Enjoyable Issues to Do in Kitchener, Ontario

Positioned within the Area of Waterloo, Kitchener is a superb and vibrant place. The city’s combination of actions, mixed with its small-town vibe, makes it the perfect place to discover. It’s additionally solely a 75-minute drive from Toronto making it an excellent place for a day journey from Toronto. 

Whether or not you take pleasure in spending an thrilling day within the nice outdoor or a comfy day looking collections in galleries and museums, we have now a great deal of enjoyable issues to do in Kitchener for the entire household.
You should definitely try issues to do in Waterloo, Kitchener’s neighbouring metropolis!

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This text is now accessible as a cell app. Go to GPSmyCity to obtain the app for GPS-assisted journey instructions to the sights featured on this article.

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Honour the Metropolis’s German Heritage 

Have you ever ever dreamed of experiencing Germany’s Oktoberfest? Properly, I actually have. Whereas it won’t be that simple to journey internationally in the meanwhile, you’ll be able to nonetheless get a style of Oktoberfest in little outdated Kitchener. 

This Bavaria Pageant was first launched in 1969 and has developed into a preferred occasion. Actually, it’s one of many largest Oktoberfest celebrations exterior of Germany! With music, dancing, and loads of beer to get drunk, the annual Oktoberfest in Kitchener, Waterloo, needs to be on the highest of your listing of issues to do.

Uncover the Methods of the Mennonites 

The Mennonite Story

Only a 15-minute drive from Kitchener, you’ll discover the historic village of St. Jacobs. Right here, you’ll be able to uncover the lifetime of the Old Order Mennonite population. I discovered their lifestyle extremely fascinating and we extremely suggest The Mennonite Story. Our tremendous pleasant and informative host Gerry Horst defined the migration to North America, the several types of Mennonites, uncovered myths and a lot extra!

Aberfoyle Mannequin Railway &Waterloo Central Railway

A mannequin prepare metropolis at Aberfoyle Mannequin Railway and a railway trip on the Waterloo Central Railway are simply two issues to do in St. Jacobs. Moreover, this old-world settlement additionally boasts unbelievable eateries and an array of shops promoting hand-crafted artisan items similar to pottery, quilts, and glasswork.

Go to a Museum 

TheMuseum

Museums generally get a foul rep for being extra boring than thrilling – particularly amongst youngsters. Properly, we are able to let you know that this actually gained’t be the case at TheMuseum. 

Right here, you’ll come throughout thrilling reveals emphasizing interplay – graffiti and animation are simply two issues you’ll be able to strive right here. For those who’re daring, strive mendacity on a mattress of nails or dancing on an enormous piano. And make sure to discover the everlasting and short-term exhibitions, together with a 125-gallon fish tank, an indoor backyard and numerous artwork installations.

Lastly, don’t miss out on the particular occasions hosted by the museum on holidays like Cinco De Mayo, St Patrick’s Day and Halloween.

Catch A Present

Kitchener is residence to a spread of venues for theatre, musical and symphonic performances. From intimate neighborhood theatres to massive 2,000+ seat venues, there’s something for everybody.

Centre In The Sq. is the town’s greatest venue, positioned downtown and recognized for internet hosting the Ok-W Symphony and Broadway productions.

The Registry Theatre is a smaller possibility offering low-cost performances and cultural occasions. The Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts, Misplaced&Discovered Theatre Firm and the Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre are additionally choices, the latter being the oldest theatre within the metropolis.

Immerse Your self in Nature 

Huron Pure Space

Whereas Kitchener already has a laid-back setting, spending a while in nature is likely one of the greatest methods to take pleasure in much more peace and quiet. Positioned alongside Strasburg Creek, the Huron Pure Space boasts 107 hectares of streams, meadows, forests, and wetlands. 

Trails and boardwalks wind by way of the park so that you can meander or hike alongside. Whereas taking within the attractive surroundings, make sure to hold an eye fixed out for the considerable wildlife dwelling right here. That is positive to be a success with the youngsters too. 

Victoria Park

Victoria Park is the oldest park in Kitchener, opening in 1896. Designed by the identical architects that created New York’s Central Park, it incorporates a lake, lush flower gardens, a clock tower, a bronze statue of Queen Victoria, and a historic pavilion, a preferred occasion and marriage ceremony venue.

The park nonetheless has a few of its authentic options; its iron bridge, flower beds, bushes and shrubs. Victoria shouldn’t be solely residence to Otis and Ophelia, Kitchener’s swans. They reside within the park in the course of the summer season and journey to Stratford for the winter. Other than the Kitchener clock tower, that is the place a number of widespread occasions happen: Cruising on King Road, Kitchener Blues Pageant & Ribfest!

Admire Artwork 

For those who’ve acquired a inventive soul, then the Kitchener-Waterloo Artwork Gallery is the place to go. With its intensive array of up to date paintings (created by each native and worldwide artists), that is undoubtedly the place Kitchener exhibits off its cultural riches. 

Aside from its exhibitions, the artwork gallery additionally hosts many occasions, excursions, and workshops to teach and embrace all relations. 

Tip: The gallery is open each day of the week, besides Mondays. 

Head to the Slopes

When the snow falls, the slopes name! Whether or not you like snowboarding, snowboarding, or tubing, you are able to do all of it at Chicopee Ski Membership. With eleven runs various in issue, it’s an excellent place for each novices and professionals seeking to take pleasure in winter actions in Ontario. 

