Fun Things To Do In Guelph With Your Family!

It can be hard to come up with new & exciting activities to do with your family on the weekend. Especially in the cold Winter or rainy Spring! Here is a list of over 70 fun things to do in Guelph & the surrounding area for your family to help you keep your weekends exciting no matter what season it is!

Summer in Guelph

Donkey Sanctuary

Enjoy a unique experience to get up close with donkeys! You can meet the donkeys, brush them, watch a care routine, and listen to one of their donkey talks. You can also take a hike on their Nature Trails, enjoy a picnic by the pond and perhaps finish your day with a stop at the Long Ears Boutique.

When: Sundays from 10-12 pm or 1:00-3:00 pm.
Price: $21.53 (Must buy tickets in advance – Click here)

Rockwood Conservation

Cool off at the rockwood conservation area offering a swimming reservoir with a large sandy beach surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. You can rent a canoe to explore the caves & glacial potholes. After that, you can take a stroll through the beautiful trails & check out the old mill ruins. Once you have worked up an appetite you can use one of the BBQs to grill up some lunch!

There is also a mini-golf course & park at the front entrance. Don’t think one day is long enough to explore this natural wonder? They offer campsites if you would like to stay the entire weekend! 

Admission: $2.88 for Children & $6.86 for Adults
Canoe/Kayak/Pedal Boat: 1-hour rental is $22.12
Nightly Camping: $40.71 – $49.56

Click here for the complete price list! 

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What do you need to know about buying or selling in the Guelph real estate market lately? A few of our recent posts will bring you up to date:

• What Are the Worst Mistakes When Selling Your House?
• Tough Questions to Ask Your Realtor® When Selling Your House
• Real Estate 101 for First-Time Buyers

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Puslinch Lake

Enjoy a day at the lake with your family!  Relax on the public beach or take a water ski lesson at the McClintock’s Water Ski School & Club. They even offer a summer camp for kids aged 8+ who want to build their skills and master the fundamentals of water sports. After you have worked up an appetite head over to The Old Marina restaurant for some lunch! The patio has beautiful views of the lake. Just a 20-minute drive from Guelph.

Emerald Lake Waterpark

Spend a hot summer day cooling off at Emerald Lake Water Park. It has a 200-foot water slide, 3400 sqft splash pad, trampolines, volleyball & basketball courts, snack bar and much more! Open 7 days a week from June 23rd to Labour Day from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm.

Ages 3 & under are free

(Weekdays) $17.70+HST (ages 4 – 64)

(Weekends) $22.13+HST (ages 4 – 64)

(Seniors – Weekdays and Weekends) $13.27+HST

Grand River Race Track

Head to the Grand River Race Track for an exciting night of horse races! Each race night features between 10 – 12 races. Parking & admission are always free. Children are welcome, except on the slots gaming floor. Grab some food at one of the three restaurants – Captain’s Quarters (reservations recommended), Lighthouse Restaurant,  Getaway Restaurant.  A seasonal BBQ is also offered on the tarmac!

When: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays at 6:30
Where: 7445 Wellington County Rd 21, Elora.

Woodbine Mohawk Race Track

If you live in the south end of Guelph it is most likely quicker to head to the Mohawk Race Track. Located only 20 minutes from Clair Rd. Races are held every Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday – Post Time(s) 7:30 p.m (Check before going to make sure post times haven’t changed!) They have some big events this summer!

Pepsi North America Cup – Watch the best of standardbred racing as horses compete in the $1 million dollar race. The event is Saturday, June 18th 2022 at 5:00 pm. Tickets are $10

The Canadian Pacing Derby & Maple Leaf Trot – The Canadian Pacing Derby in Canadian harness racing’s oldest stakes race, launched in 1936, while the Maple Leaf Trot has been contested since 1950. The fasted and most powerful Standardbreds will clash in these marquee races. The event is Saturday, September 3rd.

The Boathouse

Stop by the Boathouse on a hot day to explore their 33 different ice cream flavours with an ever-changing selection of 16 of those flavours available every day. There is also a tea room that serves soups, salads & sandwiches.

After you can rent a canoe or kayaks from Speed River Paddling. They are open from May long weekend until Labour day weekend every day except Monday from 10 am-7 pm. Or stroll through Royal City Park and enjoy the scenic views of the river. Click here to view their website!

