Guidebook for Kitchener

Alison And Kendall
Alison And Kendall
Guidebook for Kitchener

Food Scene

Very fresh food and good prices, especially for their lunch combination plates.
Mr Wok Chinese Restaurant
525 Highland Rd W
Very fresh food and good prices, especially for their lunch combination plates.
Super friendly staff, great selection of food & family friendly prices. Check out the New York Steak on the "Lighter" menu. Great value!
Omega Family Restaurant
685 Fischer-Hallman Rd
Super friendly staff, great selection of food & family friendly prices. Check out the New York Steak on the "Lighter" menu. Great value!
Great pizza, great specials. Close enough to walk to if you just want a slice
6 locals recommend
Gino's Pizza
125 Seabrook Dr
6 locals recommend
Great pizza, great specials. Close enough to walk to if you just want a slice
Predictably delicious. We've had on-line orders arrive 10 minutes after placing the order (!?!?!)
Swiss Chalet Rotisserie & Grill
525 Highland Rd W
Predictably delicious. We've had on-line orders arrive 10 minutes after placing the order (!?!?!)
Rarely found, this place is great for breakfast, lunch AND dinner. Budget friendly Jumbo smoked meat sandwich easily feeds two.
Fireside Deli & Family Restaurant
800 Ottawa St S
Rarely found, this place is great for breakfast, lunch AND dinner. Budget friendly Jumbo smoked meat sandwich easily feeds two.
Super busy Sushi restaurant with a wide variety of options. Ipad ordering system super for those not as familiar with Japanese food. Lots of staff, so busy just means everything is super fresh.
Ye's Sushi
70 Sportsworld Dr
Super busy Sushi restaurant with a wide variety of options. Ipad ordering system super for those not as familiar with Japanese food. Lots of staff, so busy just means everything is super fresh.
High end dining. Classy from beginning to end.
26 locals recommend
Charcoal Steak House
2980 King St E
26 locals recommend
High end dining. Classy from beginning to end.

Sightseeing

Beautiful park with large pond is home to many a duck and goose. Lots of festivals are held here, such as Rib and Beer Fest, one stage for the Blues Festival, Multicultural Festival and more. Home to the Boathouse Restaurant. Come for a stroll!
146 locals recommend
Victoria Park
146 locals recommend
Beautiful park with large pond is home to many a duck and goose. Lots of festivals are held here, such as Rib and Beer Fest, one stage for the Blues Festival, Multicultural Festival and more. Home to the Boathouse Restaurant. Come for a stroll!
A mansion built in 1877, this home is now a Museum. Let's face it, you're curious what is considered a 'Castle' in southern Ontario. A relaxing day for summer sightseeing (not open in winter months). Visit www.wilmot.ca/en/Castle-Kilbride-Museum.aspx. For a virtual visit check out https://youtu.be/m2_tD-m4JXA
8 locals recommend
Castle Kilbride
60 Snyder's Rd W
8 locals recommend
A mansion built in 1877, this home is now a Museum. Let's face it, you're curious what is considered a 'Castle' in southern Ontario. A relaxing day for summer sightseeing (not open in winter months). Visit www.wilmot.ca/en/Castle-Kilbride-Museum.aspx. For a virtual visit check out https://youtu.be/m2_tD-m4JXA

Parks & Nature

Peaceful. Trails meander through deciduous and pine forest, past large and small ponds (look for the beavers in the big pond!) A beautiful place for a hike or just to commune with nature. Acres of trails for the nature lovers. www.kitchener.ca/en/things-to-do/huron-natural-area.aspx?_mid_=12286
24 locals recommend
Huron Natural Area
801 Trillium Dr
24 locals recommend
Peaceful. Trails meander through deciduous and pine forest, past large and small ponds (look for the beavers in the big pond!) A beautiful place for a hike or just to commune with nature. Acres of trails for the nature lovers. www.kitchener.ca/en/things-to-do/huron-natural-area.aspx?_mid_=12286
Homer Watson Park is along the Grand River with trails overlooking Pioneer Tower and golf courses. The trail also winds through Willow Lake park and past iconic old Doon Village. Treed areas, meadows and streams. A lovely way to relax and get some fresh air.
Homer Watson Park (G.R.C.A)
Mill Park Drive
Homer Watson Park is along the Grand River with trails overlooking Pioneer Tower and golf courses. The trail also winds through Willow Lake park and past iconic old Doon Village. Treed areas, meadows and streams. A lovely way to relax and get some fresh air.
Part of the Grand River Conservation areas, Laurel Creek has a beach, camping sites suitable for either RVs or tents and lots of trails through the trees. For info on Grand River Conservation parks and activities, visit www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/Outdoor-Recreation
29 locals recommend
Laurel Creek Conservation Area
625 Westmount Rd N
29 locals recommend
Part of the Grand River Conservation areas, Laurel Creek has a beach, camping sites suitable for either RVs or tents and lots of trails through the trees. For info on Grand River Conservation parks and activities, visit www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/Outdoor-Recreation
Gone fishin'. Open May to early October, Lyndon Fish Hatcheries opens to the public for tours and a relaxing day of fishing. They even rent BBQ's so you can enjoy your catch while at the peak of freshness. Just 15 minutes from Village on the Stream. www.lyndonfishhatcheries.com
Lyndon Fishing Pond
1745 Huron Road
Gone fishin'. Open May to early October, Lyndon Fish Hatcheries opens to the public for tours and a relaxing day of fishing. They even rent BBQ's so you can enjoy your catch while at the peak of freshness. Just 15 minutes from Village on the Stream. www.lyndonfishhatcheries.com

