There’s no mistaking The Royal City
From sparkling rivers and picturesque views to historic landmarks, signature cultural features, award winning festivals and a spectrum of tastes to enjoy, there’s no mistaking Guelph for anywhere else. And as the city prepares to mark its 200th anniversary in 2027, all the while growing at a record pace, there’s never been a better time to explore, celebrate, and invest in all the region has to offer.
Guelph and the surrounding area are home to over 450 businesses in the tourism sector, including a booming craft beer and spirits scene, an array of independent eateries, museums, art galleries, and plenty more to discover. There’s always something new as major investment in projects are underway in Guelph’s downtown, including the redevelopment of the Baker District into a welcoming and publicly accessible integrated civic hub.
The transformation of the downtown is a fundamental component of Guelph’s overall long-term sustainable urban development vision as the City works to support new growth and replace aging infrastructure.
As work proceeds on more of the physical assets essential to revitalizing downtown Guelph, the City’s tourism unit is also working on optimizing the visitor experience. Their goal is to build a must-see visitor destination by curating thoughtful experiences, enhancing way finding and visitor services, shaping some of Guelph’s public spaces to strengthen the connections people have to them through a process called ‘placemaking’, and crafting strategies to enhance Guelph’s appeal as a destination for extended stays.
Outside of new investments are the existing assets that remain central to the Guelph story: the unique geography, natural beauty, and bountiful harvest of the Guelph-Wellington region, and the way locals are able to connect to it all through trails, parks, conservation areas, waterways, and farmers’ markets.
What’s Happening in Guelph
Want to get in on the Guelph vibe? Check out the annual Visitor Guide, published by Tourism Services, which showcases local flavours to savour, events to check out, and the best ways to make the most of your time in the region. The stylish guide also includes festival previews, hotel recommendations, and advice on how best to navigate the region whether by bike, bus, or otherwise. For those looking to sip and sup it’s recommended hopping aboard the Guelph.Beer Bus on select Saturdays throughout the year, or for a spirited adventure, check out the stops along Wellington County’s Gin Trail.
Seeking a feast for the eyes instead? There’s something for everyone in Guelph. Sports fans can watch the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm, catch a baseball game with the Guelph Royals, or cheer on the Gryphons at the University of Guelph. For the arts lovers, the River Run Centre presents beloved plays like Cinderella, or a broad range of concerts featuring orchestral arrangements to contemporary Indigenous voices to Christmas shows..
Speaking of the holidays, an annual Guelph tradition is a must-see as the local Rotary Club hosts its Sparkles in The Park festive light display and New Year’s Eve fireworks.
In the warmer months, the historic downtown also comes alive to celebrate the vibrant food and culture scene among sweet retail storefronts with vibrant European-style outdoor patios and activations in the street like the Guelph Jazz Festival who marked its 30th anniversary by closing down Market Square to traffic, allowing music lovers, a licensed bar, and food vendors to create a lively atmosphere perfect for enjoying a wide range of international music.
Or, for timeless appeal, you may wish to visit the scenic University of Guelph campus, check out historic landmarks like the Basilica of Our Lady, pop into local museums like the Guelph Civic Museum and John McCrae House, or snap a photo of public art displays like the Sudden Garden deer sculpture outside of the Guelph Farmers’ Market. The question for you is: what will you do first?