Ice Cream Pricing: $4-7.25
Canoe Pricing: $22/hour or $35/half-day rate
Kayak Pricing: $18/hour or $40/half-day rate
Where: Located at 116 Gordon St, Guelph

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Should you consider investing in Guelph or the Tri-Cities? Here are some resources to guide you:

• Five Best Cities in Ontario to Buy Recession-Proof Investment Properties
• How An Experienced Guelph Real Estate Team Can Help With Your Investments
• A Complete Guide to Real Estate Investing in Guelph

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Elora Gorg Park & Quarry

Spend the day with your family at the beautiful Elora Gorg Park! It costs $6.86 per person to get in. You can even stay the weekend and camp out! They have 250 unserviced sites & 130 serviced sites. Click here to book a campsite. There is also a 195-square-meter splash pad with 18 spray and splash features to keep your kids cool on a hot summer day. The splash pad is open from the beginning of June to Labour Day.

One of Elora’s biggest attractions is the  Elora Quarry, a two-acre limestone quarry encircled by sheer cliffs up to 12 meters high! There is a large beach with easy access to the water. Make sure you get there early as they only allow 1,300 guests. No dogs are allowed.

For an additional fee, you can tube down the river! (Make sure your children are strong swimmers as it can be deep in areas) Here is a list of their park fees.

Price: $6.86 (Adult) $2.88 (Child)
Tubing Price: $17.70 + $44.25 Equiptment Rental
Where: 7400 Wellington County Rd. 21, Box 356

Guelph Lake

Enjoy a walk along the beautiful trails that lead to Guelph Lake. Then hang out on the beach and go for a swim! It is a great lake for canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding as there are no motor boats on the lake. You can rent them from $19 to $34/hour. Click here to see what you are able to rent!

Or take a weekend and go camping with the family! They have 108 serviced sites & 192 unserviced sites. Click here to book a site. Spend the weekend fishing, hiking and doing water sports. ! Here is a list of the prices.

Mustang Drive-In Guelph

A summer bucket list must is seeing a movie at the drive-in. It is open Friday, Saturday & Sunday. There is a snack bar that sells popcorn, hot dogs, burgers, fries & much more. Bundle up the car with blankets & don’t forget to bring bug spray. It is currently playing Top Gun Maverick & Thor until July 28th. Click here to see which movies are playing!

Where: 5012 Jones Baseline Rd, Guelph.

Price:
General Admission – $15.00
Kids 6-12 Years Old – $5.00
Five years and Younger – FREE
Thursday Special – $25.00/vehicle

Guelph Market Square – Splash Pad

During the summer Guelph’s market square offers a large splash pad free of charge! Check the status & hours of operation as it can be temporarily closed due to an event or for maintenance.

Where: 1 Carden Street, Guelph.

Here is a list of Guelph’s other splash pads.

• Hanlon Creek Park
• Jubilee Park
• Norm Jary Park
• Northview Park
• South End Splash Pad
• Waverley Park
• West End Community Centre

Here is a list of Guelph’s wading pools

• Exhibition Park
• Mico Valeriote Park
• Sunny Acres Park

Lyon Park Pool

Trying to escape the heat but don’t have a pool? Head over to Lyon Park to cool down in their large outdoor pool! The park also offers 2 Softball Diamonds, Mini Soccer field, Play Equipment, Parking and a Community Garden! Click here for more information!

Hours: Saturday & Sunday from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Aberfoyle Antique Market

Spend a warm Sunday morning wandering through the unique antique stores. The Sunday-exclusive market hosts 100+ quality dealers here for the entire season. Joining them, 30+ visiting dealers set up on a week-by-week basis. Click here for a map of their dealers! They also offer free parking, washrooms, unsupervised playground, large outdoor patio, and green acreage. The market is open Sundays from April 24th to October 30, 8 am–4 pm, rain or shine!

Price: $5.00 per adult. Vendors are cash only (ATM on site.) Children under 12 are free.
Where: 57 Brock Road South, Guelph.

Jarzie’s Indoor Simulated Golf

Trying to escape the heat? Check out Jarzie’s simulated golf! Their 30 courses have a realism that brings the summer game indoors without turning it into a video game.

