Guelph

Canada

Guelph is a city of 132,000 people (2016) in Southwestern Ontario on the banks of the Speed River less than an hour's drive west of Toronto.

It is nicknamed The Royal City, as its name comes from the imperial House of Guelph that once ruled Great Britain. Guelph is known for its beautiful limestone architecture, vibrant culture and a variety of festivals. It is also considered one of the most liveable cities in Canada, with a low crime rates, a clean environment and a relatively high standard of living. The city is home to Sleeman Breweries Ltd.

The city is home to the University of Guelph, established in 1964. The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), the oldest part of the University of Guelph, began in 1874 as an associate agricultural college of the University of Toronto.

  • City of Guelph Tourism Services: call +1-800-334-4519.

Before colonization, the area was home to a First Nations community called the Attawandaron who lived in longhouses surrounded by fields of corn. The majority of this nation, about 4,000 people, lived in a village near what is now the Badenoch area of Puslinch, near Morriston.

John Galt, the first Superintendent of the Canada Company, was hired to help colonize Upper Canada. He selected Guelph as the headquarters of this British development firm. Galt was a popular Scottish poet and novelist who also designed the town to attract settlers and farmers to the surrounding countryside. His design intended the town to resemble a European city centre, complete with squares, broad main streets and narrow side streets, resulting in a variety of block sizes and shapes which are still in place today. The street plan was laid out in a radial street and grid system that branches out from downtown.

The town was named to honour Britain's royal family, the Hanoverians, who were descended from the Guelfs, the ancestral family of George IV, the reigning British monarch; thus the nickname The Royal City.

In 1827, the first houses and the first Guelph Farmers' Market were built. The population growth was very slow until the Grand Trunk Railway reached it from Toronto, en route to Sarnia, in 1856; the town was also served soon thereafter by the Great Western Railway branch from Harrisburg.

Guelph was home to a major correctional institution from 1915 until 2001, the Ontario Reformatory, after 1972, Guelph Correctional Centre.

City of Guelph Tourism Services: call +1-800-334-4519.

  • Timberframe pedestrian covered bridge. Built in 1992 by 400 Timber Framers Guild volunteers. A pedestrian lattice covered bridge over the Speed River.
  • Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, 28 Norfolk Street. Stands high above the streetscape, overlooking the city. Built of local limestone in Gothic Revival style. Construction began 1877, completed in 1926.
  • McCrae House, 108 Water St.. 1PM–5PM daily (closed Saturdays in December–June). This small limestone cottage, the birthplace of John McCrae, author of In Flanders Fields, is now a museum that interprets McCrae's life. A National Historic Site.
  • Art Gallery of Guelph, 358 Gordon Street. Public art gallery houses an extensive collection of Canadian Art, including Inuit artists, as well as an outdoor sculpture park.
  • Guelph Civic Museum, 6 Dublin Street South. Highlights Guelph's history from pre-settlement to present. Also houses the Rogers Yahoo! Hi-Speed Internet Growing Up in Guelph Children's Museum.
  • Locomotive 6167, Farqhuar Street (east of Wyndham St S, across the tracks from the railway station. Preserved "Northern"-type locomotive 6167 on static display.
  • Petrie Building, 15 Wyndham St N (at Mcdonnell St. Built in 1882, the Petrie Building has an ornamental, stamped-metal façade, and is last remaining example of such metal cladding in Canada. The zinc metal was painted to resemble brownstone. The building has been recently restored.

Timberframe pedestrian covered bridge. Built in 1992 by 400 Timber Framers Guild volunteers. A pedestrian lattice covered bridge over the Speed River.

Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, 28 Norfolk Street. Stands high above the streetscape, overlooking the city. Built of local limestone in Gothic Revival style. Construction began 1877, completed in 1926.

McCrae House, 108 Water St.. 1PM–5PM daily (closed Saturdays in December–June). This small limestone cottage, the birthplace of John McCrae, author of In Flanders Fields, is now a museum that interprets McCrae's life. A National Historic Site.

