Downtown Guelph is the jewel in the Royal City’s crown. Its character and charm are matched only by its beauty and history.
Whether you’re arriving via the transit hub known as Guelph Central Station or making your way on foot or parking in the core, you’ll be enamored by Guelph’s street scene. With grand historic limestone buildings, murals and public art, and a long list of places to eat, shop and explore, Downtown Guelph will leave you wanting more!
With so much to discover, Downtown Guelph is the perfect location to visit time after time again.
While strolling through Downtown here are a few stops we think you should make:
The Vienna Restaurant
28 Macdonnell St
The Vienna is one of the oldest operating establishments in Guelph, dating back to the 1900s. Here you will experience delicious, well priced food and the old-time feel in a comfortable atmosphere.
My Kitty Cafe
117 Wyndham St N
My Kitty Cafe was the first of it’s kind in Ontario. With a great cafe line-up paired with fuzzy, cute cats and you’ve got a great place to spend a couple hours. The loving little balls of fur are also seeking their furever homes.
Brothers Brewing Co & Ale House
15 Wyndham St N
A bar, a bottle shop, a culinary pop-up hot spot, and an all round great place to grab your friends, a pint and gaze upon the historic and iconic Petrie Building.
Wilson Street Corridor
Wilson St
If you begin your public art walk of Wilson Street in front of the Guelph Farmers’ Market at 2 Gordon St, you will see:
1. Sudden Garden Installation by
2. #RoyalCityWings by Pellvetica
3. Cultivation by Kenneth Lavallee
4. In Flight by by Emmanuel Jarus
5. As It’s Written by Checka Creative Inc
Guelph Museums
52 Norfolk St
Guelph Museums is comprised of three different historical sites, two of which, Guelph Civic Museum and the Locomotive 6167, call Downtown Guelph home. Located in the renovated Loretto Convent, the Guelph Civic Museum is home to a collection of over 30,000 artifacts that bring Guelph’s past to life. The restored 1940 steam-powered Locomotive 6167 was inducted into the North America Railway Hall of Fame and sits at the Guelph Central Station (moving to John Galt Park, Fall 2020).
The Bookshelf
41 Quebec St
If there is one store everyone recommends you check out in Guelph, it’s The Bookshelf. Located on Quebec St, The Bookshelf opened in 1973 and has been bringing in the best literary works. In 1980, The Bookshelf became The Bookshelf Cafe and was Canada’s first bookstore cafe/restaurant.
Royal City Park
139 Gordon St
The perfect spot to stop and enjoy an ice cream, coffee or culinary bite while sitting riverside. The large tree canopy provides ample shade in the summer sun and stunning winter backdrops as the snow glistens.
Downtown Guelph has so much to do, see, and eat then we could list. Whether you are new to Guelph, a long time guelphite or just stopping in for a day or two, come and #exploreguelph.
Check out the 2021 Visit Guelph Guide for more inspiration on your next neighbourhood exploration.