Where: Unit 7, 175 Dawson Road, Guelph.
Booth Rental: $45

Bingemans

The area’s largest water park offers days of fun and entertainment for kids of all ages. Spend the day in the heated wave pool, on 11 huge water slides or in Spray N Play (our splash pad for kids). Bingemans also offers two exciting mini-golf courses to choose from. 1 round of 18 holes is $9.25, plus HST. Click here for more information! Located at 425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener.

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Thinking of buying a house or adding a second property? These finance-related posts can help you take the next step:

• Straight Talk About Second Mortgages and Refinancing 
• Drowning in Debt? Here’s What to Do About it Right Now
• Can You Buy a House With a Poor Credit Score?

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African Lion Safari

The African Lion Safari is only 25 minutes from Guelph & offers a full day of family fun! You’ll see tons of exotic animals including cheetahs, lions, baboons, giraffes & much more! Take a train or boat cruise to see animals up closes. After a long day of walking around cool down at the water park. Click here for more fun activities.

Price: $35.95 – $41.95 (Adult) $22.95 – $28.95 (Kids)
Where: 1386 Cooper Road, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S2

Rib Fest

Head to rib fest for some delicious food, endless entertainment & some great music.

Hours of Operation

Friday, August 26, 2022 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Saturday, August 27, 2022 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Sunday, August 28, 2022 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Click here for more information!

Canada Day at Riverside & Exhibition Park

Dress up in red & enjoy the spectacular firework show at Riverside Park on July 1st! Starting at 11:00 am, Exhibition Park is offering a DJ, Food Trucks, Beer Garden, Volleyball Games, 3 Legged Races, A Cornhole Tournament, an evening Hillside Music Showcase & more! Then head to Riverside Park for the 10:00 pm fireworks finale. 

Click here for more information!

Multicultural Festival

The Guelph District Multicultural Festival is a free three-day event held at Riverside Park. Sponsored by local businesses both large and small, the Festival allows community members to discover and share the tastes, sights, and sounds of the city’s diverse population. There is plenty of entertainment, great food & fun rides! Click here for more information!

Fall in Guelph

Strom’s Farm and Bakery

If you’re a fan of Halloween you’ll love Strom’s Farm and Bakery! Pumpkins! Mazes! Delicious tricks! There are six acres of fun corn mazes and activities that range from puppet shows to human foosball to wagon rides! There is also a yummy bakery with food and pumpkins! Pumpkins and bakery are open from Wednesday to Sunday from 9:30-6:00 pm and fall activities on Saturday to Sunday from 9:30 am-5:30 pm (September 21st to October 27th). Click here to plan your trip! Located at 5089 Wellington Rd 32, Guelph!

Price: 
Ages 4 and up: $14.00
Ages 3 & under: No Charge

10 or more paying guests: Ages 4 and up: $13
20 or more paying guests: Ages 4 and up: $12

Location: 5089 Wellington Rd. 32, Guelph

Ghost Walk Of Guelph 

A one hour walk highlighting Guelphs haunted past! Meet for the downtown walk at train station steps.  For the U of G walk meet War Memorial Hall! It cost $10 per person. Click here for more information!

Chudleigh’s Apple Farm

Chudleigh’s Apple Farm has something for everyone to enjoy. Not only does Chudleigh’s Apple farm offer apple picking, pony rides, tractor rides, and a play area for children, but they also serve desserts made from their apples in the bakery. The play area includes: 4 giant 20- foot slides with 2 towers and a bridge,  hay maze,  “Retired” Tractors – photo op,  Horse-Tire swings, Sand Pit, Friendly farm animals, pony rides & a nature trail. They offer scenic trail rides  10:30am-4:30pm & Apple Picking Rides 10:30am-4:00pm. It Opens June 1st, 2020. Apples will be ready to be picked mid-August.

Price:

GENERAL ADMISSIONS (HARVEST STARTING SEPT 1ST)
Admission fees apply to the upper yard (farm animals, tractor wagon rides, play area, nature trail, bail jump)

Child (ages 3 and younger) – Free!

Child (ages 4-13) – $13.00

General Admission (ages 13+) – $15.00

100 + – Free!