Arts & Culture

Lots of local history and events and is on the same property as the Doon Pioneer Village giving a glimpse into the history of life in the area circa 1914. For more info visit www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca
35 locals recommend
Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum
10 Huron Rd
35 locals recommend
Lots of local history and events and is on the same property as the Doon Pioneer Village giving a glimpse into the history of life in the area circa 1914. For more info visit www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca
Celebrating 25 years and hosting about 20,000 people per year, the Clay and Glass Gallery features works of clay, glass, ceramic and enameled pieces from artists around the world. The best in budget friendly, admittance is free (if you can get out without buying something in the shops!) www.theclayandglass.ca/
31 locals recommend
Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery
25 Caroline St N
31 locals recommend
Celebrating 25 years and hosting about 20,000 people per year, the Clay and Glass Gallery features works of clay, glass, ceramic and enameled pieces from artists around the world. The best in budget friendly, admittance is free (if you can get out without buying something in the shops!) www.theclayandglass.ca/
Built in 1816, Schneider Haus is the oldest dwelling in Kitchener. Costumed re-enactors portray life as it was in 1856 with around 7,000 historical household items. Open year round except for a couple of weeks around Christmas, this is a family and budget friendly (max admission fee is $6 for an adult) excursion. www.schneiderhaus.ca
27 locals recommend
Schneider Haus National Historic Site
466 Queen St S
27 locals recommend
Built in 1816, Schneider Haus is the oldest dwelling in Kitchener. Costumed re-enactors portray life as it was in 1856 with around 7,000 historical household items. Open year round except for a couple of weeks around Christmas, this is a family and budget friendly (max admission fee is $6 for an adult) excursion. www.schneiderhaus.ca
Sights, sounds and textures, so many interactive displays and exhibits. Perfect for families and kids. Open year round with regularly changing displays, visit their web site for current exhibit info www.themuseum.ca
76 locals recommend
THEMUSEUM
10 King St W
76 locals recommend
Sights, sounds and textures, so many interactive displays and exhibits. Perfect for families and kids. Open year round with regularly changing displays, visit their web site for current exhibit info www.themuseum.ca

Shopping

St. Jacobs Farmers Market is a regional favorite. The market itself is open Thursdays and Sundays 7am-3:30pm year round, plus Tuesday in the summer. One of Canada's largest farmers markets, there is so much more than just food here! Check out this link... www.explorewaterlooregion.com/listing/st-jacobs-farmers-market/
168 locals recommend
St. Jacobs Farmers' Market & Flea Market
878 Weber St N
168 locals recommend
St. Jacobs Farmers Market is a regional favorite. The market itself is open Thursdays and Sundays 7am-3:30pm year round, plus Tuesday in the summer. One of Canada's largest farmers markets, there is so much more than just food here! Check out this link... www.explorewaterlooregion.com/listing/st-jacobs-farmers-market/
A tourist 'must see', the Village of St. Jacobs offers chic and crafty shops, lovely restaurants and cafes, walking trails along the Grand River, and a model train 'panorama'! Check it out www.explorewaterlooregion.com/listing/village-of-st-jacobs/
51 locals recommend
St. Jacobs
51 locals recommend
A tourist 'must see', the Village of St. Jacobs offers chic and crafty shops, lovely restaurants and cafes, walking trails along the Grand River, and a model train 'panorama'! Check it out www.explorewaterlooregion.com/listing/village-of-st-jacobs/
Clothing, accessories, housewares, electronics, make up, Walmart, The Bay (Canadian department store), food court. Pretty standard shopping mall. Mall map & store locator here www.cfshops.com/fairview-park/mall-map.html#/
32 locals recommend
CF Fairview Park
2960 Kingsway Dr
32 locals recommend
Clothing, accessories, housewares, electronics, make up, Walmart, The Bay (Canadian department store), food court. Pretty standard shopping mall. Mall map & store locator here www.cfshops.com/fairview-park/mall-map.html#/

