Amusements and Local Attractions

Things to do in the Waterloo area

Visit the market. With its rich Mennonite heritage, it’s hardly a surprise that Waterloo Region features not one but two great farmer’s markets – one in downtown Kitchener, easily accessible by the #7 bus, and one north of Waterloo, just outside the little town of St. Jacobs. This one’s a little farther, but bigger. An easy cycle, or take the #21 bus or, better still, hop an antique train. If you take the train, consider getting off in St. Jacob’s to explore the shops and restaurants, then hop back on and hit the market on your way home. The Kitchener market has stalls open Tuesday to Friday, but really comes to life on Saturday.  St. Jacob’s Market is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Take the trail or play in the park. A lovely network of pedestrian and cycling trails weaves its way through the region. At either end of the Iron Horse Trail, which connects UW with downtown Kitchener, are two large, beautiful parks. Waterloo Park, located in between the city’s two universities, just south of University Ave. features sports field, picnic tables, a splash park, a duck pond, and a small zoo with llamas and peacocks and stuff. You can also catch the antique train from here. Kitchener’s corresponding park is Victoria Park, a lovely expanse of gardens, water and bridges, with a really, really good playground (just in case you have a small philosopher with you).

Canoe the Grand River. Check it out!

Shop – uptown and downtown! Both Waterloo and Kitchener have vibrant downtown cores with lots of interesting independent businesses. And, they’re so close together, it’s easy to visit both of them (just ride the #7 mainline bus to hop on and off in both uptown Waterloo and downtown Kitchener). Some highlights: Really great used and independent book stores. Start at Old Goat Books and Wordsworth Books in Waterloo, then head to Kitchener to visit Second Look Books and the KW Bookstore. Other great shopping: the gift shop at the Clay and Glass Gallery has amazing, local hand-made pottery and glassware in all price points, and offers warm, friendly service. Both cities feature great vintage stores: Patina and Unit 5 in Waterloo and Out of the Past in Kitchener. One shopping tip: If you have access to a car or bike and like sausage, head out into Mennonite country to buy summer sausage straight from the farmers’ back doors. Each house has its own distinctive recipe. Signs are posted on the road. No Sunday sales. If you can’t make it to the farm, never fear. You can get a range of local housemade summer sausages at the farmer’s market.

Stroll through some galleries and museums. So much art; so little time! Visit the UW Art Gallery (UWAG). Check out the work of local artisans at the Clay and Glass Gallery. Make your way to Kitchener to see the collection at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery (see "Events" below for descriptions of ongoing exhibitions). And, if, having checked out the galleries, you feel like some different kinds of museums afterwards, consider the City of Waterloo Museum, the Joseph Schneider Haus Museum (see "Events" below for descriptions of ongoing exhibitions), Homer Watson House (see "Events" below for descriptions of ongoing exhibitions), The Museum (yes, that’s what it’s called), and Waterloo Region Museum.

Check out close by. Kitchener-Waterloo is only an hour’s drive from Toronto, an hour and a half from Niagara Falls and the gorgeous Niagara wine region, and a mere half hour from lovely little Elora, home of a thriving artistic community and a beautiful gorge and swimming area. If you can get away for an afternoon or a day, there’s plenty to do within an easy drive of the city.

Events

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Cambridge Ribfest - 49 King St. W., Cambridge ON
http://cambridgeribfest.com/
This year’s event will be held at Riverside Park in Cambridge, Ontario, welcoming people from all over the world to sample some of the best ribs from some of North America’s top ribbers. The event runs August 8th to 10th, 2014.

Summer Music Series - Waterloo Region Museum and Doon Heritage Village, 10 Huron Rd.,
Kitchener ON

Every Sunday afternoon in July and August the Waterloo Region Museum will feature a local artist or group who will entertain visitors with music and song. Join us for a look in the galleries, a visit to the village and enjoy an afternoon of music on the patio. This Sunday check out Traditional folk/blues with David Neigh

Kitchener Blues Festival – Across Downtown Kitchener, ON
To see who is playing and at what times, see the Sunday schedule here. As well, check out the website for map and locations.

Monday, August 11, 2014

Show and Shine Classic Car - 563 Highland Rd. W., Kitchener ON
Featuring fancy vintage cars, 50s and 60s music, charity BBQs, draws, and a vote for your favourite vehicle. Show starts 6 pm every Monday.

Swing Dance - 42 Erb St. E., Waterloo ON
Come to The Hep Cat Hoppers to enjoy swing jazz and blues music and an introductory swing dance lesson ($8). Mondays, 8:30 pm.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Chamber Music Society (Concert) - KWCMS Music Room 57 Young St. W., Waterloo ON
On the piano, Alessandra Amarra and Roberto Prosseda. Concert starts at 8:00 pm. Check out these talented pianists' bios, and the programme, here.

Tim Louis Jazz Trio at Boa Nova Rodizio Grill House - 6 Charles St. W., Kitchener, ON
The show goes from 7 pm - 10 pm. No charge.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Dino Wednesdays - University of Waterloo Earth Sciences Museum: 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON
The Earth Sciences Museum is hosting weekly Dinosaur Tours during July and August. Dinosaur Tours will be available, free, to the general public for all ages every Wednesday at 1 PM.

Chamber Music Society (Concert) - KWCMS Music Room 57 Young St. W., Waterloo, ON
On the piano, Alessandra Amarra and Roberto Prosseda. Concert starts at 8:00 pm. Check out these talented pianists' bios, and the Wednesday programme.

Science and Technology in Society Teaching Group

Interested in how science, technology, and society interact? Find out more information about the Science and Technology in Society Teaching Group professors and the undergraduate courses they teach at the University of Waterloo.

Feminism and Science Research Group

In the Feminism and Science Research Group we conduct research that is unified by attention to justice and the social nature of scientific, technological and medical research. We are interested in research policy, practice, education and implementation. Details