Group Rate (20+ people) $13 each – please call to book your visit

Location: 9528 Regional Road 25, Halton Hills, ON L9T 2X7

Frootogo’s Apple & Pumpkin Farm

Frootogo’s is another apple picking farm located just outside of Guelph. They have a playland that offers farm animals, toyland, swings, jumping straw, gigantic sandbox, dirt mountain with slide, monkey bars, and more! (Geared children 0-12) They offer a huge selection of both u-pick and ready picked pumpkins to choose from. You are also able to pick your own apples from our dwarf apple trees. Visit their website for more information! Located at  573 Parkside Drive, Waterdown.

Admission is $3.50 per person (second supervising adult parent and grandparents are free of charge).

Kids under one are free. Season passes are $15

Family Photos in Exhibition Park

Hire a photographer & head to Exhibition Park to get some stunning photos of your family surrounded by beautifully coloured trees! The above photo was taken by Claire Teri Photography. The package costs approx $400. (Prices subject to change) It includes up to an hour of shooting time and a maximum of 6 people. Click here to book a session!

The Nightmare Before Christmas Experience

A light & video show featuring reproduction characters from the film. The light show runs from 7:00pm to 9:00pm (10 pm Fri & Sat) October 25-31. Sweet Temptations Cupcakery will be on site selling Halloween themed treats with a portion of the sales going to Beginnings Family Services Guelph. Click here for additional information!

Price: Free (Cash donation to charity are encouraged)

Location: 20 Fox Run Drive, Puslinch

Growing Hope Farm

Spend an hour bottle feeding & playing with baby goats at Growing Hope Farm! A ticket costs $20 (5 people max/ticket) the profits go to Mennonite Central Committees food security program! After you are done feeding the goats you can visit the other animals they have or go zip lining! September 12th to October 29th. Click here to purchase tickets!

Price: $20

Location: 246 Sherring St, Cambridge

Fear Farm

 

Looking for a good scare this Halloween season? Why not head over to Snyder’s Farm after 7:00 pm on weekends starting Sept 28th to see it transform from a fun family-friendly farm to a terrifying collection of haunted houses and scary attractions. After going through their six “haunts”, you can grab a candy apple or get food at one of the food trucks and take a stroll through their lit up pumpkin patch and pick your own pumpkin.

Price: $33.99 + TAX

Location: 936685 Blenheim Rd, Ayr, ON

Haunted Halloween – Westfield Heritage Village

For two nights only, you can have the pleasure of visiting Westfield Heritage Village for the annual Haunted Halloween celebrations. Through the evenings of Sat. October 27 & 28th, 2018
6:30 pm – 9:30 pm Westfield Heritage Village will transform into an enchanting nighttime experience. The event will include a Pumpkin Walk, Sparkling Illuminated Forest, and the magical Fairy Village.

The Fairy Village will host a variety of themed events such as traditional shadow play, crafts, scavenger hunts, and a visit to the broom shop. The village will also include two frightening attractions; The Journey to The Haunted Train Station, and a venture over the covered bridge to a little place in the woods where nature seems to have taken a wrong turn.

Additional Details:

Price: Adult $12, Youth $6.50, Family $32

Location: Westfield Heritage Village – 1049 Kirkwall Rd, Hamilton, ON L9H 5E1

Contact: (519) 621-8851

Click here for more information!

Pumpkin Sunday

A fun event for the whole family, especially the little ones!  Featuring pumpkin-themed games, demonstrations, crafts, and activities. Bring your camera! On Sun. October 21, 2018
12:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Location: Westfield Heritage Village – 1049 Kirkwall Rd, Hamilton, ON L9H 5E1

Downtown Trick-or-Treating

On Saturday, October 27th from 12-3pm head downtown Guelph for a fun afternoon of trick-or-treating! Start at either; Guelph Public Library (100 Norfolk St.), The Olive Experience Inc. (Upper 132 Wyndham St N), or The Handmade Den (24 Wilson St). Here you will receive a raffle ticket (one per person) with a quest map of the participating stores.

Price: Free

Halloween Boo BASH

Gather the family for a morning or crafts, face painting, music, costumes parade, yummy food and more! On Wednesday, October 31, 2018, from 10 AM – 11:30 AM.

