Guelph Highlights
Natural Places
A top-tier arboretum with 12.5 km of trails through forest, swamp, thicket, and open parkland. There are tree species on display ranging from common to endangered Canadiana, as well as a few extremely rare species from around the world. As a naturalized oasis in the city, it's a magnet for wildlife. They host excellent courses on all things natural, and there's even a nice disc-golf course on the College St side.
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The Arboretum
200 Arboretum RdA top-tier arboretum with 12.5 km of trails through forest, swamp, thicket, and open parkland. There are tree species on display ranging from common to endangered Canadiana, as well as a few extremely rare species from around the world. As a naturalized oasis in the city, it's a magnet for wildlife. They host excellent courses on all things natural, and there's even a nice disc-golf course on the College St side.
The confluence of the Speed and Eramosa rivers happens at downtown's lovely covered bridge. This confluence is Guelph's geographic heart and is the fundamental reason the town is-where-it-is. There are urban riverside trails along both rivers - especially between HWY6 and Victoria Rd (known as the royal recreational trail). You can continue east of Victoria along a less well-marked system (and active railway) all the way out to McQuillan's Bridge and beyond. Or, you can stroll along the upper Speed right through the heart of downtown and across the picturesque Heffernan St Bridge (my personal favourite) .
The Covered Bridge
The confluence of the Speed and Eramosa rivers happens at downtown's lovely covered bridge. This confluence is Guelph's geographic heart and is the fundamental reason the town is-where-it-is. There are urban riverside trails along both rivers - especially between HWY6 and Victoria Rd (known as the royal recreational trail). You can continue east of Victoria along a less well-marked system (and active railway) all the way out to McQuillan's Bridge and beyond. Or, you can stroll along the upper Speed right through the heart of downtown and across the picturesque Heffernan St Bridge (my personal favourite) .
Surrounded by a sprawling conservation area and rolling countryside, Guelph lake is formed by a large dam across the upper-Speed river and is - surprisingly - one of the largest bodies of water between Hamilton (Lake Ontario) and Owen Sound (Georgian Bay). The three arms of the lake make it interesting to sail as there are constantly shifting winds. Swimming, paddling, hiking, picnicking and other opportunities abound. There are mountain bike trails around the perimeter, and with a little navigational planning, you can bike (mountain or otherwise) along the speed river between Guelph lake and downtown. The "island" at the lake's heart is the venue of Guelph's beloved Hillside music festival (although technically not an island, but connected to the north shore by a causeway).
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Guelph Lake Conservation Area
7743 Conservation RdSurrounded by a sprawling conservation area and rolling countryside, Guelph lake is formed by a large dam across the upper-Speed river and is - surprisingly - one of the largest bodies of water between Hamilton (Lake Ontario) and Owen Sound (Georgian Bay). The three arms of the lake make it interesting to sail as there are constantly shifting winds. Swimming, paddling, hiking, picnicking and other opportunities abound. There are mountain bike trails around the perimeter, and with a little navigational planning, you can bike (mountain or otherwise) along the speed river between Guelph lake and downtown. The "island" at the lake's heart is the venue of Guelph's beloved Hillside music festival (although technically not an island, but connected to the north shore by a causeway).
One of the larger natural areas in the city limits. Many narrow trails criss-cross beautiful, dark, bottomland cedar forest and - with the help of boardwalks - across various creeks and swamps.
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Preservation Park
226 Kortright Rd WOne of the larger natural areas in the city limits. Many narrow trails criss-cross beautiful, dark, bottomland cedar forest and - with the help of boardwalks - across various creeks and swamps.
A popular north end park. It has lots of open turf areas with playgrounds and even a small train ride (summer time).
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리버사이드공원
49 King St WA popular north end park. It has lots of open turf areas with playgrounds and even a small train ride (summer time).
Rockwood punches above its weight. It's not a particularly large conservation area, but it boasts a gorgeous paddleable reservoir surrounded by limestone cliffs, and in spring they're covered in nesting swallows. There are old mill ruins, caves, and beautiful forested trails
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록우드 보존 지역
161 Fall St SRockwood punches above its weight. It's not a particularly large conservation area, but it boasts a gorgeous paddleable reservoir surrounded by limestone cliffs, and in spring they're covered in nesting swallows. There are old mill ruins, caves, and beautiful forested trails
Elora Gorge is a noteworthy highlight of our watershed - the Grand River. It has something for everyone from easy access lookouts over the gorge to an active 4-season whitewater paddling and tubing scene.
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Elora Gorge
Elora Gorge is a noteworthy highlight of our watershed - the Grand River. It has something for everyone from easy access lookouts over the gorge to an active 4-season whitewater paddling and tubing scene.
Rolling hills, bursting spring ephemerals, and mysterious swampy bottomlands: little tract looks good in all seasons. There's parking at both the north and south entrances, but they can be easy to miss.
Little Tract
6710 Wellington County Road 34Rolling hills, bursting spring ephemerals, and mysterious swampy bottomlands: little tract looks good in all seasons. There's parking at both the north and south entrances, but they can be easy to miss.
Food scene
The Common
28 Wilson StBeloved local coffee shop with a relaxed vibe and play areas for kiddos.
Another Guelph staple serving up fair trade, locally-roasted beans.
