From September 25 to November 25 we are getting out to #TraverseGuelph, Traverse is the City of Guelph’s Transit Shelter Artist Showcase, featuring original artwork by 6 local artists, strategically placed throughout all 6 city wards, creating mini art crawls and tours for residents and visitors. These self-guided tours are easily accessible by bus, car, bike and on foot.
With handy ward-based tips on what to see/eat/do, this showcase celebrates community spirit, inclusion and diversity, and inspires civic pride.
From portraits to plein air, this showcase will give you insight into The Royal City’s creative capacity, and a few of the many talented artists that call Guelph home.
To learn more about the artists in this showcase check out guelph.ca/traverse.
Be sure to check business websites for more information about hours of operation, COVID restrictions, etc.
Subconscious Garden by Chanel DesRoches
Wanted by Robert John Paterson
As the Fog Clears Plot the Course by Christopher Cape
(519), Kevin Konnyu by Greg Denton
Downtown Traverse Tour: 3-minute drive; 4-minute bike ride; or 9-minute walk
| Bus stop number | Location | Inside/Outside | Ward | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Wyndham Street, 20 metres north of Quebec Street, west side (ad case panel, no full shelter) | Outside | Downtown | Greg Denton |
| 1001 | Quebec at Wyndham westbound | Outside | Downtown | Jessie Buchanan |
| 6003 | Norfolk at Oxford northbound | Outside | Downtown and Ward 3 | Robert John Paterson |
| 1130 | Wyndham at Cork southbound | Inside | Downtown | Abby Nowakowski |
| 1130 | Wyndham at Cork southbound | Outside | Downtown | Christopher Cape |
| 5830 | Wyndham at Quebec northbound | Outside | Downtown | Chanel DesRoches |
“Downtown Guelph is the jewel in the Royal City’s crown. Its character and charm are matched by its beauty and history. 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!” From the 2020 Visit Guelph Guide.
Recommended stops on your tour
Eat/Drink
- Buon Gusto
- Sip Club
- Lady Glaze Doughnuts
- Miijidaa Cafe + Bistro
- Capistrano Bistro & Espresso Bar
- Taste With Andy
- Brothers Brewing
See/Do
- Old Quebec Street Mall
- The Family Fountain
- IODE Memorial Fountain
- Guelph Public Library Main Branch
- Guelph Civic Museum
- The Bookshelf
- Play With Clay
Ward 1 Traverse Tour: 18-minute drive; 39-minute bike ride; or 2 hour and 12-minute walk
| Bus stop number | Location | Inside/Outside | Ward | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 416 | Watson at Guelph Transit southbound | Outside | Ward 1 | Greg Denton |
| 333 | Watson at Starwood southbound | Outside | Ward 1 | Jessie Buchanan |
| 1415 | Starwood at Ralston northbound | Outside | Ward 1 | Robert John Paterson |
| 1411 | Watson at Grange southbound | Outside | Ward 1 | Abby Nowakowski |
| 1314 | Hadati at Yeats northbound | Outside | Ward 1 | Christopher Cape |
| 424 | York at Victoria westbound | Outside | Ward 1 | Chanel DesRoches |
This ward encompasses Guelph’s downtown, but also St. Patrick’s Ward, St. George’s Park and the East End.