Essentials

Big store, lots of selection. Part of the Loblaws family of grocery stores. You can collect PC Optimum points here.
6 locals recommend
Zehrs
1375 Weber St E
6 locals recommend
Big store, lots of selection. Part of the Loblaws family of grocery stores. You can collect PC Optimum points here.
More budget friendly than Zehrs, fresh produce, good selection
17 locals recommend
FreshCo
425 University Ave E
17 locals recommend
More budget friendly than Zehrs, fresh produce, good selection
Budget friendly. Sells clothing, housewares and grocery items.
Giant Tiger
927 King St E
Budget friendly. Sells clothing, housewares and grocery items.
Day passes available, membership not required. Swimming pool, running track, free weights, treadmills, ellipticals, squash, racquetball, basketball courts and more. Open 5:30am-11pm Mon-Fri https://www.ymcacambridgekw.ca/en/health-fitness-aquatics/A-R-Kaufman-Family-YMCA-Kitchener.asp
A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA
333 Carwood Avenue
Day passes available, membership not required. Swimming pool, running track, free weights, treadmills, ellipticals, squash, racquetball, basketball courts and more. Open 5:30am-11pm Mon-Fri https://www.ymcacambridgekw.ca/en/health-fitness-aquatics/A-R-Kaufman-Family-YMCA-Kitchener.asp
Nearest convenience store. Open 6am - midnight daily. 1.0 km away, 12 minute walk or 2 minutes by car.
Little Short Stop
645 Westmount Rd E
Nearest convenience store. Open 6am - midnight daily. 1.0 km away, 12 minute walk or 2 minutes by car.
Open 8am to midnight every day. Prescriptions, first aid, cosmetics, health & wellness, some foods & cleaning products. 2.4 km, approx 5 minutes by car.
40 locals recommend
Shoppers Drug Mart
250 King St W
40 locals recommend
Open 8am to midnight every day. Prescriptions, first aid, cosmetics, health & wellness, some foods & cleaning products. 2.4 km, approx 5 minutes by car.
Only 24 hour pharmacy in KW. Prescriptions, first aid, cosmetics, health & wellness, some foods & cleaning products. Approx 6.6 km, 12 minutes by car.
40 locals recommend
Shoppers Drug Mart
250 King St W
40 locals recommend
Only 24 hour pharmacy in KW. Prescriptions, first aid, cosmetics, health & wellness, some foods & cleaning products. Approx 6.6 km, 12 minutes by car.
Emergency room. Regional Cardiac Care centre. 1.7km, 22 minute walk or 3 minutes by car www.smgh.ca/
6 locals recommend
St. Marys Hospital
6 locals recommend
Emergency room. Regional Cardiac Care centre. 1.7km, 22 minute walk or 3 minutes by car www.smgh.ca/
Walk in medical clinic inside the Zehrs store at Laurentian Plaza. 519-570-3174 Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat/Sun 9am-3pm.
Primacy - Laurentian Walk-In Clinic
750 Ottawa Street South
Walk in medical clinic inside the Zehrs store at Laurentian Plaza. 519-570-3174 Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat/Sun 9am-3pm.
Urgent Care Clinic. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat/Sun/Holidays 8am-3pm closed Christmas & New Years days. www.kwurgentcare.ca/
KW Urgent Care Clinic
751 Victoria St S
Urgent Care Clinic. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat/Sun/Holidays 8am-3pm closed Christmas & New Years days. www.kwurgentcare.ca/
In a dental emergency, call 519-893-9494 http://www.kwdentalemergency.com
Fairway Dental Clinic
385 Fairway Road South
In a dental emergency, call 519-893-9494 http://www.kwdentalemergency.com

