Unusual Things to Do in London

London is full of so many fun and interesting things to enjoy with your friends and family. While it’s great to take a walk around Victoria Park or visit Storybook Gardens, there are tons of other unique and cool things to do instead. Let’s take a look at some of the most unusual things to do in London, Ontario. 

Note: Some of these events and places might be affected by restrictions due to COVID-19 so please check with them on what they require before you decide to make the trip. 

1. Take a hike

London isn’t known by locals for its hiking scene but they still have tons of amazing places where you can enjoy a hike and see the beautiful nature that London has always been known for. The Medway Valley Heritage Forest is one of the best places in the city to find a great trail. It’s a 3-kilometer trail that’s rated for beginners which makes it ideal for the whole family (it’s even stroller friendly!) and there are several small ponds and streams during the hike that are great photo opportunities.

2. Go on a spooky tour

London is home to many different spooky attractions with creepy history and any true crime fan will love to take a tour of some of London’s scariest spots, even if it’s already past Halloween! Start your tour at the Eldon House (supposedly haunted by a suitor of one of Eldon’s daughters) and make your way down to Dundas street to see the former office of Thomas Neill Cream (a former doctor and murderer who was said to possibly be Jack the Ripper) and end your tour at the Grand Theater (which is said by many workers to be haunted by the former owner who disappeared before the could claim his cash after selling the theater) or a quick drive outside of the London Asylum. 

3. Go for an aerial tour of London

London is a beautiful city and it’s even prettier from up above. If you’ve ever thought about what it would be like to see the city from a birds-eye view then you’re in luck. The company GL Heli offers tours of the city from their helicopter and has group rates so you can enjoy a great trip with friends or family. They do tours all over the Great Lakes are including London but if you want a unique experience then ask them about “The Timmy’s Run” This trip leaves from Kitchener and includes a tour of the KW area with a quick 20 minute stop at Tim Hortons, then back up in the helicopter to enjoy the rest of the view. 

4. 100 Kellogg Lane

We couldn’t talk about unique and interesting things to do in the Forest City without talking about the old Kellogg Factory. For anyone who isn’t familiar with the area, the Kellogg Factory is one of the coolest places in London for entertainment and it features everything from art exhibits to indoor sports and even a craft brewery! It is the biggest entertainment complex in the country and there is something for everyone to enjoy from young to old.

5. Hot Air Balloon Ride

We’ve already talked about one great way to see the city from above but if you’re not a fan of taking a ride in a helicopter then look into taking a hot air balloon ride from Sundance Balloon rides. The company does a great job of providing its customers with a gorgeous tour that’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can enjoy a peaceful and luxurious experience soaring above the city and take photos of your adventure so you can have a piece of it to carry with you even after you’re done. 

6. Head to the races

Not every city has its own horse race track but London is one of the exceptions. The Western Fair horse races are known all over for it’s fun and exciting experiences. You can place your bets on whichever horse you prefer and spend the day eating delicious food and watching the races. And if you prefer a different kind of race, head over to Delaware Speedway (which is just outside of London) for many different styles of car racing including drag races and NASCAR races. 

7. Take a self-guided tour with your phone

In times like these, many tours have shut down or modified themselves to make sure they are in compliance with COVID-19 protocol but there is still one tour that you don’t need to book or pay for. The “Heart of London” app is an app that gives you an immersive experience by showing you interesting places around the city and then telling you the history through an audio clip. The app is free to download and it allows you to tour as much or as little of the city as you want and hear its amazing history and unique facts about it. 

There are so many amazing things in London that make it a great place to live and they have plenty of fun and exciting things to do. It’s a great city to live in if you want options for entertainment and if you’re looking for family-friendly things to do. This is just a sample of some of the great things that go on all the time so the next time you’re looking for a unique activity, try one of these out.