Recommended stops on your tour
Eat/Drink
- Guelph Air Park Café
- Town and Country Family Restaurant
- York Road Kitchen and Chocolate Bar
- Na-Ha Thai’s Kitchen
- Café Greek Garden
- Royal City Brewery
See/Do
- Laura Bailey Memorial Trail
- Riot Axe
- Grotto Climbing Gym
- Guelph Little Theatre
- York Road Park
- Victoria Road Recreation Centre
- Mustang Drive-In
- Yorklands Green Hub
Ward 2 Traverse Tour: 14-minute drive; 31-minute bike ride; or 1 hour and 50-minute walk
| Bus stop number | Location | Inside/Outside | Ward | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 236 | Woolwich at Mac southbound | Outside | Wards 2 and 3 | Greg Denton |
| 6097 | Woolwich at Verney southbound | Outside | Wards 2 and 3 | Jessie Buchanan |
| 1204 | Delhi at Guelph General Hospital northbound | Outside | Ward 1 | Robert John Paterson |
| 1214 | Woodlawn at Victoria westbound | Outside | Ward 1 | Abby Nowakowski |
| 383 | Woodlawn at Speed River westbound | Outside | Ward 1 | Christopher Cape |
| 384 | Woodlawn at Woolwich westbound | Outside | Ward 1 | Chanel DesRoches |
“The North End neighbourhoods blend with beautiful natural settings with modern urban living. Filled with tree-lined trails that connect to five neighbourhoods, you’ll find Guelph’s Riverside Park, which follows the Speed River…Guelph Lake Conservation Area on the outskirts of the city offers summer camping, and the island is home to the famed Hillside Festival. Other highlights listed below include the Ignatius Old-Growth Forest, an ecological restoration project.” From the 2020 Visit Guelph Guide.
Recommended stops on your tour
Eat/Drink
See/Do
- Riverside Park – Miniature Train, Antique Carousel, Windmill, Floral Clock, Disc Golf Course, Winter Skate Trail
- Eastview Pollinator Park
- DIYode
- Guelph Country Club
- Guelph Lake Conservation Area
- Ignatius Jesuit Centre
Ward 3 Traverse Tour: 12-minute drive; 24-minute bike ride; or 1 hour and 24-minute walk
| Bus stop number | Location | Inside/Outside | Ward | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 236 | Woolwich at Mac southbound | Outside | Wards 2 and 3 | Greg Denton |
| 6097 | Woolwich at Verney southbound | Outside | Wards 2 and 3 | Jessie Buchanan |
| 6003 | Norfolk at Oxford northbound | Outside | Downtown and Ward 3 | Robert John Paterson |
| 2040 | Willow at Bagot eastbound | Outside | Ward 3 | Abby Nowakowski |
| 1110 | Dawson at Guelph Medical Place northbound | Outside | Ward 3 | Christopher Cape |
| 391 | Westmount at Division southbound | Outside | Ward 3 | Chanel DesRoches |
Arguably one of the most beautiful wards in the city, this ward encompasses Exhibition Park, as well as the Junction and Sunny Acres neighbourhoods.
Recommended stops on your tour
Eat/Drink
- Polestar Hearth
- Park Grocery Deli & Bar
- The Wooly Pub
- Baker Street Station
- Cadence
- Artisanale
- With the Grain
See/Do
- Exhibition Park – Arena, Natural Playground, Tennis Courts, Wading pool
- Hastings Stadium
- Guelph Public Library Main Branch
- Children’s Art Factory
Ward 4 Traverse Tour: 15-minute drive; 27-minute bike ride; or 1 hour and 30-minute walk
| Bus stop number | Location | Inside/Outside | Ward | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Willow at Marksam westbound | Outside | Ward 4 | Greg Denton |
| 2007 | Willow at Rhonda westbound | Inside | Ward 4 | Jessie Buchanan |
| 276 | Imperial at Willow southbound | Inside | Ward 4 | Robert John Paterson |
| 228 | Woodlawn at Regal eastbound | Outside | Ward 4 | Abby Nowakowski |
| 2005 | Willow at Silvercreek westbound | Outside | Ward 4 | Christopher Cape |
| 1117 | Willow at Silvercreek eastbound | Outside | Ward 4 | Chanel DesRoches |
“The West End started to develop in the 1970s and continues to grow today. Home to the West End Community Centre, a fully accessible, multi-purpose community centre with a variety of facilities. This neighbourhood is also a brewer’s hub, housing Canada’s oldest independently owned microbrewery, Wellington Brewery, and Guelph’s newest brewery, Fixed Gear Brewing.” From the 2020 Visit Guelph Guide.
Recommended stops on your tour
Eat/Drink
- Wellington Brewery
- Dixon’s Distillery
- Fixed Gear Brewing Co.
