10 Enjoyable Issues To Do In St Jacobs | Historic Excursions, Markets & Hidden Gems

Whereas it’s fairly small, there may be heaps to see in St Jacobs Village, Ontario. This quaint village is within the township of Woolwich, simply exterior town of Waterloo.

You may know different locations within the Waterloo area like Cambridge and Kitchener, however these hardly evaluate to St. Jacobs’ small-town attraction. The village is a mixture of previous and modern-day life and has many tales to inform.

If you happen to’re questioning what to do in St. Jacobs, or issues to do in St Jacobs then maintain studying to find the most effective gems within the village.

St. Jacobs Tourism Highlights

St Jacobs is a village steeped in wealthy historical past. Whilst you’re there, soar again in time and be taught every part there may be to find out about it. Pop over to St. Jacobs Nation Tourism Middle and decide up a brochure that can assist you plan your route in your St. Jacobs things-to-do and see listing.

Bag a Discount

At St. Jacobs’ many markets, it’s out with the previous and in with the brand new (to you). You can’t miss the farmers, flea, and vintage markets on this Waterloo village.

St Jacobs Farmers’ and Flea Market is Canada’s greatest year-round farmers’ & flea market. Right here, you’ll discover some good treats, crafts, and enjoyable little knick-knacks each Thursday and Saturday.

Top off on recent fruit and greens from the native Mennonite farmers or pattern some meats, cheeses and maple syrup. You can too decide up some recent ready-to-eat meals like falafels, sushi to maintain up your vitality ranges. On the flea market, decide up some classic clothes objects and equipment.

Antiques. With over 100 commerce cubicles, you’re sure to seek out one thing suited to your style. Hunt for nice finds like property jewelry, classic furnishings, information, or collectables.

Go Down Reminiscence Practice On Board The Waterloo Central Railway

Waterloo Central Railway has been working because the 1800s. Whereas we don’t want locomotives at the moment as a lot as within the nineteenth century, this historic railway nonetheless makes for a enjoyable trip. The railway presents rides by way of St. Jacobs sights, together with the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market.

Board the practice on the cease by St. Jacob’s Market and take a spherical journey to Elmira and again.

Aberfoyle Mannequin Railway

One other railway you need to take a look at is Aberfoyle Mannequin Railway in St. Jacobs’ downtown space, though you may not be capable to match within the carriage. This mannequin railway depicts Southern Ontario within the late Nineteen Fifties and is made to the O scale (¼”= 12″).

See an in depth aerial look with life like freight trams because it rides by way of the miniature countryside, the Niagara Escarpment, and extra.

Watch a Present AtThe St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre

St. Jacobs loves the humanities and has not one however two theatres. The St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre presents a energetic cabaret-style strategy to classical theatre. It’s quaint and has a desk seating solely 100 friends, so arrive early.

The St. Jacobs Nation Playhouse is far greater and shows conventional Mennonite structure. The purple and inexperienced theatre is within the coronary heart of the Market District and has a peaceable courtyard. It provides you the choice of pre-ordering your drinks to skip the road and head straight to the reside present.

Seize a chunk at Jacob’s Grill

With all of the issues to do in St. Jacobs you’ll undoubtedly want meals. Seize a chunk at Jacob’s Grill eating room for a tasty meal paired with their rigorously chosen wines and native craft beers. For one thing sweeter, sip on their seasonal cocktails of their Large Tent. Their menu has filling meals like burgers and pizzas with just a few gluten-free choices.

or Stone Crock Bakery

Stone Crock Bakery produces family-recipe-approved baked items. Purchase freshly baked bread or sink your enamel right into a scrumptious ‘monster’ cookie. There’s additionally a Stone Crock restaurant if you happen to want one thing extra filling.

Down a Brew at Block Three Brewing

Block Three Brewing Co. is a neighborhood brewery within the space established in 2013. They deal with small-batch artisanal beers that exhibit their craftsmanship.

