
