Road map London and St Thomas city surrounding area (Ontario, Canada)

Col. John Graves Simcoe chose London as the capital of Upper  Canada in 1792, and while it never achieved that lofty status, it did go  on to become the focal point for commerce, industry, higher education,  and entertainment for western Ontario. Nearby St. Thomas was a large RAF  military training base during World War II, and the enlisted personnel  were delighted to discover the waterfront recreation areas scattered  along Lake Erie's north shore, notably Port Stanley. The Port Stanley  Terminal Railway was the way to St. Thomas; over 1.4 million riders took  the train in 1943 alone. Today these small waterfront villages retain  their get-away-from-it-all charm, each worth a visit whether touring by  car or cruising by boat.      

Aylmer [C7] Many European nationalities are represented in the  immediate area around Aylmer, including two distinct Mennonite  cultures. Every March the Aylmer Ponds Wildlife Area just north of town  is the first resting place for 60,000 tundra swans. Viewing stands  overlook the spectacular sight on the wetland area.      

London [A5] Nicknamed the "Forest City," London has more than  50,000 trees on city property and over 600 hectares of parks. Two  must-see London attractions are Storybook Gardens and the London Museum  of Archaeology. The former is a children's theme park on the Thames  River that includes a castle, a zoo, storybook characters, and  outstanding floral displays appealing to children of all ages. The  latter traces the 11,000-year history of southwestern Ontario, houses  more than 40,000 Native artifacts, and features a partial reconstruction  of a 500-year-old village on its original site with an ongoing  archaeological dig.   

Mount Brydges [A3]      

Longwoods Road Conservation Area and Ska-Nah-Doht Iroquoian  Museum cover 63 hectares near Mount Brydges. The museum features a  village that illustrates life as it was 1,000 years ago. A resource  center, conservation k   displays, woodland trails and picnic facilities  are open all year.      

Port Burwell [D8] Its distinctive 1840 wooden lighthouse is  the symbol of Port Burwell and centerpiece of much activity. Across the  street from the lighthouse the Port Burwell Marine Museum, noted for its  lighthouse lenses, ship replicas, and marine artifacts, also recalls  local history. A good farmers market is held across from the lighthouse  on Saturdays in summer.      

Port Stanley [D5]      

Nestled on the largest natural harbor on Erie's north coast,  the diverse little village of Port Stanley has been attracting tourists  for over 125 years. For beach lovers there are Little Beach (a quiet,  family-oriented spot at the end of Main Street) and Main Beach (a  bustling summer playground with plenty of activity). An entertaining  hour-long ride to St. Thomas and back, through scenic Kettle Creek  valley, can be had on the 140-year-old Port Stanley Terminal Railway  that runs on Sunday afternoons year-round.      

St. Thomas [C5-C6]      

St. Thomas got its start in 1810, a decade and a half before  neighboring London, which has since eclipsed it. However, its many fine  examples of Victorian architecture attest to its vibrant manufacturing  and railway history. At the west end of the city stands its greatest  tourist attraction: a life-size statue of Jumbo the Elephant, the  largest elephant ever in captivity and star of the Barnum and Bailey  circus until he was killed in 1885 in a freak railway accident.      

AYLMER      

Aylmer Museum Aylmer Ponds Wildlife Area      

LONDON      

Storybook Gardens Springbank Park Royal Canadian Regiment Museum The Old Courthouse      

Building The Grand Theatre Guy Lombardo Museum London Museum ofArchaeology Fanshawe Pioneer Village London Princess Boat Cruises      

MOUNT BRYDGES      

Ska-Nah-Doht Iroquoian Museum      

PORT BURWELL      

Port Burwell Marine Museum Trinity Anglican Church Port Burwell Provincial Park Sand Hills      

PORT STANLEY      

Port Stanley Terminal Railway King George V Bridge Main Beach  Little Beach Port Stanley Festival Theatre Kettle Creek Clothing Company  Harbour House The Kettle Creek Inn      

ST. THOMAS      

Elgin Railway Museum Elgin Pioneer and Military Museum Jumbo Statue St. Thomas Church (1824) The Guildhouse Building