Elora Mews Shops -
Directions & Elora Visitor Information

Fall in Love with Elora, Ontario's Beautiful Village - All Over Again!

Elora's charms and attractions change with the seasons. In the spectacular setting of the Grand River and the Elora Gorge, stroll and explore the village streets in historic downtown Elora, lined with century-old limestone buildings, now housing unique shops, art galleries, cafes, pubs and restaurants on Mill Street along the Grand River, and up Metcalfe Street.

You'll love shopping at the ELORA MEWS unique gallery and shops at 45 Mill Street West, around a lantern-lit courtyard within century-old limestone walls. A favourite place to shop for special and unusual gifts, original art, jewellery, and eclectic home decor. Stop for refreshments at the summertime ice cream shop and grill and enjoy our patio in the courtyard, just across from the lookout to the Grand River and Elora's swans.

Take a self-guided historical walking tour of Elora. Brochures are available at the Elora Visitor Centre at Mill and Metcalfe Streets.

The Grand River runs through the village of Elora, thundering down a waterfall around the famous Tooth of Time landmark at the Elora Mill Inn, into the Elora Gorge.

Experience the spectacular Elora Gorge from lookouts at the Elora Mill Inn at the end of Mill Street West or from Victoria Park; walking or rock-climbing on hiking trails within the park; or kayaking or tubing along the river inside the gorge.

Elora has a long cultural heritage and many resident artists, musicians and writers. Be sure to attend the Elora Music Festival which since 1979 has become an internationally acclaimed annual music event in July and August each year.

A highlight every September-October is the Elora & Fergus Artists Studio Tour. The Elora Centre of the Arts also organizes various other art and cultural events throughout the year.

Every October is MONSTER MONTH in Elora! Tim Murton, local Elora artist, is the Master Creator of the ghostly Halloween creatures who hang around town every October, from lampposts and on storefronts. He hosts his own "Twilight Zoo" in his garden studio on Mill Street and holds workshops for local merchants and residents to construct their own spirited wire and gauze mache Halloween monsters to display in front of their shops and homes.

Every year in October Al Koop conducts Haunted Lantern Walking Tours and the Elora Gorge Cinema shows classic horror movies. Many merchants and restaurants throughout Elora participate in special Halloween events like Trick or Treat and Monster Meals.

And now, during the first 2 weeks of October, you can experience all this and more at Elora's new Fall Festival - "SENSATIONAL ELORA - Festival for the Senses" with a full calendar of events showcasing music, theatre, films, and local food, in addition to the already popular art studio tour and monsters around town - so many reasons for a Fall outing or longer getaway to Elora.

Be sure to visit Elora in November and December for your Christmas or Holiday Shopping

Be inspired for your holiday gift-giving! All the independent and unique shops in Elora will have very special gift ideas that you won't find anywhere else. And every year the Merchants of Elora organize special "Starlight Shopping Nights", for a relaxed shopping experience at all your favourite shops.
This year Elora's shops will be open until 9pm for special Christmas shopping nights on Thursday Nov. 24 and Friday November 25, 2011.
 

MORE INFORMATION [click to go directly to your area of interest]

Unique Shopping
Festivals & Theatre
Books, Music & Movies Set in Elora
Other Events & Attractions
Restaurants
Conference and Special Events Facilities
Accommodations
Map & Driving Directions
Elora's Historic Bridges
Elora's Grand River Raceway

Unique Shopping:

You'll Love Shopping at the Elora Mews Shops!

World-class unique shops in a charming lantern-lit courtyard within historic limestone walls. In the centre of Elora's Mill Street on the Grand River and Elora Gorge. Enjoy our summertime ice cream shop and outdoor cafe.

Village of Elora

The Village of Elora website lists all the great specialty shops and shopkeepers of the Elora Business Association (BIA). You'll love exploring Elora's whole shopping district, along Mill Street on the Grand, and up Metcalfe Street. Old-fashioned main street shopping!

Festivals & Theatre:

The Elora Music Festival

An internationally acclaimed annual music festival in the beautiful setting of Elora Ontario. During July and August enjoy great concerts and world-class performers in venues with wonderful acoustics in this charming village on the Grand River and the Elora Gorge. For more information and a ticket order form visit the Elora Festival website at www.elorafestival.com.

Conductor and co-founder Noel Edison has received the Order of Ontario for his incredible influence on classical choral music.

The Elora Festival Singers

Enjoy concerts by the Elora Festival Singers all year round. When the summertime Elora Music Festival is over, this professional chamber choir and principal vocal ensemble for the Elora Festival holds weekend concerts from October through May in the Festival venues of St. Mary’s Church and St. John’s Church.

"Sensational Elora" Festival for the Senses

This annual 11-day October festival of events was very successfully launched in 2008, for tourists and the local community to savour the music, art, theatre, films, local food, beautiful heritage architecture and scenic surroundings of the beautiful village of Elora Ontario. The beautiful autumn weather around Canadian Thanksgiving is a wonderful and busy time to explore the Elora village streets and shops.