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Planet Bean Coffee
2 Wyndham St NAnother Guelph staple serving up fair trade, locally-roasted beans.
The best açai bowl in town (the "soul bowl"). Delicious smoothies and healthy juices.
Refresh Juice Co.
33 Quebec StThe best açai bowl in town (the "soul bowl"). Delicious smoothies and healthy juices.
An amazing little take-out joint. Very good quality and value, with healthy and hearty comfort-food options like bowls, salads and wraps (vegetarian, vegan... and carnivore friendly).
Crazy Carrot
30 Wyndham Street NorthAn amazing little take-out joint. Very good quality and value, with healthy and hearty comfort-food options like bowls, salads and wraps (vegetarian, vegan... and carnivore friendly).
Cafe Greek Garden
497 York RdBest Greek food in town. Hearty portions.
Hands-down, the best Thai food in town. I like spicy food, but I have to be CAREFUL with the heat levels from NA HA'S (even their "mild-medium" is too hot for some).
Na Ha Thai's Kitchen
471 York RdHands-down, the best Thai food in town. I like spicy food, but I have to be CAREFUL with the heat levels from NA HA'S (even their "mild-medium" is too hot for some).
By far the best pizza in town, primo baked goods, great burgers & an incredibly decadent Sunday brunch - a stellar restaurant:
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Earth to Table: Bread Bar
105 Gordon StBy far the best pizza in town, primo baked goods, great burgers & an incredibly decadent Sunday brunch - a stellar restaurant:
An excellent and delicious downtown resto. Beautiful space, great back patio.
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Miijidaa
37 Quebec StAn excellent and delicious downtown resto. Beautiful space, great back patio.
Crafty Ramen
17 Macdonell StGood quality, tasty ramen.
Coco Chicken
71 Macdonell StreetThey serve Korean fried chicken take-out - and nothing else. Usually busy.
Groceries
Guelph is an "aggie" (agricultural) town and our market is a core feature. Typically only open from ungodly-early to 12pm on Saturdays. Locally-grown and locally-made are on display with fruits and veggies, meat, cheese, eggs, baked goods, prepared foods, donuts, and dumplings. As well as locally crafted wine, locally sourced native plant seedlings, artisan crafts, local non-profit groups and more.
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Guelph Farmers' Market
2 Gordon StGuelph is an "aggie" (agricultural) town and our market is a core feature. Typically only open from ungodly-early to 12pm on Saturdays. Locally-grown and locally-made are on display with fruits and veggies, meat, cheese, eggs, baked goods, prepared foods, donuts, and dumplings. As well as locally crafted wine, locally sourced native plant seedlings, artisan crafts, local non-profit groups and more.
High-end grocery store (with high-end prices). Has lots of special, uncommon, and quality offerings (meats, bread, cheeses, preserves, desserts, snacks). Watch out for inflated prices on staples like produce and milk.
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Market Fresh
10 Paisley StHigh-end grocery store (with high-end prices). Has lots of special, uncommon, and quality offerings (meats, bread, cheeses, preserves, desserts, snacks). Watch out for inflated prices on staples like produce and milk.
Very pleasant, independent and locally owned organic/health food store.
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Stone Store Natural Foods
14 Commercial StVery pleasant, independent and locally owned organic/health food store.
Don't get thrown by the name.... this is a unique downtown store offering certain health food staples (like almond milk, fair trade chocolate, natural soap, beeswax candles) for cheaper than any big-box grocer.
New Age Health Food Store
112 Wyndham Street NorthDon't get thrown by the name.... this is a unique downtown store offering certain health food staples (like almond milk, fair trade chocolate, natural soap, beeswax candles) for cheaper than any big-box grocer.
All of Guelph's No Frills are solid. Prices are good, produce is usually in very good shape. Our various Zehrs have the same quality fruits and veggies and many of the exact same products, but everything is 30% more expensive. Why go to Zehrs? Well, I guess I have to admit that Zehrs does a few nice things that No Frills doesn't carry.
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Jones' No Frills
191 Silvercreek Pkwy NAll of Guelph's No Frills are solid. Prices are good, produce is usually in very good shape. Our various Zehrs have the same quality fruits and veggies and many of the exact same products, but everything is 30% more expensive. Why go to Zehrs? Well, I guess I have to admit that Zehrs does a few nice things that No Frills doesn't carry.
Entertainment
Live music venue, with jazz and more. They also have a classy bar and nice food.
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Manhattans
951 Gordon StLive music venue, with jazz and more. They also have a classy bar and nice food.
Stalwart downtown live music venue and bar. Everything from funky soul bands to singer-songwriters.
Sip Club
91 Wyndham St NStalwart downtown live music venue and bar. Everything from funky soul bands to singer-songwriters.
Guelph's large downtown venue for live music, theater, comedians, speakers etc.
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River Run Centre
35 Woolwich StGuelph's large downtown venue for live music, theater, comedians, speakers etc.
An amazing book store (with some music and games thrown in), with a great little independent movie theater attached.
The Bookshelf
41 Quebec StreetAn amazing book store (with some music and games thrown in), with a great little independent movie theater attached.