14 Boutique Villages for Holiday Shopping

Why fight for a parking spot in a big city mall, sweating through miles of indoor noise and advertising, only to buy the same things everyone is buying for everyone else?

We know it’s depressing… But we mention because we have a plan:

Why not spend next weekend on a boutique-town-crawl in search of something unique and interesting from a locally-owned shop or gallery?

You may find just what you never knew you were looking for…And perhaps along the way, you may find a little slice of life in small-town Canada…

Port Hope, Ontario
The antique capital of Ontario (and, arguably, of Canada) comes alive during the holidays: An old-fashioned candle lighting walk for the public November 27 that culminates of the unveiling of the town’s light display, a Christmas house tour of more than a half dozen designated heritage properties, and a holiday comedy at the Capitol, one of Canada’s only remaining atmospheric theatres, add to the shopping experience at more than two dozen antique and specialty stores. (About an hour east of Toronto.)
http://www.porthopetourism.ca/Calendar.html

Cobourg, Ontario
Stroll down historic King Street for a welcome from the town crier November 27, before seeing tens of thousands of lights switched-on at the town’s beautiful Victoria Hall and neighbouring Victoria Park on the shores of Lake Ontario. The slightly-larger neighbour to Port Hope, Cobourg is no slouch when it comes to a historic downtown packed with specialty and one-of-a-kind shops.
http://www.cobourgtourism.ca/News_-117050.html

Invermere, British Columbia
Nestled in the hot-spring-Mecca of the Rocky Mountains, at the foot of Panorama ski resort, be sure to down a hearty breakfast at Huckleberry’s (a few gift leads even here) or at Quality Bakery (who sell locally-brewed Kicking Horse, Canada’s #1 brand of fair-trade coffee) for local pastries or brunch-time treats before hitting the main street for a day of mountain boutique shopping.
http://www.invermere.com/

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
There’s more here than just the Bluenose, but most non-locals are floored to learn this famed (and gorgeously-restored) 16th Century harbour town is home to barely 2,000 people. In addition to being a UNESCO World Heritage site, the town is also home to dozens of art galleries, craft stores, and clothing companies.
http://www.explorelunenburg.ca/places-to-shop.html

Merrickville, Ontario
The National Capital area’s best-kept secret is worth a drive from Ottawa, Montreal, or even Toronto to browse or buy at the many art, antique, glassblowing, leatherworking, and local baked goods shops in this charming step into the past. Christmas festivities at this well-preserved 19th Century settlement on the Southern Rideau Canal begin December 4.
http://www.realmerrickville.ca/index.php?id=60

Kleinburg, Ontario
Head north through Vaughn on Islington Ave to the McMichael Canadian Art collection for Group Of Seven-themed gift ideas at the gallery gift boutique. Then, continue a few blocks further north onto the town’s charming main street to take-in another world of quaint shops and restaurants, minutes north of the Greater Toronto Area.
http://www.kleinburgvillage.com/KleinburgMerchantsMap06.htm

Stratford, Ontario
For the ultimate in shopping-and-opening-night-ticket experiences, check out Canada’s best-known theatre town. The town of Stratford often has holiday discount packages including dining and accommodation for overnight shoppers. Check out Sparking Stratford for a holiday musical sampling of the summer arts scene.
http://www.welcometostratford.com

Niagara On The Lake, Ontario
Arts, crafts, and collectibles in the heart of Niagara’s Victorian-era heritage region. Spend the day amongst the shops and while you’re there, book some Shaw Festival theatre tickets for someone on your holiday gift list (or for yourself.)
http://www.niagaraonthelake.com/page/jpage/1/p/attraction/content.do?orgDitchnetTabPaneId=shop

Banff, Alberta
Canada’s most famous resort town isn’t the first place you’d think of as a modest boutique village, but when you think of it, Banff qualifies on all fronts: A modest population (about 7,000 permanent residents), plentiful art, antique, and jewellery shops, and a historical flair with local charm. If you’ve never been, check out the original hot springs and associated museum before or after shopping. A must see during the holidays: the three-storey Spirit of Christmas store.
http://www.spiritofchristmas.ca/

Bracebridge/Gravenhurst, Ontario
If it’s Christmas-themed holiday shopping in a charming boutique village you’re looking for, look no further than the Muskoka shops of Ontario’s cottage country towns. If you’re going to be around in the middle of December, check out the open house at Santa’s Village: Muskoka’s Christmas-theme-park, which is normally closed after Labour Day, opens its doors (and gift boutique) December 19 for a day or shopping, food, crafts, and family activities.
http://www.santasvillage.ca/

Knowlton, Quebec
A jewel of La Belle Province’s Eastern Townships and voted one of the prettiest towns in Quebec by L’Actualité Magazine, Knowlton is well-known for its cafes, boutiques and antique dealers.
http://www.mestern.net/canada/quebec/easterntownships/index.php

Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
Long considered one of Canada’s most attractive towns, Harrowsmith Country Life voted Mahone Bay one of  “Canada’s Best Small Town Downtowns”. Check out the Father Christmas Festival November 28-December 6 for a look at 65 larger-than-life Saint Nicks, a lavish tree lighting ceremony, live music, local merchant giveaways, and a yuletide gourmet market.
http://www.mahonebay.com/visitor_calendar_father_christmas_festival.html

Alliston, Ontario
Remember that giant outlet mall on the way to cottage country up Southern Ontario’s Highway 400? Believe-it-or-not, that super-outlet mall is across the highway from a charming heritage village with a dozen shops and restaurants, and character to spare. It’s worth the drive to Alliston.
http://www.allistonbia.com/

Old Quebec City, Quebec
Is it cheating to slip a metro area of close to a million people onto a list of quaint boutique villages? Not if you’re talking about the much-smaller area of the original fort & port, which now serves as a home for dozens of boutiques, cafes, and galleries. Almost as good as a shopping trip to Europe…(Almost…)
http://www.quebecregion.com/e/shopping.asp

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