South Western Ontario is a great place for a summer road trip, and the city of Guelph is definitely a city to pin on your map. Located just an hour west of Toronto, the city is comfortably nestled between the Speed and Eramosa rivers and has the perfect combination of fun lively activities, and a cool small town feel. With abundant green spaces, bustling markets, beautiful public art, and of course small town charm, Guelph is the ideal place for a day trip or a fun weekend away.

Wander Downtown Guelph

Discover Guelph’s History

Guelph's historic downtown is a great place to explore on foot. With hidden cafés, unique boutiques, and diverse restaurants all located within a compact area, it's the ideal spot for a day of exploration.

First on your list should be the iconic Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate which sits high atop Macdonell St. Built in 1888, it’s the symbol of the city and a must-see building for it's beautiful architecture and historic significance. To learn about Guelph rich and fascinating history, head to the Guelph Civic Museum, located just around the corner in the renovated Loretto Convent. The museum is home to a collection of over 30000 artifacts and follows the city growth from past to present.

Shop, Dine and Take a Riverside Stroll

To enjoy Guelph’s cool river scene and green spaces, head to the city’s Downtown Trail. This quaint 4.3 km trail is part of the Trans-Canada Trail, and snakes along the Speed River with scenic lookout points along the way. Follow it from Heritage Park in the south all the way to Herb Markle Park and pass Guelph’s top sights like John Galt Park, the River Run Centre, Allan’s Mill ruins, Spring Mill Distillery the historic Locomotive 6167 and Goldie Mill Park and Ruins.

When you’ve worked up an appetite, head into downtown Guelph and dive into vibrant local culinary scene. Sip an iced coffee in a cozy cafe, head to a bustling pub for a local brew, or a enjoy a meal al fresco. With patios on every corner, you’ll have no trouble finding a spot to quench your thirst, people watch, or eat to your heart’s content.

Discover some of our favourite restaurants in Guelph.

Discover Public Art

Colourful mural with graphic figures and text

Art Gallery of Guelph

The most well-known space for art in Guelph is the Art Gallery of Guelph, located on the University of Guelph campus. The rotating exhibitions showcase an engaging variety of contemporary and Canadian art, and the Donald Forster Sculpture Park (which sits just outside) has some of the coolest outdoor sculptures around. The sculpture Mask by artist Evan Penny, which is best observed while driving or walking by, is an iconic art piece in Guelph. It has a unique optical illusion that you can’t keep your eyes off of (and it never keeps it's eyes off of you!). Other notable pieces include Passages, Monad, Stray Plow and the iconic bear sculpture,, Canadiana/Begging Bear which stands guard at the bus stop out front. You’ll notice the bear regularly changes outfits throughout the year - an unofficial, constantly evolving art installation made possible by imaginative University of Guelph students.

Urban Art

Downtown Guelph has some cool and constantly evolving pieces of public art. The Wilson Street Art Project showcases vibrant urban art murals and contemporary sculptures, adding both colour and character to the city’s historic downtown. The city regularly commissions new pieces of art by local artists, so take a stroll, peek down some alleyways and discover interesting art around every corner.

Enjoy Outdoor Activities

The Arboretum

The Guelph Arboretum is a popular green space in the city, located on the expansive grounds of the University of Guelph. Inside you'll find multiple walking paths, beautifully manicured gardens, a boardwalk and plenty of spots for picnics. In the spring the grounds turn into a bustling sugar bush complete with rustic sugar shack - a cherished memory for those who grew up in the city.

Riverside Park

Located just North of downtown Guelph you'll find the beautiful Riverside Park. This sprawling park is host to many Guelph festivals including Guelph Ribfest and Canada Day celebrations. There are numerous walking and biking paths, a leash free dog area, and even an antique carousel and miniature train. The park is the perfect spot for a family outing, a picnic for two, or a game of Frisbee with friends. The Floral Clock and Gardens located at the North end of the park has been a fixture for decades and a compulsory photo op when visiting the grounds.

The Boathouse

The Boathouse Tea Room and Ice Cream Parlour, located where the Speed an Eramosa rivers meet, is a great place to relax by the river, grab a quick bite, or to explore Guelph by boat. Rent a canoe or kayak from Speed River Paddling and head down the river to enjoy the serene beauty of the Grand River watershed, with plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities along the way. This riverside gem also provides a tasty stop for homemade ice cream after an afternoon on the water, as well as soups, sandwiches, salads, and traditional high tea.

Only steps away from the Boathouse is Guelph's famous Lattice Covered Bridge. Erected in 1992 with the help of 400 local volunteers, it's only one of two lattice-covered bridges in Ontario, and is an iconic structure in the city.

Guelph Lake

For campers and outdoor enthusiasts the Guelph Lake Conservation Area is the ideal place for a weekend away in nature. With overnight camping options, hiking and biking trails, beaches, great fishing and a beautiful shoreline to explore by boat, Guelph Lake is an ideal spot to enjoy the outdoors. If you love music, don't miss the famous Hillside Festival which takes place at the Conservation Area every July. The Island Stage lights up with performances from well-known artists, local musical talent, up and coming stars, and is a highlight of the Guelph festival scene every summer.

Shop at Local Markets

Aberfoyle Antique Market

As Canada’s largest and oldest outdoor antique market, the Aberfoyle Antique Market is one of the best places to go antiquing in the country. Antique dealers from all over the region lay out their wears at this bustling market every Sunday from late May to mid September. The market has an extensive selection of antiques and vintage finds, from old books and vintage jewelry, to antique wooden furniture and unique one of a kind trinkets. We recommend grabbing a bite to eat while perusing the market. The Guelph area is known for great peameal bacon, so surrender to the smell of fresh peameal sizzling and grab a sandwich from the local snack shack in the market's main square.

Guelph Farmer's Market

Surrounded by acres of farmland, Guelph has no shortage of fresh local produce. Providing locally-sourced goods to its residents for over 180 years, the Guelph Farmers’ Market is a great place to help support local farmers and producers. The market is open Saturdays from 7am-12pm in downtown Guelph, and has both an indoor building and outdoor area. Take home freshly harvested fruit and vegetables, local meats, tasty baked goods, creative local crafts, and seasonal specialties like fresh lavender in the spring, and sweet corn in late summer.

Find more information to plan your Guelph getaway by visiting Visit Guelph.