Guelph: local rooms, events and more

Photo: Jfvoll · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Metro area · Ontario · 165k people

Guelph

“The Royal City”

A royal city with a river running through it.

Gryphon RedGryphon GoldFarmland Green

Welcome to Guelph, the Royal City! Whether you're strolling the limestone downtown or paddling the Speed River, you'll find a friendly community with a love for local food and music. Make yourself at home.

Clubs for Guelph

No clubs for Guelph yet.

The room

Guelph Quiet now A royal city with a river running through it.

One room for everyone around Guelph. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Guelph. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

University of Guelph Historic university with a beautiful arboretum and Johnston Green.
Guelph Farmers' Market One of Ontario's oldest farmers' markets, open year-round.
Riverside Park Large riverside park with trails, playgrounds, and a footbridge.
Speed River Trail Scenic trail along the Speed River, popular for walking and cycling.
Sleeman Centre Home of the Guelph Storm hockey team and major concerts.
Guelph Civic Museum Local history museum housed in the historic Loretto Convent.

Outdoors Hike along the Speed River Trail
Outdoors Cycle the Royal Recreation Trail
With kids Riverside Park playground and splash pad
With kids Guelph Farmers' Market
Evenings Brewery taprooms like Wellington Brewery
Evenings Live music at the eBar
Locals love craft breweries
Locals love farmers' markets

Through the year

Hillside Festival July Music and arts festival at Guelph Lake
Guelph Jazz Festival September International jazz performances downtown
Guelph Comedy Festival March Comedy shows and workshops across the city
Guelph Lake Triathlon July Popular triathlon event at Guelph Lake
Guelph Musicfest June Classical and contemporary music series

Guelph has four distinct seasons with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Best: Late spring through early fall is ideal for being outdoors.

Talk like a local

“Royal City”: Nickname for Guelph, referencing its royal founding
“Guelphite”: A resident of Guelph
“the Speed”: The Speed River
“U of G”: University of Guelph

Getaways

Centre Wellington Explore Elora Gorge and the historic town of Elora
Waterloo Region Visit the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market and the Tannery District
Hamilton Check out the Royal Botanical Gardens and waterfalls
Stratford See a play at the Stratford Festival

Local flavour

Teams

Guelph Storm OHL
Guelph Gryphons U Sports
Guelph Royals IBL

Eat and drink

Craft beer from local breweries (e.g., Wellington Brewery) Guelph has a strong craft beer scene
Farm-fresh produce from the Guelph Farmers' Market A local institution since 1827
Poutine Common Canadian dish, not unique to Guelph

Where people go

Historic limestone downtown Guelph's downtown features 19th-century limestone buildings
Farmers' markets The Guelph Farmers' Market is a local landmark
Riverfront trails Along the Speed River, popular for recreation
Breweries Several craft breweries define the local scene

Heritage and traditions

Guelph is proud of its 'Royal City' heritage, named after the British royal family, and its stunning limestone architecture. The city also takes pride in its vibrant arts scene and strong sense of community, from the farmers' market to the university.

This time of year in Guelph

Fall colours along the Speed River Autumn A popular walk to enjoy the changing leaves.

Say it like a local: “pop” — Carbonated soft drink.

Festivals

Guelph Multicultural Festival June Celebrates the city's diverse communities with food, music, and dance.
Guelph Scottish Festival June Highland games, pipe bands, and Scottish dancing, reflecting the city's founding heritage.
Guelph Pride August A vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community with a parade and events.
Guelph Ribfest July A summer barbecue festival with rib vendors and live music.

Landmarks with a story

Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate A magnificent limestone Catholic basilica built in 1888, a landmark of the city.
McCrae House Birthplace of John McCrae, now a museum dedicated to his life and the famous war poem.
Guelph City Hall A historic limestone building dating from 1856, still serving as the seat of local government.
Guelph Armoury A heritage building from 1907, now repurposed as a community arts centre.
Guelph Railway Station A historic station from 1911, serving as a reminder of the city's railway heritage.

Food traditions

Maple syrup season In early spring, sugar bushes in the surrounding countryside open for tours and pancake breakfasts.
Butter tarts A classic Ontario pastry, often sold at the farmers' market and local bakeries.
Local cheese Wellington County is known for dairy, and the farmers' market features local cheese makers.
Farm-fresh produce The Guelph Farmers' Market, running since 1827, is a weekly tradition for seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Music and arts

Folk music scene Guelph is a hub for Canadian folk music, anchored by the Hillside Festival.
Jazz scene The annual Guelph Jazz Festival (September) draws international artists.
Guelph Arts Council A non-profit supporting local artists and cultural events.
Ed Video Media Arts Centre A cooperative for independent film and video makers.

A little history

1827 City founded by John Galt of the Canada Company
1915 John McCrae wrote 'In Flanders Fields' during World War I
1874 Ontario Agricultural College established, a precursor to the university
1964 University of Guelph officially formed

Rivalries

Guelph Storm vs. Kitchener Rangers OHL hockey rivalry between nearby cities.
Guelph Gryphons vs. Waterloo Warriors University sports rivalry.
Guelph Royals vs. Hamilton Cardinals Intercounty Baseball League rivalry.

Game day Guelph Storm hockey games
Game day Guelph Gryphons football
Outdoors Hike the Speed River Trail
Outdoors Cycle the Royal Recreation Trail
With kids McCrae House
With kids Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate

Guelph speaks standard Canadian English with a Southern Ontario accent. Locals say 'eh', 'pop', and 'toque', and they pronounce the city's name as 'gwelph' (with a 'w' sound). The nickname 'Royal City' is used affectionately.

Only here

The nickname 'Royal City' comes from the British royal family's German roots (House of Guelph).
John McCrae wrote 'In Flanders Fields' at his home here, now a museum.
The Guelph Storm is a major junior hockey team with a passionate fan base.
The Guelph Farmers' Market is one of the oldest in Ontario, operating since 1827.

New here? A few tips

Pronounce the city's name as 'gwelph' (with a 'w' sound), not 'gelf'.
Winters are cold and snowy; invest in a good winter coat and boots.
Visit the Guelph Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings—go early for the best selection.
The city is bike-friendly; use the Royal Recreation Trail and Speed River paths.
Try the local craft beer at one of the many breweries.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Nearby

Every area

Centre WellingtonOntarioGorgeous by nature, Scottish by heart.Waterloo RegionOntarioWhere old-world charm meets new-world innovation.Wellington CountyOntarioWhere the fields meet the forest and the neighbours wave.BrantfordOntarioWhere the Grand River meets innovation and hockey heart.HamiltonOntarioWhere the escarpment shades a hard-working, friendly city.Oxford CountyOntarioWhere the fields meet the horizon and neighbours wave.StratfordOntarioWhere culture and farmland flourish WoodstockOntarioFriendly dairy country, where neighbours wave hello

Guelph. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.