Location: 259 Grange Rd. Unit #1

Price: $2 for kids over 1 years old.

Sunday Family Fun Day: Scary Boo Fun!

On Sunday, October 28, 2018, at from 11:00am-4: 00 pm head to the Waterloo Region Museum for a day of games, cookie decorating, ghost stories, costume parade or much more. Click here for the schedule! Geared towards children 2-10!

Location: 10 Huron Road, Kitchener (Waterloo Region Museum)

Price: $11 for Adults, $8 for Seniors, $5 for children, Free under 4

Halloween Party!

Dress up & take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the lantern-lit historic village. Make some spooky crafts & play games. Geared towards child 8 & under.

Location: 10 Huron Road, Kitchener (Waterloo Region Museum)

Price: $10/child (up to 2 free adults with a child’s ticket)

Fall Festival

Enjoy a free wagon ride on Saturdays & Sundays from 12:00-4:00 pm. You can visit the Dairy Barn, Demonstration Barn (Pigs, Sheep, Chickens, Turkey, Ducks, Rabbits) & Goat pen. The adventure area offers a cedar maze, tire mountain, and barefoot path. Purchase some delicious organic ice cream!

Location: 8548 Wellington Rd #7, Moorefield

Price: $5/person, $20 for families, 2 and under are free. (For the adventure area)

Poorhouse Paranormal Investigation

Explore what some consider to be one of the most haunted buildings in all Ontario. On your tour, you will meet up to five spirits who will tell the TRUE and often tragic stories of their lives at the Poorhouse. Tour is approximately 1 hour.  Offered on October 18th, 19th, 25th, and 26th, at both a 7 pm and 8:30 pm.

Location: 0536 Wellington Road 18, Fergus

Price:  $10 (Ages 14 +)

Scream Park

Nine terrifying tests sites that are just filled with horror. You have one chance to make it through the testing areas alive!

Date(s):  October 18th-21st, 23rd-28th

Time(s):

Oct 18th, 21st, 23rd-25th, 28th 7:00pm-10:00pm

Oct 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th 7:00pm-12:00am

Location: 425 Bingaman’s Centre Drive, Kitchener, Ontario

Phone: (519) 744-1555

Price(s): $29.95-(Mon-Thurs), $34.95-(Fri-Sun.) Not reccomended for children under 12.

Winter in Guelph

Horse Sledding

Beitz Carriages

Sit back & enjoy a peaceful sleigh ride through the snow while taking in the beautiful views of the forest! Make sure you bundle up! Warm up after with some hot chocolate.  Rides last about 45 min. to an hour! Beitz Carriages bookings are private & can be tailored to your needs. Call 519-648-2078 to schedule your sleigh ride! Click here for more information! Location at  2111 Greenhouse Rd, Breslau

Saint Jacobs Horse Drawn Tours

The big sleigh can accommodate up to fifteen adults and the small sleigh up to four adults. Both sleighs go on the same trails and offer the same length ride. The price is based on the sleigh instead of per person. The large sleigh is $200.00 for the entire package and the small sleigh is $150.00 for the entire package. After the 45-minute sleigh ride, we invite you to relax in our rustic sugar shack. Sipping on hot apple cider and sitting close to the woodstove is another great way to spend time with family and friends. November through to mid-February (Depending on the weather.) Located at 1222 Apple Grove Rd, Woolwich. Visit their website!

Sleigh Workshop

Roll up your sleeves and get ready to paint and decorate your own sleigh! Go home with a get decorative piece for the holidays made by you. November 28th or Nov 27th from 6:00am-9:00pm. Located at 4 Hachborn St, St Jacobs. $79 per person. Click here to buy your tickets. Or create a Merry Christmas Porch sign on November 26th.

Late Night Sip & Shop!

Take the stress out of Christmas shopping. Enjoy an evening of late-night shopping downtown Fergus! Meet & take photos with Santa, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, take in the Tree-lighting at Templin Garden, and enjoy some drinks & delicious snacks! Eat, Drink, Shop & Be Merry!

