9 Great Things to Do in Ingersoll, ON

The small town of Ingersoll is located in the heartland of Ontario’s southwest. It may be small in size but it’s great in character. This vibrant community welcomes visitors from all over with open arms. We’ll check out the top things to do in Ingersoll for a perfect vacation.

Ingersoll is a great place to visit for those who appreciate slow travel. It’s a place to shop, enjoy local cuisine, and discover the history of Ontario. The city is full of unique stores where you can shop anything from antiques to cheese.

So without further ado, let’s get into this list of the top things to do in Ingersoll.

1. Explore Ingersoll’s Downtown

The downtown area of Ingersoll is a great place to start your journey. You’ll find a great variety of shops where you can browse the windows or get yourself something new.

Or maybe something old? The Modern Hipster Antiques is a great place to score unique finds and take home a little part of the local history.

Fancy a treat? The Olde Bakery Café is waiting for you with delicious desserts and a beautiful historic building.

Want something handmade? Patina’s Gifts of Art & Craft is where you need to go. Perfect for picking out some souvenirs.

2. Ingersoll Cheese & Agricultural Museum

Ingersoll has a rich agricultural heritage and the Ingersoll Cheese Museum is the place to experience it. Among the interesting displays, you will find a 7,300 lbs cheese and a bicycle that has traveled the world.

This interesting museum does a great job to tell stories from Ingersoll. It’s one of our favorite things to do in Ingersoll due to the variety of the exhibition.

3. Lawson Trail Walking

The Lawson Trail is a small nature trail on the outskirts of town. It’s only around a kilometre in length so this one is an easy walking trail for doing some nature exploration.

It is a great place for the family and it’s dog friendly. The trail also runs next to the river and there are some great photo opportunities along the way.

4. Sample the local produce at The Wine Cellar Ingersoll

The Wine Cellar Ingersoll is a great place to go if you want to try the famous local cheese and buy a bottle of local wine.

It has reasonable prices and we’ve found the staff to be knowledgeable. They definitely know their wine and even if you are unsure what to get they’ll quiz you and find the best wine to take home.

It’s one of the places where you can really feel the hospitality of Ingersoll.

5. Leaping Deer Farm Bakery

It might say bakery in the name but in reality, the Leaping Deer Farm Bakery is a family-friendly farm. It’s got all the attractions to keep kids busy in a safe environment.

You will find attractions like the corn maze, hay ride, guided tours of the farm, and even hand-feeding some of the farm animals. Kids love the atmosphere and it’s a great opportunity to meet farm animals.

Oh, and the bakery is really really good. You definitely should not leave without getting some nice baked goods.

6. Dorchester Mill Pond EcoTrail

The Dorchester Mill Pond EcoTrail is an excellent place to spend the day in beautiful nature. It takes around one hour to walk the trail. As it takes you around the pond you will get an opportunity to see some wildlife, especially members of the local bird population.

It’s not well known among travelers so we definitely consider Dorchester Mill Pond EcoTrail a hidden gem.

7. Fanshawe Pioneer Village

The Fanshawe Pioneer Village is just a short drive from Ingersoll and it’s one of the best places to experience history.

As the name suggests it’s a historical village with a set of amazing buildings that belonged to the first pioneers of Ontario.

It takes around 2 to 3 hours to visit this open-air museum and it’s one of the best family experiences in Ingersoll.

You will really feel like taking a step back in time as you walk among the historical buildings. Some of the buildings are open and you can go inside them as well. Ontario has a lot to offer. Did you know Ontario have great beaches?

8. Lawson Nature Reserve

Not to be confused with Lawson Trail that’s in town the Lawson Nature Reserve is south of Ingersoll and covers a much larger area to explore and walk about.

The nature reserve allows for a small hike through the marked trail. You’ll get an opportunity to see birds and the local plant life.

We loved this walking trail as it offered a serene environment and virtually no crowds. It’s not a well-known place but it’s picturesque nonetheless.

9. Enjoy local restaurants in Ingersoll

Finally, you should indulge yourself in the local delicacies that Ingersoll has to offer. There are many great places run by the local community. We have already mentioned Olde Bakery Café and it’s not only a café and dessert kind of place but they have some nice food options as well.

Mango Salad is a local Thai restaurant. It’s a favorite of locals and travelers alike as they have an excellent menu and great-tasting food.

Louie’s Pizza & Pasta is a good option if you are looking for a busy atmosphere akin to a bar. They have excellent food inspired by Italy.

Miss Ingersoll Restaurant is the place to go if you want something homemade. They’ve got all the comfort foods at your disposal.