Art Gallery of Guelph, 358 Gordon Street. Public art gallery houses an extensive collection of Canadian Art, including Inuit artists, as well as an outdoor sculpture park.

Guelph Civic Museum, 6 Dublin Street South. Highlights Guelph's history from pre-settlement to present. Also houses the Rogers Yahoo! Hi-Speed Internet Growing Up in Guelph Children's Museum.

Locomotive 6167, Farqhuar Street (east of Wyndham St S, across the tracks from the railway station. Preserved "Northern"-type locomotive 6167 on static display.

Petrie Building, 15 Wyndham St N (at Mcdonnell St. Built in 1882, the Petrie Building has an ornamental, stamped-metal façade, and is last remaining example of such metal cladding in Canada. The zinc metal was painted to resemble brownstone. The building has been recently restored.

  • The Bookshelf, 41 Quebec St., +1 519 821-3311. Downtown rep cinema shows slightly more unusual movies than elsewhere and also has a cafe, restaurant, bar (eBar), and bookstore in the same building.
  • University of Guelph Arboretum, Arboretum Rd (350m east of E Ring Rd; bus 1a or 1b. 165 hectares (408 acres) with 8.2 km of trails.
  • Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival. Avant-garde choreography performed by high-calibre dancers.
  • Guelph and District Multicultural Festival. Celebrate the city's diversity with performances, food, crafts and more.
  • Hillside Music Festival. This 3-day, 5-stage event had an eclectic mix of musical genres from folk to hip-hop, blues to reggae, Celtic to Funk in a refreshingly non-commercial environment.
  • Guelph Jazz Festival. Innovative jazz and creative improvised music in a community setting.
  • College Royal. The largest university open house of its kind in North America.
  • River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street. Guelph's premiere performing arts centre in the heart of downtown. Features an exciting line-up of professional performances as well as community arts events.
  • Guelph Arts Council - Historical Walking Tours. Trace Guelph's history and view its beautiful architecture with five popular, award-winning tours. Tours run on selected Sundays from April to October. Companion booklets of each tour are available at The Bookshelf for $5.
  • Victoria Park East Golf Club, 1096 Victoria Road South. One of the region's finest championship-length golf courses.
  • The Sleeman Centre, 50 Woolwich Street. Guelph's largest and most modern sports and events arena, featuring seating for 4000, private suites, VIP seating areas, 300-seat full-service sports bar and restaurant.
  • Guelph Lake Conservation Area, 7743 Conservation Drive. Camping, hiking, fishing, swimming and sailing are only some of the activities you can take part in at Guelph Lake, part of the Grand River Conservation Authority.

The Bookshelf, 41 Quebec St., +1 519 821-3311. Downtown rep cinema shows slightly more unusual movies than elsewhere and also has a cafe, restaurant, bar (eBar), and bookstore in the same building.

University of Guelph Arboretum, Arboretum Rd (350m east of E Ring Rd; bus 1a or 1b. 165 hectares (408 acres) with 8.2 km of trails.

Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival. Avant-garde choreography performed by high-calibre dancers.

Guelph and District Multicultural Festival. Celebrate the city's diversity with performances, food, crafts and more.

Hillside Music Festival. This 3-day, 5-stage event had an eclectic mix of musical genres from folk to hip-hop, blues to reggae, Celtic to Funk in a refreshingly non-commercial environment.

Guelph Jazz Festival. Innovative jazz and creative improvised music in a community setting.

College Royal. The largest university open house of its kind in North America.

River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street. Guelph's premiere performing arts centre in the heart of downtown. Features an exciting line-up of professional performances as well as community arts events.

Guelph Arts Council - Historical Walking Tours. Trace Guelph's history and view its beautiful architecture with five popular, award-winning tours. Tours run on selected Sundays from April to October. Companion booklets of each tour are available at The Bookshelf for $5.

Victoria Park East Golf Club, 1096 Victoria Road South. One of the region's finest championship-length golf courses.

The Sleeman Centre, 50 Woolwich Street. Guelph's largest and most modern sports and events arena, featuring seating for 4000, private suites, VIP seating areas, 300-seat full-service sports bar and restaurant.