Go to their tasting rooms to style and see how they create their beers. They dabble in all types of brews and in addition promote espresso from the ECO Cafe. Take pleasure in your drinks on considered one of their two out of doors patios.

After your tastings, buy your favorite brews at their bottle store to take pleasure in at residence. 

If you happen to’re within the space round October, take a brief drive to attend the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest. It’s one of many greatest Oktoberfests in North- America.

The Mennonite Story

Study concerning the native Mennonite group of St. Jacobs at  The Mennonite Story Museum. It hopes to share the non secular group’s historical past, religion and tradition with the world.  

Since opening its doorways in 1979, friends have had the chance to take guided excursions of the countryside and meet the Mennonite individuals. The museum additionally has digital shows, brief movies and movie displays of the group’s historical past and tradition. 

The museum and excursions are open from 13:00 to 17:00 each Monday to Saturday. It’s open on Sundays as properly from 14:00 to 17:00.

Get Swept Away at Hamel Brooms

Hamel Brooms is a must-see in St. Jacobs. This broom store is the final corn-broom producer left in Canada.

A visit to a brush producer may not be the primary on many individuals’s lists, however it’s an thrilling look into what goes into the every day craft we regularly take as a right.

They’re not all about brooms and bristles. Choose up just a few backyard or residence decor items when you’re there. Yow will discover actual solid irons, stained glass, and items there to spruce up your property.

Take a Hike alongside Well being Valley Path

Well being Valley Path runs alongside the Conestogo River and runs from St. Jacobs to Waterloo. It’s 2.4 kilometres lengthy and appropriate for all hikers.

Really feel the burn in your legs and the crunch beneath your ft as you stroll by way of the combined terrain path. It’s well-maintained and nice for climbing, working, and biking. You’ll be able to even go cross-country snowboarding and snowmobiling right here for enjoyable winter actions in Ontario. 

Stroll a bit additional to Waterloo Area to seek out the key Sensible Previous Oak. The fantastically carved tree seems like a forest elder from a fantasy film.

Issues To Do In St Jacobs, Ontario

Whereas St. Jacobs could have began as a small city, at the moment, it has an intensive listing of actions steeped within the village’s historical past. 

Make a journey again in time on the railway station and miniature museum. See the native non secular group on the Mennonite museum or take a hike to the Previous Oak Tree.

Whether or not you go to the current or the previous, St. Jacobs will welcome you with open arms and a very good theatrical present.

Locations Close to St. Jacobs, Ontario

Take a Drive to The Kissing Bridge

For these keen to go barely out of town, a visit to West Montrose Lined Bridge (Kissing Bridge) is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Waterloo’s area. Situated in Woolwich, Ontario’s final remaining lined bridge spans 198 ft throughout the Grand River. 

West Montrose Lined Bridge was in-built 1881; the picturesque bridge has seen many travellers over greater than 100 years. It obtained its nickname Kissing Bridge as a result of the early horse and buggy drivers would typically sneak in a kiss when driving by way of the lined bridge.

Go to Elmira

It’s solely a brief 10-minute drive to Elmira, the most important municipality inside the Woolwich Township of Waterloo Area, proper on its northern border with Wellington County. You’ll discover the nation’s largest focus of Previous Order Mennonites at St Jacob’s and Elmira.

Elmira is residence to the acclaimed Elmira Maple Syrup Pageant, famend because the planet’s premier occasion celebrating maple syrup. Since its launch in 1965, tens of hundreds of tourists have attended this beloved family-friendly event, that includes thrilling sights comparable to sugar bush excursions, a bustling out of doors mall providing an array of native meals and crafts, a craft present, the Mayor’s Maple Syrup Contest, and naturally, pancakes topped with real maple syrup.

The Guinness Guide of World Information listed the occasion because the world’s largest single-day maple syrup pageant in 2000, making it noteworthy.