The Boathouse Stratford.
Family-run canoe, kayak, pedal boat and bike rentals on the Avon River in downtown Stratford, operating since 1965
The brief.
The Boathouse Stratford is a family-owned rental and tour operator on the Avon River in downtown Stratford, Ontario, working from a lower-deck location at 30 York Street below the public parking lot. Founded in 1965 by Ed and Audrey Herr, the business has stayed in the family through three generations — siblings Melissa and Kelan Herr took over operations in 2025. The dock rents canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats by the hour, runs narrated 30-minute Scenic River Cruises on the Juliet III past the Stratford Festival Theatre and the Tom Patterson Theatre, and offers standard and pedal-assist e-bike rentals for exploring the city. A patio at river level serves food and ice cream alongside the rentals, and pets are welcome on boats.
8. ways in.
- 01
Kayak Rental
For: 1 person per kayak, no experience requiredWhen: Seasonal, spring through fallSingle-seat kayaks rented in one-hour blocks from the lower deck at 30 York Street, with additional time prorated in 15-minute increments. Life jackets are provided. Walk-ins are welcome and the route stays inside downtown Stratford on the Avon River, with online booking closing eight hours before each slot.
$25 + HST per hour
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Canoe Rental
For: Up to 3 adults or 2 adults plus 2 children — some canoeing experience requiredWhen: Seasonal, spring through fallCanoe rentals from the Avon River dock, in one-hour blocks prorated in 15-minute increments. Life jackets included; food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed on board. Canoes are the recommended option for paddlers bringing a dog or cat, and walk-ins are welcome whenever boats are available.
$30 + HST per hour
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Pedal Boat Rental
For: Up to 3 passengers (optimal 2 adults plus 1 child); no experience neededWhen: Seasonal, spring through fallStable, pet-friendly pedal boats rented in one-hour blocks with 15-minute prorated extensions. This is the most family-friendly option at the dock for households with younger children who want time on the water without a paddling lesson first.
$30 + HST per hour
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Scenic River Cruise
For: All ages — General 13+, Child 3–12, Under 3 freeWhen: Seasonal; departure times set through the SmartRez booking calendarA narrated 30-minute river cruise aboard the Juliet III, with open-air seating and views of the Stratford Festival Theatre, the Tom Patterson Theatre, and the Wayne Gretzky landmark. Swans and ducks are part of the route. Departure times are managed through the SmartRez booking widget rather than a fixed daily schedule.
General (13+) $11.40 + GST; Child (3–12) $5.70 + GST; Under 3 free
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Standard Bike Rental
For: Adults only — no children's bikes availableWhen: Seasonal, spring through fallStandard pedal bikes for exploring downtown Stratford and the surrounding trail network. Helmets and locks are included with every rental; helmets are required for cyclists 18 and under. Walk-in availability varies — advance booking is recommended for weekends.
$42 half day (4 hours) / $58 full day (6 hours) + HST
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E-Bike Rental
For: Adults onlyWhen: Seasonal, spring through fallPedal-assist e-bikes for longer rides around Stratford. Helmets and locks included. The dock recommends advance booking because e-bike inventory is limited compared to standard bikes.
$65 half day (4 hours) / $85 full day (6 hours) + HST
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Picnic on the Water
For: 2 guestsWhen: SeasonalA two-hour pedal boat or canoe rental for two, packaged with picnic totes and one Savour & Sip Trail Pass. Designed as a slower, single-booking experience rather than a straight hourly rental — the substrate is on-water time plus a downtown food-and-drink walking component bundled in.
$90 + HST
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Bike & Bite Tour
For: AdultsWhen: SeasonalA 4-hour or 6-hour bike rental packaged with 5 Bacon & Ale Trail vouchers per person, on bikes supplied by Ross' Bike Works. Helmets and locks included. The pricing range covers the half-day and full-day options.
$75–$110 + HST
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Worth knowing.
- 01Established in 1965 by Ed and Audrey Herr; three generations of the Herr family have operated the businessSource ↗
- 02Third generation (siblings Melissa and Kelan Herr) took over operations in 2025Source ↗
- 03Located on the lower deck below the 30 York Street parking lot in downtown Stratford, on the Avon RiverSource ↗
- 04Private River Tours on the Juliet III accommodate up to 15 individuals with a dedicated tour host and flexible schedulingSource ↗
- 05Avon After Dark themed paddle nights ($50–$70 + HST) include Pink Paddle, Canada Day, Christmas in July, Flower Power, Superhero Paddle, Lantern Paddle, and Halloween editionsSource ↗
- 06Writing the River guided canoe/kayak writing experiences with award-winning authors run at $49.95 + HSTSource ↗
- 07A 90-minute Walking Tour and River Cruise combines a Juliet III cruise with a walking tour led by Lauri of Stratford Walking ToursSource ↗
- 08Pets (dogs and cats) are welcome on rentals; canoes are the recommended option for paddlers bringing petsSource ↗
- 09Patio operates under Stratford's Al Fresco program, allowing alcohol purchased from participating businesses to be consumed on the upper and lower patioSource ↗
Outside the door.
23° with 18 km/h wind. Go enjoy it.
Get in
touch.
- Website
- www.avonboathouse.com/
- Phone
- 519-271-7739
- Address
- 30 York Street, lower level, Stratford, ON
- www.instagram.com/avonboatrental/