Guelph Lake Conservation Area, 7743 Conservation Drive. Camping, hiking, fishing, swimming and sailing are only some of the activities you can take part in at Guelph Lake, part of the Grand River Conservation Authority.

  • Dutch Toko, 118 Wyndham St N, +1 519-822-4690. Sells Dutch foods.
  • IF Footwear Boutique, 42 Wyndham Street North. Top designer shoes and boots for every foot in every season. Handbags and more as well as footwear.
  • Creative Edge, 9 Quebec Street, +1 519-824-5350. Rustic gifts and furniture, many unique pieces by local artists.
  • Old Quebec Street Shoppes, 55 Wyndham St N (at St. George's Square. An interior mall with shop façades resembling old two-story buildings lining a narrow "street".
  • Wyndham Art Supplies, 125 Wyndham Street. Art supplies, classes for all ages and more.
  • Stone Road Mall, 435 Stone Road. Guelph's largest mall, housing over 140 different shops and services and a large food court.
  • Guelph Farmers' Market, 2 Gordon Street. Sa 7AM-noon. Open year round. Local meats, vegetables, dairy products, local and organic foods, unique arts and crafts, and a great sense of community all in one place. Over 180 years old. Open Saturdays 7AM–noon.
  • Simply Wonderful Toys, 10 Paisley Street, +1 519-824-5682. In the Royal Plaza. Toys for every age.
  • Wild Rose Consignment Clothing, 23a Macdonell St (Down the road from the famous Church of Our Lady, +1 519 763-2233. Monday-Sunday. Woman's consignment clothing. Funky to formal casual to career. Readers Choice award winner, Guelph Mercury and Tribune.

Dutch Toko, 118 Wyndham St N, +1 519-822-4690. Sells Dutch foods.

IF Footwear Boutique, 42 Wyndham Street North. Top designer shoes and boots for every foot in every season. Handbags and more as well as footwear.

Creative Edge, 9 Quebec Street, +1 519-824-5350. Rustic gifts and furniture, many unique pieces by local artists.

Old Quebec Street Shoppes, 55 Wyndham St N (at St. George's Square. An interior mall with shop façades resembling old two-story buildings lining a narrow "street".

Wyndham Art Supplies, 125 Wyndham Street. Art supplies, classes for all ages and more.

Stone Road Mall, 435 Stone Road. Guelph's largest mall, housing over 140 different shops and services and a large food court.

Guelph Farmers' Market, 2 Gordon Street. Sa 7AM-noon. Open year round. Local meats, vegetables, dairy products, local and organic foods, unique arts and crafts, and a great sense of community all in one place. Over 180 years old. Open Saturdays 7AM–noon.

Simply Wonderful Toys, 10 Paisley Street, +1 519-824-5682. In the Royal Plaza. Toys for every age.

Wild Rose Consignment Clothing, 23a Macdonell St (Down the road from the famous Church of Our Lady, +1 519 763-2233. Monday-Sunday. Woman's consignment clothing. Funky to formal casual to career. Readers Choice award winner, Guelph Mercury and Tribune.

Guelph is in the heart of Southwestern Ontario's agricultural country, so many of the local restaurants and pubs emphasize cooking with local foods in season. Guelph's vibrant multicultural community is represented by several local eateries, making Guelph an excellent spot to sample ethnic foods.

  • Artisanale French Country Cooking, 214 Woolwich St, +1 519-821-3359. Upscale local, seasonal, organic fare with a French twist.
  • Bollywood Bistro, 51 Cork Street East. downtown. Excellent South Asian food.
  • The Cornerstone, 1 Wyndham Street North. Has vegetarian food, beer and coffee.
  • The Boathouse Tea Room, 116 Gordon Street. Traditional high tea. Ice cream parlour. Lovely setting next to the Speed River.

Artisanale French Country Cooking, 214 Woolwich St, +1 519-821-3359. Upscale local, seasonal, organic fare with a French twist.

Bollywood Bistro, 51 Cork Street East. downtown. Excellent South Asian food.

