A truly unique experience for the Cultural Explorer!

• July 18-19 package for two  $450.00 (taxes are included)
• July 18-19 package for single $310.00 (taxes are included)
• August 15-16 package for two $450.00 (taxes are included)
• August 15-16 package for single $310.00 (taxes are included)

Check in to the Best Western Plus Parkside Inn and Spa in the early afternoon on Wednesday and collect your package of tickets and vouchers needed for your cultural experience. Once you are settled in, consider a visit to the Perth Farmer’s Market at the Tay Basin beginning at 2:00 p.m. The music group Long Sault Trio will provide musical entertainment as you stroll through the market and chat with the vendors. An excellent selection of local products is available.

Meet our costumed interpreters at the market who will escort you the short distance on foot to the Perth Museum for 3:30 p.m. for a guided tour of the Matheson House. After your tour, join the Perth Town Crier in the historic Matheson kitchen for wine and cider sampling and some delicious snacks made with local food. The Town Crier will entertain you with stories of early Perth in the 1800’s and you will have the opportunity to check out the Perth Visitor Centre.

Your evening starts at the Lally Homestead at Murphys Point Provincial Park (a 20 minute drive from Perth) where you will be met by members of the Lally family from the year 1900. Let these early settlers guide you through an outdoor theatre presentation that unfolds along the Silver Queen Mine trail (one of the Seven Wonders of Lanark County) taking you back to the heyday of this mica mine from a century ago. The light from mica lanterns will take you underground to the mine chamber where you will come to understand the hardships of the early mica miners.

After emerging from the coolness of the mine, make your way to the adjacent miners’ bunkhouse where a fabulous dinner awaits in the tradition of the times. “Cookie” will maintain law and order as you find a place at the trestle table. Enjoy traditional food and spirits while being entertained by itinerant musicians. Who knows, some of the s

Stewart Park, Perth, Ontario

pirits of the mine may join you at dinner! After dinner, you will return to your car aided by the light of the mica lanterns to return to your accommodations for a good night’s sleep.

On Thursday morning, enjoy a hot deluxe continental breakfast at the hotel in the breakfast room overlooking Stewart Park, another one of the Seven Wonders of Lanark County.

Voyageur Canoes

Then meet your hosts back at the Tay Basin at 10:00 a.m. for an interpretive tour of the Tay Basin and part of the Tay Canal in one of the Voyageur Canoes. Everyone paddles as the voyageurs tell the story of the building of the Tay and Rideau Canals, a UNESCO world heritage site. At the end of your canoe tour, cross the street to the Sunflower Bakeshop to pick up your box lunch to enjoy in beautiful Stewart Park. Spend the afternoon shopping in downtown Perth or take a self-guided walking tour. Other options include spending the afternoon at Murphys Point Provincial Park with your complimentary day pass included in your package or using your spa voucher included with your hotel accommodation.

Maximum capacity for this experience is 36 people and reservations are required a minimum of one week in advance. Tickets are $450.00 per couple sharing accommodation ($310.00 for a single) which includes all entry fees, music at the market, the Town Crier reception, museum tour, dinner/theatre, overnight accommodation, breakfast, Voyageur Canoe tour, box lunch, spa voucher and complimentary day use pass at Murphys Point Park. Note that for the dinner/theatre it is about a 1 km walk each way from the parking area along the trail to the mine so you must be able to walk that distance.

*Stewart Park Photo, courtesy @Jennifer Jilks