The Fergus Scottish Festival

During the annual Fergus Scottish Festival, visitors from throughout the world enjoy all aspects of traditional Highland Games with a wee bit of modern flare tossed in. Heavy Events, Highland Dancing, Piping, Avenue of the Clans as well as a variety of tents and vendors make for a perfect weekend for local residents and visitors. Come and join the 30,000 visitors to celebrate the rich Scottish Culture.

The Elora Gorge Cinema

Elora’s Gorge Cinema, in a heritage limestone building next-door to the Elora Mews, is the longest-running repertory cinema in Canada. The cinema shows current big-screen productions year-round. It has also been used during production of feature films like Simon Birch with Ashley Judd and Trapped in Paradise with Nicholas Cage, with scenes filmed on location in Elora.

Books, Music, and Movies Set in Elora:

The Elora Festival has been making Sweet Music since 1980.  Artistic director Noel Edison, founder of the Elora Festival Singers, has put the Elora Festival and the Elora Festival Singers onto the world stage.  On our shopping page are a few of the many famous names that have appeared on the various stages of the Elora Festival over the years, such as Jeff Healey, Holly Cole, The Nylons and more.

Movies Produced in Elora:

The beauty of the Elora Gorge with its spectacular rock faces and white water, has attracted movie producers from around the world.  On our shopping page are a few of the many movies that have used the Limestone cliffs and natural and historical scenery for the settings of such wonderful movies as Mrs. Soffel, Simon Birch, Angel Eyes and more.

Other Events & Attractions:

The ELORA GORGE is one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Southern Ontario. A great getaway for the urban hiker, camper or adventure sports enthusiast, or a romantic retreat. Share beautiful pictures of the Elora Gorge or enhance your computer desktop with Elora Gorge wallpaper or screensaver images.

The Elora Fergus Studio Tour

Elora is a mecca for artists. A. J. Casson of the Group of Seven “fell in love with Elora at first sight and became obsessed with sketching it”.

This annual tour is a wonderful opportunity to visit the artists of Elora & Fergus in their own studios, at your own pace. The tour is held over two weekends - last weekend in September and first weekend in October - a wonderful time of year to visit Elora and Fergus.

For more up-to-date information regarding this self-guided walking or driving tour of actual working artist studios in these exciting, creative artistic communities, please visit the Elora Fergus Studio Tour Website.

The Wellington County Museum & Archives

This National Historic Site, recognized for its unique history as the oldest House of Industry in Canada, offers many interesting permanent displays and exhibits. Located between scenic Fergus and Elora on the Grand River, home of many artists, musicians, and unique homes and gardens. Don't miss the museum's Summer Art Workshops, annual "Insights" Juried Art Competition, and "Grand Garden Tour" and Herb Fair.  

Elora Historical Tours

Al Koop's guided-tour company "Older Voices" and Gary Bryant's tour company "Elora Tours" together lead dramatized "Village Duo Walks" for history enthusiasts and tourists on a journey to Elora's past. Stops include Mill Street and Lover's Leap. Local children also participate in the tours, acting a number of characters. Call (519) 846-6685 or (519) 846-5567 to book a tour. Self-guided walking tour guides are also available from the Elora Tourist Centre on Mill Street. Featured are specialized are "Gorge Vistas" tours, A.J. Casson Tours (sites painted by this Group of Seven artist in the summers of 1929-1931), Churches, Public & Commercial Buildings, Historical & Heritage houses and settlements.

Summer Art Workshops in Elora

The Wellington County Museum & Archives is holds many week-long Adult Art Workshops every July, at the Elora Public School, 288 Mill Street East, Elora Ontario. Study with some of Ontario's most talented instructors, discover your artist within, and experience the beautiful village of Elora and area, an inspiration for many famous artists.
 

Restaurants:

Elora has a large variety of unique cafes and restaurants in the heritage district of Mill Street and Metcalfe Street, from fast food, to casual fare cafes, to pub food, to fine dining restaurants, all in buildings with historic character.

Previous visitors will fondly remember the great restaurant, lounge and terrace at the  Elora Mill Inn overlooking the Elora Gorge.  The Elora Mill is currently closed, under new ownership by the Landmark Group - owners of Ancaster Mill and Cambridge Mill - who are planning extensive renovations.  We look forward to the re-opening.

Conference & Special Events:

The Elora Mill Inn , with its spectacular setting on the Elora Gorge, will once again be a very special venue for weddings, family and company parties, and corporate groups, upon re-opening after extensive renovations.

Drew House of Elora, an enchanting 1 1/2 acre estate which was the childhood home of Ontario Premier George Drew, is the perfect setting for weddings, corporate retreats, seminars and gourmet cooking classes.  

