Sip, Savour and Stay: A Stirling Escape
Slow down, savour local flavours, and enjoy a relaxing experience getaway in and around Stirling, Ontario. From water buffalo gelato to covered bridge strolls (troll sightings may be included), this countryside escape is designed for guests who enjoy local tastes, cozy spaces, and small-town discoveries.
Here is our recommendation for a Hastings County mid-week getaway destination: Stirling Ontario.
- Two nights stay at the Huntingdon House B&B, Stirling
- Daily breakfast included at Huntingdon House
- Optional curated experiences (private yoga class, wine & cheese tasting, sourdough studio, watercolour workshop)
- In-season option to add a performance at Stirling Festival Theatre
- Suggested dining and strolling stops in downtown Stirling
Perfect for: Couples, girls’ getaways, food lovers, and anyone craving a calm, flavour-forward escape.
Day One – Welcome to Stirling
Stirling Festival Theatre – Matinee or Evening Performance
📍 41 West Front St, Stirling, ON K0K 3E0
Kick off your getaway at the Stirling Festival Theatre, where the bar is set high and a great first destination.
Creative energy, small-town charm, and professional theatre in an old style movie theatre – this may take you back a time or two. The theatre is best known for well-loved classics, comedies, musical acts and their crowd-favourite panto; the kind that pull in all ages, sparks laughter, and turns first-time visitors into repeat guests.
Take a moment in your planning to browse the 2026 season, including upcoming shows and matinees. This is a theatre you plan your stay around.
🎟 Book 2026 box office tickets and productions here
3:00 - 5:00 PM – Check-In at Huntingdon House
📍 10323 ON-62, Stirling, ON | 647-244-1733
Arrive at Huntingdon House, your tucked away luxury accommodation, awaits.
Get ready for: cozy nooks, beautifully curated décor, quiet corners to read or reflect, and hosts who pay attention to every detail. Take time to settle in, enjoy discovering this spacious home away from home, and simply exhale. Ahh, you have arrived.
6:00 PM – Dinner at Smoke & Barrel Bar & Grill
📍 23 West Front St, Stirling, ON
facebook.com/smokeandbarrelstirling
Head into town for a relaxed dinner at Smoke & Barrel, known for hearty, flavour-packed comfort food and a welcoming local atmosphere. If you love a delicious burger, try the Pit Boss, it’s so good.
7:30 PM – Covered Bridge Evening Walk & Photo Opp
📍 Mill St, Stirling, ON
Finish the evening with a gentle stroll at Stirling’s covered bridge, a favourite local landmark. Enjoy the calm of the creek below and keep an eye out for the playful “trolls under the bridge” sign – it’s a cute touch that makes visitors smile. This can be enjoyed any time during your stay. Both day and evening offer incredible photos for your social channels.
Day Two – Tarts, Boutiques & Experiences
8:30 AM – Breakfast at Huntingdon House
Wake up to a fresh, thoughtfully prepared breakfast by your hosts. Expect a healthy, flavourful start to your day. Hot Beverages are available any time of day in the upper nook area.
9:30 AM – Paradise Tarts
Ease into the morning with a visit to Paradise Tarts for all things butter tarts and warm hospitality. It’s a sweet prelude to your Stirling wander. Just go ahead and buy the dozen. Take them home, they freeze well. That is if there are any leftovers to share!
10:00 AM – Browse Downtown Stirling
📍 20 Mill St, Stirling, ON
Farmhouse-inspired décor, fashion apparel for all, rustic home pieces – ideal if you love cozy home design.
📍 26 Mill St, Stirling, ON
Handcrafted soaps and body products, made locally with care. A perfect stop for gifts or some decadent self-care attention. Family owned & operated.
The Stirling Book Co.
📍 22 Mill St, Stirling, ON
A vibrant local bookstore with great reads, local authors, and classic bookshop charm.
12:00 PM – Lunch at Farm Girl Café
📍 18 Mill Street, Stirling, ON
Break for lunch at Farm Girl Café. We know you will love it here. It’s the kind of approachable gourmet where you want to linger over your meal. A perfect stop for a café latte, plus a fresh bowl of soup & artisan sandwich. Oh, and don’t forget a sweet treat fresh baked in-house.
1:00 PM – Afternoon Leisure & Local Artistry
📍 25 Mill St, Stirling, ON
Explore new and vintage treasures, from furniture to one-of-a-kind home décor finds.
The Studio
📍 21 West Front St, Unit 3, Stirling, ON
Step into The Studio by Jean, a working artist’s space with originals, prints, and creative energy.