When: Friday, Dec 6th, 2019 from 6:00-10:00pm

Where: Downtown Fergus

Santa Clause Parade

An annual parade that showcases the artistic talent and energy of Guelph! It takes place  Sunday, November 17h at 1:00 pm. Be ready at 1:15pm with those letters to Santa and non-perishable items as Canada Post and the Guelph Food Bank will kick off the show. The holiday fun begins at 1.30pm from Woolwich Street at Powell Street, ending on Wyndham Street at the railway bridge. After the parade, there is complimentary milk & cookies with Santa at Old Quebec Street Shoppes. Click here for the map & schedule!

Christmas JOY Home Tour

Self-guided tour of carefully selected homes in Guelph that have been professionally decorated by many generous local businesses! $84 for the Exclusive Pre-Tour Event and VIP Champagne reception & Candlelight and Daytime Tour for $54. Enjoy special treats in each of the homes shared by local food businesses. Visit the website for more information!

Exclusive Pre-Tour Event: Thursday, November 14 – Home Tour from 5:00 to 9:00 pm

Candlelight Tour: Friday, November 15 Home Tour from 5:00 to 9:00 pm

Daytime Tour: Saturday, November 16 Home Tour from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm for one visit per home

Sparkles in the Park – Riverside Park 

Slowly drive (or walk) through Riverside Park & take in the views of the stunning lights displays! Nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. It ends annually with a firework show on New Year’s Eve at 8 p.m! From December 14th to Dec 31st, 2019. Located at  709 Woolwich St, Guelph!

Gift Of Lights | Bingemans

Family-friendly 2 kilometer drive-thru holiday light display featuring TWO 200+ foot light tunnel, over 30 full light static & animated displays! It takes place from November 16th, 2019 to January 4th, 2019!  Single Vehicle (up to 8 passengers) $15.00 (Online). For more information click here.

Brunch With Santa at African Lion Safari 

Enjoy a delicious brunch buffet with Santa and his reindeers. Then visit some furry friends! Sunday, Dec 1st, 8th & 15th.

Location: 1386 Cooper Road, Hamilton

Price: $17.70 (3-12), $30.97 for adults.

Creative Spark Winter Market 

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Buy your loved ones some unique Christmas gift while supporting local! Head downtown Guelph to see over 30 local markers & artisans showcasing their talent! You’ll find beautiful home decor, handcrafted jewelry and much more.  Click here for more information!

When: Saturday, Dec 7th 10:00 am-4:00pm

Price: Suggested $2 donation or non-perishable food item for Guelph food bank.

Location: 68 Suffolk Street West, Guelph

Festive Fun 

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Stop by the Guelph Library some family fun and festive activities! Here is the schedule:

11 a.m. – Magic of Bumbling Bert
11:30 a.m. – 1:30pm Festive Market
1 p.m. – Sing-a-long with The Overtones
2 p.m. – Festive Greens Demo
2:30 p.m. – Teen Festive Mugs

Where: Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 11 am – 3:30 pm

When: 100 Norfolk St, Guelph

Kids Christmas

Start off the day with a delicious brunch at the Cutten Club! Then prepare to be wowed by a fun, interactive, kid-geared magic show by Magic Dan! Followed by a visit from Santa.

When: Sunday, December 2nd at 11:30 am

Where: 190 College Ave. East, Guelph

Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting

Join in the celebration & watch as Mayor Cam Guthrie lights the Market Square Christmas Tree! Sip some complimentary hot chocolate & cider as you listen to live entertainment. The tree lighting countdown starts at 7:45 pm.

When: Saturday, December 8, 2018, at 7 pm – 8 pm

Location: 1 Carden Street, Guelph

Christmas Fantasy

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Watch the lighting of the Victoria Park Christmas lights covering buildings, trees, and bridges! Enjoy activities such as live music, arts & crafts, free hot chocolate, & a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus.

When: Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 5:30 PM – 8 PM

Location: 32 Dill St, Kitchener, ON N2G 1L1

Ice Skating

Grab your skates & head to the nearest ice rink to enjoy one of the best and fun things to do in Guelph with your family. Click here for a list of all the approved ice rink sites around town. The city hall ice rink is really beautiful at night when it is lit up!

Tobogganing

Bundle up for some exhilarating tobogganing! There are three good hills in Guelph;  Scottsdale Hill, Lambton Hill, and Mole Hill. It’s been said that Mole Hill is the best because it is very steep and has a long landing area.