Whereas winter sports activities could also be exhilarating, Chicopee additionally affords many issues to do in the course of the summer season months. Mountain biking, mountaineering, and mountain climbing are just some of the adrenaline-infused actions to check out. You’ll additionally discover volleyball and tennis courts the place you will get all of your family and friends members concerned.

Play A Spherical Of Golf

The Doon Valley Golf Course offers 18 and 9-hole programs, in addition to a Pitch ‘n Putt for all ranges of golfers. With its beautiful views of the Grand River and close by eating places, grabbing a chunk to eat or a beer after a recreation is not any downside.

For a good larger expertise, the Rockway Golf Course can also be accessible. It’s an 18-hole par-70 course that Stanley Thompson designed, and it’s recognized to be among the finest public programs in Ontario.

Be taught Extra About Kitchener’s Historical past 

If historical past is your factor, then you definitely’ve come to the fitting place. Regardless of Kitchener’s smaller measurement, it guards a big portion of the world’s historical past. There are numerous locations the place you’ll be able to uncover Kitchener’s heritage; I like to recommend heading to Schneider Haus and the Doon Heritage Village. 

Schneider Haus Nationwide Historic Web site

This Kitchener landmark can also be the oldest residence within the city. Right here, costumed employees carry out the normal duties as soon as undertaken by the residents who lived right here within the early 1800s. 
You’ll discover this monument in Kitchener’s downtown space. With over 200 years of historical past, it holds vital worth for the Kitchener neighborhood.

Mount Hope Cemetery 

As unusual as this suggestion could seem, a stroll amongst the headstones at Mount Hope Cemetery is a novel approach to find out about Kitchener’s previous.

Right here, you’ll discover the resting locations of outstanding leaders from the Kitchener neighborhood, similar to politicians and well-known businessmen. Along with this, the graveyard options a number of historic monuments. One in every of these is the conflict monument, commemorating Canadian troopers who died in the course of the First World Warfare. 

Ken Seiling Musuem &  Doon Heritage Village 

This historic web site affords you the possibility to see what life within the Waterloo area was actually like within the early 1900s. Unfold out over 60 acres, the village options historic buildings, livestock, and a bunch of enjoyable, interactive actions so that you can strive. 

Educated guides are there each step of the way in which to behave out the histories and educate you concerning the village’s previous. I discovered that this made the expertise that rather more genuine. 

To entry the village, you’ll must buy a ticket for the Ken Seiling Waterloo Area Museum (which I beloved). 

Tip: The museum is open from Thursday till Sunday. Nevertheless, the Doon Heritage Village has its personal schedule for opening occasions, so make sure to verify their web site first. Additionally, tickets should be bought upfront. 

Woodside Nationwide Historic Web site

Inbuilt 1853, this historic residence has seen many tenants. Probably the most outstanding was William Lyon Mackenzie King, who lived right here together with his household from 1886 until 1893. For these of you who could not know, William King was Canada’s tenth Prime Minister and occupied this place over three non-consecutive phrases. 

Right now, visiting this historic residence provides you the possibility to catch a glimpse into what William’s boyhood would have been like within the late 1800s. Audio and visible shows present enriching details about the King household and the Woodside web site. There are additionally a number of enjoyable, family-friendly actions, similar to crokinole and bagatelle. 

Once you’re not touring the Victorian residence, admiring heirlooms, make sure to take a stroll by way of the attractive gardens and 11.5-acre forest. The gardens surrounding the house have been landscaped in keeping with letters and different data from Kings time right here, with the intention to recreate the backyard that after existed within the Nineties.

Citadel Kilbride

Through the Industrial Age, throngs of immigrants moved to Canada to seek out jobs and create affluent lives for themselves. Scottish immigrant, James Livingston, was no exception to this pattern. When James moved to Ontario in 1854 together with his brother, he started engaged on a flax mill. Little did James know that the time spent working right here would lay the foundations for his profitable empire. 

James and his brother went on to construct their very own flax mill in addition to a linseed oil mill and began the ‘J & J Livingston Linseed Oil Firm’. Their enterprise grew from power to power, and by 1877, James was recognized by many because the Flax and Oil King of Canada. 

To symbolize this ‘royal standing,’ Livingston determined to assemble his very personal citadel. The identify, Citadel Kilbride, pays homage to his Scottish hometown of East Kilbride. As you stroll by way of the citadel, you’ll come throughout quite a few lovely murals and statues and in addition get the possibility to find out about James’ attention-grabbing life.

Beer Tasting

There’s no must worry in the event you can’t make it to Kitchener in time for Oktoberfest. With its wealthy German heritage, Kitchener is residence to a bunch of craft breweries providing distinctive beers on faucet. 

At CounterPoint Brewing Firm, you’ll discover magnificent craft beers which might be each well-balanced and have an experimental twist. The Descendants Beer and Beverage Co Ltd are recognized for his or her award-winning beers, making it an excellent pit cease for a freshly poured pint

Able to Discover Kitchener in Ontario, Canada?

Kitchener’s combination of historical past, tradition, out of doors actions, and meals and beverage scene make it an thrilling place for anybody to go to. If this appears like a city you wish to see, think about together with close by areas like Cambridge and the larger metropolitan space of Waterloo in your go to. 

So, what are you ready for? It’s time to pack up the automobile and head out on a highway journey.