- R U Serious Tap and Grill
- Chuck’s Roadhouse
- Ben Thanh
- Diwa Classic Indian Cuisine
See/Do
- West End Community Centre
- Margaret Greene Park
- Guelph Public Library – West End
- Galaxy Cinemas
- Woodlawn Bowl and Family Fun Centre
Ward 5 Traverse Tour: 6-minute drive; 11-minute bike ride; 42-minute walk
| Bus stop number | Location | Inside/Outside | Ward | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 117 | College at Vanier eastbound | Outside | Ward 5 | Greg Denton |
| 118 | College at Lynnwood eastbound | Outside | Ward 5 | Jessie Buchanan |
| 1518 | Edinburgh at Chancellors Way southbound | Outside | Ward 5 | Robert John Paterson |
| 1505 | Stone at Stone Road Mall westbound | Outside | Ward 5 | Abby Nowakowski |
| 114 | Stone at Scottsdale westbound | Outside | Ward 5 | Christopher Cape |
| 116 | Janefield at Mason northbound | Outside | Ward 5 | Chanel DesRoches |
This ward includes the University of Guelph campus, and Stone Road Mall, Guelph’s largest shopping mall.
“The University of Guelph’s history dates back to 1874 when the Ontario School of Agriculture was established on a farm provided by the Ontario government. In 1880 it became the Ontario Agricultural College. In addition to its historic campus and state of the art athletics facilities, visitors to the UofG should schedule a stop at the Art Gallery of Guelph on their visit. With Canada’s largest outdoor sculpture park at its doorstep, you’ll be enchanted by the diverse collection featuring works from some of Canada’s premier artists.” From the 2020 Visit Guelph Guide.
Recommended stops on your tour
Eat/Drink
- Symposium Cafe
- Williams Fresh Café
- Fionn MacCool’s
- Montana’s BBQ & Bar
- Milestones Grill + Bar
- East Side Mario’s
See/Do
- The Arboretum
- University of Guelph Campus
- McCrae House
- Silvercreek Skatepark
- Art Gallery of Guelph & Donald Forster Sculpture Park
- Stone Road Mall
- Guelph Public Library – Scottsdale Branch
- Cutten Fields
Ward 6 Traverse Tour: 11-minute drive; 23-minute bike ride; or 1 hour and 8-minute walk
| Bus stop number | Location | Inside/Outside | Ward | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5608 | Gordon at Arkell northbound | Outside | Ward 6 | Greg Denton |
| 168 | Gordon at Edinburgh northbound | Inside | Ward 6 | Jessie Buchanan |
| 170 | Gordon at Harts northbound | Outside | Ward 6 | Robert John Paterson |
| 718 | Kortright and Preservation Park | Outside | Ward 6 | Chanel DesRoches |
| 164 | Edinburgh at Rodgers southbound | Outside | Ward 6 | Abby Nowakowski |
| 165 | Edinburgh at Southcreek southbound | Outside | Ward 6 | Christopher Cape |
“The South End is a booming neighbourhood with new housing developments, tasty restaurants, accommodation options, and Guelph’s largest brewery (and the third largest brewery in Canada), Sleeman Breweries…The South End also offers an opportunity to connect with nature, with trails, parks, green spaces, golf courses and more.” From the 2020 Visit Guelph Guide.
Recommended stops on your tour
Eat/Drink
- The Shakespeare Arms Pub
- Borealis Grille and Bar
- The Fat Duck Gastro Pub
- Creekside Kitchen
- Manhattans Pizza Bistro and Music Club
- Olive Tree Mediterranean Bistro
- Cusina Mediterranean Bistro
See/Do
- Starkey Hill Conservation Area
- Donkey Sanctuary of Canada
- Preservation Park Trail Loop
- Hammond Museum of Radio
- Springfield Golf and Country Club
- Victoria Park Valley Golf Club
Don’t see your business listed in the ward highlights section? Feel free to contact [email protected] to be added to the list!
Thanks to our supporters
The City received $101,000 in funding earlier this summer from FedDev Ontario through the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO). The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) is for COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts in the tourism, arts and culture sectors. All costs associated with this project are covered through the RRRF funding. The City gratefully thanks these funding bodies for their support.
