Kitchener

Travel Guide

Guelph featuring a fountain, a city and a statue or sculpture
Kitchener showing a park as well as an individual femail
Kitchener featuring street scenes
Kitchener featuring a bridge and a park
Kitchener showing street scenes

Hundreds of parks, Mennonite pioneer houses and one of the largest Oktoberfests in North America make this city just outside of Toronto worth visiting.

Head southwest through Toronto’s surrounding farmland to reach the extensive twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo. Kitchener is the southernmost of the pair and features an array of parks, museums and historical sites. Once known as Berlin, Kitchener has a rich German heritage. Visit a heritage German house and try a local pilsner at the city’s fun-filled Oktoberfest.

Kitchener is known for its lush green spaces. Find nearly 220 parks in this leafy city, including golf courses, nature preserves and urban parks. During the winter, ski within the city limits at the Chicopee Ski and Summer Resort.

Victoria Park is Kitchener’s centrally located park. This park dates back to 1896 and its clock tower is one of the city’s essential heritage structures. The tower stood atop the now-demolished old city hall. Visit nearby Kitchener City Hall to see the modern civic building. Take the Iron Horse Trail by foot, bicycle or on horseback from Victoria Park into Waterloo Park, the main park of Kitchener’s twin city.

Learn about the history of Kitchener’s settlement and development at its interesting museums. The Joseph Schneider Haus is a history museum located inside the city’s oldest house, which was built in 1816 by a German Mennonite pioneer. Tour the interior to see period furnishings and German-Canadian folk art in the exhibition space. The Waterloo Region Museum provides details on the rest of Kitchener’s history, including the First Nations people who once lived here and the city’s prosperous manufacturing industry.

Visit Kitchener in October to see the city embrace its German heritage in one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in North America, attracting hundreds of thousands of people each year. The 9-day festival culminates with Canada’s much-loved Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Drive an hour or take a 3-hour bus ride out of Toronto to reach Kitchener. Surrounded by farmland and dotted with idyllic green spaces, Kitchener is a peaceful respite from urban Toronto.

Where to stay in Kitchener

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Saint Jacobs

You'll enjoy the museums and riverfront in Saint Jacobs. You might want to make time for a stop at St. Jacobs Scoolhouse Theatre or Maple Syrup Museum of Ontario.

Saint Jacobs
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Elmira

Discover the largest Old Order Mennonite community in Canada, with regular buggy sightings and the historic Bandstand in Gore Park. Enjoy the Woolwich Memorial Centre's amenities and explore the Kissing Bridge Trailway for outdoor activities.

Elmira
Kitchener showing signage

Downtown Kitchener

While visiting Downtown Kitchener, you might make a stop by sights like Centre In The Square and Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery.

Downtown Kitchener
The old mill ruins in Rockwood Conservation Area I’m sure are popular with wedding and portrait photographers, but can be fun for landscape/stars too!

Rockwood

Travelers like the parks in Rockwood, and Rockwood Conservation Area is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Rockwood
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Ayr

If you're spending some time in Ayr, Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area is a top sight worth visiting.

Ayr
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Hespeler

Situated along the Speed River, this industrial-based area offers recreational activities like parks, canoeing, and trails. Explore the Old Town, Fire Hall, Hespeler Library, and Fashion History Museum.

Hespeler
Crowne Plaza Kitchener-Waterloo by IHG

Crowne Plaza Kitchener-Waterloo by IHG

4 out of 5
105 King St E, Kitchener, ON
$109 nightly
The price is $128 total per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
$128 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Kitchener. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,283 reviews)
"Great experience. Plan on staying again. Was there one night with my daughter for a sporting event. Breakfast was included in what I purchased and so worth it! Pool was nice, clean and warm. Room was nice, good location right downtown, would have liked more time to check it out more. Staff was amazing, ..."

Reviewed on Aug 18, 2025

Crowne Plaza Kitchener-Waterloo by IHG
Comfort Inn Cambridge

Comfort Inn Cambridge

2.5 out of 5
220 Holiday Inn Dr, Cambridge, ON
$85 nightly
The price is $100 total per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
$100 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,009 reviews)
"Room was clean and very close to work"

Reviewed on Aug 16, 2025

Comfort Inn Cambridge
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Waterloo St. Jacobs

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Waterloo St. Jacobs

2.5 out of 5
55 Benjamin Road, Township of Woolwich, ON
$88 nightly
The price is $104 total per night from Sep 7 to Sep 8
$104 total
Sep 7 - Sep 8
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Township of Woolwich. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,042 reviews)
"Amazing staff!"

Reviewed on Aug 18, 2025

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Waterloo St. Jacobs
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residence & Conference Centre - Kitchener Waterloo

Residence & Conference Centre - Kitchener Waterloo

2 out of 5
99 Conestoga College Boulevard, Kitchener, ON
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Kitchener. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.2/10 Good! (541 reviews)
"I enjoyed my stay it was very clean"

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2025

Residence & Conference Centre - Kitchener Waterloo
Belwood Bunkie Escape & Spa minutes away from Elora

Belwood Bunkie Escape & Spa minutes away from Elora

Belwood
Stay at this cabin in Centre Wellington. Enjoy free WiFi, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attraction Belwood Lake Conservation Area is located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
"A lovely and unique property, felt very special and comfy"

Reviewed on Aug 20, 2025

Belwood Bunkie Escape & Spa minutes away from Elora
Cozy clean, family sized house.

Cozy clean, family sized house.

Cambridge
Stay at this vacation home in Cambridge. Enjoy a fitness center, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Doon Valley Golf Course ...
8/10 Very Good! (4 reviews)
"The neighbourhood and area was clean, and the location off the highway was fantastic for where we needed to be. The house itself is nice layout with an entryway on main level, kitchen/sitting area and small bathroom on second level, and 3 bedrooms and full bath on the top level. However, it looked ..."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Cozy clean, family sized house.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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