St. Thomas Ontario - The Railway City. History Celebrated!

St. Thomas is a charming and historic city with a population of approximately 43000 people. Check out these low-cost family activities and attractions in this beautiful city.

Elgin County Railway Museum located at 225 Wellington Street, St. Thomas, ON

Cost ranges from approximately $8.00-$14.00/pp

This museum explores the region’s rich railway history. It’s a fascinating spot for history buffs and families alike.  The Museum is open seasonally however they also open for a variety of fun and unique events like comedy shows, wrestling shows, holiday markets, and paint nights.  Check out their website for hours of operations and upcoming events. ECRM – Elgin County Railway Museum

Pinafore Park located at 95 Elm Street, St. Thomas, ON, N5R 1H7

Cost:  Free and Accessible

This scenic park was founded in 1863 and features beautiful walking trails, gardens, and a pond. Take a leisurely stroll, birdwatch, hike or snowshoe on the 1.7-mile loop.  Stop for a picnic at one of several old pavilions nestled among towering trees.

Take a minute to reflect at the memory wall or listen to a local artist at the Morris F. Jones Memorial Bandshell.  Typically, every Sunday in the summer from 6-8pm you can enjoy the Music in the Park series.

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy Pinafore Park for the hiking and ski trails, tennis courts and baseball stadium. In addition to its beauty and accessible layout, Pinafore boasts a small lake, the Rotary Splashpad, and accessible playground equipment.

Pinafore - City of St. Thomas (stthomas.ca)

St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre located at 301 Talbot St, St Thomas, ON N5P 1B5

Cost:  Free 

Visit the local art center to see exhibitions that often include interactive or family-friendly elements. There are opportunities for kids to engage with art in a creative way.  Children and Adults can sign up for an art class. 

Check out their website for current hours and exhibit information here St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre (stepac.ca)

Jumbo the Elephant Memorial located at 65 Talbot, St Thomas, ON

Cost:  Free 

Visit the statue of Jumbo, the famous circus elephant. It’s a quirky and interesting spot to learn about this historical figure.  A fun and educational stop that provides a unique photo opportunity and a bit of local history.

A life-sized statue of the elephant was erected in 1985 in St. Thomas, Ontario, to commemorate the centennial of the elephant's death. Jumbo tragically died at a railway yard in St. Thomas on September 15, 1885.  The statue was inducted into the North America Railway Hall of Fame in 2006.   

Jumbo the Elephant Memorial (mitour.top)

The Old St. Thomas Church located at 55 Walnut Street, St. Thomas, Ontario, N5R 2Y7

Cost: Free

Take a self-guided tour of this historic church, one of the oldest structures in St Thomas, built between 1822 and 1824. The church was made a designated heritage property in 1982.

The church is surrounded by a pioneer cemetery with many notable grave sites both nationally recognized and locally significant.

Check their hours of operations here:  Old St. Thomas Church - St. Thomas Ontario (railwaycitytourism.com)

Hope you enjoy all these historic sites that St Thomas has to offer.  This city definitely has an interesting history that they continue to honour and celebrate.

Please share your pictures and thoughts is you visit these locations. We would love to hear all about your adventures.