Christmas Tree Shopping

CC Farms –  4748 Pioneer Trail, Puslinch

They grow Spruce, Pine & Fir. There are pre-cut & fresh-cut trees. There is a large Santa Store on the property. Unfortunately, there are no dogs allowed. Visit their website for additional information!

Open weekends 10 am – 5 pm.

Chickadee Christmas Trees – 6639 Wellington County Rd 34, Puslinch

They sell quality Balsam, Fraser Fir, Scotch Pine, and wreaths. Pre-cuts from 5-10 feet &  Harvest-Your-Own up to 8 feet. There is a free kids activity area & nature trail. Complimentary cider, candy canes & kids’ Puzzle Page! There is a gift shop. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on leashes. Click here for more information!

Opening Friday, November 30th

Spring in Guelph

Little Ray’s Nature Centres

Head to Stone Road Mall from 1:00-3:00 pm (times vary depending on day) to see a reptile show allowing your children to meet a variety of animals ranging from snakes, lizards, turtles, birds and much more. March 11th-15th,  for all Ages.

The Bookshelf – Family Matinees 

Escape the cold and head to one of these family-friendly films during March Break (11th-15th). Tickets $8

Monday at 1:00 pm – Spider Man: Into Spider-Verse

Tuesday at 1:00 pm –  Smallfoot

Wednesday at 1:00 pm – Paddington 2

Thursday at 1:00 pm – A Dog’s Way Home

Friday at 1:00 pm – The Kid Who Would Be King

Guelph Civic Museum 

Head to the museum during March Break for special guests daily at 11:00 am & 1:00 pm. They also offer a March Break Camp & PA Day.

Monday – Interactive Workshop on the Two Row Wampum

Tuesday – Science Day

Wednesday – Mini Me Puppets

Thursday – Wacky Water

Friday – Time Travellers

Guelph Public Library

The Guelph Public Library is hosting multiple interactive events during March Break. All throughout the year, they offer a vast variety of events designed for kids & teenagers.

Monday, March 11^th 1pm-2pm & 2:30pm-3:30pm: Visit from the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory to educate children about butterfly

Tuesday, March 12^th
10:30am-12:00pm: Mother Goose interactive storey time

2:30-3:30pm: Bert’s Bubble Show

2:30-3:30pm: Teen Paint Party (Age: 13-19)

Wednesday, March 13^th

10:00-11:30 (Age 6-9) & 1:00-2:30pm (Age 9-12): Learn to code

12:00-4:00pm: Intro To Dungeons & Dragons (Age: 13-19)

Thursday, March 14^th

10:30-11:30am: Erick Traplin Live – Sing & Dance to an interactive musical show

2:30-3:30pm: Teen Tech – Video Game Creation. (Age 13-19)

Friday, March 15^th10:30-11:00AM – Itty Bitty Storeytime (Age 0-5)

Butterfly Conservatory

Stroll through the conservatory and observe thousands of free-flying, exotic butterflies in a lush, tropical garden! Open 7 days a week from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Last entry at 4:00 PM.) During March Break they host Bug Feast where they will put your taste buds to the test! They also host a summer camp offering bug-hunts, time behind the scenes in the Conservatory, and crafts & activities.

General Admission Day Pass (age 13-64) – $15.00

Senior Day Pass (age 65+) – $12.50

Child Day Pass (age 3-12) – $7.50

Guelph Grotto 

Make a day of it! They offer a variety of climbing experiences for people of all ages and skills levels. The gym offers bouldering, auto-belay, and top rope climbing, as well as lead climbing. If it is your first time climbing the “Just Climb” package is recommended.  It offers 1 hour of guided climbing, Harness rental, and $25 voucher to  Mijida Cafe + Bistro or Borealis Grille & Bar.  Click here for more information about bookings! Located at 199 Victoria Rd S, Guelph.

The Round Table

Head to The Round Table, an all-inclusive board game tavern and café. Guelph’s very first of its kind! Click here to see all the games they have. They have a table time fee which is a $5.00 flat rate all day! $5 waived with the purchase of $10.00 or more (before taxes). Click here for their menu!  They also have a  Robin Hood themed escape rooms! Located at  32 Essex St, Guelph! (Note: Children are welcome but it is a tavern, therefore, it gets a little rowdy on Friday & Saturday nights.)

