As travel bloggers, we strive to conduct extensive research before embarking on our journeys. We thrive on discovering new information or interesting facts that our research might have missed. For instance, every Canadian is proud of Alexander Graham Bell for inventing the telephone, but do you know the story behind it? Additionally, do you know the origins of the name ‘Paris, Ontario’? Hint: It has nothing to do with Paris, France and everything to do with a common building material. Uncover the answers to these questions and learn how to make the most of 48 hours in Brantford and Paris by watching our vlog on our YouTube Channel:
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Getting There
Paris and Brantford are just a 10-15 minute drive apart and located about 1.5 hours west of Toronto via the QEW & Highway 403. Visitors can also travel to Brantford on the VIA Rail train from Union Station in Toronto.
Paris, ON
Brantford, ON
Where To Go & What To Do
One of the top attractions in Brantford is the Bell Homestead National Historic Site, the former residence of Alexander Graham Bell. Touring this Victorian-era home, especially the room where Bell invented the telephone, is an unforgettable experience. It’s astounding to think about how a single invention transformed global communication forever.
Additionally, there is a small museum on the grounds displaying phones from the late 1800s through the 1970s. Our tour guide, Brandon, mentioned that many visitors often ask why the phones in the museum have cords.
This observation made us realize that an entire generation of kids may never see a landline phone in their lifetime. It’s both amusing and true.
Tony even found a 1940s phone booth and tried making crank calls. To see how that turned out, check out our vlog.
It’s worth noting that this blog post is Part 3 of our series on the Brantford and Paris area. In Part 1, we spent an afternoon kayaking on the Grand River while enjoying turbo tubing with the folks at Grand River Rafting Co.. Discover the details in this blog post. In Part 2, we participated in a group paddle & paranormal experience on the Grand River through the Six Nations Territory, where we joined a local paranormal group, ‘SNIPE’ – Six Nations Investigating Paranormal Events. We may have even uncovered new evidence suggesting that ghosts truly exist! Read about it here.
We truly enjoyed meandering through Paris, capturing photos for this blog post and various shots for our video. The town boasts numerous buildings and churches constructed in the late 1800s, each featuring distinctive architectural styles unlike any others in the area.
The homes in Paris are uniquely constructed from small river stones instead of typical bricks. These rounded stones, gathered from the nearby Grand River, are layered together using cement—a sight not often seen in this region of Canada.
Paris’ main street features several independent shops, boutiques, and eateries. Just off this street is the Paris Wincey Mills, a revitalized former industrial building transformed into a bustling marketplace filled with food, crafts, and vintage vendors. It’s also an excellent spot to enjoy a delicious grilled cheese sandwich from The Grilled Cheese Effect.
Where To Stay
We chose to stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Brantford, strategically located for easy access to Highways 2 and 403, making our travels to Paris quick and convenient. Upon checking in, we were pleasantly surprised to find complimentary tea and coffee (with cookies) always available in the lobby, along with a hot breakfast and two complimentary bottles of water in our room.
Another fantastic place to consider staying in Paris is the Arlington Hotel. This historic establishment is centrally located near numerous shops, restaurants, and bars. Although we didn’t stay at the Arlington, we dined there, and if the accommodations are as impressive as the food, it’s certainly a great spot to consider.
Where To Eat & Drink
This section might be lengthy since Brantford and Paris boast a plethora of dining and drinking establishments. We kicked off our weekend on a surprisingly hot late-May day by visiting Bell City Brewing for a few refreshing drinks. One of the standout features of Bell City is that, in addition to being a craft brewery with a taproom, it also has an onsite kitchen serving appetizers and hot sandwiches.
We were fortunate to be present when a new batch of beer was being brewed, so the aroma filled the air during our tour. We interacted with the Brew Master and staff, all of whom were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about their craft. Kevin Whiting, the General Manager, explained that only a handful of ingredients are essential to make outstanding beer. You can view his interview here.
In a nod to Brantford’s most notable inventor, Alexander Graham Bell, every beer crafted at Bell City Brewing is named after a famous inventor or their invention. Here are just a few:
Later that evening, we dined at e.d.i.t, which is located in the Arlington Hotel. Before our meal, we enjoyed some delightful cocktails. Our bartender showcased impressive creativity with the drink ingredients, making us very tempted to order another round!
The name of the restaurant, “e.d.i.t,” is an acronym for ‘eat.drank.indulge.together’—such a clever touch. Once we sat down for dinner, we ordered a tender filet mignon and an oven-roasted chicken supreme, paired with glasses of Malbec.
We also got a sneak peek of the two refurbished private event spaces: 1851 Public House and The Library Bar, both located in the basement.
For brunch, we visited the independently-owned Juniper Dining Co, which offers a French-inspired menu. Naturally, we ordered the quiche and French toast stuffed with mascarpone cheese.
This charming little restaurant, owned by Chef Andrea Legacey, reflects a true labor of love evident in its menu, décor, and service. We showcased Chef Andrea’s passion and commitment in our video. It’s no wonder she chose to take over another restaurant in Paris as soon as she learned it was for sale.
Oh, and if you’re a gin enthusiast, Chef Andrea has you covered with a selection of 14 different types of gin—most notably from Dillons Distillers in Beamsville, Ontario. Now you see why the restaurant is named “Juniper”; it’s the essential ingredient in gin!
If you have a sweet tooth, Chocolate Sensations is a must-visit. We indulged in a scoop of ice cream and grabbed a bag of dark chocolate-covered pretzels. Though these pretzels were meant for the drive home, the temptation was too great, and let’s just say a “few” pretzels were consumed shortly after purchase (not naming any names—cough, Tony, cough).
Stillwaters Plate & Pour came highly recommended for its patio, so we made it our final stop before heading home.
The rooftop patio at Stillwaters Plate & Pour is a beloved spot every night of the week. It overlooks the Grand River as it meanders through downtown Paris—absolutely stunning views that are just beckoning for a photograph…or a perfect Instagram post.
We savored appetizers and drinks on the patio, toasting to a wonderful weekend. By the way, the arancini (Italian rice balls) we had might just be the best we’ve ever tasted.
We hope you, too, feel as we do that Paris and Brantford offer a wealth of experiences for every visitor. If you appreciate Canadian history, you’ll cherish the Bell Homestead. If you’re a culinary enthusiast, the diverse range of riverside restaurants in Paris is bound to impress you. It’s also worth mentioning that adventure seekers and ghost hunters have plenty to explore here. We can’t praise Paris and Brantford highly enough and truly hope you get the chance to visit and experience it for yourself someday!
Our visit was sponsored by the Heart of Ontario, but all opinions, recommendations, and reviews are our own.
Do you have any photos or videos from your visit that you’d like to share with us? Feel free to send them to @LetsDiscoverON.
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