Optional Add-On: Private Watercolour Class
Make your Stirling visit even more memorable with a private watercolour workshop led by Jean at The Studio. Contact Jean in advance to coordinate a class.
📧[email protected]
Pre-booking is recommended as spaces are limited.
The Food Boutique
📍 27 West Front Street, Stirling, ON
Finish your retail wander at The Food Boutique, where you’ll find gourmet pantry goods, artisan sauces, and local foodie favourites. Here there are fresh and frozen meals if you decide to dine in at your accommodation or take home with you.
Options for Private Classes at Huntingdon House
3:30 PM – Pre-booked Experiences at Huntingdon House
Head back to Huntingdon House for a pre-booked on-site experience (options may vary by stay and host schedule):
- Gentle yoga in a serene indoor or outdoor space
- Wine & cheese featuring local producers
- Sourdough making: roll up your sleeves and learn the process
These experiences are designed to help you slow down, savour the moments, and enjoy the pace of countryside life.
Contact the Huntingdon House host to coordinate in advance.
6:00 PM – Dinner prepared by Chef Sam (Stirling Kitchen Catering) – hosted at Huntingdon House
Dinner Recommendation: Enjoy a relaxing dine-in culinary experience with a private chef -- Chef Sam, owner/operator of Stirling Kitchen Catering. Expect elevated comfort food, seasonal ingredients, and a relaxed, intimate setting. Contact the Huntingdon House to coordinate.
Day Three – Slow Start, Discover Ag-tourism in Stirling & Farewell
8:30 AM – Breakfast at Huntingdon House
Enjoy one last homemade breakfast, prepared with the same care and detail you’ve come to expect from your hosts before checking out 10:00am.
10:00 AM – The Buff Stuff Store - Ontario Water Buffalo Company
📍 3346 Stirling Marmora Road, Stirling, ON
Meet the water buffalo, tour the farm while learning about this unique operation, and treat yourself to handcrafted gelato, meats, dairy and all things Water Buffalo merch. It’s an unforgettable first taste of rural Hastings County.
11:00 PM – The Apple Store Cooney Farms
📍 10 Wellmans Rd, Stirling, ON
Next, head to Cooney Farms to explore a multi generational family-run market filled with crisp apples, preserves, and small-batch local products. A great spot to stock up on snacks or gifts to take home. If you enjoy gourmet condiments and all things yum, this is your store.
12:00 PM – Departure
📍 Pro Gas Station, 208 North Street & grab a Foley’s Fry Pie.
Depart Stirling feeling rested, inspired, and well-fed, with new favourite spots in Stirling and stories to bring home. Before you depart town, be sure to stop in at the 📍 Pro Gas Station, 208 North Street & grab a Foley’s Fry Pie. This staple in Hastings County is a cross between a pie, a pop-tart and a donut, filled with sweet or savory options. Trust me, you need to take a few of these hand-held fry pies, home with you.
How to Book
Accommodations & On-Site Experiences
Book your stay and on-site experiences directly with:
Huntingdon House Bed and Breakfast
📍 10323 ON-62, Stirling, ON
huntingdonhouse.ca | Phone: 647-244-1733
Theatre Tickets – In Season
For in-season shows, comedy nights, concerts, pantos, and more, guests can book directly with:
Stirling Festival Theatre
📍 41 West Front St, Stirling, ON K0K 3E0
stirlingfestivaltheatre.com | Phone: 613-395-2100
(Online ticket sales are available 24/7; phone and box office hours vary by day and performance.)
Dining & Retail Stops
Reservations and hours may vary. Guests are encouraged to check individual websites or contact businesses directly before arrival.
visitstirlingrawdon.ca/business-directory
It’s worth the drive into Hastings County.
Itinerary by Spicy Jan
Bio: Spicy Jan is a culinary explorer, food writer, and the founder of Tasty Road Trips Inc., an experiential tourism company that designs unforgettable small-town adventures across Ontario. With a deep love for storytelling through food and travel, Jan uncovers local gems, crafts immersive itineraries, and champions the people and places that give rural communities their flavour. Whether she’s exploring rural Ontario, sipping cortados with locals, or hosting Taste Quest, a corporate Team Building experience, Jan believes in building stronger communities—one delicious bite at a time. In her spare time Jan is a tourism project consultant and business coach.
Follow Spicy Jan's adventures:
📸 Instagram: @tastyroadtrips
💼 LinkedIn: Spicy Jan
🌐 Website: Tasty Road Trips