Entertainment & Activities

Celebrating their 50th year in 2019, African Lion Safari has 1,000+ animals of 100 different species roaming free while the humans travel through the 7 different game reserves. Open May to Sept, check out their website for more info. www.lionsafari.com
106 locals recommend
African Lion Safari
1386 Cooper Rd
106 locals recommend
Celebrating their 50th year in 2019, African Lion Safari has 1,000+ animals of 100 different species roaming free while the humans travel through the 7 different game reserves. Open May to Sept, check out their website for more info. www.lionsafari.com
Waterloo Region's largest outdoor water park! Waterslides, wave pool, splash zone for the smaller kids. Great place to spend a hot summer day. Bingeman's is also home to Funworx indoor play centre, Escapeworx escape rooms, mini golf, a conference centre, catering, camping for both tents and RV's and more. See their website www.bingemans.com
10 locals recommend
Bingemans Big Splash
425 Bingemans Centre Dr
10 locals recommend
Waterloo Region's largest outdoor water park! Waterslides, wave pool, splash zone for the smaller kids. Great place to spend a hot summer day. Bingeman's is also home to Funworx indoor play centre, Escapeworx escape rooms, mini golf, a conference centre, catering, camping for both tents and RV's and more. See their website www.bingemans.com
The perfect day trip, especially on a cold winter day! Visit thousands of free flying butterflies in a warm tropical garden. https://www.cambridgebutterfly.com/
42 locals recommend
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
2500 Kossuth Rd
42 locals recommend
The perfect day trip, especially on a cold winter day! Visit thousands of free flying butterflies in a warm tropical garden. https://www.cambridgebutterfly.com/
North America's largest Oktoberfest party, second only to the one in Munich, Germany! A 9 day celebration beginning on (Canadian) Thanksgiving weekend, the event attracts 700,000 people attending 11 Festhallen with over 40 family and cultural events, not the least of which is the Oktoberfest Parade. See www.oktoberfest.ca for more info.
19 locals recommend
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
2 King St W
19 locals recommend
North America's largest Oktoberfest party, second only to the one in Munich, Germany! A 9 day celebration beginning on (Canadian) Thanksgiving weekend, the event attracts 700,000 people attending 11 Festhallen with over 40 family and cultural events, not the least of which is the Oktoberfest Parade. See www.oktoberfest.ca for more info.
Kitcheners Blues Festival is a FREE annual festival held on the 2nd weekend in August and features dozens of Blues performers over 3 days and 4 stages around downtown Kitchener. Come for the music, stay for the fun! www.kitchenerbluesfest.com
TD Kitchener Blues Festival
250 King St W
Kitcheners Blues Festival is a FREE annual festival held on the 2nd weekend in August and features dozens of Blues performers over 3 days and 4 stages around downtown Kitchener. Come for the music, stay for the fun! www.kitchenerbluesfest.com
Home to independent and international films, the Princess Theatre will offer movies you can't see anywhere else in the area. Located on the 2nd floor of a 19th century brewery, the building itself is an experience. There is also the Princess Twin Theatre for more mainstream movies. To check out their current showings, please visit their website http://www.princesscinemas.com/
27 locals recommend
Princess Cinemas
46 Princess St W
27 locals recommend
Home to independent and international films, the Princess Theatre will offer movies you can't see anywhere else in the area. Located on the 2nd floor of a 19th century brewery, the building itself is an experience. There is also the Princess Twin Theatre for more mainstream movies. To check out their current showings, please visit their website http://www.princesscinemas.com/
Visiting on weekends between late Sept and October? A local must see is Snyder Family Fear Farm! With 6 different Halloween 'haunts' and a 2,500 sq ft haunted house, come prepared for scared. No children under 8 allowed, visitor discretion for children over 8, but it IS scary! Snyders Farm also hosts 'Farmtastic Family Fun' for kids of all ages. Check out their website at http://www.snydersfamilyfarm.com
Snyders Family Farm
936685 Blenheim Rd
Visiting on weekends between late Sept and October? A local must see is Snyder Family Fear Farm! With 6 different Halloween 'haunts' and a 2,500 sq ft haunted house, come prepared for scared. No children under 8 allowed, visitor discretion for children over 8, but it IS scary! Snyders Farm also hosts 'Farmtastic Family Fun' for kids of all ages. Check out their website at http://www.snydersfamilyfarm.com
Many theatres, current blockbuster movies, but our favorite part is the licenced adult only VIP theatre with in seat food and drink service (not during the movie!) and reclining chairs. Yeah for being an adult!
18 locals recommend
Cineplex Cinemas Kitchener & VIP
225 Fairway Rd S
18 locals recommend
Many theatres, current blockbuster movies, but our favorite part is the licenced adult only VIP theatre with in seat food and drink service (not during the movie!) and reclining chairs. Yeah for being an adult!
Don't let the address fool you. Brew Donkey is based out of Ottawa, but they do tours of Waterloo Region breweries usually twice a month. Current pricing is $90 for a 5 hour, 3 brewery tour complete with lunch and beer samples
Brew Donkey
150 Elgin Street
Don't let the address fool you. Brew Donkey is based out of Ottawa, but they do tours of Waterloo Region breweries usually twice a month. Current pricing is $90 for a 5 hour, 3 brewery tour complete with lunch and beer samples
Summer camps, trail rides ranging from 1-4 hours, riding lessons and more. Check out their packages at www.horsebackadventures.ca
Conestogo River Horseback Adventures
535 535 Northfield Dr E
Summer camps, trail rides ranging from 1-4 hours, riding lessons and more. Check out their packages at www.horsebackadventures.ca