Things to Do
Discover parks, trails, museums, and attractions throughout Waterloo Region.
Showing 28 attractions
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
Tropical paradise with thousands of free-flying butterflies, exotic birds, and insect exhibits in a lush 10,000 square foot indoor garden.
📍 Cambridge
📍 2500 Kossuth Road, Cambridge, ON
Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery
Canada's only museum dedicated exclusively to ceramic and glass art, featuring rotating exhibitions, a sculpture garden, and beautiful Silver Lake location.
📍 Waterloo
📍 25 Caroline Street North, Waterloo, ON
Castle Kilbride
National Historic Site showcasing the lavish Victorian era. This grand 1877 Italianate mansion was home to Canada's Flax Mill King, James Livingston. Features stunning original murals and period furnishings. Popular Christmas at the Castle events run November through early January.
📍 Wilmot
📍 60 Snyder's Rd W, Baden, ON N3A 1A1
Chicopee Ski & Summer Resort
Year-round recreation destination offering skiing, snowboarding, and tubing in winter, plus summer activities including tube slides, mini-golf, and more.
📍 Kitchener
📍 396 Morrison Road, Kitchener, ON
Doon Heritage Village
Living history museum showcasing early 20th century rural Ontario life with restored buildings, costumed interpreters, and hands-on heritage experiences.
📍 Kitchener
📍 10 Huron Road, Kitchener, ON
Hawkesville
Charming historic village surrounded by sugar maple woods and the quiet banks of the Conestogo River. Known for its peaceful atmosphere and traditional Mennonite character.
📍 Wellesley
📍 Hawkesville, ON
Jamestown Mills
Heritage grain mill from the 1850s bearing testimony to Ayr's agricultural past. Visitors can get up close with the former grinding machinery and witness the transformation of grain into whole wheat flour.
📍 North Dumfries
📍 Ayr, ON
Kissing Bridge Trailway
Multi-use trail extending from Guelph to Millbank with hard-packed stone-dust surface, excellent for users of all ages. The portion within Woolwich parallels Line 86 to West Montrose, crossing the Grand River on the famous covered bridge.
📍 Woolwich
📍 Various access points along Line 86, Woolwich, ON
Kitchener Market
Historic indoor market operating since 1869, featuring local vendors, artisan food producers, and a Saturday farmers' market in the heart of downtown Kitchener.
📍 Kitchener
📍 300 King Street East, Kitchener, ON
Lions Lake Trail
7km well-maintained single track earthen trail encircling the Woolwich Reservoir. Established in 1980 by the Elmira Lions Club, suitable for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and mountain biking.
📍 Woolwich
📍 Floradale Rd, Woolwich, ON
McDougall Cottage Historic Site
Small museum celebrating Galt's Scottish heritage in an 1858 granite and limestone cottage, showcasing period life and Scottish stonework.
📍 Cambridge
📍 89 Grand Avenue South, Cambridge, ON
New Hamburg Arboretum
6-acre property with trees first planted in 1957, making it only the second arboretum in Ontario. Features diverse tree species and peaceful walking paths along Waterloo Street in New Hamburg.
📍 Wilmot
📍 470 Waterloo St, New Hamburg, ON
New Hamburg Waterwheel
The largest working wooden waterwheel in North America, located along the Nith River in New Hamburg. This beloved landmark pays tribute to the town's historic milling heritage.
📍 Wilmot
📍 Waterloo St, New Hamburg, ON
North Dumfries Museum
The North Dumfries Historical Preservation Society museum recounts the village's fascinating history through photographs, archival documents, and artifacts from the 19th century to present day.
📍 North Dumfries
📍 Ayr, ON
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
World-leading research centre for theoretical physics with public programs, lectures, and tours showcasing groundbreaking science in a stunning architectural setting.
📍 Waterloo
📍 31 Caroline Street North, Waterloo, ON
Prime Ministers Path
Walking trail featuring statues of Canada's Prime Ministers, located next to Castle Kilbride in Baden. A unique outdoor gallery combining history, art, and nature.
📍 Wilmot
📍 60 Snyder's Rd W, Baden, ON
Riverside Park
Cambridge's largest park along the Grand River with sports fields, trails, playgrounds, and splash pad serving the Preston community.
📍 Cambridge
📍 75 Water Street South, Cambridge, ON
Snyder's Flats Conservation Area
100-hectare former gravel pit restored as a natural area with ponds, forests, and grasslands. Features a 4.5km looped trail with interpretive signs. The forest was planted in partnership with the Kitchener-Conestoga Rotary Club.
📍 Woolwich
📍 Snyder's Flats Rd, Bloomingdale, ON
St. Jacobs Farmers' Market
Canada's largest year-round farmers' market, attracting over one million visitors annually. Over 100 local farmers, artisans and growers sell farm-fresh meats, cheese, fruits, vegetables, flowers, honey, preserves and more. Open Thursdays and Saturdays year-round, plus Tuesdays in summer.
📍 Woolwich
📍 878 Weber St N, Woolwich, ON N2J 4A9
THEMUSEUM
Interactive museum in downtown Kitchener with hands-on exhibits exploring science, technology, culture, and creativity for visitors of all ages.
📍 Kitchener
📍 10 King Street West, Kitchener, ON
Victoria Park
Kitchener's oldest and most beloved urban park featuring a lake, heritage pavilion, walking trails, and year-round events including festivals, concerts, and outdoor skating.
📍 Kitchener
📍 80 Schneider Avenue, Kitchener, ON
Victoria Park Ayr
Historic park in the heart of Ayr featuring the century-old pavilion (celebrating 100 years in 2024). Home to community events including the Ayr 200 bicentennial celebrations and annual festivals.
📍 North Dumfries
📍 Victoria Park, Ayr, ON
Walker Woods Trail
Over 2km of hiking trails in New Hamburg, accessible by sidewalk and stone dust trail starting at Highway 7/8. A peaceful escape into nature within the township.
📍 Wilmot
📍 Off Highway 7/8, New Hamburg, ON
Waterloo Park
Waterloo's 111-acre urban jewel since 1893, featuring Silver Lake, a farm with animals, sports facilities, trails, and year-round events including the Wonders of Winter festival.
📍 Waterloo
📍 100 Father David Bauer Drive, Waterloo, ON
Wellesley Apple Butter & Cheese Festival
Annual festival since 1975, held on the last Saturday of September. Features apple butter making demonstrations, cheese curd races, tractor pulls, farm tours, and delicious food including pigtails, spareribs, and sauerkraut. All proceeds support community improvement projects.
📍 Wellesley
📍 Wellesley Village, ON
Wellesley Disc Golf Course
The first disc golf course in Wellesley Township! Six-hole course with long and short tees around the Recreation Complex. Short tees are great for beginners; long tees feature technical shots including water carries. Play the loop three times for a full 18 holes.
📍 Wellesley
📍 1000 Maple Leaf St, Wellesley, ON
West Montrose Covered Bridge
Ontario's last remaining covered bridge, built in 1881. Also known as "The Kissing Bridge," this landmark has survived high winds, floods, and ice storms. Still used by pedestrians, horse and buggies, and light vehicles to cross over the Grand River.
📍 Woolwich
📍 Covered Bridge Dr, West Montrose, ON
Whistle Bear Golf Course
Championship golf course with stunning rolling hill views. Includes Vair's Restaurant and Bar for a meal after your round. A premier golfing destination in Waterloo Region.
📍 North Dumfries
📍 1521 Dickie Settlement Rd, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S4