Click here to enlarge

Elora is "Picture Perfect for Weddings An elegant wedding couple walks along Elora's picturesque limestone walls on Mill Street after photographs at the Falls and a horse and carriage ride. Photo by: Shannon Fitzsimmons

Accommodations:

Elora Mill Inn [currently closed for renovations by new owners]
The Elora Mill Inn is one of Ontario’s premier country inns. The main building, a former mill, is perched on the edge of the picturesque Elora Gorge. The dining room, lounge and many guest rooms have spectacular views of the Grand River. There are additional accommodations in the heritage limestone buildings just up Mill Street West, right next to the Elora Mews Shops.

Elora Gorge Camping
The 200 hectare Elora Gorge Conservation Area offers opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking, swimming, tubing, picnicking and scenic vistas to view the "Gorge".
 

Elora Area Bed & Breakfasts:

Enjoy the warm hospitality of Elora residents who will welcome you to their homes and be your personal guide to all that Elora has to offer.

For full listing check the Fergus-Elora Bed & Breakfast Association website at www.febba.ca.
 

For listings of additional bed & breakfasts in the Fergus area, just up the Grand River from Elora, go to www.ferguselora.com/b_n_b.htm

Map & Directions:

The ELORA MEWS is right in the centre of HISTORIC ELORA, on the North bank of the Grand River, at 45 West Mill Street, steps from the ELORA MILL which overlooks the Grand River Falls and the ELORA GORGE. Facing the Grand River lookout area on Mill St. West and the piers of the former Victoria Street footbridge.

Driving distance from Toronto 67 mi. or 108 km., driving time 1 hr. 18 min.

View Larger Map

Elora's Historic Bridges:

David St. Bridge Elora’s famous David St. Bridge in the Elora Gorge is admired by thousands of tourists each year.  In 2002 a group of Elora citizens launched a passionate campaign to save the beautiful and graceful architectural lines and century-old limestone pier in the upgrading of the bridge. A "Save the Bridge" interactive website obtained support from people everywhere who admire this beautiful bridge and the preservation of heritage icons. Conservation strategy for Elora;' David St. Bridge, a community landmark and engineering marvel. The award-winning restoration of the David Street Bridge in Historic Elora, re-opened in December 2004, retains the heritage 1867 pier and the graceful arches design, but now allows 2-lane traffic.
Click here to enlarge	The Elora Gorge Bridge Elora’s beautiful heritage icon, the David St. Bridge in Elora Gorge, a treasure like the Tooth of Time. Photo by: Bruce Hogarth
Elora's Victoria Street Walking Bridge "Elora's Victoria St. Bridge, a steel bridge built in 1899, was the historical gateway to the downtown Elora business district, over the Grand River which runs through the village. In 1970 funding was awarded to repair the Victoria St. Bridge, but it was not until the 1984 filming in Elora of MGM's "Mrs.Soffel" starring Diane Keaton, Mel Gibson, and 300 local extras, that the bridge was repaired, by the film company. Until it was closed down in 2003 for safety reasons, the Victoria St. Bridge served as a footbridge, leading from the public parking lot next to Little Folks furniture factory to the centre of Historic Elora's Mill Street West, attracting thousands of visitors to enjoy the river-view from the bridge and stroll and explore the shops, restaurants, and Elora Gorge lookout and trails on the other side. In the summer of 2001 hundreds of visitors gathered along the bridge and on both banks of the Grand River to hear a brass band play from a barge on the river, to hear street performers sing at the Mill Street foot of the bridge, and to stroll along the streets exploring the shops and eating ice cream. "   Record audiences gathered each day on both sides of the Grand River, along the Victoria Foot Bridge, and down on the Boardwalk, for a front row seat. Some canoers on the river had a perfect vantage point!
Click here to enlarge	Elora Festival Brass on the River During the Elora Festival a brass band plays from a barge on the Grand River to front-row seats on the Elora Boardwalk. Photo by: Renee Makino
Click here to enlarge	Elora's Victoria St. Walking Bridge Swans glide by Elora Mill Street's boardwalk at Victoria Footbridge over the Grand River. Photo by: Bruce Hogarth
Click here to enlarge	Preserving Elora's Heritage on the Grand River Heritage factory buildings facing Elora's Mill Street give character to the Grand River scene. Photo by: Catharina Hogarth

Elora's Grand River Raceway:

In 2002-3 the Elora Grand River Raceway and Slots which were to open in the Fall of 2003 were the subject of town meetings and investigative documentaries about Gambling and Local Democracy. Would the beautiful village of Elora, famous for the natural beauty of the Elora Gorge, charming historic limestone shopping village, vibrant music festival and arts centre, benefit from the new raceway and slots opening in Fall 2003? CTV's W-FIVE investigative documentary aired in October 2002 filmed the July 2002 Elora Town Meeting attended by 1500 citizens and interviewed Mayor George Pinkney, Pastor Don Rogers, Olga Domjan and Adrian deVries. Click HERE for the W5 article and broadcast videos.

Click HERE for the W5 article and broadcast videos.

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This website was last updated on
February 3, 2012

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