Medieval Academy

If your children are a bit older the Medieval Academy offers a unique day of authentic archery and throwing axes. Their facility features a 60ft archery range and a 10/15ft range for throwing axes & knives. It is recommended that you make a reservation beforehand! Located at 28 Essex Street, Guelph.

Throwing Range
$15/hour per person
Archery Range
$25/hour per person
(with your own equipment)

Bowling

Raining out? Stay dry while you test out your bowling skills! Woodlawn Bowl is Guelph’s largest bowling alley offering 32 lanes of state-of-the-art 10-pin bowling. Click here for the pricing & hours of operation! It also has an arcade and bar & grill. Click here to see their menu! Located at  253 Woodlawn Rd W!

Escape Room

Put your skills to the test & head to   Khronos Gauntlet   & try to escape one of their themed rooms.  Sneak around the   Wizard’s Tower  or traverse the dark and mysterious   Dungeon, a post-apocalyptic   research laboratory or Copper Club. Their rooms are so realistic you will feel like you are in another era! There is a minimum or 3 or 4 guest depending on the room & cost $25 person. Make sure you make a reservation ahead of time! Located at 50 Cork Street East, Guelph.

There is also Fantescape! Immerse yourself in one of our themed rooms with your family. You have 60 minutes to solve the puzzles & figure your way out again. They have the Lamp of the Genie and The Junk Shop. $50 for the first 2 players; $15 for each additional player. Designed for 2-6/8 players. Located at 121 Wyndham St. N, Guelph.

Kitty Cafe

On a chilly Spring day head to the kitty cafe & enjoy a hot chocolate while playing with some adorable cats & kittens! It cost $3 to enter or $2 with the purchase of a menu item. Click here to see their food & drink menu! The cats & kittens are available for adoption for a fee of $150.  They are all from  Purrfect Companions of Norfolk, a non-profit organization cat shelter, and all the kitties are spayed or neutered, microchipped, vet checked, vaccination up to date, dewormed and with pet insurance. Click here to meet some of the cats & kittens! Located at  117 Wyndham St N, Guelph.

Play-With-Clay

Play with Clay is an interactive drop-in pottery studio which allows all guests to indulge in pottery painting (hundreds of pieces to choose from) and fresh clay building. Open from Tuesday to Friday from 9:30am-9:00pm & Sunday-Monday from 9:30am to 6:00pm! Play with Clay is located in St. Georges Square, in the center of downtown Guelph. They also offer P.A day’s from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM April 5th & June 7th.

Funmazing Play Centre

Guelph’s newest indoor play centre! They have a pinata pit, sports court, car track, crooked house, reading area, arcade games, toddler area, slides and much more. Located at 785 Imperial Road North, Unit B, Guelph. Click here for more information!

Under 2 – $8.50 + HST

2-12 years – $10.25 + HST

River Run Center 

Go see a show at the River Run Center on a chilly day! Click here for a list of the upcoming shows! The box office is open  Monday to Saturday 11 am to 6 pm. Located at  35 Woolwich St, Guelph.

Maple Sugar Bush Tours

Travel from the St Jacobs Farmers Market to a sugar bush during the peak of the sap run. As you travel through the tall Sugar Bush you will see the methods used to collect sap. Learn how maple syrup is produced as well as see the different working methods from the past and present. Sip on complimentary hot beverages! Pancakes and maple syrup are also offered as part of the tour. There is also an Old-fashioned log sawing, Farm Petting Zoo, Tapping a Maple Tree, and much more!

Adults — $20.00
Students — $15.00
Children (ages 4-12) — $12.00
Children (ages 3-under) — Free

Every Saturday from March 2nd to April 13th from 9:00am till 3:30pm. March Break Monday to Friday (March 11th – 15th) 9:00am till 3:30pm. Click here for more information!

We hope this list of fun things to do in Guelph with your family has helped you plan some exciting weekends! Please verify the price & hours of operation on the event’s website before planning your outing! Contact us or comment below if any of our prices or information is out of date.