The Cornerstone, 1 Wyndham Street North. Has vegetarian food, beer and coffee.

The Boathouse Tea Room, 116 Gordon Street. Traditional high tea. Ice cream parlour. Lovely setting next to the Speed River.

The vast majority of Guelph's drinking establishments are located in a compact area in the heart of downtown, meaning that it's really easy to switch venues once you get bored.

  • The Wooly Pub, 176 Woolwich Street, +1 519-836-2875. Noon–1AM. Located in a beautiful former Victorian house, this pub emphasizes local brews. Cozy atmosphere. Was listed on All About Beer magazine's list of 125 places in the world where you should have a beer before you die.
  • The Albion Hotel, 49 Norfolk Street. Located in an 1856 hotel built of limestone, the hotel holds the second-oldest liquor licence in Ontario.
  • Frank & Steins, 12 Wyndham St S, +1 519-763-8666. Pub
  • Doogie's & Pablo's, 37 Wyndham St N, +1 519-823-9993. Night club
  • Manhattans, 951 Gordon St, +1 519-767-2440. Italian restaurant with cocktails and music.
  • Royal Electric, 52 Macdonell St, +1 519-767-1694. Bar
  • TABU Nightclub, 96 Macdonell St, +1 519-654-2723. The website covers four night clubs in downtown Guelph: Palace, Trappers Alley, TABU and TapHouse.
  • McCabe’s Irish Pub & Grill, 9 Wyndham St N, +1 519-836-3400.
  • The Ebar & Greenroom, 37 Quebec St. Restaurant and bar
  • Van Gogh's Ear, 10 Wyndham St N, +1 519-821-9864. Night club
  • Bobby O'Brien's, 90 Macdonnell Street (in downtown, +1 519-763-0043. Irish pub with wide selection of beer on tap and wonderful kitchen of fantastic eats.
  • Stampede Ranch, 226 Woodlawn Rd W. This is Guelph's local bar, and is a must-see. It's an authentic country bar located on the north end of town near Guelph's "suburbs." Thursday and Saturday nights are the big nights. No trip to Guelph is complete without spending a night at the Ranch.

The Wooly Pub, 176 Woolwich Street, +1 519-836-2875. Noon–1AM. Located in a beautiful former Victorian house, this pub emphasizes local brews. Cozy atmosphere. Was listed on All About Beer magazine's list of 125 places in the world where you should have a beer before you die.

The Albion Hotel, 49 Norfolk Street. Located in an 1856 hotel built of limestone, the hotel holds the second-oldest liquor licence in Ontario.

Frank & Steins, 12 Wyndham St S, +1 519-763-8666. Pub

Doogie's & Pablo's, 37 Wyndham St N, +1 519-823-9993. Night club

Manhattans, 951 Gordon St, +1 519-767-2440. Italian restaurant with cocktails and music.

Royal Electric, 52 Macdonell St, +1 519-767-1694. Bar

TABU Nightclub, 96 Macdonell St, +1 519-654-2723. The website covers four night clubs in downtown Guelph: Palace, Trappers Alley, TABU and TapHouse.

McCabe’s Irish Pub & Grill, 9 Wyndham St N, +1 519-836-3400.

The Ebar & Greenroom, 37 Quebec St. Restaurant and bar

Van Gogh's Ear, 10 Wyndham St N, +1 519-821-9864. Night club

Bobby O'Brien's, 90 Macdonnell Street (in downtown, +1 519-763-0043. Irish pub with wide selection of beer on tap and wonderful kitchen of fantastic eats.

Stampede Ranch, 226 Woodlawn Rd W. This is Guelph's local bar, and is a must-see. It's an authentic country bar located on the north end of town near Guelph's "suburbs." Thursday and Saturday nights are the big nights. No trip to Guelph is complete without spending a night at the Ranch.

Guelph Lake rents canoes in the summer. There is also canoe and kayak rental at the Speed River, next to the boathouse. The beautiful Elora Gorge is nearby, as is the Rockwood Park. There are spectacular trails through the city, and a free summer series of concerts downtown.

The Jazz Festival takes place the first week of September.